Pant recommendation for central and northern cal.

[geewizz]

Hi there

Just getting in to hunting since I was a kid. Lots of new gear know. I trying to figure out what pants would work well for Central and northern california pig hunts. I'm from southern cal and I know it can get cold out in those areas even during the hot session. I've got some nice goretex, fleece and base layer stuff for my upper body. I'm just not sure what to do for the legs. I'm going back and forth on what might be good to layer. Maybe base layer with some unlined pant and a packable goretex shell for wet condition? Any help would be appreciated. I've looked at many things from redhead to sitka and heard enough to make me scratch my head. I don't mind paying more if its good stuff. I just like to know what I'm buying.

Thanks
G

 

[myfriendis410]

I use a six pocket denim camo pant for most of my hunting. If the weather forecast is chilly I will put on a base layer. This is usually plenty. When it's extremely cold I have overpants that I can pull on over everything else. My problem is I am usually cold at the start then warm up quickly when I'm hiking around. It really just depends on how cold you are going to expect to be. It's awfully hard to sit still when you are freezing your a$$ off.

 

[solus]

I would suggest some scent eliminating type of base for instance scentblocker underwear(boxers or long johns) those help out. Pretty much anything with silver helps. Remember most big game including pigs have a great sense of smell. Then after that you can buy some thermos for when its cold. Some good warm boot sox help as well. I buy the red head brand from basspro. In fact I'm standing in snow right now and I'm fine. As for pants some that breaths and is very quiet while walking. For big game I always use either scentblocker or scentlock. I use them year round when its hot or when its freezing cold.

 

[BigSurArcher]

Core4Element Switchback pants in Mountain Mimicry can't be beat in my opinion. I think they're better than Sitka personally.

 

[geewizz]

Thanks for the reply guys. Myfriendis410, what kind of overpant are you using? Maybe a fleece type?
Solus, What type of thermos are you using over your base layer for the cold stuff? That's what I have particularly been trying to find out what people are doing as far as layering goes? Also is there any difference between the scentblocker and scentlock? Someone told me they like redheads's silent-hide pant. Are your pants lined?

 

[geewizz]

oh yeah, how do they do in wet grass?

 

[geewizz]

BigSurArcher,
Just saw your post. Thanks. The core4element pant look impressive. Someone mention the sitkas to me but these look like there in that same class. The switchback is there lighter pant I believe. Is that your primary pant or have you used those year round? How do you layer with them? The archers definitely look like they have some nice equipment.

 

[BigSurArcher]

I wear them year round. I never layer no matter how cold it seems to be. I've hunted those pants in everything from 30 degrees at 11,000 feet to 105 degrees during archery deer season. They are great in every condition. If you aren't hoofing it too much in cold weather they might be a little light. They make an Element pant thats a little thicker for the cold. I have the Element jacket and love it. I would stay away from any so called "scent control" clothing. It's all a gimmic. There is no scientific proof behind those items. The rules are simple: Stay upwind and you won't get smelled, get downwind and you will... no matter what your wearing.

 

[geewizz]

I wear them year round. I never layer no matter how cold it seems to be. I've hunted those pants in everything from 30 degrees at 11,000 feet to 105 degrees during archery deer season. They are great in every condition. If you aren't hoofing it too much in cold weather they might be a little light. They make an Element pant thats a little thicker for the cold. I have the Element jacket and love it. I would stay away from any so called "scent control" clothing. It's all a gimmic. There is no scientific proof behind those items. The rules are simple: Stay upwind and you won't get smelled, get downwind and you will... no matter what your wearing.

Good info, thanks. So how does the switchback deal with wet grass and rainy days?

 

[solus]

Thanks for the reply guys. Myfriendis410, what kind of overpant are you using? Maybe a fleece type?
Solus, What type of thermos are you using over your base layer for the cold stuff? That's what I have particularly been trying to find out what people are doing as far as layering goes? Also is there any difference between the scentblocker and scentlock? Someone told me they like redheads's silent-hide pant. Are your pants lined?

I use any thermos I can find but today I was in snow and didnt even wear thermos I was more impressed by them. I use mostly archery style clothes because I do alot of archery hunting. Im sure theres a company that makes a base layer that is thin, smooth, and warmer than most. My pants dont have any lining besides the material its made from. I use both scentlock and scent blocker and I dont really notice a difference besides style and camo patterns

 

[BigSurArcher]

Good info, thanks. So how does the switchback deal with wet grass and rainy days?

They aren't waterproof by any means, but they do dry out very fast. The best part about that is you can sweat out the crotch walking but then they dry out with a quick sit down glassing session.

 

[geewizz]

Thats good info you guys. Thanks for the help

 

[Krisdude]

i where blue jeans some times shorts when its hot but i don't get in to the camo thing much
pig can hardly see and all my bow kills have been under 40 yards
where whats comfortable

 

[asaxon]

just stay down wind and don't go to San Francisco or you'll be mobbed!

 

[geewizz]

just stay down wind and don't go to San Francisco or you'll be mobbed!

Excellent

 

[Bondero]

http://riggsworkwear.wrangler.com/Catalog/men/bottoms/ripstop/3W060 This is what I wear year round. I beat the thick heavy brush and these pants hold up. I wear Snake gaiters for the obvious reason and they also add a layer for warmth and repel water too. I only wear camo tops.

 

[bisonic]

I agree that the scent inhibiting stuff is all marketing - Field & Stream did a good test last year using a dog and a hidden hunter using a variety of scent blocking stuff and none was any bettter than the control (nothing) - the dog found him immediately. Likewise the camo pattern for hog hunts in NorCal is immaterial as far as I'm concerned. I've killed as many wearing levis as anything else. It's all about the temperature, wetness, and terrain (brush) - use whatever fits those variables and you'll be fine.

 

[deermagnet]

just stay down wind and don't go to San Francisco or you'll be mobbed!

I gotta have a pair of those...

 

[DFG_Bear]

For a base layer, I rely on the SmartWool NTS midweight bottoms. http://www.backcountry.com/smartwool-midweight-bottom-mens. Pricey, but can't beat the performance. They're light-weight, so taking them off and carrying them in my pack is no problem as it warms up. Put them back on if you intend to sit for a while.

For pants, I need something rugged. I just go with carhartts. If it gets really cold, I'll put on my bib overalls. They get heavy when wet is the only problem.

my $0.02