Click here to read our affiliate disclaimer. Vitality Gear may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this post at no extra cost that helps to support the site.
When venturing into the wilderness to practice your bushcraft skills, wearing the right outdoor attire is paramount. Selecting the most suitable clothing, tailored to your preferences and outdoor pursuits, takes careful consideration, especially considering the season and weather conditions of your location.
Undoubtedly, finding the perfect pair of bushcraft pants can be quite the challenge, let alone discovering the best ones available.
In this comprehensive review, we’ve invested significant time and effort into researching and comparing various brands to provide you with the most accurate and honest assessment. Whether you require these pants for casual wear or everyday use, rest assured that the pants on our list have been designed with comfort in mind, promising an exceptional outdoor experience.
Beyond functionality, the pants we’ve selected boast unique and stylish designs, allowing you to stand out effortlessly during your adventures.
However, before making your purchase, there are essential factors to consider, such as the material, design, zippers, pockets, and more. To assist you in making an informed decision, we’ve included a buyer’s guide section, offering insights into top-rated pants.
Join us as we delve into the details, equipping you with the most up-to-date information when shopping for the perfect bushcraft pants online. With the right pair of pants, you can elevate your outdoor escapades to new heights of comfort and style.
The 5 Best Bushcraft Pants
Buyer’s Guide – How to Find The Best Bushcraft Pants
Material
The material of the fabric used to manufacture your pants is key. Why?
Because, if you don’t choose the right type of material then what happens when it starts raining and you thought your pants were waterproof then it turns out they aren’t and you are soaked freezing cold all night long?
When looking over the material used you should check to see if the fabric used to construct the pants can be used for waterproofing.
Every fabric has its own benefits so you should see if one of those benefits outweighs another if you know what you will be doing in the wilderness.
The lighter material used is often for waterproofing and they are joined with other strong materials to make durable bushcraft pants.
Another thing to note is you could even go with stronger bulkier materials that have the same waterproof benefits, just usually they have been constructed another way but are heavier as a result.
You should already know what you’re purchasing your outdoor pants for so, this shouldn’t be too hard to narrow down what type of pants you should go with.
If you are wanting outdoor pants then you are looking for something that is constructed and durable.
But, at the same time, you want something that’s going to be very comfortable. Some brands provide both and unfortunately, some do not and that’s why we put this extensive list together.
Waist
The waistband can come in many different kinds of fashions for your pants, but quite typically they will be suited to match the style of your pants.
For example, there could be pants that come with elastic bands for the waistband that you could attach to your pants with ease.
In addition, some other factor is these pants are designed in such a way to keep to the same position which will lead to a better feeling around the waist and can seem like less bulkiness and especially if you are into climbing this will make it a lot comfier.
Comfort
It’s not a big shocker that wearing uncomfortable pants are horrible for outdoor pants and especially for bush crafting.
We have put the most effort possible to make sure every pant on our list is up to our reader’s standards and ourselves as well.
Having pants that aren’t comfortable is just no good and we try to avoid those brands altogether.
To get the most level of comfort you should seek out brands that are made of solid and light material because the material itself can reduce weight and add comfort depending on what type of material the fabric is being used.
Bushcraft pants that have an adjustable waist are usually good and some of the ones with leg openings zip up.
You should be able to determine if the pants are good quality by quickly glancing at what the reviewers say about the comfort.
Durable
Good pants are normally able to take a lot of wear and tear from outdoor use and the main thing to look for here is the material of the bushcraft pants. Polyester is typically the strongest material used.
Some other durable materials are 100 percent cotton, and cotton/rayon mixtures will typically be a strong material used.
Protection
You want good protection to hold up against all elements. Usually, there is no shelter when adventuring into the wild to protect yourself against the weather. With that being said, it is key to remember to wear clothes that are warm, allow breathability, and proper ventilation to allow the body to stay at a good temperature and not let sweat build up on the inside.
Breathable bushcraft pants are important especially in the summer because if you have pants that aren’t easy to breathe in you could be exposed to risks such as heatstroke. To prevent such things you should always look for breathable pants so the body can stay regulated.
Choosing the best bushcraft pants might appear hard and take up a lot of time it is worth every bit of it to find the right pair of pants that suits you and your outdoor adventures.
Once you have found your perfect pair of bushcraft pants you’ll have a way easier time out in the woods and you will be comfortable doing the things you enjoy.
Pockets and Storage
When seeking the best bushcraft pants you will want something that is simple and easy to store things. For example, your pants should have adequate room to store things as well as be easy to store for later use in your survival bag.
If you are looking for an extra pair of pants and you want something that is going to fit well and has all the great benefits you are seeking as far as durability/breathability and being able to wear them in every season you should look out for something that can be easily stored as a second pair or backup.
On the other hand, if you are planning on using your pants every day there is no point in wanting to store them either.
Fit
If you are seeking pants online you need to make sure your trousers are going to fit properly.
Worst case your pants may not fit right because the sizing is slightly smaller or larger so it is important to keep an eye out for the ratings for size and what the reviewers have to say in that regard.
This helps you out in the long run so you don’t need to return your bushcraft pants and exchange them with another pair wasting time and money. Always look out for anything to do with size so you will get that perfect fit and get the most comfort in the outdoors.
Further Concerns:
- Brand – As with any company that has products on the market you must consider the company that makes your pants to know if they are reliable or not.
- Durability / Breathability – Bushcraft pants are typically made to last a long time and take a lot of abuse out in the wilderness. Also allowing the right amount of breathability to keep your body best regulated in the summer heat.
- Washable Material – Another thing to note here is that some pants aren’t supposed to be machine washed and should be taken to the dry cleaners.
- Most bushcraft pants can be washed so you shouldn’t have any concerns here with that.
- Foot Type – Since each pair of trousers are different in terms of foot designs you should make sure that you pick the right pair of pants that is perfect for you and the structure of your foot type.
Final Word
To put it briefly, when it comes to purchasing these types of pants for outdoor use you need to make a wise choice to get the best clothing you need that suits us and what you want to do while wearing them.
As a consumer, we need to factor in a lot of things to make sure we get the most appropriate pants that we are searching for.
Since it is tricky to pick the best bushcraft pants, we designed this list to help you and guide you through several factors when looking for outdoor trousers.
This guide was intended to benefit you based on the long research we did putting this list together highlighting the most important things to consider.
Because of this, you will have a wonderful outdoor experience each time.
5 Best Pants for Bushcrafting
In this section, we will go over each pair of pants and briefly give a general description and as well we will go over the pros and cons below:
The CQR Outdoor fleeced pants were made for every outdoor activity including sports. These multi-purpose cargo pockets are handy allowing you to store all kinds of tools and equipment. The material has a multi-layer that does consist of water-resistant outer polyester on the soft shell as well as thermal inner for extra warmth and protection from all weather.
Manufactured to hold up in all kinds of conditions. 3-layer soft shell pants that are good for most outdoor activities.
They are good for the winter and can repel water easily with the multi-layered design. Metal allows buttons and zippers to fly for easy opening functionality and a durable zipper for easy access. These have micro-fleece and protective outer for comfort and insulation and an outer layer that can repel most moisture and other exposures.
These were designed to fit comfortably for the ultimate mobility allowing a body geometry fit pattern. If you are looking for multi-functional and tactical pockets these have 2 hand pockets with pull tab zippers and 2 open flap cargo pockets to safely secure your items. The rear design is inspired by duty attire and has 2 open-flap rear pockets.
Pros
- 3-layer soft shell
- Four Season Wear Approval
- Multi-purpose
Cons
- Water resistant but not waterproof
here we have the 5.11 Tactical outdoor pants which is a very close second. These are made of a two-way flex tac mechanical stretch fabric. These are known to be extremely durable and can hold up in pretty much any outdoor journey.
With 12 pockets, and front pockets that are EDC-sized you can easily fit your tools or items as well as deep cargo pockets. Gusseted construction, Teflon finish with the zippers. Articulated knees inside in steam for better comfort.
Now let’s talk about some of the features of these bushcraft pants. As we mentioned it has a total of 12 pockets to store your items, it has a self-adjusting tunnel waistband, and the material used to construct these are 65% polyester and part 35% cotton. These pants offer durability and mobility to the wearer when out walking in the wilderness.
Be ready for light rain when the elements give you challenges and let the rain drip off you. These have a Teflon finish that has resistance to water, dirt, and other stains so you can get a longer life out of your outdoor pants.
It’s no tough decision when looking at whether or not to get these. These were designed to be tough as nails and ultimately allow you to do the outdoor activity you prefer most. These pants are cool enough in the summer and will keep you warm enough in the winter. It’s the all-around perfect choice for you if you want a great pair of bushcraft trousers.
Pros
- 12 pockets
- Comfort
- Durable
Cons
- Color seems to fade in time
Here we have another pair of great outdoor tactical trousers for men to provide comfort when you are out doing your outdoor activities.
These are well-designed, durable, and have a classy look to them. They were designed to have hidden pockets and multiple visible pockets making them a good choice for work or everyday wear. This has a DWR water-resistant coat for light rain, soil, and moisture protection making it good to protect against things like stains and material fading.
These Xpedition pants are made from polyester/cotton and are lightweight tactical pants. These pants are typically designed for people on or off duty for everyday use. When it comes to comfort the Xpedition is a top choice you can make for your next outdoor expedition. This has an adjustable slider waistband with a 4-way stretch soft flex panels on the hip yoke and back of the knees. Something else to note here is the gusseted is a soft flex crotch for simple ease of movement.
Overall, these would make a great choice. The fit measurement percentage is a high rate of the clothing chart being accurate with these pants and a lot of customers have indicated that in the review. These pants are high quality and withstand the elements all those hikers on the trail that get a light rain will be able to have great resistance from getting their legs wet and cold.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Can be a bit warm in tropical weather
One thing you have to admit with the Tex OTP Outdoor Tactical pants is it really cool with their low profile design with up to 16 different colors to pick from you can find a color for just about every uniform you can think of.
These are great pairs of trousers for outdoor use to enjoy all of your activities in the wilderness. It has the right amount of pockets to allow you to hold all your survival items easily.
Constructed with 93% nylon and 7% spandex with a mixture of DuPont and Teflon coating these pants are built tough and will withstand a typical bushcraft journey out in the middle of the woods.
You have the option to choose between 2 fabrics: VersaStretch 20.5 ox or v10.5 oz for a lighter thickness.
It is known to have a unique comfort with a slim pant look yet also allows an increased range of motion in these pants. The stretchable waist lets you get up to 2 extra inches for advanced comfort.
If you want one of the best pairs of pants for bushcraft then look no further and go check these pants out.
The material is light, sturdy, and durable. There are a lot of brands out there but this company is one of the top brands for survival pants.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Not the best for breathability
Now lastly, Here we have the Free Soldier Tactical trousers are a nice outdoor pair of trousers.
They provide a warm and soft feel from the fabric. These are soft-shell pants and have an inner layer made of a warm polar fleece which makes them very comfortable
le. These trousers are water repellent and have a few features for breathability.
The waterproofing membrane used in the surface layer prevents water from leaking into the material and helps with breathability.
If you are looking for versatile pants this could be the way to go.
These have a simple and practical design that features four cargo pockets for the best storage of your items and tools. These were designed for outdoor activities and are comfortable when wearing them.
They are tough, scratch-resistant, and tear-resistant fabrics that can perform really well in the wilderness when having a brush all around you.
Overall, these pants are amazing trousers for outdoor enthusiasts, however, the other bushcraft pants are just a little better. These pants will be good in any outdoor situation no matter if it’s hunting or camping or backpacking across the country, they are going to hold up and keep you warm and dry.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Excellent breathability
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Insulation could be a tad better
Conclusion
Where there you go. This is the most extensive list and guides on choosing the right bushcraft pants currently in 2023. It took several hours to put this list together and now to test some of these outdoor pants ourselves. We hope you liked this list and enjoyed reading this post.
You maybe you might like checking out Best Survival Canteens.
