Favorite Hiking/Fishing Pants

speedbird

speedbird

Life of the Party
Redoing my wardrobe, including my "outdoor gear" which as of now is just my less stylish and older jeans/thick cotton pants that I don't mind getting dirty. I have a couple sets of nice things, including a Kuhl fleece that manages to keep me the perfect temperature at all times that tells me I could do a little better. Looking for a couple pairs- one for milder weather in the Spring and early autumn, and one for colder weather like late fall and winter steelheading. Preferably as light and thin as possible while still being effective. Non fishing/outdoor specific brand clothes are welcome and in fact encouraged if they do the trick. Bonus points for stuff that comes in long, I'm 6'4 and a 34-36 waist size which makes finding pants that are a good fit tough
 
I always liked the camo pants at the army surplus stores. The sizing can be tricky, but for a lightweight, comfy, loose fitting pair of pants..they are hard to beat. They can be paired with marino wool undergarments for matching temperature needs.
 
Carhartt force pants have been solid last few years. Bought 4 pairs in 23. Wear em may - Oct, everything from work to fishing.

Relatively cheap. Under $50 I think. I wouldn't have paid much more.

I'm pretty hard on clothes, I'm a home inspector so in attics and crawlspaces every day. All 4 are still intact and serviceable.

You can wade in em', and they are dry 15 minutes later.

6'5" 270 here.
 
If you have a Costco membership, keep an eye out for stuff from Gerry, Orvis, etc. Not top of the line quality by any means, but some functional good value items are available from time to time. Puff coats, fleece tops, quick dry pants with and without fleece liners, etc.
 
Columbia works great! But my Orvis from the Orvis store last longer. Costco Orvis are made just for Costco by Orvis
 
Inexpensive route, Wrangler makes a synthetic pant called ATG synthetic utility pant and they’re good. They’re on Amazon and I think Walmart around $35.
Expensive route, Kuiu Tiburon.
 
clarkman said:
Columbia works great! But my Orvis from the Orvis store last longer. Costco Orvis are made just for Costco by Orvis
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Yeah, I always poopooed on Columbia stuff because I was a cool Simms/Patagucci/Grundens kid. Wife picked me up a couple pair of their quickdry pants at the Columbia store in Beaverton and I've basically worn nothing but those while fishing in the summer ever since.

Quality is fine, they're super comfy, their fit is actually much better than the fancier brands in my opinion, and they're a fraction of the price.
 
Kuhl climbing pants…they are pricey, but I have three pairs going on ten years now…
 
I have LL Bean pants that are very lightweight. This spring I picked up some Costco Orvis pants when they finally carried my size (waist 30 inch). They are very comfortable.
 
Duluth Flexpedition pants. Stretchy, tough, plenty of real pockets (none of that flimsy net crap), ample beltloops, extremely comfortable, and NO COTTON. Several versions, depending upon how many pockets you want.

Have owned REI, Columbia, Patagonia, Prana, and NRS Guide pants...the Duluth Flexpedition pants are 'hands down', easily the best.

When worn with poly long-john's true four season outdoor pants.
 
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IHFISH said:
If you have a Costco membership, keep an eye out for stuff from Gerry, Orvis, etc. Not top of the line quality by any means, but some functional good value items are available from time to time. Puff coats, fleece tops, quick dry pants with and without fleece liners, etc.
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I picked up a few pairs of Orvis quick dry pants at Costco on Black Friday for 9 bucks a piece and they're great! Been wet wading in them a lot recently and really like them. I fish very close to home and they seem to dry out by the time I get back home. I wish I could find some boxer briefs that dry out as fast.
 
Evan B said:
Yeah, I always poopooed on Columbia stuff because I was a cool Simms/Patagucci/Grundens kid. Wife picked me up a couple pair of their quickdry pants at the Columbia store in Beaverton and I've basically worn nothing but those while fishing in the summer ever since.

Quality is fine, they're super comfy, their fit is actually much better than the fancier brands in my opinion, and they're a fraction of the price.
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Oh, yeah, def a decent bang for your buck. Especially if one has regular access to the employee store (I believe on Mondays, people with fishing or hunting licenses can get it, but I get it through OHSU...I think there's a day for seniors too). Once my Orvis ones do actually wear out, I probably won't replace at full MSRP.
 
I got a lot of good Columbia stuff. My Orvis wet wading pants have survived over a decade of use a couple days a week June-October. Simms shirt too, although it's due.
I prefer to by good stuff on sale, 'cause it lasts and ends up pennies per use.
 

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clarkman said:
Oh, yeah, def a decent bang for your buck. Especially if one has regular access to the employee store (I believe on Mondays, people with fishing or hunting licenses can get it, but I get it through OHSU...I think there's a day for seniors too). Once my Orvis ones do actually wear out, I probably won't replace at full MSRP.
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Yes, there is a day for seniors and it's on Tuesdays.
 
Orvis Trek Pants. Can find them as low as 14.00 at some of the discount stores and Cosco.
Great for under waders, wet wading, hiking, backpacking etc. Tough and quick drying.
 
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