What are you guys using in thick brush? My company moved me to Alabama so I'll be hitting the public land around the Huntsville area and man is it thick around here. I'm used to fairly thick woods in southern Indiana but it's a different world down here. My usual first light pants are getting torn to shreds while scouting. What clothes do you guys like that don't get ripped so easily?
In the early season I roam around south East Tennessee in my old BDU pants, as the season progresses I wear thick long johns under. When that doesn't cut it I go to my insulated carhart overalls. Sometimes I wear typical carhart overalls(uninsulated) out in warmer weather too. They are kinda loud and not camo but they beat brush back and are very comfortable. I'm sure Berne or any other comparable overall with that material would do on a tighter budget.
Hope that helps.
2x ^^^^
I used to live and hunt in the NC and SC piedmont—very similar weather and terrain as Huntsville. In early season I don't think there is a good answer because it's too hot to wear pants that won't get shredded. IMO, unless you want to overheat, I think you just have to deal with it. Early season in the SE is tough.
When I was younger denim during warmer weather, coveralls during cooler weather. I remember with a thick pair of carharts on you could bust through briars during wintertime as long as they were not too thick. These days I wear what most would consider Sunday britches during warm weather, {just a gray, brown or green pair of mud/blood stain slacks} Once it gets colder I usually have a set of wool bibs on. I think you will find that the briars/thickets are easier to pick a route through once it cools off and the green dies back, until that time best bet is to just go around if possible, be mindful of chiggers and ticks. Once cold weather gets here It gets a lot easier but watch out for cockleburs if wearing wool or soft clothing they can cling too. I like a boot that comes up my calves a ways to stuff pant legs in also. Also keep in mind that no matter how well you mark your trail to an area you want to hunt, It is very easy to get turned around in the dark traveling through thickets. Especially if hunting the flat land around the river where you can't use terrain features to guide ya.