best backcountry pant

[JPhelps]

I am looking for help in selecting pants for week long hunts in October in the Mountains around 6000 ft.

Last year I used lightweight smartwool under microtex, and got soaked from my knees down every time I walked through brush.

So I bought some OR Croc Gaiters to fix that problem, but my smartwool and microtex have flat wore out and I am looking at getting some new pants.

I also have Helly Hansen Impertech Raingear Top and Bottoms as well as a Cabelas Space Rain top.

What can you guys recommend for around a $200 setup.  I can always keep extra clothes in the truck if needed but do not like the idea of spending a whole day hunting down to the truck to change and then get soaked getting back to camp.

I was looking at the Sitka 90% stuff, but that is just more money and I will still end up with wet pants (not as insulating as wool).  Should I stay with Microtex?  A three layer system with long johns, wool and impertech over the top?  Mountaineering Pant?  Let me know what has worked for you.

[257 Wby Mag]

90% pants are awesome, unless its raining like it does during buck season over here. Maybe 90% with gaiters? I've got a couple pairs of weatherby wool pants I wear perty much all season. I've come to the realazation I'm gonna get wet/be wet, might as well be warm and quite.

[actionshooter]

I do smartwool with the 90% pants, if its really wet I'll put on the downpour pants.

[MtnMuley]

If you hiking and moving around much, the smartwool with the acsent(sp?) pant by sitka is also a good choice.  It's a little lighter weight than the 90% pant, yet resists moisture pretty well.   I hunted this year at 5000-7000 ft. elevation in Oct. with this setup and never had a problem with getting wet and was never cold.  Where you are hunting, and how much hiking you'll be doing during the day in my opinion would be the deciding factor between the 2 pants (90%, Acsent).  Smartwool is an excellent choice, but spendy.  I used it until I found a new company that builds basically the same thermal, yet in my opinion, more durable.  Minus 33 is the name.  About half the price also.

[coachcw]

I love micotex pants with hh unders , if its wet the gators and rain pants over , I just hate the noise of them though.

[MtnMuley]

Also, Kenetrek makes a great gaitor.  They're the quietest and best form-fitting gaitors I've seen.

[high country]

i take 400gm microfleece every time. I keep buying expensive gear, but that is what I have found best for me. I have used them in downpours and as long as I wear no cotton, they dry quick and stay warm. I could have bought a hundred pair for what i have wasted on stuff that does not cut i for me.