Since returning to hunting and doing it the Trad way, I 've come up against the cruel hard facts regarding hunting pants.
I hate cargo pants! (take no offense!) If I have a pocket the most it will ever see is something flat. Small and flat is even better.
I don't like baggy. I like trim cut pants that go where my legs go.
Which side of the fence do you fall?
Trim is stealthy I say. I have a pack. Into it all the crap goes that they think you want to put in a pocket.
Marketing I say. Hard to sell a plain cut pant... and don't get me started on shirts that can carry two books, a gps and a bivy.
What do you say?
Joshua
G'day Josh,
Mate, being an ex recon grunt, I love pockets! Gotta have 'em on everything... pack, shirts .. the lot. But I know what you mean in regards to pants. I never put anything bulky in pant pockets as it annoys me.
ak.
I'm with you Josh. I can't stand to have things in the leg pockets banging me on the knees and such. If I'm wearing my back quiver, I carry a lumbar/fanny pack type deal. If just my bow quiver, then I wear a pack.
I want pockets and I like baggy.
I'm a pocket guy as well. I like the six pocket cargo pants, actually my girlfriend is always giving me a hard time about all the crap i keep in my pockets of my regular pants.
As a general rule I like baggy in my everyday clothes....probably because I'm a bit on the hefty side :D
With hunting clothes it depends on where I'm going. Some of my spots just aren't real conducive to having a pack with me. On those days, I like to wear cargo pants and put the essentials (license, tag, flashlight, knife, etc) in the pockets. When I'm heading to a ground blind/larger stand with more room, I pack a bit more stuff and carry a pack.
You bet I'm a pocket person! Then again... I'll only put lightweight/soft items in my "cargo pants pockets". The rest of "my stuff" goes into the many large pockets of my "Day One" clothing. Allow me to add, my outer garments sport a game carrier pouch that in itself takes the place of a back pack.
* I own a great Bison Gear day-pack that mostly stays back at the house or truck. If/when I'm hunting out of my normal area I'll use it, full of all that good stuff needed for a night in the woods.
... mike ...
Nothing goes in my pockets. What extras won't fit into my leather bag I don't need.
For walk and stalk, cargo pockets are a problem, but pockets are a wonderful invention. For blind or stand hunting they are great. I love to be able to put soft stuff like hats, gloves, bandana, or even armguards where I can reach them with only a little motion and avoids getting up and down. It is a lot easier to find something quickly in a pocket then dig in a pack. Over the years I have developed a pattern: each of my necessities: shooting gloves, face mask, hunting glasses, pocket knife, silk scarf for my neck if I get cold (I dare you to find anything better), handkerchief, watch cap, warm gloves all have their own assigned place. When I walk out of the house I know that I have everything because a quick check confirms that everything is in it's proper place
I like pockets as well. Almost all my hunting pants are cargo style. I like the baggy fit for comfort and the extra pockets for whatever. I always end up throwing something in almost every pocket. I'm a good eater, so i like em a little baggy.
Retired cargo pants long ago. I have camo jeans which are adequate until much heavier clothing becomes necessary. This year I totally shucked excess gear and only kept an extra belt with a couple of small pouches, as there were more half day hunts than full day. Travelin' light was the plan and I was just as happy to leave most of the weight back in the truck...and, man, is "happy" an understatement.
Yup, it's a stealth thing for me too. I figure the older I get the less labored breathing the better...bad enough my heartbeat is the loudest thing in the woods when I get close enough for a shot. Rick.
Pockets and baggy
I love BDU style pants, not so much for the pockets, although that is nice on a day trip, but I just like the comfort, which is my habit.
I like pockets. Daily adventure usually starts off with everything in it's place, but at the end of the day, I'm usually just looking for a pocket to put stuff back in.
Pockets, man - give me pockets. I think the only way to improve my baggy, multi-pocket pants would be to sew additional pockets in or on the existing pockets.
Sometimes when I'm walking down a steep hill and stop suddenly, the momentum of the stuff in my pockets keeps my pants walking a few more yards. Makes for some awkward moments but I do love my pockets.
The more pockets and baggier the better. In fact I love pockets inside of my coat. I hate packs. I carry my water in a holder on my belt too.
Gotta put my steps in my cargo pockets while I'm scaling the tree!!!
I was always a big fan of the BDUs because of the pockets but dont like having to hassle with a lot of clutter so I made it a point not to overload, and the large opening on the front pockts made it easy to loose stuff(knives/shells)if sit down. (but liked the tie strap around the ankles)
But now dats I wear overalls and every thing thats important is zipped in the bib, try not to carry a lot anyway.
I like pockets,but I don't like to put very much in them,and I hate anything heavy or banging around in the cargo pockets,I won't have it,
Kurt
I've met few people who carry as much stuff in their pockets as I. I get mocked for it all the time from my friends - until they need something and have to come "eating crow!"
I love pockets!
Gotta have my pockets! BDU pant's not only have pocket's a plenty but they are really comfy to, and that's a huge plus! Jason
pockets, and particularly no change or nosiy things in them if you have them. In the Army noise could get you killed, in hunting it can keep you from making a kill.
Everything is either on my belt or in my pack, everything is checker for making noise and padded, taped, or tightened until no noise occurs during normal hunting movement.
I do keep some emergency supplies in front pockets. Fire starter, matches, small pen knife and some 550 cord, but that is it.
I love pockets and hate tight pants. I also like packs.
For those packs with metal zipper tabs, some shrink wrap works great to make them quieter without having the sticky issues of tape.
Allan
Hmmmmmm......at this very moment:
In my left pocket=keys-work, home, car, LED pinch light, magnesium fire stater. Micro Maglight (1AAA cell). 2 BIC's. Fingernail clippers. Eye drops. Lip balm. 93 cents worth of change.
In my right pocket= Buck 3 blade folder. Benchmade 4" FKC. Another BIC.
In my wallet is a little fishing/snaring/firestarting emergency kit I put together.
Do I REALLY want more pocket? Don't think I'd be able to walk! :help:
But it could be handy for the stuff ya want accessible easily.
I think Captain Kangaroo warped me about pockets. :biglaugh:
Nothing goes in my pockets.All my stuff in my backpack
I need pockets when I am still hunting for a face mask,gloves,cow call,wind checker,flash light.Few staff that you need on and off and you can't store in the backpack when a game is fast approacing.I don't like baggy pant but they must be enough confortable to move around and give you plenty of room for free movements.
Thought I would go "CAVEMAN" this Year!! BUCK-NEKKID except my Quiver!! :archer: I figure I can sneak up on the Turkeys, and Jump Out to Give Em Heart-Failure!!
I Know Their Preparing to Laugh at Me anyway, so I Might as well Use it to My Advantage by kickin' em over to "Hilarial-Heart-Failure"!! :goldtooth: :biglaugh:
Cargo's!!!
It's been like a system for me for so long now....
Right cargo is my wind checker puff bottle, my right hand glove, and my pull-up rope....
Left cargo...my shooting glove, left hand glove(three fingers cut off), and my grunt call...
That's where that stuff starts every hunt, and where it goes back when I'm done. Been like that for 20+yrs.....no matter what pants I'm wearing, that's where it goes...all my pants have cargo's. Weather it be 90 degrees or 0 degrees.....
never have think twice about where that stuff is....
I love pockets! I don't overdo loading them up but they're a fine place for lighter stuff that I need more frequently.
Gotta have pockets!
I am pretty much a creature of habit, like Curt only reverse the order for right hand. Right Cargo, shooting glove, right hand glove,wind checker,compact binos (can't stand them around my neck), Left Pocket, arm guard, left glove,camo bandanna. Most of my hunting is done from a camp, when I lay my clothes out for the next day everything is in the proper pocket, so I don't spend time in the morning looking for stuff.
Pockets,,,,hard to live without them. I love DAY ONE stuff because they have more nooks and crannies than anything I've seen.
Looks like pockets is by far the more popular. That explains why most hunting pants are offered with lots of them.
Joshua
Gotta have pockets, the more the better, dont really like carry a big pack, so Day One Anorak w/tons of pockets and cargo pants.
I don't like too baggy, but I love cargo style pants. The more pockets that I have, the more I can seoerate things I carry so that they don't make contact and rattle. I'm very regemental in where I carry things, almost anal I guess you could say, but I never have to think about where I put something. I just know because it never changes.
That's why I love the old Fred Bear camo coat so much. It has two large slash pockets so big you can hide a Volkswagon in them. You enter them on each side of the zipper and they are so deep it's hard to reach bottom.
I love Cargo pockets even my work pants have them I don't put anything in my work Cargo pocket but my hunting pants are full with calls fire starter parachute cord. Blake
Pocket man here. A must when hanging or taking down my stands. Easy and convenient. Rather have them and not need them as to need them and not have them.
Pockets are great. Don't put alot of weight in them,but for quick item they work for me. Corgo pants just fit me better I am flexable and don't like being confined.
I like BDUs both for comfort and the pockets.
I use my cargo pocket on the left leg as a bow rest, works really well. I can hold my bow steady until the shot and pull it out of the pocket real quiet. I love the side cargo pocket on my hunting pants. :archer:
Cargo pockets for me. I put my wallet, dip and striking paper in them. During turkey season they will carry calls, gloves, face mask and the other stuff.
One of the reasons I like to make/modify my own gear is to add pockets. Instead of just a single large area I add a zip down pocket with several smaller pockets, looks kinda like a cloth first aid bag when open. By having a place for everything you can store small gear more conveniently with less shifting and noise. I also move the pockets a bit higher to prevent them from interfering with knee movement. Fit should be loose but not baggy. Clothing thats to loose snags on brush and rocks to easily.
Do trim pants that go where your legs go make you look fat,I am really self conscious about my weight when hunting...LOL :biglaugh:
I like jeans. If it's cold, I wear fleece pullover pants over the jeans. All my hunting stuff goes in one shoulder bag. That way, I don't have to search the house looking for gear before I go hunting. It's all in one place.
I would rather carry a small pack or fanny pack, when I'm looking for something I would rather remove the pack and look ,not trying to remember which pocket on which leg I put what I now want. I know I should have a longer memory LOL. Also I don't like things banging on my legs as I walk. ;)
Yep, I'm another pocket guy. A pocket for everything, and everything in its pocket. Well, at least the things that I use on every hunt. Shooting tab, bracer, gloves, hat, face mask, arrow holder toothpick, maybe a grunt call. Each has its own specific place and always goes into the same pocket so I know where it is. Everything else stays in my pack.
Nothing goes in my pockets except Kleenex and gum. Anything i ever put in my pocket while hunting is now laying along some trail or heavy brush after it fell out because I did not put it in the pocket properly, or was yanked out by a branch or thorns.
Fanny pack for anything not being worn while actively hunting at that moment..
Very similar to Guru's system, except I am righty. I don't carry a knife or similar in the pockets,they bang and get lost, I wear a small belt knife, All my soft gear, gloves, tab, face mask, used strips of orange tape (to be re-used) etc go in the cargo pockets. Compass is ALWAYS in my left waist pocket, lighter and sometimes other stuff in right side. When I go up a tree I have a clipper in one side and folding saw in the other and I know where everything is.
I have a fanny pack as well, but I can get to this stuff right now without taking the pack off !
ChuckC
BUD's =lots of pockets. Thats all I wear for that reason.
There is no way I could have too many pockets!
I use old BDU pants for hunting, so kinda by default, I've got cargo pockets. I don't use them much at all, every now and then throw a glove or a hat in one is about it.
have I got some pants for you...order yourself a pair of fleece camo pants from the Company "Nimrod"...I use their binocular harness system, and love it so much that I thought they must make a great pair of pants too...well, after paying $70 or so, they arrived...I couldn't believe it...they not only had no pockets, there wasn't even a ZIPPER...and belt loops? what kind of crazy hunter wants BELT LOOPS on their pants??!? I was late for an Elk hunt, so I wore them anyway, and I have never been so disgusted in a piece of clothing...I am in the process of scavenging from an old pair of GI BDU's, and adding pockets, zipper, belt loops, and more pockets...too bad I already started, I would have made you a deal you couldn't refuse...
Pocket because I don't carry no purse
I LOVE pockets!! The more the better and big too. I don't carry a backpack most times. You probably won't catch me hunting without cargo pants.
I'd just as soon have the pockets and leave the pack at home. Besides this trad thing isn't suppose to take as much gear?
If you be short legged like me, baggy britches legs are nothing but trouble when trying to cross barbed wire fences. My hunting area has lots of fenced pastures and I'm always ripping my cargo pants on the fence. So, rarely do I wear baggy. Also, trying to get through patches of catclaw brush is bad enough without more material to get grabbed hold of.
I like pockets, but I try not to overload pants pockets. I always wear my hunting vest, and that's where I put most things. Some times I use a small back pack, too. I like slightly baggy hunting pants. Tight pants are just not comfortable to me, and I can't stand jeans. Yeah, I know that last satement is downright un-American to many. However, I don't want things too baggy, though - more the relaxed fit. Since I seldom hunt far from home, I just don't need to carry a whole lot of stuff, so there is no need to overload myself. Besides, I use far fewer scents, and calls and other "tricks" that seem to fill pockets.
I love them and can't ever see being without them.
They are actually the main reason I wear camo, because that's the color cargo/BDU pants come in.
I don't stuff mine full but they hold important stuff for me.
Pockets for me
My hunting jacket has heaps of pockets,but my pants have none.
I carry a few things I might need if I spend an unplanned night out in a small day pack and my emergencey kit and knife on my belt.
Never really thought about it that much,but I could carry a few days worth of stuff in just my jacket I guess.
Pockets. I will take pockets over a pack any day. If it won't fit in a pocket (other than arrows and my bow), I probably don't need to be carrying it!
Pockets give me pockets on my hunting pants-
not packs on my back.
Pockets give me pockets where the things I need-
will be right there.
I snuck up on a big elk and laid my pack down-
I'm sure its still sitting there molding now,
Just give me pockets.
Pockets on hunting pants
and in my hunting parka too-
Just give me pockets
Pockets for my lighter
and my compass too-
Just give me pockets.
My fanny pack was hangin under my butt
my pack back sittin in my pick up truck- :rolleyes:
JUST GIVE ME POCKETS !!
Don't get me started about fences !!
I like Pockets and baggy. I like roomy pants that allow me to kneel,climb etc. as well as layer underneath.
Lol @ Brian waxing poetic. :D
I couldn't agree more!
I like the pockets on my hunting pants but i never put anything heavy in them.
Most of the time i put the big hand warmers in them when i leave camp.