rugged pants for conducting search and rescue suggestions wanted

[Hunter87]

I am looking for clothing that will handle the brush of Maine next week. I am less concerned with weight than I am with durability. We will be using day packs and return to base camp each night so my main concern is that the brush will tear apart most of my usual hiking clothing.

[rickb]

Good luck next week.

I can't offer any special wisdom on clothing beyond the obvious. And speaking of the obvious, I'd think safety glasses and/or some sort of eye protection would be all important.

[ocasey3]

I would check out Carhartt's.

[sfdoc]

railriders. pricey but supposed to be quite good.

[man2th]

511 gear is great, comfortable and tough its what our dept uses

[grayfox]

I saw some nice pants at Cabela's the other day. They were cotton but treated with something that allows them to dry faster than regular fabric. They looked pretty tough but comfortable. For me the problem is that canvas pants get wet, stay damp, and weigh a lot until they dry out. I have some nylon pants that are of a thick and durable nature but do not breath as well as dry cotton--Mountain something I think they were called. Someone makes pants for loggers that might be just the thing--try amazon or a search.

[peakbagger]

I do AT corridor maintenance in western maine on Moody and Hall mountain. You may not believe it but all I use are nylon hiking pants with zip off legs. Barring running into a fairly jagged outcrop, the nylon seems to last for years and generally its the zipper or the stitching that wears out. My last two pairs were bought 5 years ago and are actually marketed by Columbia as fishing pants
http://www.columbia.com/Men%27s-PFG-...efault,pd.html. I usually buy two pairs and backpack with two shorts and one set of legs.

The Columbia's have held up well although its about time to do a bit of re-stitching. One major PITA with the Columbia's is they don't have a fly.

A general observation with nylon is that the skin under the nylon will shred before the nylon does. It doesn't provide much armor. They do dry quick. I like mesh briefs, some don't.

These would be useless for fire crew work as they would melt in a heartbeat. I find the heavy fabrics are used by fire crews too darn hot

[chiefiepoo]

I have a pair of Wrangler Rugged wear jeans that have a rip stop canvas fabric and a nylon overlay that gives added protection to shins and frontal thigh area. They're old and I have not seen them in stores for many years. They are kind of like the pants in the following links. I used them for field work and trail construction, never hiking. Certainly, there seems to be demand for such garments for there to be some choices.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...atalogId=10051

http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/p...nts-20201.aspx

[Foresight]

Duluth Trading Company fire hose work pants.

http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/m...140521222350:s

[ScareBear]

These are good for summer heat. The firehose pants are pretty much indestructible...

http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/m...hes/95115.aspx

[drifter]

+1 on railriders. very tough

[The Cleaner]

I'd go with the Tactical 5.11, heavy cotton canvas.

[No Directions]

+1 for Carhartt. They have some duck pants that are pretty durable.

[Wise Old Owl]

Well I am not a fan of cotton - my suggestion is a ripstop poly blend cotton tactical military spec.

http://tacticalgear.com/mens-tru-spe...du-pants/black

[MuddyWaters]

Railriders Versatac

[Wise Old Owl]

Railriders Versatac

http://www.railriders.com/men-versat...ant-p-954.html
interesting choice - bit pricy but they will hold up.

[Meriadoc]

Arborist pants are made for arborists - climbing trees, bushwhacking, and so forth. I'm saving up for a pair but I have heard only good things. Because arborists climb trees in them, the pants are made to articulate well. The ones I have heard about are from arborwear.

[myakka_]

Well I am not a fan of cotton - my suggestion is a ripstop poly blend cotton tactical military spec.

http://tacticalgear.com/mens-tru-spe...du-pants/black

I agree completely. We were them for all non-fire activity at my agency. I can speak for their durability. The key word is rip-stop.

And these are lighter than a lot of the heavy canvas choices. Weight and breathe-ability are a factor when you are bushwhacking for sure.

[kayak karl]

Duluth Trading Company fire hose work pants.

http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/m...140521222350:s

i second this. have 3 pairs for work i like them better then Carharts, not as stiff.

[Hunter87]

thanks for all the suggestions. i decided to go with the duluth trading flex fire hose work pants.

thank Rickb, good suggestion on the safety glasses, too.