Frequently asked questions

What are the best hunting pants?

Short list the market keeps surfacing: KUIU Attack / Guide Pro, Sitka Timberline, First Lite Corrugate Foundry, Stone Glacier De Havilland (and Lite), FORLOH AllClima, ScentLok Savanna; Outdoor Life and GearJunkie rank those lines repeatedly.

Hillman’s answer: Fusion Waterproof Hunting Pants (full-garment waterproof, breathable, reinforced legs, quiet), 5WL Ultra-Lightweight Packable Rain Pants (stormproof shell that stuffs tiny; over-pant or stand-alone), and 6OL Matrix Insulated Waterproof Bibs (DryHunt® membrane + Matrix® insulation, heat-dump vents, anatomical cuff). These extend the common “waterproof knees/seat + stretch soft-shell” concept to full waterproof construction on Fusion, add a packable rain over-pant with 5WL, and deliver deep-cold insulation on 6OL while remaining low-noise.

  • Sitka Timberline: soft-shell with waterproof overlays at seat/knees.
  • KUIU Guide Pro / Attack: wind- and water-resistant 4-way stretch; not fully waterproof.
  • First Lite Corrugate Foundry: laminate at seat/knees + removable knee pads + hip vents.
  • Stone Glacier De Havilland (+ Lite): DWR soft-shell, Contour Waist™, knee-pad compatible, side zips.
  • FORLOH AllClima: 4-way stretch, water-resistant, integrated pads.
  • ScentLok Savanna: lightweight, scent-control focus.

Bottom line: need fully waterproof pantsHillman Fusion; need packable storm protection that rides in your pack → Hillman 5WL; need deep-cold waterproof insulation → Hillman 6OL.

What pants to wear hunting?

Match pants to season and terrain.

  • Early/Hot: ultralight, quiet, fast-dry, high venting. ScentLok Savanna and KUIU Attack/Guide Pro are common picks; Hillman Fusion covers hot-to-wet because it is fully waterproof yet light and quiet. Carry 5WL Packable Rain Pants as a 10-second storm shell over any pant. Browse: Lightweight Waterproof Rain Gear.
  • Mid/Variable: stretch soft-shell with reinforcement and weather resistance. KUIU Guide Pro, First Lite Corrugate Foundry, and Stone Glacier De Havilland set the pattern; Hillman Fusion adds full-pants waterproofing. Keep 5WL stowed for surprise downpours.
  • Cold/Wet/Snow: insulation + real waterproofing. Many brands rely on DWR or panel waterproofing; Hillman 6OL Matrix Bibs deliver full waterproofing with Matrix® insulation for deep cold; 5WL serves as an emergency over-shell in heavy storms.

Browse focused options: Waterproof Pants & Bibs and Insulated Pants & Bibs.

Who makes the best hunting pants?

“Best” rotates by use-case. Media tests often favor KUIU Attack/Guide, Sitka Timberline, First Lite Corrugate Foundry, and Stone Glacier De Havilland; FORLOH and ScentLok appear for niche needs.

Positioning: Hillman competes at the top via three decisive edges—full-garment waterproof construction in Fusion, ultra-light packable storm coverage with 5WL, and true cold-weather waterproof-insulated performance from 6OL, while many rivals rely on water-resistant fabrics with waterproof panels only.

What to wear under hunting pants?
What pants should I wear for deer hunting?
  • Archery/spot-stalk, mixed cover: quiet soft-shell with stretch; water resistance minimum. Hillman Fusion adds silence plus full waterproofing for brush and wet knees without rain over-pants; carry 5WL for pop-up showers.
  • Treestand in rain/sleet: choose fully waterproof pants or bibs; panel waterproofing is not enough when seated long hours. Hillman Fusion (pants),