Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Surplus Military Wool Pants?

Anyone use surplus wool pants for cold weather hunting? If so, where can I buy reasonably priced gear online?

How does this stuff compare to Filson, Woolrich, Johnson Mills etc.?

Thanks in advance.

I just wear wool and have had good success with surplus clothing

They work very well and are very durable. I've been using one pair of US surplus wool pants for going on 25 years now. Like any wool clothing you need some kind of under layer. In the Army back in Germany we had wool long johns but any of the wicking poly blends today are probably a bit more comfortable.




Just don't let them get too near a propane heater, though, they stink when they burn...

Any thoughts on the Codet Big Bill Woodsman pants? I found these online.

https://secure.armysurplusforless.com/productView.php?id=382#Charcoal Plaid

$85.00 for 28 oz. 100% wool pants seems like a great deal. Anyone have any experience with this brand? Thoughts?

I bought E. German wool pants for hunting 25 years ago from Sportsman Guide. Loved them wonderful.

I used to buy surplus GI wool pants and shirts at the local Army/Navy surplus
Nowadays that is a little harder
Sprortsman's Guide sell foreign wool stuff
Worth a look

I've used US military surplus and that of other countries as well. It has always been an excellent to good value for the money. I've never regretted a purchase. Like others have said, Army-Navy stores and Sportsman Guide have been good sources for me.

Rolling Thunder - I guarantee those will be good pants, but that is depending on what kind of hunting you're doing. Those 28oz pants are going to be very thick and very warm. If all you're doing is sitting in a stand and it's cold, they'll be great. If you plan on walking much, you will overheat and be sorry for wearing them. I'd look for a lower weight pant. The military surplus pants are great and very durable. Most places have an Army/Navy surplus store somewhere close that you can actually visit and feel the material to judge how heavy you want them. You should be able to find something for much less than $85 at the surplus store. You also probably will want to try them on since the sizes are not always the most accurate as they are labeled.

I have wool Army pants that I bought 10 or 15 years ago for Elk hunting that work great. I really like them and they were CHEEEEAP!!! (I think I remember paying about $20 a pair) Haven't looked for them for years because the 3 pairs I have are still in great shape and will probably out live me. You can overheat in them if it isn't pretty cold or you hike too hard.

It's hard to beat Filson whipcord for the active hunter. If its really cold or I'm not going to be moving much I pull out West German Milsurp cargo pants.

Quite a few years ago Cabelas had milsurp pants for like $8/pair. I bought 3 pair and haven't broken in the 3d pair yet. The biggest problem was that they had button flies that were almost impossible to get buttoned. I gave up and replaced them with zippers.
Check out Sportsmans Guide. They have all kinds of milsurp pants for really cheap.

I prefer the lighter weight ones, maybe dress pants. They're wool so they're durable and warm when wet but they aren't so hot in mild weather. If it gets real cold, I wear polypro long johns under them.

Thanks to everyone for the helpful info. Much appreciated.

I have the Big Bill pants and they are great. You may also want to look at johnson wool pants and jackets, they are made in vermont. I have had the johnson's as well and they are very well made also.

The Codet brand wool clothing is very high quality at a reasonable price. It's quite popular here in the frozen north. I own several pairs of various weights and also the bibs.
the pants are available in various weights so you needn't necessarily buy the heaviest weight available. I highly recommend them. A pair of quality suspenders is almost a must in my opinion. I don't see the logic in layering up and then tightening a belt up around your midsection.

I still have three pair that I got about the same time. Love them.

I have a pair of Codet pants and a jacket. I like em.
I have had them for 20 or so years and they have held up well.

I was smart enough to buy 2 pair of West German surplus wool pants when they were dirt cheap. One pair to wear and another pair to grow into, I am hunting in the grow into pair now.

Doc

It's the price of the milsurp gear that got my attention. Anything under $50.00 for warm, rugged pants that will last a lifetime is a steal. For that price I don't see why I wouldn't buy several pairs if I could find the right size.

Foreign sizes don't always match up with US sizes. You might find that mail order stuff has to be returned.

They work great for cross-country skiing. But mine have all shrunk around the waist vs. 40 years ago.