Never owned a pair of chaps. Are the Filson or other brands worth a look? You guys use chaps when bird hunting much?

Personally not a fan of chaps. The filsons are too heavy for me and type of hunting

I like the Llbean upland pants. Fairly durable, light weighted and most important to me is they dry out quickly walking through wet grass cattails etc

I hunt mostly prairie type environments or walk hills for Huns chukar

https://m.llbean.com/product.html?skCatId=111625&skCatId=111625&productId=1553499&attrValue_0=Ash/Dark%20Mushroom&pla1=0&mr:device=m&mr:adType=pla_with_promotiononline&qs=3125008_google&lsft=qs:3125008_google%2Cproduct:0RUH144330&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlOyX7dnU1gIVCJF-Ch1QSAZjEAQYASABEgLolfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CNGt6vPZ1NYCFcmtZAodv1oHKA&llbdrd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&csp=a#111625

Llbean has great warranty too

Thanks Ribka, will check those out. Getting back into upland this year for the first time in a long long time. Hunting all new spots so will know a lot more I guess on what I need after this season.

It really depends on the terrain you are hunting. If you are busting a lot of brush with thorns they are nice to have on.
I hate chaps and found that for where I hunt I do not need that much protection. They are heavy and hot. But if you need them you need them.
I love my new Duluth Trading Fire Hose Briar Pants. I wear them with a pair of gaiters and stay dry.

Filson is the only upland pants or chaps I ever used that would last many many seasons.

doc

If you are in heavy, loose brush (which I assume you would be if you need chaps to begin with), then be sure not to tuck your pant cuffs into your boots. The trash will go down inside the chaps and right into your boots. Might not be as bad with lace-ups, but it is aggravating with rubber boots.

I'm in the South, and have worn snakeproof chaps quite a bit, both for snake protection and to repel briars while cruising timber and when I used to hunt quail (back when we had quail to hunt). The Filsons are lighter than the snakeproofs and seem to breath a bit better. They can get quite warm, but not as much so as comparable "briar britches". Apparently others have worn pants with lighter facing that they consider more comfortable. Overall, I like chaps better than comparably-faced pants because when the day is done I can pull them off and toss them in the tool box until I need them again.

I have had the same experience as Doc Encore with chaps: The Filsons have been the only ones that really turn thorns and last for a while, so when thornbush is part of the deal that's what I wear. Plus, as There Ya Go noted, at the end of the hunting you can pull them off.

Have also worn them when horseback hunting in wet weather, and when well-waxed they work very well.

I agree wholeheartedly. I wore Filson chaps for years in the grouse coverts in Minnesota. I doubt much else would fend off prickly ash and those wicked raspberry canes.
Plus I was "saved" at least once a year walking into some abandoned and unscene barbwire fence. Once back at the shack, I'd unsnap them and let them dry in the sun/breeze. When the snow came, the waxy surface would fend off any snowmelt and prevent wet pants.
You can't go wrong with these.

Any of you that use chaps have issues with them being smelly? I have a pair of Cabelas waxed chaps that are several years old and they have a very distinct odor. Care instructions say not to wash them, but they smell so bad I can't stand to wear them. I've left them out side for several days to air out, which did nothing. Any ideas? Soak in bleach/water?

I have a pair that's gotta be 25+ years old and the same vest that over 30 for what that's worth.

Filson double tin chaps for me. Where I hunt there is a ton of wild rose and blackberries, won't go with out the chaps now. I wear lightweight pants underneath to deal with them being warm.

As far as the smell is concerned, personally, I like it. But no, there isn't anything you can do about it, it's what waxed cotton smells like.

Yep......it reminds me of the old military tent we hunted out of when I was a pup. I like it.

I had a pair. I felt like one of the village people wearing them.

That was mean......I'd call you a name but I just poured a second glass of Bourbon so I can't think of a good one right now.

You wouldn't feel that way if you actually wore pants underneath them...

There's an idea!

I used a set of Wrangler upland pants in the past and found them heavy so went back to plain old jeans. Chaps didn't look like they would work well so never tired them.

My SIL gave me a set of Carhartt unlined bibs that he "grew" out of so I tried them this year. The double knees work well in brush and I find them to be very comfortable, more so than jeans by far when wearing only boxers underneath.

http://www.carhartt.com/products/carhartt-men-bibs-coveralls-overalls/Duck-Bib-Overall-Unlined-R01

No chaps, just brush pants for me.

For me it is Cabelas Dry Plus chaps. I rarely wear them for thorns but in the morning when the dew or frost is thick on the tall grass or those mornings that are really cold in the morning but will warm up. After the sun comes up and burns off the frost or dew or the day warms, I can just roll them up and stuff them in the game bag. No wet legs or boots and I don't have to sweat through the day in long johns.

Filson Double Tins get my vote, too, for the same reasons.

I like the Filson chaps to save wear and tear on my pricey waders when moose hunting... I wear them a lot bird hunting.

I have some Columbia brush pants... double layer of cordura on the front, jeans elsewhere. They are great for normal brush, but no good on serious thorns.

I keep threatening to get a pair. Less for briars and brush than for keeping somewhat dry.

Whatever you do, don’t stop at the Filson store in Seattle. It moved up the block and is now a hipster boutique shop. If you mention hunting, some d bag with a $100 hair cut and wax in his mustache may start crying. It is seriously fugged.

Owned a pair for the last 13 years. Would not hunt without them. great for Warm weather. When is gets cooler I go with the single tin pants. I also use the Filson coat, bird vest, and suspenders, great stuff that get better with age.
The prices they are asking for this stuff retail today is outrages, check ebay for the good buys. Just got back from 2 days of pheasant hunting at Pelee Island Canada. Half of our group had all Filson gear. If you are a serious bird
hunter you got to check this stuff out! They have great customer service, a few years ago my buddy's young dog chewed the sleeve off my Filson hunting Coat, they replaced the whole sleeve for $50, they are a great company.
I want to keep my dollars in this country when I buy my hunting gear. However, for pheasant hunting Pelee Island is the real deal.

300 Savage

SD you wear the chaps over your waders?