If you do not want to read through the entire article, I would recommend the Briar Upland Pants, which was the best overall. It did not stand out in one specific criterion but met all of the requirements that I was looking for.
This will be an upland hunting pants review where I will take a look at 5 of the best pants that you can find.
I have been hunting for years and have worn many types of clothing in the past. I have also worn upland pants in the past and experienced difficulties in choosing the best pair.
I also reviewed 23 pairs and could only find 5, which met the criteria I was looking for.
Some of the pants stood out in specific areas, including budget-friendly, flexibility, pants made for women, and the most durable. Here they are:
Upland Hunting Pants
- Briar Upland Pants (Best Overall)
- Browning Upland Pheasants Forever (Budget-Friendly)
- Helikon-Tex Hybrid Outback Pants (Best Flexibility)
- Prois Pradlann Upland Pant (Best For Women)
- Gamehide Briar Proof Pants (Most Durable)
Read on to learn more.
#1 Briar Upland Pants (Best Overall)
If you want a pair of hunting pants that will hold its own against rough brushes, these pants from Dan’s Briar will do. The central part of these pants are made from cotton, but the brush guard overlay is made from 420 Denier Nylon Fabric. The cotton will help keep you warm, while the Nylon will protect the pants from any tearing.
The 420 Denier Nylon has several properties, which makes it an ideal candidate for the job. Some other gear that might include this material include duffel bags, chaps, tactical vests, and backpacks.
This material is an excellent water repellent, which gives it high waterproof capabilities. I should also mention that this material is also very durable and will resist most wear and tear from walking through thick brush.
If it gets too hot, you can open up the zippers on the side to allow some of the hot air to escape. There are also two deep pockets on each side and also pockets at the back. The pockets are riveted on crucial areas, which will prevent them from tearing. This product’s central part comes in the color tan, while the Nylon section is brown.
#2 Browning Upland Pheasants Forever (Budget-Friendly)
The Browning Upland Pheasants Forever pants are best for those that are on a tight budget. Just because it is not that expensive does not mean it is of low quality. It has several features that make it worth it. Let’s start with the fabric.
The main fabric used to make these pants are tan colored cotton, while the overlay is made from polyester. Cotton is one of the most comfortable materials to wear. It helps to keep you warm and improves air circulation inside your pants. It is also a strong material that will not easily tear. Polyester is not as strong as nylon but will hold its own against tough brush and tearing.
It has a zipper in the front and two pairs of pockets to use. It has a pair of deep side pockets on the side and two rear pockets. There is also a significant cause regarding this product. Some of the money will be donated to the Pheasants Forever Conservation for every product sold.
#3 Helikon-Tex Hybrid Outback Pants (Best Flexibility)
If you want more flexibility with fewer movement restrictions, then these pants will make a good fit. Luckily the features do not end there as it offers more than just flexibility. The main reason why it is called Hybrid pants is because of the two types of materials used. It uses DuraCanvas and VersaStretch, which combines durability with flexibility.
Overall, the materials are made of 4 components: cotton, polyester, nylon, and elastane. Cotton has a soft feel to it and will also keep you warm, but lacks in durability. Nylon combined with polyester might not be that comfortable but will add to the durability. When you add elastane to the material, it will become more stretchable, which will improve your movement.
These pants are also partly waterproofed with wax, which will prevent some of the moisture from being absorbed. You can also adjust the tightness of the hems around your ankles with the velcro straps’ help. The knee areas are also reinforced with pads, which will help to protect your knees when crouching.
The pockets are also reinforced, which will prevent them from tearing off. It also has a combination of pockets, such as pockets that uses zippers and flaps. You also get several color schemes such as coyote brown, taiga green along with black and green brush guards.
#4 Prois Pradlann Upland Pant (Best For Women)
Prois is a company that focuses on hunting gear specifically made for women. The Pradlann Upland Pants has a set of features that makes it a good candidate for women.
It has a feminine cut that is shaped in the shape of a women’s body. This feature allows for women to be more flexible and comfortable while wearing these pants.
It has zippered vents on the side which can be opened or closed as desired. These vents will allow for airflow, which will help to cool you down. You can also close these vents for when it starts to get chilly.
These pants are made from a ratio of 80/20 polyester and spandex. This polyester allows for added durability and waterproofing capabilities. The spandex is a very stretchable material that adds flexibility and ease of movement to the wearer.
It comes with an adjustable waistband, allowing the wearer to adjust it for the perfect fit around the waist. The articulated knees also make it easier to bend your knees. It is instrumental when climbing up a mountain or crawling on your knees.
It also comes with two front and rear pockets when you want to carry something small that you plan to use a lot.
#5 Gamehide Briar Proof Pants (Most durable)
If durability is a significant concern, then you might want to consider these upland pants from Gamehide. These pants are made from a combination of 75% cotton and 25% nylon.
Cotton is a soft material that also allows for excellent airflow and is a very comfortable material to wear. Think about how comfortable most T-shirts are to wear as most of them are likely to be made from cotton. Nylon might not be as comfortable, but it is very durable and also has water-resistant properties.
The seat and crotch area is also reinforced. This property will allow you to sit more comfortably and make those parts more resistant to wear and tear.
The front-facing fabric is made from 1000 denier nylon fabric, which is very durable. This part of the pants will take the most beating and requires the touchest fabric.
This 1000 denier nylon fabric makes the pants very resistant to brush. It is also waterproof, keeping your legs dry, especially if the brush is still wet from previous rainfall.
You will also have a “D” ring on each side. You can attach anything from a leash to something as simple as a keyring. This way, you can hunt with your dog without having to hold the leash yourself. These pants also have two front and rear pockets.
The only criticism of these pants is that it might sit too tight along the waist. As per manufacturing guidelines, I would recommend picking one size bigger than your current size. The 1000 denier nylon fabric is also heavier and might make it more challenging to lift your legs.
What To Look For In Upland Pants
If you are new to upland pants, then I would suggest going over the next couple of points to make sure you know what to look for:
Materials Used
What makes Upland pants so unique is their brush resistant capabilities. You need to make sure that the materials used are durable and will withstand the tearing effect the brush will have on it. Let’s start with the first material.
- Cotton. This material is a natural fiber that allows for breathability and has outstanding absorbing qualities. It can hold water up to 27 times its average weight. It is also one of the softest and is very comfortable to wear. It might not be suitable as a stand-alone material in upland pants, but it can be beneficial when combined with other materials such as nylon and polyester.
- Nylon. It is a synthetic material that is strong, durable, and is also elastic. It can also dry very quickly and has a high tolerance to heat. Nylon is even stronger than polyester. The two most common types of nylon are 420 Denier and 1000 Denier fabric. The higher the denier, the thicker the fiber of the material used.
- Polyester. It might not be as strong as nylon, but it can still pack a punch in durability and strength. Polyester does not stretch or shrink in any way, making it an excellent material for outdoor clothes. It will also dry quickly because of its hydrophobic properties.
- Elastane. Spandex is also a stretchable material that can be stretched up to 500% of its normal length without breaking. It is not a very durable material but can be useful when combined with nylon or polyester.
Waterproof Capabilities to Keep You Dry
One common problem is that the brush that you walk through can be wet. This can happen just after a rainfall or morning dew. It is always a good idea to look for upland pants that have at least some waterproofing capabilities.
The most common factor in determining the waterproof capabilities is by looking at the material of which the pants are made out off. Materials such as cotton can absorb water to keep your skin dry. Other materials such as nylon and polyester are hydrophobic, which means it does not absorb moisture.
All of the pants in this review will have some waterproof capabilities to keep you dry. If you want to stay dry, then you need to cover your upper body as well. You can read more on waterproof rain poncho for backpacking or the best military and survival ponchos that can also be used for hunting.
Temperature Control To Keep You Regulated
The breathability of the materials and zippered vents are two features that will help to keep you cool. Cotton is the material that will have the highest breathability of all the other materials such as nylon, polyester, and spandex.
Pants such as Prois Pradlann Upland Pant has zippered vents on the side to help with breathability. If these pants are not good enough at keeping you warm, then you might want to add a hunting bib which that will give more insulation.
Durability Against Brush
The main reason why you would be interested in upland pants is because of their resistance to brush. The area from the boots up to just below the crotch will have an additional fabric layer consisting of very durable material.
The most common types of materials used are nylon and polyester. Nylon is so far the best material to use, especially if its Denier is very high. For example, the Gamehide Briar Proof Pants will be the most durable because it uses a 1000 Denier fabric to protect against the very dense brush.
The Briar Upland Pants also uses nylon but uses 420 Denier Nylon Fabric in this case. It will be less durable than the pants from Gamehide but will also be lighter and cooler during hot weather. It is still an excellent option.
Other pants such as the Prois Pradlann Upland Pant and the Browning Upland Pheasants Forever use polyester, which is not as strong as nylon but can still be good enough to withstand the wear and tear from the brush.
Ease of Movement
When it comes to ease of movement, the Helikon-Tex Hybrid Outback Pants will be the best option. Elastane (Spandex) is being used as a component for the material. This material is stretchable and will give you a wider range of movement. This material can be added to others such as cotton, nylon, and polyester to lower some movement restrictions.
There is also the risk of debris or bugs crawling into your shoes while wearing any type of pants, which is why I recommend you learn more about hunting gaiters, which will prevent anything from creeping into your show or up your leg. Snake infested areas also require you to get snake-proof gaiters, which are safer.
Our Verdict
One of the potential problems that you will come across while wearing upland pants is durability. You do not want to buy pants that will tear the moment you go through a thick brush.
You also want pants that are flexible and comfortable to wear. Waterproofing is also essential if you do not want to get wet as brush tends to be during the early mornings.
One pair of pants which will solve all of these problems is the Briar Upland Pants, which is my best recommendation. Happy hunting.
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