Alright so I usually camp in either jeans or 5.11 Pants (taclite pro or normal 100% cotton variant), but it is a lot colder here in fall and winter than where I am used to. I am looking for some moderately priced pants (and clothing in general) that is 100% synthetic for camp use. I prefer earth tones with cargo pockets. Any ideas?
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100% Synthetic pants for hiking and camping?
- Thread starter oguruma
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TLR
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keep an eye out at sierra trading post. I pick up most of my gear from there. I've gotten a lot of mountain hardwear and marmot clothing from them. They also have a lot of ex-officio brand clothing which might be in the realm of what you're looking for. Otherwise I have a couple of pair of northface pants that I wear a lot.
Not sure where you're at that it gets cold but it definitely gets cold here in NE Iowa. Invest in some appropriate weight synthetic long underwear. The only issue with most synthetic pants is that they are generally thinner than jeans or cotton twill. Get a couple of different weights of long underwear and then you can use your pants more as a shell.
Not sure where you're at that it gets cold but it definitely gets cold here in NE Iowa. Invest in some appropriate weight synthetic long underwear. The only issue with most synthetic pants is that they are generally thinner than jeans or cotton twill. Get a couple of different weights of long underwear and then you can use your pants more as a shell.
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Check REI's Outlet. They pretty much always have stuff on steep sale there. I am a big fan of the REI branded stuff. The REI branded clothing started out as whatever they could make out of leftover fabric, but their current stuff easily rivals the big brands. Their Sahara pants are awesome, but they are a cotton/poly blend. They do not do the Euro ball hugging cuts like most of the outdoor brands do, which makes they pretty comfortable.
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Who knows, this is what the OP may be after...I lol'd in any case. I agree with the REI suggestion, good stuff that seems to be assembled to a high standard. Also, this may be a good option too, not super expensive:
http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Home.aspx
I know you are after synthetic but why not wool, it has a wider temperature range of comfort then synthetics and it doesnt get stinky and hold body odor the way synthetics do. I do endorse sierra trading post, you have to keep your eyes open and it helps if you are a thin size but they have some great deals and have always absolutely stood behind what they sell in terms of refunds/trades etc for any reason if you have not worn it noticeably.
TheZenful1
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#1 - define moderately priced
#2 - clarity on a lot colder here
Are you planning on using these sought after pants for the Fall & Winter months? Are you looking for a pair of pants that would be warm plus water resistant or proof? Or something you could use as an outer layer?
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I'll give a half-hearted recommendation for the Marmot Scree softshell pant. Comes in various lengths, and has zippered pockets, including one on the right leg. They do make a similar cargo pant, as well.
I've seen lots of reviews, comments, and videos featuring the Scree online, and people use them for skiing and mountaineering. You'll want something under them if the temps fall below freezing and you're not very active, though.
I said "half-hearted" because I have two pair. One has been beaten to hell and back, dragged over rocks, hung in briars, caught on sharp broken off limbs(got my knee support ripped off through the pants on one crawling over a deadfall, and the pants don't have a mark on them), and look almost new. They're breathable, wind resistant, water resistant(fine in light rain, will soak in a shower), stretch so they move with you, dry quickly, and are the most comfortable pants I've ever had on.
Unfortunately my other pair's outer layer, in spite of heavy stitching inside the seams, was only held in place by the single line of stitching visible on the outside at the front of the crotch beneath the zipper. Marmot does have a guarantee, a quick trip to a local seamstress would have them better than new, and I suppose you can get a bad one of anything, but it was kind of disheartening to see that seam come apart after a dozen or so "practice hikes" around the neighborhood right after watching a video review by someone who claimed to have worn a pair for ~300 days out of a year. 'Course that was one of their sponsored athletes:foot:
btw, they don't have them in anything but a XL or XXL now, but I got them from Sierra Trading Post. Separate orders at different times, but got both for the retail price for one. I don't know that I'd pay $100 for them, but I haven't found anything I like better than my good pair, so that's a big maybe.
I've seen lots of reviews, comments, and videos featuring the Scree online, and people use them for skiing and mountaineering. You'll want something under them if the temps fall below freezing and you're not very active, though.
I said "half-hearted" because I have two pair. One has been beaten to hell and back, dragged over rocks, hung in briars, caught on sharp broken off limbs(got my knee support ripped off through the pants on one crawling over a deadfall, and the pants don't have a mark on them), and look almost new. They're breathable, wind resistant, water resistant(fine in light rain, will soak in a shower), stretch so they move with you, dry quickly, and are the most comfortable pants I've ever had on.
Unfortunately my other pair's outer layer, in spite of heavy stitching inside the seams, was only held in place by the single line of stitching visible on the outside at the front of the crotch beneath the zipper. Marmot does have a guarantee, a quick trip to a local seamstress would have them better than new, and I suppose you can get a bad one of anything, but it was kind of disheartening to see that seam come apart after a dozen or so "practice hikes" around the neighborhood right after watching a video review by someone who claimed to have worn a pair for ~300 days out of a year. 'Course that was one of their sponsored athletes:foot:
btw, they don't have them in anything but a XL or XXL now, but I got them from Sierra Trading Post. Separate orders at different times, but got both for the retail price for one. I don't know that I'd pay $100 for them, but I haven't found anything I like better than my good pair, so that's a big maybe.
1066vik
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check Sportsman's Guide for their fleece lined jeans or invest in some lightweight base layers or heavier weight polypro long johns to wear under your jeans/cargo's.
you might also check the sale/clearance at Duluth Trading - they have some heavy duty cotton wool/acrylic lined cargo pants for a good price, but sizes are limited at this time of year. (i.e. after 3 months on the clearance rack)
another option would be lined overalls, like Key, Berne, Walls, or Carharts.
you might also check the sale/clearance at Duluth Trading - they have some heavy duty cotton wool/acrylic lined cargo pants for a good price, but sizes are limited at this time of year. (i.e. after 3 months on the clearance rack)
another option would be lined overalls, like Key, Berne, Walls, or Carharts.
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With regards to temperatures, I would consider wool if it's really cold; however, a quality pair of synthetic pants with some silk-weight long underwear make a great combo. Synthetics dry quite fast, making them ideal.
I have several pairs for hiking:
REI (Mojave...cotton/syn mix)
Ex Officio (Amphi versions)
Columbia (you can usually find them on sale)
Northface (three different version; all purchased on sale)
I really like my LL Bean Timberledge pants
Craghoppers (Nosilife); they fit me excellently and are quite well made
Railriders; expensive, but some of the toughest and recommended for cold weather.
I've hear good things about Mountain Hardware and Arc-Teryx, but they can be a little expensive (like Railriders).
Another cheaper option is to get a good cotton/poly mix BDU/ACU (best are 65% polyester to 35% cotton). Propper and True-Spec are pretty common and inexpensive. These will wear pretty hard and dry relatively fast.
ROCK6
I have several pairs for hiking:
REI (Mojave...cotton/syn mix)
Ex Officio (Amphi versions)
Columbia (you can usually find them on sale)
Northface (three different version; all purchased on sale)
I really like my LL Bean Timberledge pants
Craghoppers (Nosilife); they fit me excellently and are quite well made
Railriders; expensive, but some of the toughest and recommended for cold weather.
I've hear good things about Mountain Hardware and Arc-Teryx, but they can be a little expensive (like Railriders).
Another cheaper option is to get a good cotton/poly mix BDU/ACU (best are 65% polyester to 35% cotton). Propper and True-Spec are pretty common and inexpensive. These will wear pretty hard and dry relatively fast.
ROCK6
Fjallraven pants are meant to be very good. A bit expensive though. Ask zyhano about them, I know he has a pair, saw them in his latest video.
http://www.fjallraven.us/c-4-pants.aspx
http://www.fjallraven.us/c-4-pants.aspx
I like 5.11's Nylon Tactical pants but they are discontinued. Someone recently pointed me at Rail Riders pants which seem to have that same heavy, durable build quality I am after.
A lot of the big outdoors brands also offer their own synthetic pants, but most are lightweight and don't seem to offer the durability that 5.11 and Rail Riders. Depends on what you're looking for. Some days (warm weather) I just wear the lightweight stuff from a major outdoor brand (most recently, EMS brand). Other times, especially during colder seasons, the heavyweight stuff like 5.11 comes out.
A lot of the big outdoors brands also offer their own synthetic pants, but most are lightweight and don't seem to offer the durability that 5.11 and Rail Riders. Depends on what you're looking for. Some days (warm weather) I just wear the lightweight stuff from a major outdoor brand (most recently, EMS brand). Other times, especially during colder seasons, the heavyweight stuff like 5.11 comes out.
I have some heavier Columbia snowboarding pants that are somewhat waterproof, somewhat (marginally) breathable, and fairly durable synthetic pants. They are woven, and resemble a lightweight canvas, but are synthetic, and have belt loops. They are insulated as well, so good on wet, cold days. They run fairly large, so it is easy to layer under them.
I believe mine ran about $75, and have held up pretty well under trail conditions.
I believe mine ran about $75, and have held up pretty well under trail conditions.
Layer your clothes. For camp use, "no itch" wool layers are really hard to beat. If you want cheap synthetics, get synthetic fleece long johns. They are warm but, will get stiff, stinky, and itch if you wear them too long without washing them.
Head for the Salvation Army store and pick up a couple of pairs of good quality wool dress pants in different thicknesses. Or the Army/Navy store and get some wool navy trousers. For really cold, snowy winter use, old German Army paratrooper pants can't be beat! Cost next to nothing for any of these!
Stitchawl
Stitchawl