Trousers with non-synthetic material

[66jj99]

Do people have any recommendations for forest activity type trousers without the synthetic look/construction?

I'm quite happy in canvas, cotton and moleskin etc, but after something with a little more water resistance; knee reinforcement & good leg pockets.

Have been recommend Keela Heritage "something" and Fjallraven Vidda Pro so far.


Want to steer clear of a synthetic look/feel if at all poss.


Ta

 

[C_Claycomb]

The Fjallraven are 65 polyester/ 35 cotton. I think that is enough that they don’t feel synthetic.

Helikon tex Urban Tactical Pants come in both a dura canvas and ripstop versions with a bit more cotton than polyester, I like them.

Before I stocked my wardrobe with Helikon, I liked Craghopper Kiwi Classic trousers, also 65/35 polyester/cotton, and a tighter weave than the Helikon UTPs. The old Craghopper cloth was tough as nails! Tight enough to be semi thorn-proof.

 

[TLM]

Slightly OT but not much:
A polyamide fabric made from very fine fiber thread feels quite comfortable, it is usually made into sun clothing, it gets wet easily but dries fast. Nowhere near thorn proof. In years gone by one of it's marketing names was "Supplex". It really does not have the "synthetic" feel.

 

[Pattree]

The Kule range marketed by Go Outdoors is supposed to be 98% cotton.

1. They are pricy.

2. I haven’t fitted into their maximum girth (38)since I was seventeen.

3. Only seven pockets.

My polycotton Caribou trousers have nine pockets, six of them zipped.
The most recent ones cost me £35 two weeks ago.
I’ve been wearing them since they cost £18 . Very comfortable. I’m not sure what “looking synthetic” means but I’m guessing that in OP terms they do

 

[nigelp]

I bought some LL Bean light guide wool trousers for cooler months. Naturally water resistant and breathable but also warm; very quiet and don’t make a scratchy sound against vegetation. Also don’t look to tactical so discreet if in town. They seem robust enough and have good movement due to range of leg lengths.

https://global.llbean.com/llb/shop/5824751.html?q=Guide&page=Maine-Guide-Lightweight-Wool-Pants-Mens

Edit: I see they have updated them to version 2 and also have a grey colour.

Edit edit. No leg pockets but very long and usable side pockets. Personally I like trousers with no ‘faff’ to restrict movement and create warm spots.

 

[66jj99]

Great suggestions. Thanks all

 

[FIU]

I tend to wear jeans (blue or black) or the multi pocket canvas short pants sold in the US by Bass Pro/Cabela's. The synthetic materials have a lot of benefits but, with the exception of rain gear and heat retention, I prefer natural fiber garments due to the risk posed by fire. Yes, natural fibers burn but they are not as quick to burn and tend to burn off instead of burn on to the body.

 

[Sooty22]

Do people have any recommendations for forest activity type trousers without the synthetic look/construction?

I'm quite happy in canvas, cotton and moleskin etc, but after something with a little more water resistance; knee reinforcement & good leg pockets.

Have been recommend Keela Heritage "something" and Fjallraven Vidda Pro so far.


Want to steer clear of a synthetic look/feel if at all poss.


Ta

Summer or winter?

For anything other than summer, look at wool trousers. Big Bill Merino Cargo pants are awesome, best ever. Forger reinforcements, they are seriously bombproof.

Another option is the Finnish Army M62 wool trousers, also in merino, but these days sadly very tricky to find.

Wool is very breathable but also keeps you warm, and keeps you warm when soaked, so there is no issue with water resistance.

Varusteleka also do a pair of wool field trousers and wool 'worker pants'; I have never had a pair, but I have loads of kit off them and it is all spot-on. Speaking of which, all the above trousers go really well with the Norgie M77 boots they sell, and which are absolutely brilliant.