The Best Hunting Pants for Men in 2023

Sep 15, 2023

Hunting pants offer a suite of attributes that can make life easier and more comfortable in the field. Here are the best hunting pants of the year.

Hunting pants are not just about the camo. A great pair of hunting pants match the environment in which you choose to pursue wild game. Rain pants don't make sense in the desert, but they make sense in the Pacific Northwest. Insulated pants might work for a late-season elk hunt but would likely be too hot for the rut.

Below are our top choices that cover a wide variety of needs. These are the pants that we and our hunting partners wore in the field last season. They’re the hunting pants we’ll wear again this year.

It's worth noting that one pair of pants might get through 95% of your season. Another might be utilized for a very specific need on a hunt. Whatever way you slice it, there are pants for every hunter and every budget on this list. When it's time to narrow things down, take a look at our comparison chart and FAQ section to help with your decision.

Durable. Athletic. Adaptable. The Sitka Timberline Pants ($259) are the epitome of hunting pants, and, in our opinion, nothing matches the bang for the buck. Season upon season has proven these pants to be both indestructible and dependable.

Bloodstains wash out. Dirt stains wash out. Solids stay solid. Camo endures. And Sitka offers many different fits. They’re water-resistant, and they’re abrasion-resistant via ripstop nylon through the reinforced knees and bum.

Four-way stretch polyester offers comfort throughout. They block the wind (seriously) and have room for baselayers on colder hunts. Removable knee pads offer extra support and come with the pants.

The only downside is the price and perhaps the lack of Polygiene scent protection in the fabric. But, the payoff is longevity. For the price of two less-durable pants, you can have a stronghold in your hunting collection that can cross over into work and hiking, no problem. They’re just damn good pants.

Read our full review of the almost identical Women's Timberline here.

Kryptek is best known for its camo patterns. But did you know the brand also makes pants? And they pack a great value. The Valhalla pant ($90) is a great choice for cool to hot hunting conditions. Kryptek manufactures them from 92% polyester, 8% elastane, with an articulated, athletic fit. What that means is that you get a stretchy, soft, and extremely quiet pant that excels for stalking.

The polyester fabric also dries quickly, an important attribute for hunting gear. we’ve used these primarily for spring turkey hunting where they thrive in weather ranging from the 30s in the morning to the 70s in the day. Layer under them for colder conditions, and strip away the base-layer when it gets hot for a soft, breathable camo pattern on the legs.

We love the comfortable fit and huge pockets in the Valhalla pant. A hip pocket on each side, plus a large dump pocket (perfect for a folding knife) and zippered pockets on each leg, as well as back pockets, provide ample storage. And thankfully, these pockets are large and stretchy enough to hold big items like range finders – not that it's an ideal spot for them. But the ability to haul a lot in the pants adds to their versatility.

Beyond that, they fit like pajama bottoms in many ways. They are very soft and cozy, enough so that I’ve slept in them in my sleeping bag a few times. This presents one downside, that the fabric isn't very protective. If you’re pushing through brush or thorns, these won't cut it. But for early-season big game or warm-weather waterfowl hunting, the Valhalla pant should be a solid choice that won't break the bank.

While these aren't as scent-fighting or techie as some of the other pants on the list, for the price, the Valhalla is hard to beat.

A bit more affordable than the Timberlines, KUIU's Attack Pants are a favorite of many hunters. At $149, they offer eight variations of solids and camo. And Primeflex Toray fabric is notoriously tough and comfortable. KUIU treats these with its K-DWR for water resistance, and the design is simple, athletic, and streamlined.

I’ve worn the Kuiu Attack pants for a dozen or so days of hunting so far and love the athletic fit coupled with flexible fabric. They really give great freedom of motion. Most recently, I wore them spring turkey hunting in Colorado, with temperatures in the 50s and no precipitation. To close the deal on my hunt, I had to crawl on my hands and knees through oak brush for about 75 yards while a gobbler hollered through the morning mist.

I rose up on the articulated knees to take a shot and drop the bird when it poked its head above a log. The pants are relatively quiet, and hold up well to the brush. I love the thigh vents — clutch when carrying a heavy bird 2 miles back to camp as the day warms up. And the zippered pockets are excellent.

I only wish the hip pockets were a touch larger. I like the quick access to my phone, and it's a little snug for my liking. Otherwise, these pants are darned near perfect and super versatile, ready to tackle pretty much any conditions with proper layering

If your budget is stretched, a pair of Attacks can fit into most workplaces as well as doing double duty in the mountains. These aren't necessarily your inclement cold-weather pant, but for the average hunter, they’ll serve a ton of purposes in the field while maintaining decorum in public.

First Lite's Obsidian Merino Pants ($190) are our favorite pants for the early season, but they’re pretty dang flexible. A high point of merino is the minimal drying time, minimal scent, and longevity of wear time between washes.

The downside is that I’ve found merino to be less durable on brushy, rugged hunts. Thankfully, First Lite builds these with embedded nylon strands for durability. After three full seasons of hard Rocky Mountain elk hunting, they’re still holding up like new.

These pants shine in one particular area — they are so, so quiet. They allow you to move with no swishing as your legs brush each other or twigs. When you want versatility from chilly to warm weather, these are a great choice.

Thanks to their versatility, they are well-suited to longer hunts where minimal packing is required. These have loads of pockets, and I love that I can stash my rangefinder, phone, and game calls in them and can forego carrying a chest pack.

It's important to note that merino does require some extra care for longevity. We recommend cleaning both merino and synthetics with scentless Active Wear Laundry Detergent. Learn how to better care for your activewear, and it will last for years.

Check out our full review of the Obsidian Pant.

Colorado upland bird hunting means big miles on the plains and a lot of bushwhacking. And after four years of wearing the Filson Oil Finish Single Tin upland pants ($195), I am absolutely amazed at their durability. Through briars and brush and all manner of nasty thickets, these pants have protected my legs over a lot of 15-mile days.

While tough as nails, these are specialized hunting pants. For one thing, they’re pretty heavy and bulky. You wouldn't want to pack them in a backpack for a high-altitude hunt.

They also are so burly that they’ll beat up your skin if you don't wear long underwear. And given that you should not wash these (or risk removing the oil finish that keeps them water-resistant), they will be forever dirty. So, plan to wear long underwear!

But if you can get past those cons, these are some spectacularly tough pants that will serve the average hunter for a decade or more. For huge days of stomping through upland brush and scrub, they’re hard to beat.

If you venture into seriously cold elk-hunting country, you’ll likely see some dudes rocking these hardcore wool-blend cold-weather behemoths. And they’re designed to hold up to hard work in the field while keeping humans warm.

The slit up the side allows for a variety of boots and offers a zip closure. Made from a mix of wool and Berber fleece, these are serious-duty warm pants ($150). Their 4Most Windshear technology keeps the wind at bay, while padded knees and plenty of pockets offer handy access to gear like knives, tags, and tape.

These would be great for folks who hunt in treestands or extreme cold.

Hunting rain gear can get expensive for a few reasons. One, regular rain gear is loud. That's problematic for hunters. Two, rain gear can be stifling and the opposite of breathable. So, a lot of tech and energy goes into creating good rain gear for hunters that is quieter than most and breathes for the moving hunter.

Enter Sitka. Their rain gear is some of the most tech-heavy out there. Three-layer GORE-TEX fabric with an ultra-quiet brushed polyester knit face allows for all of the above. The face of the fabric is soft and pliable, while the GORE-TEX does its job of keeping the weather out.

Staying dry can mean the difference between being able to stay in the field and get it done or heading back to your tent with a case of burgeoning hypothermia. Spend the money. Get good rain gear.

If you hunt for early-season deer or elk or hunt in warmer locations, insects can be a real bother. And this goes double for spring turkey hunting when mosquitoes are often swarming in their first hatches of warm weather.

The Sitka Equinox Guard Pant ($249) keeps insects at bay really well. It uses built-in "Insect Shield" tech (we’re willing to bet this is Permethrin) to ward off the biting bugs. It also has internal leg gaiters to keep ticks and chiggers from crawling up your legs. We’ve used them in both spring and fall and are impressed with their ability to keep the bugs off.

But beyond that, these are simply great hunting pants with spacious pockets, zippered side vents, and a great dedicated knife pocket on the thigh.

Our 5’8″ tester loves the fit of these in size 30R. They fit true to size.

If this were a "best puffy pants" article, I’d argue that these should be the best on the list. But given that these aren't really wearable without other pants under them, well, they fit here as also-rans.

But if you’re looking for puffy pants for hunting, look no further than the Sitka Kelvin Lite Down 3/4 pant ($309). They are warm, durable, and just the ticket for cold mornings and evenings while hunting or just standing around at camp.

The Kelvin Lite packs 900 Fill Primaloft Gold down blend inside a two-way stretch nylon fabric "puffy" pant. They weight just 14 ounces in a size large, yet are durable enough to wear while stalking through the forest or sitting in a duck blind.

I’ve worn these for two seasons of elk and waterfowl hunting. And frankly, these changed my hunt a lot. On a cold morning, slide them over your normal hunting pants and experience a new level of warmth. Just like a puffy on your upper body, these are like a furnace, keeping your body warmth in and the winds at bay.

The design is practical. The short cut keeps the pants above your gaiters and out of the snow or mud. A built-in belt holds them around your waist. And the long zipper makes it easy to put them on or take them off without removing your boots.

Stone Glacier is one clever company. With the De Havilland pants ($189), it solved one of the more annoying gear issues faced by both hunters and hikers, and that is the interface between your pants and your backpack's hipbelt.

The De Havilland pants, like many other outdoor pants, have an adjustable waist that allows you to move it up to three inches to allow for layering. But the clever design — essentially a built-in belt and no front button — results in no bunching and very easy adjustment, no velcro needed.

Beyond that clever point, these pants are overall very good. They begin with water-resistant polyester/nylon/spandex blend fabric cut to athletic but mobile proportions with a gusseted crotch and articulated knees. Full zip side vents let you air it out when the going gets warm. And deep cargo pockets give you plenty of storage beyond the normal hip pocket.

On the negative side, they tend to be a little loud and swish while walking. Thus, these are not our top choice for close-quarters stalking, such as archery still-hunting.

But beyond that one downside, these are darned good pants and even look good enough for civilization (so long as they are not stained with blood and dirt).

We hunt a lot. Our primary author of this article, Sean McCoy, hunts from early September through February each year. He pursues elk, mule and whitetail deer, pheasants, grouse, ducks, and geese. He also hunts spring turkeys each year. He's been hunting since the mid-1980s and values high-quality gear that will last through many seasons of use. He still has and occasionally uses a pair of wool hunting pants made in the 1930s and passed down to him by his great-grandfather.

Beyond many days in the fields and mountains each fall, McCoy tapped into our team of experts for their takes on hunting pants. That means talking with fellow hunters as well as brand representatives to learn about new technology and design in hunting pants. We distill all that down to help provide the best advice we can, which is exactly the same as we would share with our best friends.

Frankly, no. Muted greens, grays, and browns are great. But a camo pattern does come in handy in a few situations.

The most camo-necessary situation might be turkey hunting. These birds have literal eagle eyesight. It's wise to cover everything from your hands to your face in a landscape-appropriate camouflage.

Archery season is the other hunting opportunity where good camo can play a strong hand. I personally feel the more blended, the better when at close range. But neutral solids can also work just fine.

The other great side to camo for hunting clothes is that it really does hide stains. If you plan on being successful, you can also plan on staining every piece of clothing you’re wearing. If you don't want to stain your favorite pair of hiking pants, get a pair of camo pants to get you through the hunting season.

The answer is yes. I’ve been hunting in my grandpa's 80-year-old Woolrich pants for a lifetime. They’re low on scent, high on warmth, easy to fix, and durable. I was stoked to see First Lite come out with the Obsidian pants, as wool just has a special place in my heart, and it's worth the money to pay a bit more to outfit yourself in the stuff.

However, if you’re pressed for cash, go to your local Goodwill, thrift store, or pawn shop. Sift through clothes until you find a heavy pair of wool pants. Get them. Wear them. Love them.

If you’re spending any amount of money on hunting gear, it pays to take good care of it. Wool certainly needs a gentler hand. And you’d be surprised how much body scent synthetics can retain even after going through your normal laundry routine.

Thankfully, there are simple options that can easily fold into your laundry routine. One option GearJunkie likes is Active Wear Detergent, and you can read founder Stephen Regenold's review on it here.

Two other options come from Nikwax. Nikwax Wool Wash is a machine-friendly option for your merino and other wools. And Nikwax Tech Wash does the same for your synthetics.

Remember to use scentless products to knock out any chance that big ol’ whitetail deer catches a Cotton Fresh breeze and decides to book it from your deliciously scented location.