Good Pants?

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k-spar

Joined
Jun 8, 2007
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256
Appropriate clothing is often mentioned in this forum, but we almost never discuss what's out there and what's good to use.

I've been on a never ending search for a good pair of outdoor pants.
For field mapping geology right now I wear a pair of double-kneed carhartts, which are great and very durable, but I don't like the fact that they are cotton.

I have some great non-cotton outdoorsy zip-off pants which are nice for backpacking, but just don't cut it when I'm bushwhacking while looking for rock outcrops, because they rip easily. If I get stuck though, I'd hate to be out for a night in a potentially cold/wet area with cotton pants.

Is there a good option out there that is both durable and non-cotton?

What do you S&R guys wear when you've got to move quick through the bush while still being prepared to spend the night outside?
 
I just got a pair of Riggs Ranger Pants by Wrangler. They are a heavy duty ripstop material. Double knee, BDU style. Look up "Gempler's" on the web and they carry them. price about $35.00. I also have the same pant in the short version, great work short. I did my geology field work in the Black Hills of SD in 1970. In the age of the slide rule. Good luck!!!

http://www.gemplers.com/iframe/cart.aspx?itemNo=145855&groupedPrice=Y&showAvailability=True
 
I been very happy with green color army pants that are 60\40 nylon cotton. Green color dont scream survival nut case. As long as i fool them all. I do plenty of bushwhacking when i go GeoCaching. They are very comfy and not a tear on them. They only diffrence is that im in CA so its not realy that cold over here.

Sasha
 
Check out C C Filson.
I have a pair of whipcord wool pants that I have worn for about 14 years.
They wear like iron. They will protect you from the brush. Cool in the summer and keep you warm in the cold wet fall.
Pricey, but well worth it.
 
Spar,

For 3 season use there is nothing wrong with a miltary spec BDU type pant as long as they are %60 nylon or more and ripstop material.

Tough with lots of pockets. A bit of cotton is not a big deal on the legs but never on the core or feet.

For winter its a big no no.

I wear bdu's grey when bush wacking for SAR for most situations. If its wet I put on breathable rain pants.

I do wear the new style fleece with an intergral stretchy durable nylon outer layer and they are tough as well and warmer for the shoulder seasons.

Bush wacking off trail is hell on clothes and you need tough stuff. Most people dont experience that kind of punishment of their clothes and gear for that matter. I have worn expensive hiking zip offs before and they were in tatters in less than an hr so I feel your pain.

Skam
 
I have a pair of North Face zip off pants in 100% nylon. The material is heavier than the supplex material and it is still holding up after moderate use, but two points:

1. It is still a summer pant since it is a "zip off". I have worn it in the winter, but the wind can go right through the material. I wear long johns underneath when I use it in cold weather.

2. The belt is permanent and it is too thin. Putting any type of weight bearing gear in the pockets makes the pants sag and you end up cinching the dinky belt around your waist too tight. You can get another wider belt through the belt loops, but you still have to use a fairly thin belt to fit through the loops. I am not sure why the manufacturers are using such useless belts in their field pants. I know that it is the latest style for the past few years, but I wish they would give us a choice as to choosing better weight-bearing belts.

A solution may be to purchase a thin pair of synthetic long johns that can pack in your ruck or carry in your pocket. If you get in a situation where you have to spend the night you can put these on underneath.

I agree with Skammer that the 60/40 nylon/cotton BDU might be a good bet too. I wore them plenty in the winter and they are baggy enough to keep you cool in the summer. I have not seen a zip off pair yet though.

Good luck!
 
Good ol fashion BDU pants in summer and the winters is all you need. You can get them just about anywhere. Ive been wearing them ever since i got out of the Army. I dont want anything else on me. I have OD green, Camo, Kahki, I love em all.....
 
Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

Those Railriders and the 5.11 nylon pants look pretty good- I may have to try out a pair sometime. In the meantime I'll grab a pair of BDUs with the 60/40 mix and use them.

Skammer, what are the "new style fleece" pants you're talking about? I've got a pair of plain old fleece pants which are great under rain pants, but a lot warmer than I want if I'm moving a lot. I'll have to grab some BDUs some place--the price is definitely right!

And yeah, Midnight Scout, I think I have those same north face zip offs. I cut the belt out of it, so I could use my own, which works fine. But they ain't so good when you have to go through a field of high thistles. Definitely not much protection there, even though they are a bit tougher than the normal ones.
 
Most of my bush clothes are cotton, but we don't get a lot of rain here and it gets hot for a few months. However, I have a couple pair of wool for winter wear. Just picked up a pair of Columbia Gallatin wool pants, which aren't the best out there, but for the price I paid, they'll do just fine for a good pair of winter woods bummin and huntin pants. Also have a pair of Codet military style wool cargo's that have been good pants over the years and they can be had fairly cheaply compared to most wool on the market these days.
 
k-spar said:
Skammer, what are the "new style fleece" pants you're talking about? I've got a pair of plain old fleece pants which are great under rain pants, but a lot warmer than I want if I'm moving a lot. I'll have to grab some BDUs some place--the price is definitely right!

.
Click to expand...

The new coated fleece is loosely called soft shell fleece. Brand named Schoeller fabric. Many makers make copies and you can find it in every high end outdoor shop now. NEAT STUFF but it aint cheap.

It will shed light rain but is not h2o proof. It is warm but breaths. Too warm for sumer but good for cool high output activities.

Tough stuff too.

Skam
 
Yeah, I was considering some lightweight wool pants longbow, maybe some old milsurp or something. We'll see what I can find when I go looking though.

Thanks for the tip Skam, I recall now I have seen that stuff, and you're right, it ain't cheap. I'll take a close look at it next time i go to the store.
 
something that may work for you.their called "fire hose work pants" and are sold by DULUTH TRADING COMPANY.they are a bdu style that is made of from the canvas the used to wrap fire hoses.it looks tough as hell.fire hoses are dragged up stairs,around corners,across pavemant,through broken windows and so forth.they also have a water proof coating and come in 4 different colors.i need to get me a pair.their 50 bucks but look worth every penny.

im not sure if they will work for you but my all time favorite pants are 5.11.now,i wouldnt believe it if i heard it from someone else but i kid you not...i spilled bleach on a brown nylon pair and absolutely nothing happened.i am still confused as to why but not complaining since their my favorite every day pants.
 
Without a doubt in my mind the best outdoor gear for men, both price wise, and ruggedness, is at Duluth Trading Company!!!!

Google them. Their stuff is awesome.
 
Look into some of the softshell pants out there. Most outdoor retailers are gong to have them. Mine are tough, water resistant, fast-drying and quite low-profile.
 
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