Post by: Grayson_Everett on February 17, 2021, 04:00:24 AM
Post by: NW SURVEYOR on February 17, 2021, 04:42:33 AM
Don't be cheap, cause cheap ain't cheap.
Post by: Tim in Wa. on February 17, 2021, 05:35:17 AM
I have a hard time paying a premium for hunting brand pants when they get thrashed so fast
Post by: MtnMuley on February 17, 2021, 05:57:46 AM
Post by: cougforester on February 17, 2021, 06:01:16 AM
Post by: trophyhunt on February 17, 2021, 06:36:37 AM
Either follow the routes described below, as there is good quality stuff out there for a relatively good deal, or go all in on Sitka or Kuiu. First Lite has a pretty notorious reputation for being comfortable but incredibly short lived.:yeah: used to be a big fan of firstlite, but after having to send multiple items back due to complete failure, I'm done with them. I really hope steve R can have some impact with quality at first lite. My go to, warm, comfy and durable clothing is Kuiu. But the most important thing you can do is layer up right and have some good rain gear. Your idea of having a set of cotton BDU's is spot on, by far the most durable clothing on the market!! BUT, not for any kind of bad weather, which you already know. Go kuiu and spend some money, you'll find you really only need about two sets. couple different weights for under shirts then a jacket, under pants, socks, and guide pant or similar pant. You'll see that you can wear those clothes day after day and they just don't stink, even the socks after days of hunting still smell fine. You won't be disappointing with kuiu.
Post by: Alan K on February 17, 2021, 06:46:25 AM
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 17, 2021, 06:51:13 AM
I've shredded most of my outer layers of First Lite. The under layers are good. They just aren't made for the brush we've got here on the west side I guess. :dunno:
that's generous. First Lite is definitely comfortable but falls apart in pretty much any environment.
Post by: teanawayslayer on February 17, 2021, 06:54:56 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on February 17, 2021, 06:55:53 AM
For a Sept elk hunt on a budget, I'd buy the Wrangler Comfort Tech pants for $20ish and a merino top from Black Ovis for $30ish. Both in the lighter brown color. You can kill just as many elk in these that any First Lite, Kuiu, etc. Save your money for more important things like boots and calls. :twocents:sound advice. Id add prana zion to your pants list. Ive got 2 drawers full of hunting and hiking pants from all the known brands and the prana's are what I usually reach for.
As with every hunt layering is key. The black ovis merino stuff is pert good. A light weight quarter zip hoodie is about my most favorite piece of clothing made. Add in a heavier top, possibly a vest, a soft shell and a puffy and you can tackle just about anything. Good luck on your hunt :tup:
Post by: fishngamereaper on February 17, 2021, 07:07:57 AM
For a Sept elk hunt on a budget, I'd buy the Wrangler Comfort Tech pants for $20ish and a merino top from Black Ovis for $30ish. Both in the lighter brown color. You can kill just as many elk in these that any First Lite, Kuiu, etc. Save your money for more important things like boots and calls. :twocents:sound advice. Id add prana zion to your pants list. Ive got 2 drawers full of hunting and hiking pants from all the known brands and the prana's are what I usually reach for.
As with every hunt layering is key. The black ovis merino stuff is pert good. A light weight quarter zip hoodie is about my most favorite piece of clothing made. Add in a heavier top, possibly a vest, a soft shell and a puffy and you can tackle just about anything. Good luck on your hunt :tup:
:yeah:
For early/ mid season I love my prana zion's. Have 3 pair and they all have taken some abuse ..
I've had great luck with Kuiu as well. The attack pants are well built as are the Talus...you don't need $300 Kuiu pants to get good Kuiu pants for early/ mid season.
Post by: Stein on February 17, 2021, 08:14:04 AM
The name brand $$ stuff is awesome, but you can get 80-90% of the performance for 1/2 to 1/3 the cost. I have stuff I bought from the bargain cave at Cabelas that has 8 seasons, both big game and waterfowl and it's going strong. Camo Fire wool is affordable and relatively durable.
Shop sales and store brand stuff and you can get quality stuff for reasonable prices. There are also guys that like to have new stuff every 1-2 years and sell their lightly used stuff here and other places for reasonable prices as well.
Post by: Sundance on February 17, 2021, 09:18:21 AM
Kuiu I'd look at the Attacks or the Kutana's, I have both and the Kutana are good for warm weather.
Camofire usually runs Sitka on Saturdays, so check Friday night at 10PM when they reload, the good stuff goes fast.
Post by: vandeman17 on February 17, 2021, 09:26:34 AM
Whether hot or cold, when you are out in the mountains, the last thing you want to do is be kicking yourself for going cheap on gear. I can think of many times sitting in a stand freezing my butt off and thinking to myself "I would pay $100 for a warmer jacket right now" Ironically, the jacket I was wearing was probably $100 cheaper than the one I wanted. Go figure
Post by: Sunbkpk on February 17, 2021, 09:41:28 AM
Post by: Sundance on February 18, 2021, 08:33:14 AM
Post by: Shawn Ryan on February 18, 2021, 03:31:49 PM
Post by: ridgefire on February 19, 2021, 06:10:45 PM
Post by: GoPlayOutside on February 22, 2021, 10:09:40 PM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on February 23, 2021, 05:43:50 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on February 23, 2021, 06:32:22 AM
I'm with others though, there are lots of much cheaper options out there when it comes to outer layers. If you aren't worried about camo, look at the Zion Prana pants. They have a good following. Eddie Bauer often has stuff for cheap online too.
Post by: elkchaser54 on February 23, 2021, 11:40:11 AM
First Lite pants $49. They are returned items but for $49 you can't go wrong. Shop around and don't get stuck on big name companies.
Post by: ballpark on February 23, 2021, 02:53:48 PM
5.11 Rip stop TDU or Taclite Pro :tup:
Post by: millerwheeler on February 23, 2021, 04:41:45 PM
Post by: dilleytech on February 24, 2021, 08:36:54 AM
Post by: OltHunter on February 24, 2021, 10:09:34 AM
Anything by first lite, smartwool, minus33 will work. BlackOvis (same as Camofie) is my recommendation based on price and customer service.
The life of merino wool i've found to be 2 to 3 years based on how much and how hard you are running them and with a pack or so. They fray, pile, and rip.
Merino socks is another must have for me. I'm partial to darn tough.
Another must have, even if it's 90 degrees is a puffy jacket. FL uncompaghre, Sitka Kelvin Lite, Eddie Bauer, Stone Glacier, etc will be good. Sort of depends if you want down vs synthetic.
But get a puffy coat.
Outside of that, I've found the same thing with pants and jackets. The life expectancy of them does not warrant the cost for a lot of the high end companies, but sort of depends how you run them.
Sitka at 50% off does in my opinion due to their customer service, or even 30% at places you don't have to pay tax.
Outside of that, again BlackOvis is putting out great low cost stuff for pants, make sure to check them out.
Eddie Bauer pants do not last me more than 1 year for me, but again, they have lifetime, so you can take them back and get a new pair. But every pair i use for hunting, the pockets work out and lose stitching.
Prana Zions are good too, I just like more pockets.
lightweight rain set you can throw in your pack just in case and if weather looks to be raining a lot, a heavier weight set.
For my Sept elk hunt I use:
baseball hat
merino stocking hat
150 weight merino long sleeve with a zipper.
Fleece pullover/hooded with stretch
Puffy Jacket
lightweight rain set
Some type of lightweight synthetic pant with stretch
darn tough/farm to feet merino socks
That's a decent start to work off of
Post by: ctwiggs1 on February 24, 2021, 11:15:08 AM