Ticks are extra bad this year. I need to invest in some longer pants that I can tuck into my boots and help keep ticks out that don't burn me out. What I'm looking for is:
- NOT HOT!!!!!! - I live in Arkansas and want to be able to hunt small game during those 100+ degree days with full on humidity without retaining unnecessary warmth and sweat
- moisture wicking
- well breathing
- true summer time pants that are long enough to tuck into socks inside my boots to keep the ticks out
- woods friendly colors - camo, black, grey, brown, green, whatever but not some neon sign runners pants or something like that
- I'd prefer a looser fit, but if underarmor type things are the bees knees I can do them under some shorts too and that'll be just fine.
- durable - I'm just hard on clothing in general and often times that means getting better brands equates into longer life and cheaper in the long run. I'm not a brand specific shopper, but will pay for build quality as needed.
- something that doesn't retain odors - I'm blessed with naturally stinky skin/sweat. Sometimes my old undershirts get to stinking in the pits area before they are even worn out. I'd like a materaial that isn't going to hold odors very bad so I can make better use of early season deer hunts with them.
Thanks in advance for all your advice/wisdom
I'm personally fond of my KUIU pants
When I know I'm going to be out in hot weather but I want pants, I love just my simple military surplus BDU pants.
not wicking and not high tech but i like dickies lightweight duck pants for when its extra hot, or the normal thickness duck pants if im worried about abrasion.
First Lite's original Kanab pants (I have no experience with the newer 2.0 version) will fill all but possibly your durability requirement. They are very well built, but are of a lighter weight construction, and could be prone to tears. That being said, if you're good with a needle and thread, you should be able to repair any minor short comings, and they'll last you for years. I am not easy on my clothing or equipment either, but I have no idea how rough your terrain is. I have hunted hard for two seasons in my Kanabs, wearing them almost every hunt, and they are still in excellent shape! They are extra comfy, and ergonomically designed. I like them so much, I'm going to buy another pair! Maybe try the 2.0's.
Check out the First Lite Corrugate Guide pants. Super thin, a bit stretchy, and pretty tough material. They dry very quickly as well. I wear them the first couple weeks of CO elk season and have been happy with them.
100+ temps and humidty you are going to be wet, good suggestions above and remember to treat your outer gear with permethrin to ward of ticks, redbugs and skeeters.
I really like my Kuiu Tiburon, they have micro holes fabbric with some netting zippered pockets.
Check out Natgear lightweight pants. Pretty good for hot weather.
Sitka Ascent Pants
First Lite Kanabs are the best warm to cool weather pants I've worn. They aren't the most durable pants, but they excel in every other measure. I've had issues wearing out the crotch where the fabric rubs. The 2.0s have a new material designed to address that flaw. I've found FL to have a pretty good return policy though their inventory may not be there when you need it.
Soak them in permethrin clothing treatment. I never found a tick on me last season after treating all my clothes with the stuff. And we have lots of ticks in MD.
I have KUIU Tiberon pants and top and they're great. I've used them antelope hunting in WY during September. They perform well and keep you cool. I don't think there are wicking qualities developed into this garment, but I wear DriFit tops beneath my KUIU apparel to aid in the wicking.
What Steve O posted... Sitka ascent - light, breathable, good fit, flexible, natural colours, etc.
I really like them for walking, scouting, and warm weather hunting.
I use BDU's and also stuff like the Dickies or Carhartt work pants. In hot weather, I just don't see the need for the high cost, big name brands. In winter, they may be worth the extra cost, but I go cheap in warm weather. I use standard grade "field pants", depending on what's on sale.
I really like my First Lite corrugated guide pants, I like them so much I have 1 pair in Asat and 1 pair in brown.
I'm sure that most of the pants mentioned above will work well. For a lot less money, look into nylon pants similar to Columbia's PFG or Silver Ridge lines or something similar. Fits most of your criteria pretty well.
Sitka ascent pants, Core 4 Switchback or Highland pants and Kuiu Tiberon pants are all lightweight, stretchy, well made pants that can be used in warm weather.
another vote for First Lite. i have both the 1.0 and 2.0 version of the Kanabs. they are plenty cool for early season, and plenty quiet. have never tried the corrugate guide pants, but i'm sure they're great too.
First Lite is first rate!
QuoteOriginally posted by Steve O:
Sitka Ascent Pants
Yep. They have works well for me.
For when it is really hot, my First Lite Kanabs are the first and only pair I will wear. They breathe well and are tough.
I also really enjoy my Kuiu Attack pants, but for crawling around during Montana's pronghorn season when it's hotter than all get out, my Kanabs are the go to.
As long as you are fine not running camo, Prana Zions (either one piece or zip off) or Eddie Bauer Guide pants are great pants for your needs without the "hunting brand" cost.
Light, stretchy, durable and dry fast if you get caught in rain.
Sitka early season pant works for me.
My best for this purpose are the Sitka Gear Ascent as mentioned above.
Another vote for nylon fishing pants. I have three pair that are goodwill or bargain cave tan fishing pants. They dry very fast even after waist deep in streams or through dew soaked grass. Easy to spot ticks. I have one pair with zip off legs. Two of three pair are difficult for mosquitos to penetrate.
Duluth dry on the fly flex cargo pants... enough said!
I stumbled on some fine lightweight cotton pants. The discontinued Woolrich tactical elite pants. If you can find them online, they should be cheap since they were discontinued. I have them in a coyote brown color. They are ripstop cotton, very light, very baggy, and plenty long. I like all of the pockets they have. These are my favorite for still hunting unless I am dealing with briars (then I want Carhartts).
For treestand hunting, I prefer the zip off fishing pants. I climb in my stand and take the legs off. I cannot believe how much cooler I feel basking in the smoke from my Thermacell in shorts.
This year I'm going to get the TusX convert pant. They seem pretty sweet and they zip off into a short!
Sitka ascent pants. Add a base layer and they are good for cool weather as well. Expensive but well worth it.
I also look for lighter weight, roomy pant at a reasonable price that can be worn in warmer climates during the summer, as well as during the hunting season. I settled on a pant from Cabela's under the Cabela's Casual's line. This pant is a 70% cotton, 30 % nylon blend. Cost about $50.00 but they do put them on sale. It is probaly considered a outdoor work pant not necessarily a hunting pant.I purchased two pair, one light brown and another green. They wear like iron and are quite comfortable. The item number inside the pant reads 906397. Hope this helps.
Yep . Fly fishing pants that zip off at the knees. Shirts too.long sleeve . Get them in tan .gray or green
After posting above I went to Cabela's on line catalog. It appears they have changed this pant from 70/30 blend to a 98%/2% blend. Listed as Cabela's comfort outdoor pant. They have limited stock at this time. I havn't seen/tried the new 98/2 blend but the 70/30 blend which I own are quick dry and very comfortable. You might want to read the reviews before making a decision. Good luck with your quest. :campfire:
Eddie Bauer First Ascent guide pants are awesome!
I have worn them with a base layer in single digits while winter camping.
I have also worn them in 95degree humid weather.
They don't come in camo, but khaki or olive work well for me!
These pants retail for $80, Eddie Bauer constantly has sales, and I have bought them for $35.
chris <><
I wear shorts under leafy flag pants when its really hot.
Cabelas Microtex light if you want something in camo. they make several weights and the light ones are great for hot weather hunting like early elk season. A lot more affordable than the Sitka, KUIU, FirstLite stuff.
I really like my Kuiu attack pants for warmer to cool weather. Ken
Wow, lots of big spenders here! The luxury brands are great, but you won't find a better performing pant than Champion C9 Golf Pants from Target. They're normally around $30 but I bought a few pairs for $15. Very light, very tough, and stretchy (which is a huge benefit for hiking). I haven't found one I like better at any price. You won't look as cool, though :)
I picked up a pair of mil spec bdu/cargo pants at a pawn shop for $13. They are the lighter in weight and lighter in color ones. I crushed a couple dozen walnuts, added water and soaked the the pants for a couple of days. They are now a good bit darker and a nice dull brown camo. My warm weather hunting clothes I treat with permethrin to solve the tick problem.
I picked up a pair of mil spec bdu/cargo pants at a pawn shop for $13. They are the lighter in weight and lighter in color ones. I crushed a couple dozen walnuts, added water and soaked the the pants for a couple of days. They are now a good bit darker and a nice dull brown camo. My warm weather hunting clothes I treat with permethrin to solve the tick problem.
I'm a fan of military surplus. Tough as nails and cheap as dirt. I think marpat is a great all around pattern. Standard bdu material is light enough for me to get through the warm months.
Military surplus - BDUs, light comfy broke in good -