Safari Pants

[TEXLNGHRN]

We've all heard "right tool for the job" but I didn't take that seriously about pants until my last safari. Heat isn't' a problem - I'm a Texas boy, and triple digit heat in jeans isn't a big deal. But durability...

My last safari had a stint at Bokamoso in Bots. They had the thickest, thorniest brush I've ever hunted. They say that in Australia, everything wants to kill you? Well, there every bush wants to impale you. The worst were these fish hook-looking thorns (mongona?), but every bush tore the hell out of lightweight clothes. It was nothing like hunting Eastern Cape or North America.

My friends that wore Kuiu pants and lightweight synthetic shirts had their clothing shredded. I packed that stuff, too, but I luckily also had cotton blend pants and shirts that were tough enough to track eland in the thick. Here's to overpacking on safari!

Anyways, what I like:

Kryptek Stalker Pants handled the bush like a champ. I've hunted SA, Bots, and North America in these and they are great. "Lightweight," comfortable, and durable. I'm also partial the the highlander camo pattern.

Red Head Silent Hide Pants are OK. I've hiked mountains and chased turkey in them, but I prefer the fit and feel of others. YMMV. They would likely have survived the Kalahari, but for how long I don't know.

I know that OP asked for cotton (EDIT: he later posted he'd try Kuiu), but Kuiu Attack Pants are my current favorite. They worked great in Eastern Cape but would have been shredded in the Kalahari. Great fit, comfort, flexibility, utility. Side vents for when it gets hot. I'm interested to try the Kutana Stretch Woven Pant in warmer temps. The lightweight Tiburon Pant is OK for travel but I wouldn't wear it in the field. Kuiu Pro Brush Pant might work for the thorny stuff, but they look loud.

OP, I noticed that all the locals in Bots and SA were wearing Jonsson pants and shirts. I'm going to check those out next time I'm there. 97% cotton on their products.

 

[Doug3006]

These.

Tropical Poplin Cargo Pants - Military Olive | Filson

Buy Filson's Tropical Poplin Cargo Pants in Military Olive. Military-inspired pants for outdoor pursuits in the heat. Made with 5-oz. 100% cotton poplin.

www.filson.com

 

[kchorro]

I've been wearing these Bass Pro Shops soft-shell pants for several years.
I personally have 6 in shitake color (Coyote) and 2 set in light kaki, green and gray. These pants are very nice for the cost, and they have sustained rough use in the field. Fabric is a softshell, elastic and wick drying but the best of all beside the price-quality is the cut which is not that tight legs or skinny. the cut is nice and perfect for boots. These have become also my travel pants or even for work sometimes. Order one and you will be impressed.

https://www.basspro.com/p/101401836?searchTerm=redhead%20softshell%20pants

 

[Datchew]

Another vote for the 5.11's
Comfortable and sturdy

Very little withstands heavy thorn exposure but I was pleased with mine.

Fyi... My ph wore denim blue jeans daily fwiw

 

[coreydb]

Those thorns penetrate everything.....very unforgiving. The only thorn-proof pants I ever wore weren't really pants, but the Kevlar smoke jumper suits. Everyone has their favorite brand of bush pants, but I don't know of any pants or shirts that resist those Dracula-thorns. I've just gritted and bared it in pain all the way.

 

[txtrout75218]

Last year I took a couple of pairs of Duluth Fire Hose pants to hunt in the bushvield. The older pair I have is the heavier cotton canvas material/non-stretch and they did a good job of reflecting thorns away. The newer pairs are the flex version and are thinner material and are more comfortable to wear, didn't do nearly as good a job on the heavier thorn areas. They are fine for Texas mesquite areas, but will not be my first choice for RSA next year.

 

[Boredrill]

I wore stretch jeans on the plane going over, and have to say that I loved having them to wear a couple times in the evening at camp. It was nice getting out of the khakis. I was surprised at how much I liked my nylon zip off pants. Wore them most of the time while in the bush.
Good luck, and don't bother buying too much that you won't wear again!

 

[AfricaRob]

We've all heard "right tool for the job" but I didn't take that seriously about pants until my last safari. Heat isn't' a problem - I'm a Texas boy, and triple digit heat in jeans isn't a big deal. But durability...

My last safari had a stint at Bokamoso in Bots. They had the thickest, thorniest brush I've ever hunted. They say that in Australia, everything wants to kill you? Well, there every bush wants to impale you. The worst were these fish hook-looking thorns (mongona?), but every bush tore the hell out of lightweight clothes. It was nothing like hunting Eastern Cape or North America.

My friends that wore Kuiu pants and lightweight synthetic shirts had their clothing shredded. I packed that stuff, too, but I luckily also had cotton blend pants and shirts that were tough enough to track eland in the thick. Here's to overpacking on safari!

Anyways, what I like:

Kryptek Stalker Pants handled the bush like a champ. I've hunted SA, Bots, and North America in these and they are great. "Lightweight," comfortable, and durable. I'm also partial the the highlander camo pattern.

Red Head Silent Hide Pants are OK. I've hiked mountains and chased turkey in them, but I prefer the fit and feel of others. YMMV. They would likely have survived the Kalahari, but for how long I don't know.

I know that OP asked for cotton (EDIT: he later posted he'd try Kuiu), but Kuiu Attack Pants are my current favorite. They worked great in Eastern Cape but would have been shredded in the Kalahari. Great fit, comfort, flexibility, utility. Side vents for when it gets hot. I'm interested to try the Kutana Stretch Woven Pant in warmer temps. The lightweight Tiburon Pant is OK for travel but I wouldn't wear it in the field. Kuiu Pro Brush Pant might work for the thorny stuff, but they look loud.

OP, I noticed that all the locals in Bots and SA were wearing Jonsson pants and shirts. I'm going to check those out next time I'm there. 97% cotton on their products.

Can't go wrong with Jonsson - and some needles and thread for in camp repairs.

 

[Striger]

I have used Tag Safari clothing a great deal and have always found them to be very well made and rugged. Also, the people who own the small family business are great people. Their clothing is as well or better made as the much more expensive Orvis.

To me the mark of quality is in the people who actually use products that not only look a certain part, but also perform it. I know a lot of hunters who spend months in the field serious hunting who use their product. Go to an SCI or Dallas Safari Club show and Tag will be swarmed with business. That says a lot. most of their clothing is made in Zimbabwe and they employ people for good wages in that small decimated country. They do make money sure, but still manage to sell their products for below most of their competition.

 

[Tanks]

I have used Tag Safari clothing a great deal and have always found them to be very well made and rugged. Also, the people who own the small family business are great people. Their clothing is as well or better made as the much more expensive Orvis.

I love their shirts, especially those that have the padding on the left side. That being said when I had ordered some pants from them they were not true to size and were flimsy, a couple actually came ripped. So, for pants I wear 5.11 cotton/canvas pants as shown below with Tag's shirt.