Posted: 5/7/2010 5:02:53 PM EDT
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I have a pair I bought from Gander Mountain a couple years ago. I really never wore them much and right now, I am wonder what the advantages are? They have the zip off legs. They seem to be pretty much wind proof or wind resistant at the least. My legs felt hot today wearing them in the truck. Those damn things are really noisy! I could never wear them hunting. I am thinking they would not be much good for hiking because I would be making so damn much noise. I always considered them a very light weight extra pair of pants to carry in my bug out bag. They seem to resist wind. They should allow quick drying, but I haven't tested this yet. Is there a way to quiet them down? Any other tips? Is the noise worth it? Talk to me!  |
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Quoted:
I have a pair I bought from Gander Mountain a couple years ago. I really never wore them much and right now, I am wonder what the advantages are? They have the zip off legs. They seem to be pretty much wind proof or wind resistant at the least. My legs felt hot today wearing them in the truck. Those damn things are really noisy! I could never wear them hunting. I am thinking they would not be much good for hiking because I would be making so damn much noise. I always considered them a very light weight extra pair of pants to carry in my bug out bag. They seem to resist wind. They should allow quick drying, but I haven't tested this yet. Is there a way to quiet them down? Any other tips? Is the noise worth it? Talk to me! wear them inside out... 
i bought me some 5.11 tacticals... most awesome pants ever!!! |
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Quoted: One of the most basic components of my existence is fire. Nylon and in fact all synthetics fall into the category of special purpose. I don't live in Tibet and I like cotton. I have this really wild ability to keep from catching on fire. Been around fires my whole life and have not been significantly on fire so far. I did get deep enough into a 3000 degree oven to get a cotton shirt so hot that when it did start to smolder, I tried to put out the embers by swatting them with my hand. Burnt a hand print into my chest. Blistered on the index fingerprint. What ever you do, do not get a job at Ken Forging in Jefferson Ohio. Bunch of dumbassed rednecks will get you killed. |
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Lightweight and dry quickly are the two big plusses. Get wet in cool weather and synthetics are a literal lifesaver, cotton - not so much. On the other hand, nylon melts. Your close encounter with high heat might have been fatal in nylon instead of cotton.
My work pants are cotton. |
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I figured someone would have some positive feedback. My work pants a bkue jeans, but that really isn't the topic. I have never even burnt a hole in a synthetic piece of clothing around a fire. This is the least of my concern. Unless my life depends on it I would not make a fire in a survival situation.
I want to know about performance characteristics. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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I have several pairs of synthetic hiking pants. Not sure of exactly want the Gander Mt. pants are made of, but mine are not noisy. Fast drying is the key, especially if you expect to get wet and the temps are cold enough with wind to turn hypothermic. I’ve done plenty of trips where my son wore cotton shorts/pants and when they got wet, the humidity and shade kept them damp for a couple days of hanging out to dry.
The well made pants are also pretty protective against thorns and briars. I have synthetic pants from: Railriders (Versa-Tac and Whether pants) LL Bean (Timberledge) Craghoppers (Noslife and the Gryll’s line) REI (65/35 cotton/poly blend – Mojave) Northface (a couple different types) Ex Officio (Amphi pants) I stick with the thicker variety for the really dense briar areas on my property...I’ve used the Craghoppers, Versa-Tac and Timberledge and they were all snagged several times, but not sign of tearing. Since they dry quickly, you can also clean them quickly if really muddy and they’ll be dry after a few hours in the sun/breeze. ROCK6 |
Similar experience to the above post. Worn syn since I could afford. No reason not to in my case. Prior I wore any kind of surplus I could afford - US BDU, foreign stuff - whatever. None of it worked as well as the commercial stuff (that's changed likely). Had a particularly miserable experience in Oregon's Siskayous in cotton ripstop BDUs and cotton briefs They never really got dry - chaffed the shit outta me (yea Vaseline was the only thing I had access to and it wasnt all that effective)North Face elastic or nylon belted. They are my oldest are maybe 12-15 years old, bought them at the Reading Outlets soon after Oregon. Seen plenty of backpacking and I still have them. A bit light, yea niosy, dont love the belts - but they are still around so says something. REI - Both pair I own have failed zippers (not YKK) trying to decide what to do with them. "peached" but kinds noisy. Mountain Hardware - My cooler weather hikers. Heavy about 6 years old cant recall the model. Very hard wearing look new. Damn belt again. heavy and warm with a lined waist. Very nice before I need my softshells. Ex Officio - Have a ton. Best wearing/fitting pants Ive owned. Once I found them, use them for everything - LAX practice to my choice for Dakar last year. They make a short so I dont hafta get my pants hemmed. - Amphi pants are OK - in hot, wet weather they work well, Dont love the integral mesh brief tho. Pretty light - wouldn't bushwhack with them, finish more noisy/smooth than the others. - Nomad my favorite atm - heavy, metal buttons (secured well - Ive had a few button on ExOff fail here - easy enough to fixm but these look like they'll outlast the pants). Dont breathe as well as the Amphi- pants - but dry quickly (shed water ok - maybe its the Teflon - but not a real waterproof like my OR Celetials) and block wind better than the Amphi. Nice loops for a belt (Galco or Wilderness works great) - Borocade, very heavy twill, almost stretch, same button as above - these will be going to Africa with me. They've stood up well to briars and blackberries we have on the farm. Not as good as real brush pants - but they breathe better. Like the concealed cargo pockets. Steep and Cheap had em for $19  Only tougher pants they made are the discontinued Gobis. Shoulda got a pair.Have a few others - Waymark, Airstrip (great for hot), some I dont know the name - some as old as 8-9 years. Couple of real 'stretchy' ones that are most comfortable - but snag easy. I like their stuff - durable, fit (dont flap - arent too snug), confortable, and cheap if you watch. The "swishing" is due to the fabric - a twill or 'peached' finish is more quiet. But not much you can do (except wash the hell outta them) to make em quiet.The big deal is synthetics wick and dry quickly - you can match the weight for your use. No swass/chafing with syn boxer briefs and pants - we got sport stick now anyhow. I dont wear cotton outdoors, unless Im flying. As far as fire - well I've burnt holes in Apex Softshells, Marmot Snow Pants and heavy cotton Norwegian military pants. They all patched fine - and the syns didnt start fraying before I cold fix them like the cotton. But hell no I wouldnt want to be caught in a forest fire in them. 25 years I've avoided that somehow  YMMVAll this stuff was bought cheap at Sierra, outlets or Ebay. |
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Quoted: Similar experience to the above post. Worn syn since I could afford. No reason not to in my case. Prior I wore any kind of surplus I could afford - US BDU, foreign stuff - whatever. None of it worked as well as the commercial stuff (that's changed likely). Had a particularly miserable experience in Oregon's Siskayous in cotton ripstop BDUs and cotton briefs They never really got dry - chaffed the shit outta me (yea Vaseline was the only thing I had access to and it wasnt all that effective)North Face elastic or nylon belted. They are my oldest are maybe 12-15 years old, bought them at the Reading Outlets soon after Oregon.Seen plenty of backpacking and I still have them. A bit light, yea niosy, dontlove the belts - but they are still around so says something. REI - Both pair I own have failed zippers (not YKK) trying to decide what to do with them. "peached" but kinds noisy. Mountain Hardware - My cooler weather hikers. Heavy about 6 years old cant recall the model. Very hard wearing look new. Damn belt again. heavy and warm with a lined waist. Very nice before I need my softshells. Ex Officio - Have a ton. Best wearing/fitting pants Ive owned. Once I found them, use them for everything - LAX practice to my choice for Dakar last year. They make a short so I dont hafta get my pants hemmed. - Amphi pants are OK - in hot, wet weather they work well, Dont love the integral mesh brief tho. Pretty light - wouldn't bushwhack with them, finish more noisy/smooth than the others. - Nomad my favorite atm - heavy, metal buttons (secured well - Ive had a few button on ExOff fail here - easy enough to fixm but these look like they'll outlast the pants). Dont breathe as well as the Amphi- pants - but dry quickly (shed water ok - maybe its the Teflon - but not a real waterproof like my OR Celetials) and block wind better than the Amphi. Nice loops for a belt (Galco or Wilderness works great) - Borocade, very heavy twill, almost stretch, same button as above - these will be going to Africa with me. They've stood up well to briars and blackberries we have on the farm. Not as good as real brush pants - but they breathe better. Like the concealed cargo pockets. Steep and Cheap had em for $19 Only tougher pants they made are the discontinued Gobis. Shoulda got a pair.Have a few others - Waymark, Airstrip (great for hot), some I dont know the name - some as old as 8-9 years. Couple of real 'stretchy' ones that are most comfortable - but snag easy. I like their stuff - durable, fit (dont flap - arent too snug), confortable, and cheap if you watch. The "swishing" is due to the fabric - a twill or 'peached' finish is more quiet. But not much you can do (except wash the hell outta them) to make em quiet.The big deal is synthetics wick and dry quickly - you can match the weight for your use. No swass/chafing with syn boxer briefs and pants - we got sport stick now anyhow. I dont wear cotton outdoors, unless Im flying. As far as fire - well I've burnt holes in Apex Softshells, Marmot Snow Pants and heavy cotton Norwegian military pants. They all patched fine - and the syns didnt start fraying before I cold fix them like the cotton. But hell no I wouldnt want to be caught in a forest fire in them. 25 years I've avoided that somehow YMMVAll this stuff was bought cheap at Sierra, outlets or Ebay. Thank you for the review! I am going to try and wash them a few times over the next couple days and see how that does. These pants have the integral belt. It does not secure them as good as I would like, but it will likely get the job done. I can tie them if I have too. I have always had problems with chaffing in cotton undies. I switched to exofficio and underarmour boxer briefs. I also have body glide! Thank God for that stuff! |
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Thx - I'd try some fabric softener, as well. You are 'wearing' the material tho. Sometimes you can fish the integral belt out - but often your left with pretty pathetic 1" (or less) loops. In my case they are only attached to the hips. I'm curious the Craghopppers above. I've seen them, have a friend that raves about them - some convertible model - they look to have great features and build. He has a 30 inch waist so no idea how they fit and no hope of hand me downs(me - 5'11/195/36x31/46). Rock6 - can you give us more detail. For the money they seem like a good option. Not sure I like the adjustable sides. They offer short++, reg and long. I just cant seem to find them cheap enough for my cheap ass. I also have some concerns about the generous legs (I need any generous ass tho). I've used a borrowed set of RailRiders - about 10 years ago. Adventures IIRC - they were nice, bit stiff - not horrid - but I didnt like the fit, or the price. Still good stuff. Like Boots, Merrell, Asolo, Scarpa or Zambarlan - all great gear - if they fit. If they dont - worthless to you. |
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This was already covered pretty thoroughly, but I'll just second it that some better brands/styles of hiking pants will be "teased" if thats the word, so they aren't noisy. I have a pair of North Face nylon pants i wear in the winter like that, but for the rest of the year i just use a cotton/nylon blend variety; they breathe well and dry super quick. FWIW OP: I've bought almost all my hiking pants at Marshall's...Nike ACG and North Face, for MUCH cheaper than in a regular outdoor store Speed ETA: also, if I am ABSOLUTELY sure that it isn't going to rain while I'm out and it's warm enough, I will commit the cardinal sin of wearing lightweight cotton pants hiking, lol...but keep some nylon ones in the bag  Also, as far as nylon melting around the campfire...so what? Don't FALL into the fire and you'll be ok. All my hiking clothes have little tiny burn holes in them from campfires shooting coals (with the exception of my raingear  ) Until that stuff looks like Swiss cheese I'll keep wearing it. |
 Pic so you can see the different styles - took when I was selling some stuff. Oldest/lightest to heaviest/reinforced. Blue is a 15 year old stretch waist NorthFace internal integral belt. Its has great YKK zipper (metal - I know not self helaing but its still going). Nest is North Face 10 years old, then REI <bad zipper>, Ex Officio <old> like the blue North Face, then 5 ExOffcios first 2 not sure, then Amphi (notice the ankle fasteners - keeps stuff in the water out ), Nomad, and a reinforced knees and seat - kinda Gobi like zippered that snap up into shorts. I forgot about these I still have two and like them - very heavy duty. Last is the Moutain Hardwear. In the bags are Borocade and Airstrip - cant really see the vents on the Airstrip. |
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I just picked up some Columbia GRT convertible pants at Dicks. They are thinner, but much, much more comfortable than my Gander Mtn. conv. pants. Not even close to as noisy! I tried them on and they fit perfectly. They are billed as quick dry. I don't know as of yet how they will block wind. I also bought two pairs of Northface M Horizon cargo shorts. Again, very comfortable and not noisy. The last pair of pants I tried on were Northface. Heavier duty nylon and billed as water resistant. They really seemed like great pants but for one major issue. When I tried them on, and lifted my legs, the pant legs would grip my legs and pull. Not good! They would have made me insane as I walked up hills or did work. Wish they would have been a little looser and I would have bought them. Big plus on both pairs of shorts and pants I bought today! They all take a regular belt! That was a huge selling point. |