Upland pants?

sndmn11

"DADDY"
Joined
Mar 28, 2017
Messages
10,613
Location
Morrison, Colorado
Is there anything that accomplishes...

1) 90% pokey proof
2) 90% waterproof
3) has zipper vents
4) comfortable

I have some well armored chaps from tenzig that basically a double layer of 500d cordura. They are hot and stiff and because of that not comfortable to walk in.

I have been wearing first lite corrugate and similar with gaiters this year, and there's a lot of pokeys that have gotten through and are in the weave needing to be picked out now. There has been zero weather here, but I know once there is, these will wet out in the first walk.

Candidates:
-kuiu pro brush (I've read mixed pokey resistant accounts)
-forloh btm (cotton - eek)
-final rise (seem like the corrugated I have already)
-Chief upland (seem like the corrugated I have already)
-Pyke (I'd have to add hip vents I think)
 

TSAMP

WKR
Joined
Jul 16, 2019
Messages
1,718
I think terrain matters, but the hip vents seem overrated to me here in the flatlands. I only end up using them when I overdress ( add base layers). I've hunted into the teens with only kuiu brush pants on and been fine for 4 hr hunts.

I also think your waterproof requirements directly conflict with your comfort requirement. This seems to be where chaps make more sense but I don't even own a pair.

I have found the kuiu pants to fit the 90% poke proof bill. I had still pulled a few throns from my thigh.

In order of importance in my opinion.

1) 90% pokey proof
2) comfortable
3 waterproof
4) zip vents
 
Joined
Aug 10, 2015
Messages
2,806
Check out the Scheels branded brush pants. They were too small of a fit for me but seem like great pants. They do have the zippered hip vents.
 
OP
sndmn11

sndmn11

"DADDY"
Joined
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Messages
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Location
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I also think your waterproof requirements directly conflict with your comfort requirement. This seems to be where chaps make more sense but I don't even own a pair.

I have found the kuiu pants to fit the 90% poke proof bill. I had still pulled a few throns from my thigh.
Are the Kuiu pants very water resistant?

I imagine a front face material to/should be the waterproof part and doesn't need to add to any stiffness of the material. Or be able to take a spray or wax (forloh) to achieve that.

I use hip zips on every hunt, they are gold.
 

TSAMP

WKR
Joined
Jul 16, 2019
Messages
1,718
Are the Kuiu pants very water resistant?

I imagine a front face material to/should be the waterproof part and doesn't need to add to any stiffness of the material. Or be able to take a spray or wax (forloh) to achieve that.

I use hip zips on every hunt, they are gold.
They are decent. If the grass is wet they will soak through but I don't find them uncomfortable. I mentioned in another thread I hunted them in the rain and was soaked but still drove home in them and and they were dry ish by the time I pulled in.
 

TSAMP

WKR
Joined
Jul 16, 2019
Messages
1,718
Check out the Scheels branded brush pants. They were too small of a fit for me but seem like great pants. They do have the zippered hip vents.
I think scheels has a couple pairs, I've had experience with their sharptail version and it didn't make it a month.
 

24valve

FNG
Joined
Jul 29, 2020
Messages
14
Used the Fjallraven Kebs for elk/deer this fall and am now using them for upland, and like them much more than the previous brush pants, work pants, and hunting pants I've used in the past for upland since they seem to be a great combination of all three.

1) 90% pokey proof (very pokey proof in the waxed canvas, somewhat in the stretchy fabric)
2) 90% waterproof (100% in the canvas when properly waxed, and the stretchy fabric still breathes which is a great combination)
3) has zipper vents (has them, but no mesh which I actually prefer with zip-off base layers)
4) comfortable (the stretchy portions make these as comfortable as kuiu attack pants)
5) Bonus - integrated gaiter hook so you don't need separate gaiters most of the time
 

Irish Miner

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 17, 2017
Messages
129
Location
Copper Town
I've been putting a pair of Pyke Uplands to the test over the last two years. So far - so good. They have a tighter fit, but I've gotten used to that. Have worked well in wet grass. Haven't really been tested by thorns, but are holding up well through thick sage and oak brush.

Got a pair of KUIU Yukons for last years elk hunt. Really tough and kept me perfectly dry. Hunt was wet, cold and snowy. They would be too much and too hot for early upland season in my opinion, but might use later this winter for wetter and colder times.

Hard to complain about any of them. Some of us remember only ever having Levis for everything! ;)
 
Last edited:

finner

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 14, 2019
Messages
244
The Kuiu brush pants are the best I've used. In 60+ days of hunting, the only thing that's put a hole in them is a barbed wire fence I tried to vault to get to a dog on point.
 
Joined
Jul 20, 2019
Messages
2,656
Used the Fjallraven Kebs for elk/deer this fall and am now using them for upland, and like them much more than the previous brush pants, work pants, and hunting pants I've used in the past for upland since they seem to be a great combination of all three.

1) 90% pokey proof (very pokey proof in the waxed canvas, somewhat in the stretchy fabric)
2) 90% waterproof (100% in the canvas when properly waxed, and the stretchy fabric still breathes which is a great combination)
3) has zipper vents (has them, but no mesh which I actually prefer with zip-off base layers)
4) comfortable (the stretchy portions make these as comfortable as kuiu attack pants)
5) Bonus - integrated gaiter hook so you don't need separate gaiters most of the time
These look awesome!
 
OP
sndmn11

sndmn11

"DADDY"
Joined
Mar 28, 2017
Messages
10,613
Location
Morrison, Colorado
If the pyke dakotas had vents they'd be the perfect upland pant.
I am genuinely leaning towards ordering a pair an adding some zippers

The Kuiu brush pants are the best I've used. In 60+ days of hunting, the only thing that's put a hole in them is a barbed wire fence I tried to vault to get to a dog on point.
Do they wet out easy?
 

finner

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 14, 2019
Messages
244
Do they wet out easy?
No they've stayed dry through some pretty nasty weather here. I do usually wear xtratufs or gaiters for chasing pheasants, so the lower parts are covered. But I haven't had any issues during rain or snow. I'll buy another pair when these ones wear out. I usually go through a pair of pants every bird season, but these are holding strong. Also wore them for some of archery and most of rifle here in MT
 
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