First Lite Kanab vs Sita Mountain Pant or 90% Pant

[luvmystang67]

I have found that in all of my gear choices, I've always kind of skipped over pants.  I've decided I'd like to get a good pair of hunting/hiking pants.  I'm still fairly cost sensitive, but I want to know what people thing.

I tried on a pair of Sitka Mountain pants at Cabelas and also their 90% pants.  They're very nice.  Not sure why such an extreme price difference between them (like $80 price difference between the styles). 

Also, I like the "light merino" idea of the First Lite Kanab pants, and I've found them on sale for a LOT cheaper than the Sitka pants.

My question for the masses are, do you have experience with either/any of these?  What do you like or not like about them. 

I'm really looking for quiet, lightweight, and high crotch for easy walking.  Warmth is really not an important factor to me.  I like the idea of suspenders to keep the crotch high enough to make walking/hiking easy.

[HighCountryHunter88]

i think some of it has to do with the cut of the pants. i wear sitka and like them, if have a pair of first lites too but the cut doesnt fit me well in the crotch. so i have a brand new pair if anyone wants them lol

[luvmystang67]

i think some of it has to do with the cut of the pants. i wear sitka and like them, if have a pair of first lites too but the cut doesnt fit me well in the crotch. so i have a brand new pair if anyone wants them lol

What size on the first lites?  Are they a high crotch or low crotch?  Nothing I hate more than waddling up a mountain with a low crotch.

[KNOPHISH]

I have the 90% & think they're awesome. LW, dry fast & good crotch. Heard good things about the Kanabs cuz they're cheaper but never tried em on. Can't go wrong with any mentioned but whatever fits the best. What size FL ya got HighCountry? sounds like yer giving them away. heh heh

[HighCountryHunter88]

i think some of it has to do with the cut of the pants. i wear sitka and like them, if have a pair of first lites too but the cut doesnt fit me well in the crotch. so i have a brand new pair if anyone wants them lol

What size on the first lites?  Are they a high crotch or low crotch?  Nothing I hate more than waddling up a mountain with a low crotch.

if i remember right high crotch.. too high

[SkookumHntr]

I like the Sitka 90%, they kinda melt tho by a camp fire but other then that there good.

[jackelope]

I wouldn't buy the 90% pants as a hiking pant. Or a pair of pants I'd want to use if it were above 60 degrees. They're too warm. I've had them, and I currently own the Mountain and the Ascent pants. I think the Mountains are my favorite. First Lite is not an option for me as they're too short in the inseam(I'm a 36" inseam).

[luvmystang67]

I wouldn't buy the 90% pants as a hiking pant. Or a pair of pants I'd want to use if it were above 60 degrees. They're too warm. I've had them, and I currently own the Mountain and the Ascent pants. I think the Mountains are my favorite. First Lite is not an option for me as they're too short in the inseam(I'm a 36" inseam).

Does anyone know, of the sitka different weight pants, which does the kanab most closely resemble?

Also, how do the sitka pants order in terms of material weight?  90% the thickest, then mountain and then ascent?

[jackelope]

Sitka pants are all synthetic so it's tough to compare the weights to the wool Kanabs. I'd say maybe like the mountain pants?

Your list in order of weight is correct. The Ascents are very light and sort of stretchy. Great year round hiking pants.

[haugenna]

Bypass both and get the kuiu attack pants.

[X-Force]

I had the 90% and they didnt breath nearly as well as the Kanab.
Quite, Light Weight, etc. go Kanab.

I have Kuiu attack pants right now and im thinking of going back to Kanab because they breathed better. 

[hogslayer]

I would also check out first lites new nylon pant.

[BULLBLASTER]

I have 90%, mtn pants , amd ascent. My ascent definitely get the most use. The 90% dont come out unless its cold out. They aee a few years old and a bit heavier than the newest ones.

[luvmystang67]

Lets add the cost factor.

Kanab $107 w/ free shipping

Sitka $189-$270

Is Kanab good enough that I could be happy at $107?

[BULLBLASTER]

Ascent are 149. I havent found anything that i like better.

[jackelope]

Lets add the cost factor.

Kanab $107 w/ free shipping

Sitka $189-$270

Is Kanab good enough that I could be happy at $107?

Quality should not be a concern. They're all great quality. It's a $107 pair of pants....
What it comes down to is the fit for me.
I'd own First Lite in a heartbeat if it fit me.

[coop2424]

The first lite kanabs that you are seeing on sale are the 1.0 version.  I love first light but there is a reason for the 2.0.  If you go through brush they get eaten up real quick that is the kanabs 1.0  I think all the updates for the 2.0 are going to make them awesome.  Also the new pants from first lite are suppose to be good and I plan on trying them when they come out.  I think they are called corrugated. 

[luvmystang67]

The first lite kanabs that you are seeing on sale are the 1.0 version.  I love first light but there is a reason for the 2.0.  If you go through brush they get eaten up real quick that is the kanabs 1.0  I think all the updates for the 2.0 are going to make them awesome.  Also the new pants from first lite are suppose to be good and I plan on trying them when they come out.  I think they are called corrugated. 

ooooohhhh... so if it was your $107 would you save it for the probably close to $200 v2?

Thanks for the input.

[coop2424]

The first lite kanabs that you are seeing on sale are the 1.0 version.  I love first light but there is a reason for the 2.0.  If you go through brush they get eaten up real quick that is the kanabs 1.0  I think all the updates for the 2.0 are going to make them awesome.  Also the new pants from first lite are suppose to be good and I plan on trying them when they come out.  I think they are called corrugated. 

ooooohhhh... so if it was your $107 would you save it for the probably close to $200 v2?

Thanks for the input.

I sold my regular first lite kanabs.  I really liked them but I hit the brush and they got snagged pretty bad after a couple hikes.  If you hunt open areas where brush is not a issue then I think they are good. Personally I want pants that will last for how much they cost and the corrugated are suppose to be better durability than both kanabs..

[Netminder01]

tag

[ellensburgpo]

I really like Kuiu attack pants, but have been running Eddie Bauer guide pants recently. They are lite, surprisingly good DWR coating, dry quickly and are cheap. I have gotten them at the outlet store for $35. They also offer good stretch ability.

[coachcw]

I have the sitka , the fisrtlite and the kuiu .. out of the three i like the kuiu  then the sitka. the firstlite are nice but arnt comfortable while stepping over stuff , drives me crazy .

[coop2424]

I really like Kuiu attack pants, but have been running Eddie Bauer guide pants recently. They are lite, surprisingly good DWR coating, dry quickly and are cheap. I have gotten them at the outlet store for $35. They also offer good stretch ability.

X2 I really like these pants for the price and wish I had an outlet store near by.  They are 30% off online right now..

[jackelope]

I really like Kuiu attack pants, but have been running Eddie Bauer guide pants recently. They are lite, surprisingly good DWR coating, dry quickly and are cheap. I have gotten them at the outlet store for $35. They also offer good stretch ability.

X2 I really like these pants for the price and wish I had an outlet store near by.  They are 30% off online right now..

I have a pair of these too. Like them a lot except for the cut. Seems they were cut for a small girl and not a big guy. Maybe I've eaten too many donuts.
 

[7mag.]

I have been using the Kuiu Attack Pants and the Sitka Ascent Pants for several years and like them both, but the Attacks are better. I have been using the Kanabs for a few months and I really like them. I don't think they are quite as durable as my other pants, so I won't be using them for Western Washington brush hunting. For open country the Kanabs will be my first choice.

[180-GRAIN]

I have the sitka 90% pants and I am not impressed with the new design of last years pants. They are not durable at all, I sat on a rock on my spring bear hunt and it instantly ripped a hole in the butt of the pants. Also they are not water resistant at all, soak through right away. I am going to change to kuiu this year if they ever get anything back in stock.

[luvmystang67]

Okay so if I'm going to spend the money it looks like I'm either waiting for the kanab 2.0 pants or going with the kuiu attacks or the Sitka ascent. I can wear bulkier stuff in the snow. I need pants for 40-80 degrees and can layer base layers as needed. I do spend some time in the brush so durability is a concern. Kind of leaning towards the kuiu ones after all the feedback on here.


Sent from Tapatalk, which is a mediocre app at best.

[blackveltbowhunter]

I have used all of them. For an all around pant I would not even consider the 90% . Unless doing all your hiking in cold weather. I put  more wear on my ascents during August, September, and  October. My timberlines come out later October and through the rest of the seasons.

I have the first generation Kanabs and would not buy them again. I like the material, weight wise the are similar to my ascents and breath better. Durability is an issue and I don't wear them much unless I know contact with snaggleberrys is going to kept to a minimum. The pockets on the sitkas are much better IMO. I HAVE to wear them with suspenders, which is the biggest drawback for me, the crotch is low when not using them and drives me crazy not being able to take a full stride without restriction. I do like the suspenders tho and they are Max 1 so I do use them on some open country warm weather stuff.

You didn't mention what seasons you might be using them in or if just an "all purpose" pant. Although they have crept up a bit in price, if looking for camo hunting type pants on a budget cabelas microtex 6 pocket are hard to beat. Especially is doing any bowhunting. Quiet, durable, dry fairly quick. They have alot going for them and I have seen them around 50 bucks during sales.

[Vo2max]

Kuiu all the way... I've got the guide pants and attacks with the alpine pants on the way. I can't see going with anything else at this point.

[WAcoueshunter]

I have tried them all as well.  The 90% are only used for cold, late season, they rarely come out these days.  I use the First Lite Kanab for most seasons, primarily because I just like the wool factor.  Fine early season, great mid-season, and late season I just add a base layer.  The Sitka Mt. Pants and Ascents are good.  I use the Ascents when it's warm.  They are really comfortable.  I just got the Kuiu attack pants in grey, and they are my go to pants for weekends - haven't hunted with them yet, but I wear them pretty much every weekend so that should tell you how comfortable they are.  To me, they are more similar to the Sitka pants.  The Kanabs are wool, just makes them superior for scent and versatility in my mind. 

[opdinkslayer]

I have Kanabs & Attacks but have never owned any sitka. I could wear the attack pants anytime anywhere and are the most comfortable pants I've ever worn. They would be my 1st choice. The Kanabs if they fit you well are pretty nice as well with durability in certain brush being a concern. My buddy wore his the entire blacktail season, Montana deer & Idaho w.t last year and they came through fine besides a tiny hole in the knee from a staub. I wore my Kanabs with merino underneath in -20 Montana last year and wasn't cold but prefer the attacks for comfort. The new Kanab 2.0 and the new nylon model fom first lite look interesting but at 129.99 the attacks get my vote if your lucky enuf to get a pair.

[luvmystang67]

Thanks for the input everyone.  I hunt a whole variety of seasons, but I'm usually out when the weather is 40+.  Seems like there are a lot of 70 and 80 degree days more recently.  I do a lot of backpacking in general and would like something I can "High Buck" in.

Someone mentioned the Cabelas microtex.  I do have a pair of those now and actually love them.  They are durable and quiet.  I guess I was just trying to see what else was out there to see what a little more expensive option would get me.  I'm kind of a tweener on the cabelas pant and they're a little tight.

I think I'm going to focus on the Kuiu pant for now, but I'll look around a bit as well.  This has been very helpful.  I'm going to be sale watching for a month or two.  Sounds like you need to take a number for the Kuiu's though.

[luvmystang67]

Are they all quiet in brush?

[ridgefire]

I have all three that you asked about and wear the kanabs the most for Sept high country hunts. Can wear them for a week without changing them.

[zackmioli]

I just got the mountain pants this year and have loved hiking and scouting in them so far. With the temps starting to rise I might pull the trigger on a pair of kuiu tiburons, super light weight and lots of ventilation.

[luvmystang67]

I think I'm going to order some Kuiu Attack pants after all of the reviews on here and looking at prices and reviews elsewhere.

Next problem.  I'm a 31 waist.  They offer a 30 and a 32.  Are they most likely to fit big or fit small?  ie if you were me, which size would you get.  I like to keep the crotch high for easy hiking and hate when my pants fall off, but if they fit true to size, the 30 will be a bad deal.   

[h20hunter]

32 and get some suspenders....far more usefull than a belt.