Greetings All,

I'm looking into a pair of wool pants for mainly treestand hunting. The brand I'm looking at comes in 18 and 24 oz. weights...same price.

Which weight would be better for stand hunting Oct-Nov.? I appreciate your input.

Happy hunting, Jason

Minnesota or Georgia? Might make a difference.

Gostwear. They're out of Canada.

I'm cold blooded so I would go with the heavy weight for Montana.

I wear an old pair of Cabelas Outfitter wool hunting pants that they don’t make any more so I’m not sure if they’re 18 or 24 oz. I bought ‘em because at the time they seemed equal to the Filson pants so maybe they are 24 oz. In any case I like them a lot and would go for the 24 oz, which is I what think the main fabric of my Filson double cruiser is.

Sounds like a George Burns-Gracie Allen routine, or Abbot & Costello...

Take the heavier weight. Your best means of reducing total body heat happen at your head and feet. Comfort control is done by using layers for your upper body. Any layers under your harness are best if they are pullover type, and any layers over your harness should be either zipper or button closed.

My upper body camo is an uninsulated jacket. A slightly large fit ensures layers underneath won't compress or restrict movement. Under layers should be without a collar, crew or v-neck. To prevent a draft entering your jacket neck, where the harness tether exits, wear a thin neck gaiter. I've sewn in elastic bands under my bow arm side of the outer jacket, from front to back, inside, to hold the front of the jacket close to my body, and not drape loosely into the string path.

Depending on the temperature, I carry in a heavy fleece v-neck pullover that I don at the base of the tree, before putting on the harness. Other outer layers are hoisted up to my stand in my pack. The final layer is, as I said, camo and uninsulated.

For extreme cold, I use safety pins on a bubble style reflective mylar panel to the back of my jacket in the kidney area. I also use a belted fleece pouch with a chemical warmer inside, and position it to hang between my back and the mylar panel.

Arctic Shield boot covers are a must at temperatures forty and below. Wear only wool socks and maybe a polypropylene liner.

I don't have a haircut, so I often wear two hats, and the outer hat has a wind block layer.

I buy all of my wool pants from second hand stores. The 24oz. pants are going to be warmer but they are going to be less versatile as well as being just plain, physically heavier.

Codet are good if you can find them. Old LLBean before they went to china. Filson. Columbia cammo.

These are what Ive found used and reasonable and heavy.

Jim Davis:

Boy your showing your age with that comment.

Bob

I too use the cabelas outfitter linden green pants and shirts. I wear them when it gets into the 20s if I hunt. I think the are over 20 Oz but maybe not 24.

Gostwear sure has short inseams, otherwise I would of bought some pants. The wool pants look good.

The 24 oz. variety will be good ..till it rains. Id go with the lighter weight and use long johns if you gotta..bye for now

Aromaker, it's reruns you know! Actually, I've spent many years getting to be this old. 8-)

For fall seasons and early winter, I go with lighter wool pants and use merino wool long johns. The long johns come in a varrity of weights. I adjust the weights of long johns for the temps. also if it is a little to warm the merino wool does a good job of wicking away the sweat. Just don't wear cotton under the wool. wpab

I have Filson and east German surplus pants, the Filson cost $180 10 years ago, the east German were 4 pair for $28. The east German pants are as good a quality as the Filson, a little lighter weight but with a much tighter weave, perfect for layering. I have been trying to wear out the east German pants for 10 years and am still wearing the first pair I started with. They are machine washable as well, but I even wash the Filson's in the machine as well.

East German pants, not on me, I haven't been that thin since the 60s.

Have a pair of those German surplus - they great and good N warm

I had to do some major alterations on the waist over the years though glad I saved the long hem cutoffs

So Andy man, whats up with the major alterations? I hope it is not the same alterations I have had. LOL.

they were + alterations had to add material to the was it

gotta work on some - alterations- this staying at home stuff invitees increased fixing and eating

I like the 16-18 oz military surplus..very tight weave of the winter dress uniform pants repels water and briars. I wear good - quality wool long underwear when its cold.

Look at closed weave versus just wool pants as well. More likely to keep you warm when it gets a bit windy. Actually it's what's under the wool that keeps you warmest...like good Merino wool underwear. You don't need expensive, brand name wool to keep you warm, the military surplus will do just fine as Eric noted.

I agree George but how you going to look good unless you have high dollar wool on?

If you go the bib route the Asbell ones are very good and affordable.

In Montana, the heavy stuff might be more useful for sitting all day in that country. It can get below zero easily in late Oct. and Nov. I don't have to tell you this, you LIVE in Montana. I guess some days are kinda warm too. I use German Army surplus issue wool pants. I also used to have a wool union suit to go under my hunting woolies in Nov in MT. It depends on the forecast. Ya can't go wrong with German Army wools.

I don't have much experience treestand hunting in northern latitudes but I concur about the East German wool pants being thick enough and probably up to the task. I have the M1951 wool pants also and those would make a great all around pair of pants. Lighter but also a dense weave.

I have used and still have a pair of the E German Army pants. Heck, I think I wore ‘em on a N Quebec caribou hunt. They are a fairly tight weave and sturdy as all get out and are IME great knockabout or early season hunting pants, but they are not as warm as good quality 100% virgin wool like my Outfitter or Filson, etc. I’m talking from my experience in November in MI and NW Ontario.

look at Day One with insulation to boot, and the Johnson Woolen Mill from Johnson Vt

If you can find them I would recommend wool bibs instead of pants. Yeah they are a little more expensive but they are warmer when on stand. You don't have to worry about a belt, they cover up to your chest and lower back, usually have side buttons to vent if needed, and bibs allow body heat to flow better to keep you warmer do to no belt. Just something to think about unless you are getting a heck of a deal on the pants. If given the choice, I'll take bibs every time. DANNY

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