Shorts for conoeing. With belt loops for knife sheath.

JG Custom Metal Works

JG Custom Metal Works

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Nov 27, 2013
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Trying to figure out what would be the best option for carrying a sheath/knife on a belt. I've usually worn regular cargo shorts but they tend to get soaked and hold onto water real bad. All the swimming shorts/trunks I have don't have belt loops and don't seem to made of material sturdy enough for the job.

Anyone have any ideas?
 
maybe look into travel clothes like craghopper, exofficio or even patagonia and the like. There are lots of fast drying synthetic shorts in that category. I usually stick to synthetic underwear when I know I'm going to spend a bunch of the day soaked, like when I'm surf fishing. Then even if I'm soaked, there is no chaffing. much better than cotton.
Another thought would be to wear the knife on a baldric.
 
It you are canoeing, you should be wearing a PFD and most of those have both pockets and lash tabs for knives. I do wear Gander Mountain Guide Series pants which are lightweight, fast drying and have belt loops and pockets. Cabellas and REI also have an assortment of shorts you may like. Consider convertable pants as well, with their zip off lower legs.
 
I don't suppose a neck knife would be to much of a problem on a lake, but I sure wouldn't want something around my neck on moving water. Codger's recommendation about attaching the knife to a PFD is a good one—although for me and my particular PFD, a knife attached to the vest interferes with my paddle stroke. Instead, I always wear a waist pack with fire-making and other emergency gear. My knife sheath goes on the belt of the waist pack.

EDITED TO ADD: Walmart sells "Swim Shorts" made from very light nylon with a DWR finish. Water just rolls off them—although they'll wet if you actually take a swim. They have pockets and belt loops. I got a couple pair for $7 each on clearance last year. They're back in stock this year. I think they're about $15.
 
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Or you could get swimming shorts with front pockets and attach a Mora Clipper there. Ive done that several times.
 
I often wear long pants with the zipper rip away bottom made by Columbia or similar. These dry quickly and I believe they have belt loops. I am more concerned about sun exposure on my legs than whether or not my shorts are wet. Yes, definitely wear floation gear and they may have some pockets to stash things like keys and so forth. I generally keep my cell phone in a small water proof box just in case. Never make a call, but you never know. Include a small first aid kit, also just in case. All of this stuff goes into a small dry bag that I keep closed tight.

A towel comes in real handy too.

If you plan on swimming, you might take along a pair of swim trunks and slip them or wear them under your pants.
 
I also wear the zip-off type outdoor pants. Look for something made of close to 100% nylon, they dry fast. I've got a pair made by columbia and recently picked up some from costco; both have belt loops as well as regular and zippered pockets for keys etc. Oh and I second the non-cotton underwear suggestion. You'll be way happier than in cargo shorts!

-mike
 
Thanks for the responses gents, I really appreciate it! Some great ideas in here. For the past few years I've been doing multiple 4-7 day/night canoe trips on rivers, camping on the side of the river. You'd think I'd have it figured out by now. I like the idea of those nylon zip-off pants with sections on the legs. I'm definitely getting a pair before the next trip.

I'm thinking I'll just clip a stainless Mora on my pants and keep a couple other blades in the sealed 5 gallon buckets/ammo cans.

We mainly do leisurely Ozark rivers which are mostly class I. I've learned a few small things over the years that help for long canoe/camping trips on slow rivers like these:

*Regular 5 gallon buckets with Gamma Seal lids are stout dry containers and are fairly cheap. Important stuff/electronics and be in additional containers inside.
*Surplus ammo cans also work good, just have to check the seal.
*Crocs shoes look silly but work pretty dang well. Loop a piece of para-cord through them and tie them to your ankle if you want to make sure they don't float off. They're all I use in the rivers in combination with a pair of NRS paddling shoes.
*Lastly, if you use the GammaSeal buckets and ammo cans it's real easy to run a length of rope through all of the handles and secure everything to the vessel.

Just felt like I should contribute some things to the thread after all you guys took the time to help. I'm sure some of the ideas I wrote are well beneath some of your guys' experience levels but I figured I'd throw them out there anyway. Thanks again fellas, happy trails!
 
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