Hi all

The last two sambar trips I've done (the only two I've done) have been unseasonably warm (august 05 & 06) and I've ended up wearing light nylon pants. I haven't even worn a lot of the gear I purchased for the cold conditions. The blackberries and other prickly bushes have been an unpleasant experience - have been digging out thorn tips days later.

What would you recommend - thorn resistant, quiet, good for temperatures above 15C.

I suspect some will be thinking ex-mil woolen pants but these don't work for me in the warmer conditions.

Thanks in advance.

Ian

BTDT myself: my legs are stll showing the scratches from the last outing in heavy blackberries and other shit, wearing a pair of those lightweight "Gumtree" pattern pants (they are very comfy though).

Army Greens or DPCU pants seem pretty good, or a well-used pair of King Gee style pants (they are a bit stiff and noisy when new). The tight weave seems to the the go, while stretch material lets the thorns go straight through.

I actually use heavy king gee cotton pants and spray them with scotchgard sounds odd but it does work keeping native grass prickles and the like out of my legs.

I use Army camo gear year 'round... if it's hot, they're ok as they are, if cold, I put on a pair of trackies, or longjohns underneath. This also seems to sort out the 'prickle problem'...

I don't buy the Pakistani made stuff, I get second hand stuff thru my son's School Cadet Unit...

Always in good condition, worn in, and cheap as...

Have worn Auscamo since a neighbor of mine was doing the development of the pattern for the army in the early `80`s.
Then Ridgelines fleece pants were suggested and yep what great strides they are too,for cooler weather but for i now wear Micro Tough Stoney Creek pants and i have to say that i believe they are the best and i would rec them to anyone...great camo pattern/colours too (from mates obs of them in the field) and tough as buggery with a super long life guarantee.

I dont believe that there is a better pair of pants around,and yes i know both of the last two pants mentioned are of NZ origin...give credit where its due

As a footnote i only recently wrote to St.Ck with a couple of suggestions to improve what are already superb strides...i believe that they will listen to their customers feedback and why not!

Thanks all

I've never been a big fan of Auscam for civvies but that is just a personal thing. Also not that keen to wear cotton - if the weather changes for the worst on a multiday backpack trip then cotton is bad news.

Gryphon - thanks for the tip on the Stoney Creek gear, I'll have a closer look at it. Do you know anyone who carries stock in Melbourne?

Ian

Sam Fisher from this forum stocks it AND ALL SORTS OF GOODIES GUN WISE at

"GAMEHUNTER" EPPING, MELB.

I imagine they have some bad thorn on the under side of the Equator. In the jungles of the rain forest that makes up southeast and coastal Alaska. Us timber beasts wear Filson Double Tin Pants. They are the only things that are some what breathable and completly Devils Club proof . If you ever bump into a devil,s club you will Imediatly know you did . Down on the Spruce Flats where the bears make tunnels thru the stuff its impossible to completely avoid.. As the material is fairly stiff , its kind of noisey. The legs swish if you walk right along. This can be mitagated by fabric glueing fleece to the inside of the legs.They are made in Seattle and have been for about a hundred years. They arn,t as good as they were when they cost 25$And they cost 4 times that now. But they still keep out most of the rain and all the devils club. Cabela,s sells it . The Shelter cloth is good also and a bit more flexable . If you get any make sure you get at least 1 size larger as it shrinks as it stiffens in a good rain . Like in 10 or 20 minutes. They are called Tin pants because they nearly stand up by them selves when they are wet and you take them off.. They pretty much need suspenders to hold them selves up as you half unbutton the fly so you can bend over easier. Your not a timber beast in southeast if you don,t have tin pants . Like cork boots and guylines they are necessary.hope this helps gumboot out.

Gryph,

thanks for the heads up on that gear... any idea what they'd be like in hot/dry (as in NW NSW) or hot/humid (as in SE QLD) conditions?

Cheers

quote:

Micro Tough Stoney Creek pants (from mates obs

absolutely perfect for there,i thought they were pricey compared to auscams etc but the gaurantee is a beaut and its no q`s asked,send the pants(if they do spLit or something) and they say "YOU DONT EVEN HAVE TO WASH THEM" just send them as they are haha including the hunt trips five hundred farts saturating them..

My auscam stuff is still good...i will never wear it while i have either of the strides above in my robe.

Thanks Gryph,

I'll check 'em out - but I reckon they'll change their guarantee thingy if they ever get a pair back from me or my boy after a week in the bush...

Edited to add - just had a look at their website - prices aren't too bad at all!

And from their site...

The 5 year Extra Tough Warranty reads: " if withing 5 years , your clothes are damaged from an accident while hunting the manufactuer( Stoney creek Ltd) will repair them for fee. That includes rips from pig tusks, barbed wire and even bullet holes!!

Can't argue with that...

Rugeruser,

Swazi is the other Kiwi outdoor gear co. you should check out...

Ed

Ridgeline and Huntech make good gear too - both have websites.