View Full Version : Trousers
Alot of people know what they need and use on the top half.
The bottom half seems to be neglected!
I've always wore simple cotton BDU/cargo trousers. Not ideal, but I've never found anyhting better that suits my needs.
I've always lusted after a twill poly-cotton straight legged BDU trouser. With cordura water proof knee's, butt, and a gussetted crotch. But at a reasonable price (surplus type price)
I've come across a few ideal trousers. But all bare a hefty price:
http://www.flecktarn.co.uk/dacct1na.html
http://www.railriders.com/store/Men_s___PantsXWP?
http://www.tadgear.com/x-treme%20gear/apparel%20main/force-10_cargo_pants.htm
What do you guys use?
bigjackbrass
13-12-2003, 13:49
RailRiders Adventure Pants are excellent, although now that they have them made in China instead of the USA I've noticed a drop in quality. Bear in mind that they are entirely synthetic, though, and might not be ideal for bushcraft for that reason. I've not used the winter version, but the regular (and cheaper) ones are very comfy with a decent base layer. I wore them in Scotland a while ago and they survived the hiking with no apparent wear or damage, whereas the North Face pants worn by my hiking partner emerged from the heather looking distressingly like Velcro.
The standard recommendation in the UK seems to be army lightweight trousers. I would also suggest a look at the Craghoppers range for their very good polycotton trousers, also available in a lined version without the cargo pocket. Because these are available on the High Street prices are pretty good, and they make a variety of lengths too. My only reservation is that they have a narrow belt loop, intended for a simple synthetic belt. Not very helpful if you like a good leather belt instead.
My favourite material for the outdoors is still moleskin, but good moleskin is a heavy cotton and there are obvious drawbacks, and even serious dangers, associated with the thermal properties of cotton. Polycotton moleskin trousers do exist, though, and tend to be cheap because they are not sold as a specialist outdoor item. Even so, they will dry more slowly than lightweight polycotton material. In cold weather I used to wear surplus Swedish army trousers, which were fabulous in a scratchy blanket sort of way, and when the weather is slightly milder I have been told that whipcord wool is an excellent alternative.
Rohan Bags have most of the features you're after, although they are not a twill, and I used them for years. Ignore the cheap copies, just not worth bothering with. Unless you spend an awful lot of time sliding about on rough surfaces I wouldn't limit yourself only to trousers with the reinforced knees and butt, though (which Tilley Endurables, makers of expensive but seriously good trousers, charmingly call a "Double Bum"). Although the reinforcement can be handy you will inevitably find that the extra material in those locations means that they stay wet much longer. This is true even with synthetics like the Adventure Pants.
Cheers Jack :-D
I was going to mention bags, and lightweights.
I use lightweights and German moleskins occasionally around the garden, but crave the 6 pockets. The more that goes in pockets, the less I need on my back! :wink:
Where do you get the Swedish combat trousers? They are frighteningly expensive on flektarn.co.uk, and I haven't been able to find them anywhere else?
Craghoppers caught my eye too; the Kiwi trousers and shirt look great. I went looking for then last week, but unfortunately nowhere stocked them.
I'll keep my peepers peeled though.
I am really looking for double knees and a seat, preferably waterproof. Sitting on rocks; the granite and damp drains the heat right from my rump, and it’s none to pleasant :-P
Bags are amazingly good for such a thin material, but beware of the side effects of those clever design features. Back pockets big enough for a map mean that everything you put in them drops down low and you end up sitting on it, while the gussetted front pockets bulge out and the little press studs often aren't up to the job. Once bought, they last for ever so you're stuck with them !
Fjallraven's waxed polycotton material's really good too and a bit more substantial. Again you needd to be careful about the fit, greenland jeans were cut for beanpoles, and the nordic trousers featured a very generous waist relative to the bum.
Interestingly the Decathlon sports shops appearing over here from France have budget jackets and pants in mossy oak and realtree cammo at relatively low prices, the jackets seem generously cut about the chest and short in the arms for their given size.
Cheers
bigjackbrass
13-12-2003, 15:09
Have to confess that I bought my Swedish trousers when I lived in America. Surplus shops there sold them for less than $20, so it seems odd that they are hard to find here. I'll see what I can find.
The German Moleskins you mentioned are, I expect, the same as a pair I have, and the interesting thing about them is that they are not made of moleskin at all. Proper moleskin is a peached fabric, similar to a thin microfleece in fact, whereas the German trousers are a totally flat weave. I like them, particularly the buttons for braces, but don't wear them in the wet. Countrysupplies.com have a nice range of trousers, including moleskins, but they are not the cheapest available. I actually found a very decent pair a few years ago at Marks & Spencer, not generally thought of as the place to go for outdoor kit.
British army lightweights have alsways been pretty good - get them from surplus shops.
I've had a pair of Columbia pants with zip-off legs that are perfect for Spring/Summer/Autumn. I got them in REI in the US about 3 years ago for 30 bucks but haven't seen them since. The problem with a lot of the similar versions these days is that the material is too thin and rips/wears easily. No use for bushcraft, frankly.
Alick
Glad to see someone else is a fan of Fjallraven kit.
I've been using their greenland stuff for years and reckon its just great.
As I'm a bit of a "beanpole" the fit is great for me. Only real problem is the price - not cheap! and trying to get hold of it, very few stockists in Scotland apparently.
If you've never come across them check out www.fjallraven.se
George
I saw some very good Scandinavian trousers, intended for deer stalking, at the Scottish Game Fair - can't remember the name now. Ray Mears was wearing something vaguely similar in one of his programmes.
I've got a pair of Orvis (cotton) rhinohide cargo trousers, but can't really recommend them for wet climates. They are very tough and well made and the cut is good but slow to dry when wet and the leg pockets are frustratingly (just) to small for an OS map (which, let's face it, is the main raison d'etre of the leg pocket). Maybe USGS American maps are smaller than ours?
Hoggs of Fife make good moleskin trousers. They go a bit white with age though.
Can you still get Fjallraven kit in the UK? Not seen it for ages.
Good stuff chaps.
Just thought I'd let you onto a few other pairs of trousers I'd found:
ORC Industries Special forces level 5 trousers - Epic waterproof cotton + Cordura at stress points.
http://www.orcind.com/pages/SoftShellJacket.html
Canadian IECS - CADPAT Combat trousers - Waterproof drop liner, 50/50 NyCo outer.
http://www.army.dnd.ca/lf/equip/hab/2/2414_e.asp
Drop Zone Custom American BDU
http://www.dropzonetactical.com/bdupant.html
Canadian BDU Olive Trousers - apparently far superior to its American counterpart. Nylon mesh inside, with lightweight cotton outer. Can’t find them anywhere!
Bit off Topic, but doe's anyone know of a surplus store selling the newer Olive green Gore-Tex gaiters? Everyone’s got the old olive canvas one's.
Cheers!
George,
Good one. Your link prompted me to look up the UK stockists and lo-and-behold there's one in Manchester on Tib St. (There's supposed to be a good deli along that street somewhere). I'll have to go and check them out and let you know what I find.
There's only one other stockist listed - down in Hampshire - but that's a bit far to go shopping !
Cheers.
bigjackbrass
15-12-2003, 19:49
Hoggs of Fife make good moleskin trousers. They go a bit white with age though.
As do we all, Doc, as do we all.
The Crag Hopper Kiwi trousers are fine, I have a couple of pairs both bought in the sales as I am a tight *** :-)
They are not close to Rohan Bags in quality but now where near as expensive either.
As to belts for them I have recently got a SOE www.soegear.com/
trouser belt in black and have another in tan arriving this week.
They are superb belts and at a squeeze fit through the belt loops on the Kiwi's.
ditchfield
16-12-2003, 19:52
Alick said:
Your link prompted me to look up the UK stockists and lo-and-behold there's one in Manchester on Tib St.
Where Tib St.? Is that an outdoor shop where they sell them? I regulary visit the Capital of England :wink: and I'm always on the lookout for good outdoor shops, which there are a fair few already.
Cheers
donkeyporge
17-12-2003, 09:10
Tib street is round the back of Aflecks Palace in Manchester and the shop is a great Army Surplus store called New Cross Army Supplies.
My first post, will introduce myself later. :-D
donkeyporge
17-12-2003, 09:12
Tib street is round the back of Aflecks Palace in Manchester and the shop is a great Army Surplus store called New Cross Army Supplies.
My first post, will introduce myself later. :-D
The stockist mentioned on Fjallraven's site is called "Oi Polloi", 70 Tib Street. Manchester. M4 1LG Phone (0161) 831-7870
I haven't contacted them yet so can't pass on anymore info than this at present. If this is an army surplus or there's another on the street, it's definately worth a visit. Cheers.
ditchfield
17-12-2003, 19:08
Ah yes, I know the one. Cheers
Fjällräven is also available at http://www.globetrotter.de/
Personally I prefer these:
http://www.gallerian.org/itab2/shopbilder/249-09.jpg
mmcniven
19-12-2003, 21:39
Viking
Who makes those trousers? they look perfect for bushcraft. And where can i get a pair??
Cheers
Michael
Viking
Who makes those trousers? they look perfect for bushcraft. And where can i get a pair??
Cheers
Michael
Bougt them from a small company here in sweden that sells mostly working clothes but also have som clothes for the outdoor and to a good price. Don´t know if they are available anywhere else.
giancarlo
23-12-2003, 09:22
Just incase someone's interested,
just noticed that Crag Hoppers Kiwi's are on sale at Field & Trek (https://www.fieldandtrek.com/ft1/product.asp?currency=GBP&sessionID=FBG&pf%5Fid=68025&mscssid=XGXKBXJRF7W39PHN5D0DX4 QKQJP4DMQ9).
I know a few of you mentioned them.
Cheers
Carlo