Camo pants - whatcha usin?

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RidgeHunter

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So I had been using milsurplus camo pants for hunting and they have been so/so as far as durability and function.
I’ve been debating getting something a bit better but the price tag on some of the Kuiu, Sitka etc really has me questioning their worth. I mean some of these pants cost more then my hunting rifle so it’s pretty hard for me to justify spending that kind of coin.
Surely there must be something middle of the road???

Any suggestions on a decent pair of technical camo hunting pant that isn’t going to break the bank?
 
Definitely will break the bank. But the Kryptek gear is top notch. I have several sets and love them

I have two full Cadog sets and a full ageis set.
 
I bought my first Kuiu pants in 2011. Wore them hunting, guiding, hiking. Have beat them to hell. Gave them to my son a couple years ago and he treats them the same. Still ticking. So, pay a lot once or pay a little many times. It’s going to even out.
 
Rivers West, the only issue is the rare earth magnets they had in the cargo pocket flaps. Magnets are not kind to compasses, so out came the magnets. The other pair I have are Walmart specials at $69. and at the end of the day they are just as water proof and warm as the pricy ($150.) Rivers West pants. Thinner material but that hasn't proved to be an issue. The Walmart ones dry a lot faster due the thinner material.
 
I have a pair of Sitka timberline and though expensive they have proved their worth to me. Fit fantastic, very comfortable and quiet, and have proved quite durable. They are the one piece of hunting gear I own that without a doubt, if I lost them tomorrow or if they do eventually wear out, I would turn around and buy another pair the next day. I have a several other pairs of Sitka pants I’ve picked up since then, and they are great as well, but for me the timberlines are my favourite.

Spend the money on a good pair. You will never regret it.
 
Look at the German flecktarn pattern, works well in my area in the fall. Best surplus camo pattern as far as I’m concerned, prices are always more reasonable than anything geared towards hunting as far as I’m concerned. Good enough for the military to be out in the bush in is good enough for me. The flecktarn rain gear is some of the best I’ve ever had.
 
Butcherbill said:
Look at the German flecktarn pattern, works well in my area in the fall. Best surplus camo pattern as far as I’m concerned, prices are always more reasonable than anything geared towards hunting as far as I’m concerned. Good enough for the military to be out in the bush in is good enough for me. The flecktarn rain gear is some of the best I’ve ever had.
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+1 for the Flecktarn raingear, the jacket is fantastic in Oct/Nov cold rain.
 
Runningfool said:
for me the timberlines are my favourite.
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Me too but not crazy about the belt which, on the model I have, is stitched in place. Incredible though how less tiring it is to walk/climb with pants that stretch (spandex blend). I wear mine for a week in November with only changing the under layer of Merino blend. Unless I get blood on them, then have my backup pair waiting.
 
For the last 5 years I wore my dads old trebark pants. Not waterproof, not insulated, and probably 30 years old. Killed deer with my bow in all weather with them.

This past fall I purchased some insulated UA hunt Ridge reaper pants. Can't recall the model, but they were like $150 from Cabelas. I just hate to spend a fortune on Kuiu or other and rip it the first hunt on a barb wire fence.

That being said, if I were mountain hunting and knew I'd be experiencing days of moisture and crazy conditions, I'd probably spring for Kuiu or similar.
 
Have worn different types of camo pants over the years, mostly cheaper ones. Have never been that fond of most, as I find that the only cut that fits comfortably are a "relaxed" cut jeans.
Picked up a pair of Huntworth pants with reinforced butt and knees last year, with a soft thin lining. These have been the most comfortable for me so far, but I have not tried the expensive brands yet.
Mostly I wear jeans, or jeans with long johns in cold weather. (Have always been a blue jean and running shoe wader fisherman too!) In November when out deer hunting in really cold weather, -30 degrees C and colder, I will wear long johns, jeans and a pair of Big Bill fleece camo pants.Usually keeps me warm enough when still hunting, and if I stop to watch a trail, meadow or field for up to an hour before I have to move around to stay warm.break down a few years back and bought a set of Sitka raingear (almost $600), and the pants fit over my jeans and allow me to move freely when hunting various terrain types in the rainand/or wet grass and vegetation. Believe it to be a good purchase as they are wearing very well.
I'll have to look at those Timberlines.
 
I have a nice pair of Cabela’s pants. They have some wool in them, are comfortable, flexible, warm and wind resistant and don’t pick up burrs easily. Lots of zippered pockets and the camo pattern is suitable for the prairies. Sad that I won’t be able to replace them.
 
I'm a pretty big fan of all the sitka clothing I've tried. Looking at a pair of apex or mountain pants next. Probably the apex since they are a slimmer fit so should be quieter for stalking. My last favorite pair of hunting pants were cabelas that were in their outfitter camp. They were a brushed finish polyester and are comfy and quiet. Unfortunately I think they must have been discontinued in the bass pro merger.
 
Butcherbill said:
Look at the German flecktarn pattern, works well in my area in the fall. Best surplus camo pattern as far as I’m concerned, prices are always more reasonable than anything geared towards hunting as far as I’m concerned. Good enough for the military to be out in the bush in is good enough for me. The flecktarn rain gear is some of the best I’ve ever had.
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I agee with this, I love flecktarn as well.
 
Can't afford or justify the cost of Sitka or other expensive gear. But I did find a deal on used Sitka in mothwing camo. Soft and quiet. Found a slightly used set on a bc hunting forum. Have added to it a couple of times. New stuff is too much.
 
Sitka all the way, overpriced but worth it. You won't appreciate it until u wear it, wish I would have purchased long ago lol.
 
Butcherbill said:
Look at the German flecktarn pattern, works well in my area in the fall. Best surplus camo pattern as far as I’m concerned, prices are always more reasonable than anything geared towards hunting as far as I’m concerned. Good enough for the military to be out in the bush in is good enough for me. The flecktarn rain gear is some of the best I’ve ever had.
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I have to agree, The trousers are very well made and hold up! I even have a BW tent that doubles as a poncho and a blind if need be. Very well though out!
 
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Sitka clothing works well but it’s way overpriced for what it is and for durability through brambles, thorns, briars and waist high ferns I like an all nylon material. Nylon pants dry instantly and don’t develop the tiny pulls and loose threads that other materials will in similar conditions. Under Armour offers many style pants in 100% nylon and they are great. You can usually find them for less than $100 and they will hold up well. I wear my Sitka Stratus or Cabelas Instinct if I’m sitting but for moving through the bush, nothing beats nylon.

Patrick
 
I had the Sitka gear. Was not impressed and got rid of it.

Had the Kryptek brand. Love the Highlander pattern but still not overly impressed with the quality of the fabric from the Kryptek branded clothing. Got rid of it. I wish one of the companies like TruSpec or Propper would start turning out their clothing in the Kryptek camo patterns.

I like the Multicam pattern for hunting the prairies. I have a set of Propper BDU style pants and a Dropzone Recce Smock that are great for early season hunting. Very breathable.

But, my overall favourite is the Arc’teryx LEAF gear in the Crocodile colour. Blends in anywhere, whether bowhunting the prairies or above the treelike chasing rams.
 
I have two pairs of the Flecktar pants. Wearing thin now but good for early season.

I also have two of the shirts plus the parka.

Later in the year into snow I skip the camo and have a pair of dark green Canadian Army dress pants that are 65 percent wool, 35 percent polyester.

I've had them 30 years and they still fit!!!! and are tough. I once caught the cuff in my chainsaw and ripped 'em pretty bad. When I got my daughter to repair the pants with her zig-zag function on her machine she repeated what my wife said when I came home with ripped pants, calling me a careless #######.

They shed water a little bit, resist light snow, are quite warm with long underwear and really do the job. I believe camogroup.ca has some otherwise they are quite hard to find. They look really good with a smear of deer blood and a bunch of deer hair on them. I have three pairs of brand new surplus heavy wool pants I haven't ever used.
 
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