Best bushcraft trousers?

[The Frightful]

I managed to get a pair of Fjallraven Barrents G-1000 from a charity shop for £12 with a 2mm burn hole 3" up from the bottom of the leg and personally speaking I am not that impressed and could never justify half price let alone full. I don't know why but at the retail price point i was expecting mind blowing features and a super duper fabric. Im a builder and wear snickers up to 40hrs a week, they are abused daily, have knee pockets for pads which allow me to simply drop to my knees from a standing position with ease and last on average 1yr. Imho there are a lot better and far cheaper poly cotton heavy duty trews out there, well, for me anyway.

 

[MrEd]

I wear marks and Spencer chinos in dark colours.

These are repurposed ones worn to the point that they aren’t suitable for smart business wear at work (they eventually fray on the seat and where the side pockets are) which is wear they start life.

I wear them under a pair of MVP raf surplus waterproof trousers. I keep all my stuff in coat pockets.

I have also more than once worn a shirt, n the summer, not a tactical one or a fancy bush shirt, but just a normal shirt - again ones that have become to worn in the collar for work - light cotton, cool in the summer. Works for me.

 

[big_swede]

I find that the weather, activity and ground conditions dictate trouser choice.

If it is fairly dry I usually use woolen or worsted trousers, fairly often just plain old jeans (wrangler 13mwz). If it's fairly wet I use a pair of plus twos and wellies (I used to hate wellies, but nowadays it's a stern favourite). If it's pouring down I use a pair of bibs and brace in some plastic membrane thingy, that pair has neoprene over the knees and seat which is bloody brilliant. If it's really cold or if I'm wild fowling I got some insulated camoflauge bibs and brace, they are probably pretty flamable.

If I am working in the forest it's saw protected hi-vis trousers, or if I'm just hauling wood with old horsey I use canvas bibs and brace, that big american brand that I won't buy again.

If I'm coarse angling it'll be bibs and brace (the same ones as I use in heavy rain), because I get ground bait everywhere. I'm casting a fly I'm usually in waders.

 

[Astrochicken]

I'm currently exploring the Helikon Tex options - Pilgrim and OTP as an upgrade from the £10 DIY polycotton workwear trousers I got in a special buy from a well-known supermarket chain. Said DIY trousers are very hard wearing and have knee-pad slots / cargo pockets / etc, and I've used them for home renovations for years with great success, however they're not that comfy and have zero stretch.

The Helikon Pilgrims have a lot more design built-in (thumbs up for the high back at the waist) and would clearly be long-lasting, however I just can't get over the lack of stretch, even though it has some elastic material in the composition. With nothing in the front hip pockets, I could immediately feel the tightness across the front (even with the correct waist size), and when I bend down, the crotch feels incredibly strained and there is no chance of getting into any pocket other than the thigh cargo's. Has anyone else found this, or is it just to be expected based on the material? It's a shame as I really like the design and the robustness of the fabric.

I've got a pair of OTP's on the way to me and I believe some forum members have had and enjoyed them, and I'd be looking at the standard variant of the fabric, rather than the 'Versastretch Lite', but wanted to ask what the durability is like? I expect the stretch to be there throughout, which is a plus, but how do you find the pocket layout compared to the pilgrims? I'd be expecting to use them as my main bushcraft trs. I'm used to wearing stretchy softshell-type trs, as I wear mountain equipment ibex trs for hiking (which are fantastic BTW), and wondered if the OTP's might be similar in form / fit?

I am having to do web orders as I'm miles from any shop so don't want to order vast numbers of options, only to have to return everything except the one I plan to keep. I'm a pretty standard size (32W 24L), and will need the common features - belt up to 50mm, cargo pockets in some format, knee inserts, suitable / compatible for carrying main knife, pruning saw, folding knife, etc. I know suggestions will come forward for 5.11 but don't really know much about them / which option to consider, so pointers on these would be appreciated. TIA.

 

[Chris]

With nothing in the front hip pockets, I could immediately feel the tightness across the front (even with the correct waist size), and when I bend down, the crotch feels incredibly strained and there is no chance of getting into any pocket other than the thigh cargo's. Has anyone else found this, or is it just to be expected based on the material? It's a shame as I really like the design and the robustness of the fabric.

Honestly to me this sounds like you're not buying the right size. I know you chose the correct size for your waist, but different trousers, different designs, different materials might make you vary the waist size you need between brands.

 

[Astrochicken]

Honestly to me this sounds like you're not buying the right size. I know you chose the correct size for your waist, but different trousers, different designs, different materials might make you vary the waist size you need between brands.

Thanks Chris. I can go up a size at the waist, however figure I will only end up with a baggy waist - if it alleviates the stress at the hip I can give it a go, and it might improve room down the leg should I need to wear a thermal layer.

Incidentally, my OTP's have just arrived in the post (good timing). As expected, they are super stretchy, and the pocket layout is actually pretty good too. There is still a very small amount of tension at the front, mostly noticeable when sitting, so perhaps you're right. I can try both in a size up and that would at least confirm one way or the other, although at the moment I'm leaning towards the OTP's, unless people's view is that they aren't durable enough. Thanks for the input.

 

[Aristotle]

I bought a pair of Helikon trousers a few years ago. Despite sizing up on the waist, they were far too tight around the legs and backside.

5.11s are much better for me.

 

[TeeDee]

Has anyone tried Revolution Race wear??

RVRC GP Trousers Men Mud | RevolutionRace

RVRC GP outdoor trousers has reinforcements on the knees, around the seat and in the lower legs. Perfect for hiking, fishing, dog training or climbing.

www.revolutionrace.co.uk