New Trousers.... how have yours been?..

[Jolyon]

I am looking for some slightly harder trouser than my beloved craghoppers, that do a great job untill you kneel in a puddle!


So now summer is over time for some new trousers so..5.11 Fjallraven or ventile?

Use would be general bush wear in the UK mainly dont want somthing that i cant wear in the warmer months as can always layer up in the winter.

Any one got any feedback/ thuoght on thiers?

 

[Graham_S]

I'm a big fan of 5.11.
I wear the canvas tacticals a lot.
Scottish winter to Saudi summer.

I've not tried the other brands so I can't comment on them.

 

[sandbender]

I have lots of Fjällräven foresters and greenlanders that I convinced a former employer to fork out for. They have all survived a lot of wear and tear over the past five or six years. I prefer the pocket layout on the forester over the greenlander, but the greenlander is better for the really cold wet days. They will need to be reproofed now and again.

"...dont want somthing that i cant wear in the warmer months..."

I wouldn't wear the foresters on really hot days (35 - 38 C-ish) but have worn them on warm days while working hard and felt quite comfy.

I have heard good things about 5.11 trousers and plan to to get some next spring.

Alternatively you could look out a pair of old British Army denims or US M65 trousers and proof those.

 

[Pierr]

I just got a 5.11 taclite as a cheaper alternative to Fjallraven (of which I have a Greenland and a Forrester). They are very good value, much better than Kiwis: fabric is more silent and overall nicer. Leg pockets are smaller and less comfortable than FR but back pockets are really good, with a slanted opening.

 

[The Lord Poncho]

Yep- i have both 5.11 taclites and the canvas ones- smashing bit of kit. You can get them for around £35 posted online. the Taclites slightly better suited to outdoor activities as they dry quicker, the cotton ones just a nice casual trouser.

Another option you could look at are the Helikon SFUs (e.g. http://www.military1st.co.uk/products/sp-sfu-nr-11-helikon-sfu-trousers-nyco-ripstop-coyote.html )- I have a pair in Coyote colour, but the wrong size (worn for only an hour)- so depending on your waist size (these are about a 33inch with a long 34 inch leg), I could send them onto you for a few notes.

 

[Siberianfury]

ive got a pair of fallravens, realy hardwearing, lots of space, lots of pockets ect.

 

[sasquatch]

I got a pair of heavy duck cotton/canvas Timberland work trousers for £12. They're a muted brown similar to coyote and last ages. They might not have the flash bushcraft name on them but they walk the walk. Money saved can be spent on other kit so I was more than happy! Had them for over a year now and they're showing absolutely no signs of wear after repeated use.

 

[Nonsuch]

I like the Fjallraven Greenlanders, also a pair of Hydratic-lined Foresters (or maybe another name ?) which are more or less waterproof. The latter are too hot for summer.

Haglofs Midfjell pants are also good - a bit trendier. Their Rugged Mountain Pants are also very good but are a bit tight-cut for me.

My current favourites are Extreme Outdoor Clothing River Pants in Tactel, superb cut and design and ultra tough.

I have had Ventile and double-Ventile trousers made up by Hilltrek and they are good but a bit funny when they get wet as they go stiff. They are also quite easy to tear.

Of the army surplus options, I like the German moleskins if you can find a quality reproduction. The Danish combat trouser is absolutely superb but you have to like wearing camo.

I have had Craghoppers Kiwis but find them too wide at the bottom of the leg.

I am always in search of….the perfect trouser!

 

[Shewie]

I highly reccommend Haglofs Rugged Mountain pants ...

http://www.petesy.co.uk/haglofs-rugged-mountain-pants-review-update/

DWR treated, windproof, cordura reenforced knees and seat, heavy duty Climatic fabric.

I can see mine lasting 10 times longer than my Fjallravens

 

[sandbender]

"...I highly reccommend Haglofs Rugged Mountain pants..."

I like the look of those, thanks.

"...They are also quite easy to tear..."

That has been my experience with ventile trousers too.

"...I like the German moleskins..."

I have a pair of Bison Bushcraft Moleskin trousers, these are excellent and hard wearing but I wouldn't wear them outside winter, they are very toasty.

 

[Ross Bowyer]

I love the Hagalof trousers and will always wear them up in the hills, the have lasted me ages and I wear them loads. But they aren't cheap!

These trousers are amazing for general bushcraft, I have worn the in ALL environments and they have been superb. The original design was by Peter Storm, but
now made by Trakker, I will buy as many pairs as I can!

http://www.trakkerproducts.co.uk/product.php?id=182&scid=0&sid=2

Ross

 

[The Lord Poncho]

These trousers are amazing for general bushcraft, I have worn the in ALL environments and they have been superb. The original design was by Peter Storm, but
now made by Trakker, I will buy as many pairs as I can!

http://www.trakkerproducts.co.uk/product.php?id=182&scid=0&sid=2

Ross

Oh i had three pairs of those by Peter storm- they were fantastic- thought you couldn't get them any more!

 

[Graham_S]

Those Trakker trousers look good, they don't seem to have any stockists in Scotland though.
Know any online retailers?

 

[Ross Bowyer]

Put it into google, Normally fishing tackle shops sell them.

 

[Shewie]

I love the Hagalof trousers and will always wear them up in the hills, the have lasted me ages and I wear them loads. But they aren't cheap!

I blame you and Stani for convincing me I needed a pair

 

[Ross Bowyer]

"The search for someone to blame is always successful!"

 

[Shewie]

"The search for someone to blame is always successful!"

Too right mate

 

[John Fenna]

I have various models of 5.11, Fjallraven and Ventiles - they all are better than Kiwis!
As I write this I am wearing Taclite trousers and shirt....having just got in

 

[Elines]

I've seen U tube videos with people sitting or kneeling directly on snow with no apparent discomfort ie apparently not getting wet - which type of trousers might they be/what spec would I need to look for to be sure I got that type?

(It may be some of those already mentionned but I can't tell from the narratives)

 

[Shewie]

I've seen U tube videos with people sitting or kneeling directly on snow with no apparent discomfort ie apparently not getting wet - which type of trousers might they be/what spec would I need to look for to be sure I got that type?

(It may be some of those already mentionned but I can't tell from the narratives)

Maybe the snow was dry? Like a really really cold powder snow?