|
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 470
Campfire Member
|
OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 470 |
I'm looking for pants to wear elk/mule deer rifle hunting out West. I normally wear BDU 60/40 poly/cotton blend. That's great for hunting whitetails here, but I don't think that would work out West. What type/brand pants do y'all wear for backcountry hunting? Thanks for any info.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,604
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,604 |
I've used several different pants over the last few years. I add long johns , if super cold, or a water resistant over pant often if really wet.
First Lite Wool pants - I've used them a lot and like them. Kuhl Wool blend pants - no longer made, but really like them. I like them enough I picked up a second pair in fairbanks, and asked Kuhl if they were ever going to make them again (answer is no). A bit lighter weight than First Lite pants, I would consider them very durable as well . They are a wool / nylon blend. First Lite soft shell - Ok with a pretty standard cut, I like the pocket config for hunting but not my fav soft shell overall. Mountain Hardware soft shell - I forget the model, they have some Event panels built in (in the rear) and some reinforcements. Certainly an Alpine cut, mountaineering style pant, but the best performance of the soft shell pants.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,356
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,356 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,085
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,085 |
Marmot Scree are my favorites.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 320
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 320 |
Kevin,
When you referred to First Lite pants, are you talking about the Kanab 2.0 pants or another style? Just curious because I have the Kanab 2.0 pants and thought they are a little on the light side as far as warmth.
Thanks
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,846 Likes: 2
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,846 Likes: 2 |
Older Sitka Mountain pants have been serving with distinction for quite a few seasons thus far.
Highly breathable synthetic is the ticket for me. Critical to have waterproof gaiters with this set-up.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,604
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,604 |
Probably a bit of East vs West style cold, and lots of opinions not just my own would probably be better. I have some heavier pants but I just don't wear them. Yes Kanab 2.0 . I use the above combos for everything, and while I don't go to the coldest places on earth, I have been out in -25 a few times. Way more about Face / Head / Hands and feet to me. If I keep those warm I can get away with nothing super heavy for most of my body and some layers.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,239 Likes: 5
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,239 Likes: 5 |
Marmot Scree are my favorites.
These
Too close for irons, switching to scope...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 470
Campfire Member
|
OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 470 |
Probably a bit of East vs West style cold, and lots of opinions not just my own would probably be better. I have some heavier pants but I just don't wear them. Yes Kanab 2.0 . I use the above combos for everything, and while I don't go to the coldest places on earth, I have been out in -25 a few times. Way more about Face / Head / Hands and feet to me. If I keep those warm I can get away with nothing super heavy for most of my body and some layers. I wish I could wear the Kanabs. I don't know about the 2.0's, but the original Kanabs were tight on my legs. Do the newer version allow for a looser fit?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,042
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,042 |
Like everyone else have tried a lot of stuff over the years. Took me a long time to switch from wool. Synthetics are warmer than I thought they would be and they really do dry fast from your body heat. I usually wear gaiters which adds to the warmth so it has to get pretty cold before wearing long johns. I find the fabric weight, ability to use a real belt and pockets are key for me. I like pockets that are secure and placed with some thought. Brands, Eddie Bauer, North Face, Marmot, Reebok, Columbia and LL Bean have all worked for me. I prefer the heavier weight fabric when I know it will be cold all day. I tried a Rivers West upland game type pant this year. Fleece with a waterproof barrier. Side zips to help get some air when it is warm. Wasn't that cold and when I moved a lot I sweat a little and no matter how I tried I could not get the moisture off the inside until I took them off at the end of the day. Nice idea, just didn't work that great for me. My point with all this is that you always run a fine line with wind and wet and not getting too hot. I find that getting wet from sweating a lot is harder to fix than figuring out how to stay warm when it is cold. Don't have to break the bank! I found most of my name brand, high end gear at garage sales and thrift stores.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,397 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,397 Likes: 1 |
I like the kuiu attacks best.
Last edited by handwerk; 12/26/15.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 11,273
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 11,273 |
First Lite Corrugate Guide for me.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,604
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,604 |
The early Kanab pants had a really odd cut I did not care for.
The Corrugate Guide is the soft-shell I have used by FL.
Like 338WIN, usually a gaiter adds warmth.
My wife has some insulated synthetic over pants she uses for real cold weather. I think they were from Ebay, nothing fancy.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 6,439 Likes: 8
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 6,439 Likes: 8 |
Make sure it is material that burrs cannot attach to or you will be completely covered like velcro.
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
3-7-77
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,604
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,604 |
Here are the Mountain HardWear pants on STP MHW Softshell Pants The Kuhl Pants are called Outback and work well. They are very durable. Like I said, all you will find are closeouts , but you might find a good deal. I found an initial pair at a local store on closeout , really liked them. Asked KUHL about them, they said no more .. but those that had them really liked them, then I found a pair in Fairbanks so I picked up a second pair. http://www.rei.com/product/869940/kuhl-outback-pants-mens-32-inseam
Last edited by Kevin_T; 12/27/15.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,550 Likes: 7
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,550 Likes: 7 |
Sporthill Expedition for me
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,228
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,228 |
I keep coming back to the Rab Vapour Lite pants for anything from around 45 degrees or colder. I wear them with just Merino boxers to about-5F and with micro weight Merino long johns for anything below. I have tried Sitka, First Lite sand a bunch of different soft shells and they all pale compared to the Rab's. They breath great, block the wind and I can be in snow all day without getting wet.
Ed T
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,076
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,076 |
I've got a couple pairs of these and find myself wearing them more and more. They are really a great pair of pants. REI Endeavor pants are another favorite.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 124
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 124 |
|
|
|
|
624 members (12344mag, 160user, 10gaugemag, 06hunter59, 16gage, 19rabbit52, 65 invisible),
2,824
guests, and
1,299
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,193,644
Posts18,512,394
Members74,010
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|