Pants for the Mountain Hunter

Timberstalker

Veteran member
Feb 1, 2012
2,242
6
Bend, Or
Staying dry in wet weather (I'm talking pouring rain all day for days in thick Oregon brush wet, not open country rain shower wet.) and being quiet for still hunting would be my #1 needs. Next to that would be how they fit, I'm a Levis 501 guy, most pants have a higher waist line than 501's and are not comfortable to me. Lastly not camo, I don't feel camo pants are really that important. I would be willing to drop some cash for the right pants for my needs.
 
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Fink

Veteran member
Apr 7, 2011
1,961
204
West Side, MoMo
Are there any high end pants that aren't camo? If I pay that much for them I want to wear them camping, hiking ect.. I don't like wearing camo when it's not necessary.

Another reason I have not pulled the trigger on any high end pants is they all seem noisy compared to fleece, I like to be silent in the woods.
Yep. Here are the Core 4 switchback pants, in a multitude of solid colors:
http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-gear/mens-paramount-peak-convertible-pant.html

In all seriousness.... My brother wears these, they are way better than my switchbacks, more durable, dry quicker, convert to shorts, AND, he doesn't look like a doofus when we are hiking a trail, and I'm the only guy in camo pants.
 
Dec 14, 2012
91
0
Minnesota
White Sierra Pants
I wear these pants for all around and even hunting last year. The pack in was warm weather so I actually wear them as shorts and had the bottom of the legs with for pants. They are comfortable pants for traveling and are very light weight and dry quick. They also have the added benefit of UPF sun protection in them as well. I have had these for a few years and don't remember what I paid for them but found them on amazon for a decent price.

http://www.amazon.com/White-Sierra-32-Inch-Inseam-Convertible/dp/B005H845QK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1396196116&sr=8-3&keywords=white+sierra+pants
 

mnhoundman

Veteran member
Oct 25, 2012
1,291
111
Minnesota
I wear wrangled rugged wear thinsulate all winter here there about 50.00 I think, very warm I usually get a couple years out of them. They would last longer I think if I wore some gaiters with them. You can get them in camo or brown.
 

woodtick

Veteran member
Feb 24, 2011
1,492
0
Jim Bridger County, Utah
the Kuiu Attacks are my favorite hunting pant, and they are good in a wide variety of weather and conditions.
These are the only thing I wear anymore, tried Sitka, Russell and Core4. Light enough for early season, and they have pit zip type deal on the outside edge of the pants, every time you take a step they pull in fresh air. Zip that up and throw on some 230gram merino and I'm good to well below zero.
 

ScottR

Eastmans' Staff / Moderator
Staff member
Feb 3, 2014
7,922
2,827
www.eastmans.com
These are the only thing I wear anymore, tried Sitka, Russell and Core4. Light enough for early season, and they have pit zip type deal on the outside edge of the pants, every time you take a step they pull in fresh air. Zip that up and throw on some 230gram merino and I'm good to well below zero.
For the real cold I switched to the North Branch pant from First Lite, even used them ice fishing.
 

tttoadman

Very Active Member
Nov 16, 2012
629
1
Oregon
I try not to worry about "bombproof" or not at the bottom. I always have the gaiters in my bag, so why not just wear em. Even when it's dry, it helps protect all that stuff on the ground level like pant cuffs and laces. Pants that have a drawstring cuff will snag everything you pass, and this is also avoided with the gaiters on.
 

RockChucker30

Active Member
Feb 22, 2014
162
0
Tennessee
I've got some high end pants and some cheaper pants. There are some good ones in both categories.

I've got Filson Whipcord wool pants that are nearly $200 new, but will last a lifetime of hard use. I really like them.

Kuiu attack pants are nice, but based on the picks and small tears I've gotten so far they won't last but a few years. The stretch is really nice on these.

Railriders are the toughest pants I've ever worn. They dry really fast, are versatile with base layers, and are comfortable. But they're pricey at around $100 a pair.

Arborwear makes some good stuff that is a bit cheaper. 5.11 Taclite Pro pants are a great value at around $50.

I'd like to try a pair of the cheap golf pants mentioned. I bet they will work surprisingly well.


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ivorytip

Veteran member
Mar 24, 2012
3,768
50
44
SE Idaho
i bet those golf pants work well too, all this fancy cammo stuff really isnt important and all these new fancy patterns is whats driving some of these pants so high. obviously along with some diff material here and there. scott, i thought bout sending those pants in for exchange for new but once i get a bad first impression it leaves a foul taste in my mouth. i do want to check out those railriders though.
 

ScottR

Eastmans' Staff / Moderator
Staff member
Feb 3, 2014
7,922
2,827
www.eastmans.com
Next pants I get will be grey timberlines from Sitka. Camp is a tool that helps, but can't fix bad hunting tactics and practices.

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Squirrel tail

Member
Aug 28, 2012
56
0
Dillon MT
i just have some cabelas dryplus packable stuff ...it was ok the first 1 years but now they are ripped all over and its only the 4th season and there not even close to being water resistant...but i did where them for about 70 days strait this last season ...
 

7stwluver

Member
Mar 27, 2014
95
0
Piedmont america
I wear the sitka mountain pants take the knee pads out. They're nice but I'm really considering a pair of kuiu attack or guide pants. The attacks with a good base layer should suffice most of my needs especially in warmer weather with no base layer. The mountain pants are hot even with no base layer in warmer weather. And cool in the 20's with a good merino base layer. Can't decide for sure what to do.
 

Hilltop

Veteran member
Feb 25, 2014
3,847
2,230
Eastern Nebraska
Spray a pair of $30.00 wranglers with a $2 can of camp dry and hang for a few days to let the smell go away... cheap, waterproof pants that will last. I own insulated nice pants for tree stand hunting but for hiking I just love jeans. Don't think I will ever change.
 

Never in Doubt

Active Member
Jul 9, 2012
304
0
It's almost always warm/hot here in California, even at 9,000+ feet. A 'cold' night is maybe down to the high 20's and usually later in the season. I'm trying some new 100% nylon hiking pants and so far they are excellent.
 

FlaFlatlander

New Member
Jun 12, 2014
48
0
Florida
I just purchased a pair of Propper tactical pants that are a little different from the normal ones. They are nylon and spandex and DWR coated. They should be here in about a week and I will try them out and update but they sound pretty good as far as comfort and water repellent. They also have a STL 2 pant that is more athletic fitting but I thought the 1's would work out better.

Propper STL 1 Pants $50