So it is finally time. My hunting pants are soon to be retired. They are my dads old pants from the Marine Corp and they have definitely lasted well past their life expectancy.
So shopping for a new pair has turned into a nightmare.
I just want a good, solid, quiet pair of pants. Seems like all those good, solid, quiet pants say "Scent blocker" or scent shield something on them. Not only do I not believe they work, but I don't think its necessary to spend the extra 20% because it is "scent free".
So anyone have any suggestions???
Any wool from Salvation Army, AmVets, etc.(man I wish I could find my sizes)...... The heck with anything in Cabelas, Bass Pro, etc...
others like Sitka, Day One, etc, come to mind as good options....
Beans has nice wool pants in loden and charcoal colors and wool plaid shirts. Lots of Army-Navy and Sporting Goods stores carry Melton brand wool pants and shirts. Good quality, reasonably priced.
Army - Navy stores
Chris, Depends on what you are looking for. I have a pair of Cabelas whipcord wool pants that are just great. Non-camo though. Also, if you order them get a couple sizes bigger than you really want. I'm up to a 40 waist now and got a 44 and they fit perfectly. I stopped at one of the stores so I could try them on as well as getting them hemmed.
Also, I am a believer in Day One Camo. Great fleece and they last forever. Their sizes run a little big though. My first Day One purchase was a pair of bibs in about 1994-5 and they are still going strong. In fact I just talked to Gary, owner, this morning about expediting an order for me.
Got a pair of German surplus wool overpants. Had zippers installed on the bottom 8" or 10" to get them on and off over my boots. Think they came from "Cheaper than Dirt" and they were. Really heavy, solid construction, quiet and, while too hot for early fall, just the ticket for when it gets Michigan cold.
Ron
Yup, Army surplus stores.
I am happy with Cabela's microtex pants. The guide camo is pretty suttle and they seem to wear well. They don't hold moisture for long either.
Better let me ask my wife... She wears the pants around my house. :rolleyes:
... mike ...
Keeping an eye out for, dealing, modifying and then field testing non hi-tech "good ole" hunting pants is one of life's little pleasures! I have several pairs for different circumstances.
Here is how I came upon my favorite pair of fantastic, extreme cold weather pants (cost me very little) :
1) I bought two pairs of identical big bellied short legged wool pants from an old army surplus/second hand shop (he was happy to get rid of them)
2) I washed them in hot water and then dried them in a dryer, while examining and trying them on occasionally
3) I ended up with 2 pairs of washable, thick, virtually wind proof pants that fit my waist comfortably but that were much, much too short.
4) I cut about 12" off the legs of one pair and sewed them to the other pair.
5) I used more of the remaining pant legs to make cargo pockets
6) I have lots of spare material for doubling knees if necessary and other modifications as well as future patches.
I can hit the Goodwill stores and find plenty of good cargo type pants in greys and dark khakis that work for me early season. Never had much luck finding wool stuff though. For that reason I bought a couple pairs of Cabelas washable wool pants. I love them; their warm comfortable, and quiet. They cost about $69 (I believe), but unless I somehow grew out of them they seem to be made well and will probably last for years.
I usually just pull on some camo stretch paints over my jeans. Easy on and off.
When Tonkin Mills was still in existence we loaded up on a couple hundred yards of windbloc. It's not as warm as wool, but dries quickly, is extremely quiet, and worked out to about $10 per shirt/pants. We are about out, but I think I have enough to outlast me.
Amazing how many of my buddies got a pair or two.
For a cotton pair of pants that are very comfortable to wander the woods stump shooting, camping, etc....
http://www.columbia.com/Fort-Rock%E2%84%A2-Pant---S10/AM8255_S,default,pd.html#
These are so comfortable I bought four more pair.
Like Brad@Work, I love my Cabelas' washable wool pants--have a pair in charcoal and a pair in forest green. Warm, quiet, and can be washed. What's not to like? They have cargo pockets too.
Day One camo is my first thought. I have a fleece pair from 1990, still GTG. They may have wool now. I'm wanting a pair myself.
On a more expensive note, Filson have top quality stuff, that may become a family heirloom, they wear so well. Don't have a big enough cargo pocket for my liking, though.
I have a war surplus pair myself, but don't wear them so much, don't fit like the Day One or Filson...
What about during the early season when temps are ranging between 70 and 80 degrees and wool is not an option for comfort? Any recommendations there?
You could always join the Marine Corps.
I don't need to join the Marine Corp. I've already got 14 1/2 years in the service and 4 1/2 to go for 20.
Ive got a pair of gamehide pants that are pretty nice.
I like Wrangler carpenter pants in brown or grey
($15 at Walmart),very comfortable and tough.
Early season, I usually wear Redhead micro light camo pants.During colder weather(it was in the upper 20's last winter in central Fl.), I wore Guide Gear wool pants($42).
I know I could get by quite nicely with cargo pants that aren't even camouflage if I wanted to. My tree stands are well-covered, in limby trees with background and foregrand and limited shooting windows.
However, camo is my bowhunter "uniform" and I'm a sucker for blocky or high tech patterns. I think Predator is the best pattern out there (for timber) but I don't like many of the materials or designs available these days.
For every day life I can get by for years with the same jeans, shorts, and dingy old socks. I dress up for church and hunting.
Sitka Gear has caught my eye these days.
I am offended by Scent Lok's claims and avoid their stuff. Neither will I buy even a hat that has a self-proclaimed celebrity or pro-hunter's name or "motto" on it.
I restrict all my hero worship to my Savior.
As a dealer for Day One Camo, I finally treated myself to 2 brand new pair of camo pants. I ripped my fleece pants this past spring in Canada, beyond repair of course.
So..I called Gary and ordered ASAT pants in Wool and in Bucksude. They came in the other day and they are neat. I love the wool and the ASAT tones are just perfect. I asked for the Bucksuede to be a tad darker(more tan) and they also came in right.
Now...have to get them hemmed and ready for the fall season....
Joe, what's this Bucksuede you are talking about? Is it lightweight to hunt the early season?
I just bought a pair of Cabelas Microtex lite pants and they are awesome. By far the most quiet material I have ever had and they are very comfortable too. :thumbsup:
A great pre-season pant is a simple $35 pair of denim camo Wranlgers from any sporting good store. Talk about durable!
I wear mine through the point to where I need thermals on under them. From there I switch to my Wool.
I have had one pair last about 4 hunting seasons.
I hsould add, that 4 seasons is great for how abused they are when they are on my legs!
I hunt mostly from the ground, and stillhunt about 90% of he time.
Johnson Mills makes a reasonably priced wool pant that is very functional. I believe Cabela's carries them in their catalog. Might be a little heavy for Georgia and points south.
Carhartt
The ASAT bucksuede pants I have are good for early season. They are well made and are virtually wind proof. I use them in the spring for bear hunting as they are bug proof too.
The down sides are that they do not stretch, they take longer to dry than fleece, and they are not 100% silent, especially in the cold.
I love Kavu, you can find them is a hiking/outdoor store. Real comfortable and made for the outdoors.
For jeans I go with Cabelas canvas work jeans(add some borax and they get soft)Toughest pants I even owned.Or go to colemans military surplus and find some military issue.
My dad got to go through his former boss's closet after he died and take any hunting clothes he wanted. Thanks to that I lucked into a couple of pairs of Filson Tin Cloth pants a few months ago. I hope to try them out this year, and many, many years to come.
Last year I bought 3 pair of heavy wool black and red plaid Elmer Fudd pants on fleabay...paid $29.00 for them was in colorado durning gun season,everybody got a big laugh out of them...but come them cold mornings I had the last laugh....Dave
Cabelas Mircrotex Lite in outfitter camo on sale right now for $18.
Day One Wool on the right...and their Bucksuede on the left.
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/P2050048.jpg)