I need pants!

K

Kirk_Ferentz

Joined
Feb 16, 2010
Messages
589
... for cold weather hunting/hiking/camping/etc. ... maybe in the snow. What is the latest and greatest out there? Obviously something that is water resistant but breathes, and is quick dry would be great. Durability is a must.

It sounds like for warmth, a lot of people focus more on an under layer than the outer layer ... something like underarmour.

One wrinkle ... I was at a store looking at some north face pants, and I don't know what it is about these types of pants, but they seem to assume that everyone has at least a 38 inseam (even in the smallest size). I would really like to get something that has more options in terms of length of the pants. My inseam is probably around 32. For me, a 38 isn't even wearable. And i do not have a big waist or something... probably 31 or 32.

And if you have general advice about outdoor clothing brands in general, I could use that too. There is just a ton of products out there, and I'm not sure which direction to go.
 
Get wool. Cabellas makes some tight woven wool camo pants that I will swear by (I think they are called the Outfitters series). I'm sure plenty of other people can point you to other wool makers. I like these because they have a liner and because they are water resistant based on the tight knit. I will never own another pair...that's for sure. PM sent with a web link.
 
cnas122 said:
Get wool. Cabellas makes some tight woven wool camo pants that I will swear by (I think they are called the Outfitters series). I'm sure plenty of other people can point you to other wool makers. I like these because they have a liner and because they are water resistant based on the tight knit. I will never own another pair...that's for sure. PM sent with a web link.
Click to expand...

Yep, I have the same problem with the inseam. Not everyone is a beanpole!

May I have the weblink too, please? Thanks!

Jordan
 
Kirk_Ferentz said:
... for cold weather hunting/hiking/camping/etc. ... maybe in the snow. What is the latest and greatest out there? Obviously something that is water resistant but breathes, and is quick dry would be great. Durability is a must.

It sounds like for warmth, a lot of people focus more on an under layer than the outer layer ... something like underarmour.

One wrinkle ... I was at a store looking at some north face pants, and I don't know what it is about these types of pants, but they seem to assume that everyone has at least a 38 inseam (even in the smallest size).
Click to expand...
Sounds like you're describing softshell pants.
Since I got all high tech and stuff in the last year or so, I like softshell pants(Marmot Scree for me) that can be used with a variety of baselayers, and a hardshell pant for when additional warmth, windproofness, or waterproofness are needed.
I don't know which TNF pants you were trying on, but I can't wear a lot of TNF or Mountain Hardwear's clothes, either. I know Marmot, and Eddie Bauer have short, and medium inseam lengths like 30 and 32" in their softshell pants. Eddie Bauer tends to be oversized in general, but I've got several Marmot items that feature shorter lengths and roomier fit that work well for me, since I'm short and stocky.
Arc'teryx is out of my price range, but would be worth checking out. I try not to look at their stuff, to avoid temptation.
Good luck shopping.
 
I've been pleased with army surplus wool pants or the Columbia wool pants in Outfitter pattern seem to work well. Get them on sale if you shop around. Rugged, hardcore and practical.
 
How cold we talkin?

My choice for cold weather is underarmor, cotton PJ's+sweat shirt, and carhart artic extreme. You can literally lay down in the snow and take a nap without getting cold.

To wear the bibs and jacket together though it needs to be at least 15 degrees or less out or you will over heat.
 
I wear regular cargo pants with wool knee length wader socks under a pair of cheap Cabelas EXV Gore-Tex Rip-stop shell pants and stay toasty down to about 15F even just sitting around doing nothing. Total cost $59 on sale.
I can't see spending big bucks on pants.
I can sit on snow, mud all night with no soak thru.
 
Kirk_Ferentz said:
One wrinkle ... I was at a store looking at some north face pants, and I don't know what it is about these types of pants, but they seem to assume that everyone has at least a 38 inseam (even in the smallest size). I would really like to get something that has more options in terms of length of the pants. My inseam is probably around 32. For me, a 38 isn't even wearable. And i do not have a big waist or something... probably 31 or 32.
Click to expand...

Check the tags. In addition to the waist, TNF pants also have a S/M/L size for inseam sizing. Often times the rack will only have one length left which may lead you to believe they are all made with long lengths.
 
PorcupineMtns66 said:
Check the tags. In addition to the waist, TNF pants also have a S/M/L size for inseam sizing. Often times the rack will only have one length left which may lead you to believe they are all made with long lengths.
Click to expand...

Or else it's the clearance rack and all the "normal" people bought all the "normal" sizes:D Damn tall, skinny aliens...they don't exist, why keep making clothes for them? :D

ROCK6
 
OwenM said:
Sounds like you're describing softshell pants.
Click to expand...

Thats exactly what I thought. I have been hiking, snowshoeing, ice climbing, etc with shoftshell pantns.

Even though there is a bunch of different makers out there, most of them use products from the Schoeller maker. There are ligther and heavier ones. If you want to use your pants for winter... go for the thicker ones.

The good news about the shoftshell is that they breathe a lot better than whaterproof clothing (say Gore Tex) while they are as wind and snow resistant. They will end up soaking if you sit on the snow for too long but that's all.

While I know all the brands mentionead already, there are some more you may want to check. They also use Schoeller products but don't suffer from all the hype of the big name brands. I am talking about Trango and Ternua.

Good luck!
Mikel
 
I plan on getting some Cabelas wool camo pants. Glad to hear a good report on them. Presently I wear Filson whipcords.

For rainyness i have always stuck with patagonia.
 
For the cold and damp winter weather here in NJ, I got me a pair of Filson Hunting Pants about 8 years ago(and still goin' strong).

They have an oil finish and shed wind and rain pretty well. Underneath them, I wear wool long johns.

They are a bit pricey, but worth it.
 
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