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Multi-Editor Hunting Pant Review
Born Primitive Outdoors: Frontier Pant
In my opinion, the first, second, and third quality needed for a good pair of hunting pants is comfort. Sure, they need to be tough, breathable, water repellant, and include some useful pockets, but nowadays it’s near impossible to find technical hunting pants that don’t check all or most of those boxes. Comfort and fit are much more evasive qualities to nail down, especially across a wide range of body types and preferences. Born Primitive Outdoors, with their roots in athletic CrossFit apparel, gets full marks from me with their Frontier Pant.
What drew me to these pants was the emphasis on an athletic fit and unrestricted mobility in their construction and 4-way stretch material. I can forgive a lot of shortcomings in a pair of pants, but how they fit on my hips, butt, and thighs when I’m moving around is not one of them. The design team at BPO, like myself, don’t skip leg day and must have the kind of hefty lower body that back squats get you. Not only were the sizing and out-of-the-box fit spot on, but I really began to love these pants when kneeling and maneuvering on a steep hillside while cleaning a Coues buck I killed this season. The articulated knees and gusseted crotch make a big difference when you need to be agile.
Two other qualities that I really appreciated were the weight and the reinforced panels on the knees and butt. In Arizona, you rarely find a gentle piece of ground without jagged rocks. These panels will definitely help the longevity of the pants. The weight was perfect for a late-season hunt, keeping me plenty warm in the early mornings but being breathable and vent-able in the afternoon.
While It’s very difficult for me to find anything I would change about the Frontier Pant, the width at the lower leg and cuff was a little looser than I prefer, and the side vent could either be made slightly longer or have the netting removed for more airflow. By no means were these distracting qualities for me, and these are very subjective notes.
Kevin Guillen
Western Hunter Magazine Field Editor
Eberlestock Afterburner Pant
We all have that favorite pair of seasoned pants that we seem to reach for for just about every occasion. Whether it’s for work, hunting camp, the shooting range, or the plans your wife made last month that you forgot about. Whatever the event, they’ve always been dependable, durable, and comfortable.
For me, Eberlestock’s Afterburner Pant has become just that. While I bought them to be a dedicated lightweight and versatile hunting pant, they’ve become much more than that and they’re the pair of pants that I reach for for just about everything. The amount of comfort these pants provide has made them my favorite on the market. The 4-way-stretch polyester fabric is completely unrestricted in movement, and the side ventilation zippers provide great heat dispersion, which is a big plus for active hunters. The fit and finish are spot on, and the sizing is true for an athletic cut. I’m 5’10, approximately 200lbs, have a size 33 waist, and the size large fits me perfectly.
Over the many years of hunting the deserts of Arizona, it’s shown me that dependable gear is crucial. Our backcountry deserts are extremely unforgiving on gear, especially pants. We have just about every sharp and annoying plant you can think of, and they typically shred your outer layers. In fact, if you hunt a lot in Arizona, your top-tier boots and pants seldom last longer than a few seasons. While the Afterburner Pant wasn’t designed to be a brush buster, it’s held up incredibly well throughout the several seasons I’ve had them, especially for being such a lightweight pant. I’ve paired mine with gaiters to prolong the life of my boots and pants, but a great feature that these pants have is the scuff guard on each tapered cuff. They keep the brush, dirt, and debris from eating away at the cuffs and also keep the pants from staining from our reddish-brown fine dirt. The durability doesn’t stop there, the Afterburner Pant has a gusseted crotch and DWR finish.
I don’t really have a negative thing to say about these, but if I was forced to come up with something I’d say that they’re not the warmest pant out there, but they aren’t meant to be... I like having a versatile pant like this to use all year long, and I’ll use differently weighted base layers for cold and warm weather hunts to adjust for temperature.
If you’re in the market for a pair of hunting pants that you’ll likely wear more than just hunting, I’d recommend you consider the Afterburner Pant from Eberlestock.
Price $169 - Buy Them on Amazon
Pedram Parvin
Western Hunter Magazine Field Editor
Kuiu Attack Pant
Living and hunting in Arizona you are exposed to a wide range of temperatures depending on the hunt and time of year. Early-season archery elk hunts are just plain hot while late-season rifle hunts can be downright frigid. Clothing for these hunts often requires a lot of options but one constant selection for me is
In the last year, I’ve worn them on an archery elk hunt, two late-season muzzleloader hunts, and a Mexico Coues deer hunt. Each hunt had extremely different temperatures and weather conditions. On the archery elk hunt, I stayed cool with the zippered hip vents and mesh pockets which are great features that dump heat no matter what time of year. The fabric can stretch and breathe which allows you to move without feeling tight or bunched up.
The late-season muzzleloader hunts had below-freezing temperatures in the morning with warm afternoons. The Attack Pant allows me to wear a base layer underneath comfortably and does not feel bulky. If I need to add rain gear or insulated pants, these pants work great for layering and offer good wind protection. While hunting Mexico in January, the pants did great on several windy, rainy days that did not require the use of rain gear. Water beads off the pants easily and on the occasion that they did get wet, they dried quickly.
An additional feature that sold me on these pants is that they are available in Tall sizes. I hate short pants!
The
Price $149 - Buy them on KUIU.com
Randy Stalcup
Western Hunter Magazine Art Director / Associate Editor
Sitka Gear Mountain Pant
The Mountain Pant from Sitka is, in my opinion, a masterpiece. Does it have all of the “features” that other pants might have? No. Does it make me a better hunter? No. Does it try to convince me it will? No.
Longevity
The Mountain Pant has been around for over a decade, and I have been wearing mine for about that long. I own three pairs of these pants – two in the solid “Dirt” color, and one in Optifade Open Country. The Optifade pair was with me through some formative years, mistakes, cat claw battles, bonfires, and more. It has outlasted a few girlfriends and vehicles and shows hardly any signs of wear. The knotted string zipper pulls are my only complaint in this department. They are laughable. They last about 37 seconds in the woods, and I have gotten very good at opening zipper pockets with a thumbnail. If anyone from Sitka reads this, please consider a sewn-in tab.
Fit
The fit of these pants is near-perfect. At 6’3, 215 lb, I typically wear a 34/35. I own one pair in 35 Tall and a 36 in both Tall and Regular. Even with longer-than-average legs, I can comfortably wear either. The tall may even be a touch long for me. The thighs are not skin-tight, but not flowy. The hem falls neatly around the top of my boot, and the legs don’t rub together when I walk. Stretchy material and an articulated cut make for a pant that feels natural. When I squat down, they don’t get tight. When I wear them every day for two weeks, they don’t get loose.
Conditions
These are not the warmest pants available, and neither are they the most breathable. They fall right in the middle. I have worn them on 90-degree days near Phoenix and frosty, wind-chilled days on Kodiak. In the heat, they breathe well enough to not get sweaty, and in the cold, a simple pair of medium-weight long johns is plenty to keep out an icy wind.
Features?
As a cameraman, I’m big on pockets. I need options when I’m carrying camera gear, memory cards, and such. The Mountain pant has zippered thigh pockets for security with button pockets on top for accessibility. I have come to love this system when I need to change a battery quickly while filming archery hunts, especially with gloves.
I typically don’t wear the kneepads, as they are slightly cumbersome and I’m weird about my knees. However, they work great if you need them.
The only feature I find myself missing is a hip vent, but I also have one less thing to think about.
I love these pants. I would say I hope they are never discontinued, but it doesn’t matter because I will have mine until I die.
$209.00 - Buy them on BlackOvis.com
Levi Sopeland
Western Hunter Television Videographer
Browning Pahvant Pro
I have been wearing the Pahvant Pro pants from Browning for four seasons, averaging about 60 days each year. One of the three pair I have is about to enter its fifth season and is still going strong.
The two-layer shell fabric offers three-way stretch which is mandatory for steep hikes and maximum flexibility. The side pockets are non-baffled for a streamlined fit, and have a easy-to-access to access horizontal zipper. Of course, you still have two front and back pockets for all the usual stuff. There are side-seam leg venting zippers on each leg which are awesome for temperature and moisture control even in the dead of winter.
The Pahvant Pro is offered in three colors, Ovix camo, Carbon Grey and Major Brown. The fit and comfort are so nice that I often wear the solid colors out for dinner with my wife and trade shows. The sizing is spot on in my opinion, my waist measures at 32” and the 32” model fits me perfectly. The pants are offered in waist sizes from 32”-42” and inseam lengths of 32” and 34”.
These are truly a multi-season pant. I transition from the Browning Early Season Pant to the Pahvant Pro as soon as the mornings drop consistently below freezing. In the later season I add a good base layer which has served me well down to about zero.
The fabric is soft and quiet, so they are excellent on tricky archery stalks, but the downside is the fabric snags in briars and cat claw. The pair I mentioned earlier are now my “Arizona Pants”, they have survived miles in cat claw, and have the scars and pulled thread to prove it, but they are still going strong.
I found multiple online retailers selling the Pahvant Pros for under $80 which is an incredible deal for this quality of product.
Chris Denham
Western Hunter Editor
Kuiu Kutana Stretch Woven Pant
After just a few deer hunts, my
By themselves, I don’t consider the Kutanas to be warm enough under about 50 degrees, but they are stretchy enough that I can wear a base Merino pant underneath for the late season. If I get too warm, the zippered legs are perfect to let some air in and regulate body temperature without having to strip down layers.
As for the fit, I like that the legs, specifically around the calves, are tapered and fit more snug than most hunting pants. This has reduced snagging and makes them more comfortable when wearing gaiters in the snow or slipping into a pair of waiters while out duck hunting. With proper layering, I really don’t have any limits on when I can wear these pants. From deer and javelina in Arizona, elk in Colorado, hogs in Texas, to snow geese in Nebraska, the Kutanas have been my opening-day go-to pants on every hunt. With all the color options, I don’t even shy away from wearing them in the office. There might not be a perfect pant for everything, but I don’t see myself changing up my system anytime soon.
Cost: $169 - Buy them on KUIU.com
Ryan Berg
Western Hunter Magazine Field Editor
Sitka Intercept Pant
Most serious hunters today own a slew of pursuit-specific gear. So, why wouldn’t you tailor your clothing in the same manner? The Sitka Intercept pant is specifically designed for short-range engagements with big game animals.
The Intercept is made with a bonded merino wool lining to cut down on scent and manage moisture. The outer layer is made up of nylon material to ensure abrasion resistance while making long stalks through rocky terrain. These pants come standard with a D30 knee pad that is easily removable through the large hip vents. I have now used the pants for 25 days, and they are yet to show any signs of use.
I started using them on scouting trips in early August to see if they would be breathable enough to wear all day in the 100+ degree Arizona sun, and I came away pleasantly surprised. The material itself is not as breathable as, say, the Ascent pants from Sitka, but the large, well-designed hip vents make up for that in spades.
I normally tuck my pants into the top of my socks when I am beginning to close the distance, but with these pants, that doesn’t feel necessary. The cut is such that there isn’t a ton of extra material waving around near your boot and causing unwanted noise. That said, the pants aren’t so tight that you look like a Bozeman hipster, either.
I wish I had a pair in a solid color because of their “pajama pants” feel. They are extremely comfortable. If you visited the Outdoorsmans in August, you may have seen me in them because I didn’t want to change out of them after my morning hunts.
The only downside I have found with these pants won’t affect most of the population. For my tall and skinny body type, they don’t fit perfectly. I am a size 32” waist with a 36” inseam, so the closest size I could get was a 34” Tall, which is a 34” inseam, and they fit just how I would expect. They’re loose around the waist, and around the ankles, it’s like I am preparing for a flood. Most normal-sized individuals will have no problem with the fit.
If you plan on being in tight with critters, the Intercept should be on your radar.
Cost $289 - Buy them on BlackOvis.com
Brody Layher
Western Hunter Magazine Field Editor
Stone Glacier De Havilland Pant
There hasn’t been a single active hunting day in the last three years that I haven’t worn my De Havilland pants. They have been through the paces from being a packer on a Dall hunt in AK, backpacking for mule deer in ID, and trying to glass coues deer in AZ. Through all that, aside from a couple of small holes and missing zipper pulls, I don’t foresee needing another pair of hunting pants for a few more years.
With the Contour Waist™ System, I do not need a belt, which is super nice when hiking around all day with a pack on. I typically wear a size 36, and the XL fits perfectly with the velcro right around the middle. They were a bit baggy below the knees when I got them, but a quick and cheap trip to the local seamstress made them fit exactly how I wanted.
The hip vents are a tad on the long side, so I typically don’t unzip them all the way, but the part I really like about them is that there isn't a mesh on the inside. When you’re burning up and need to cool off quickly, it's nice to be able to open them up wide. The deep pocket designs hold everything you need on your body, like gloves, a phone, a light beanie, and a snack. These have been my favorite hunting pants I’ve ever worn, hands down.
Ben Britton
Western Hunter Magazine Field Editor
First Lite Corrugate Foundry Pant
I’ll be honest here, I have a tough time finding pants that fit in general. When it comes to technical apparel, the problem is even worse. I could be delusional and fatter than I think I am, however, I just feel like most hunting clothes are made for dudes who skip leg day.
That’s one of the biggest reasons why I absolutely love the Corrugate Foundry Pant from First Lite. In my opinion, First Lite knocked it out of the park with these pants.
First off, they fit great, like really great. Now, part of that fit is because I recognize my body type and specifically bought these pants about a size too big as I like a looser fit, (you can take the 90s kid out of the JNCOs…)
At the time I bought these pants, I was a bit heftier and at a size 40 waist. I had been wearing the Corrugate Guide pants from First Lite but they were getting a little too tight. I bought these bad boys in a size 42 and felt like a king in them.
They’re made with DWR-treated stretch nylon, so I have tons of flexibility and don’t feel like the pants are constrictive or too tight and causing any discomfort. First Lite states on the product page that these pants do have a more rigid waistline and suggests sizing up if you’re between sizes.
In the three years that I have owned these pants, I have worn them in temps ranging from 15 to 100 degrees. The large vents can really cool you off quickly, especially if you get some wind moving through there. For really cold temps, I pair the Foundry with my Kiln Long Johns and that certainly keeps me warm and cozy while I glass.
Finally, these pants are super durable and weather-resistant. Our landscape here in AZ can be pretty brutal on clothes and boots. Between all the granite, limestone, cacti, and catclaw, I can really tear my clothes up pretty quickly. So far, no matter what kind of terrain I’ve thrown at these Corrugates, they’ve answered the call. I don’t have a ton of pilling, certainly no tears or rips, and they’re still as weather-resistant as the first day I put them on. Speaking of, light rain and snow are no problem for these pants. The included knee pads are an awesome feature as well. At $205, I simply cannot recommend the Corrugate Foundry enough.
MSRP $205 - Buy them on Amazon
Joe Mannino
Western Hunter Magazine Field Editor
