We’ve all been there. Eye’s glued to the price tag, our hands examining every piece, every feature. That thought that shows up every time.

“Is it worth it?” 

I mean seriously, Sitka gear is pricey. The Sitka Timberline Pant comes in at a whopping $229.

I’ve never spent that much on a piece of clothing, let alone a pair of pants. I’m completely fine hunting in my pair of Carhartts.

So was my brother, and that’s why I was intrigued when he purchased a pair of Sitka Timberline pants. I constantly harassed the poor guy about his “Gucci” hunting gear. After a while, I finally gave in to curiosity and purchased my own pair. Here’s 7 things I wish I had known before I spent my money.

For The Comfort Guy

It’s raining. It’s cold. The hills are steep. The deer are gone.

Being miserable sucks.

A little pain here or an annoyance there can throw you off just enough to miss a shot, head back to camp just before that trophy buck wanders out, or completely ruin your hunting experience.

That’s why comfort in gear and clothing is valued among hunters. It keeps you sharper for longer.

And if you’re going to buy a $229 pair of pants, they better be comfortable. Here’s a few things I thought worth noting when it comes to the comfort of Sitka’s Timberline Pant:

• The 4-Way Stretch Material – I mean, I could do the splits in these things.
•  

AND

• The Nylon Ripstop Knees and Seat

#1: 4-Way Stretch Material

Now I know, you’re probably asking, “Can this guy seriously do the splits in these pants?” Well. No. My legs can’t stretch that far, but these pants probably could.

That’s what makes the 4-way stretch so awesome. Sitting, standing, walking, running, long jumps, short jumps, scrambling up rocks, scrambling down rocks, my range of motion never feels constricted.

That’s an amazing feeling, especially if you’re used to those denim jeans squeezing around your knees or legs when you’ve got to crouch or take a big step.

Not only does it stretch but the fabric is comfortable to the touch as well. If you want an idea of how it feels, stop reading this review, put on your favorite pair of sweatpants, and now you’re starting to see. Okay, so they might not be quite as cozy as what you lounge around in on the couch, but the pants are pretty dang comfortable.

The material is also coated in a durable water repellent finish. This is great for mornings full of dew or afternoons with some light rain. However, they are not “waterproof”. I found this out after 20 minutes of shed hunting in heavy rain where my legs became soaked.

#2: Nylon Ripstop Knees and Seat

Wet butt.

Just the thought of it sucks. You woke up early, you hiked up the side of a mountain or climbed in your treestand, and you sit down to glass for a while only to have to walk around the rest of the day with wet butt.

But wait, is there a better way?

Yeah, it’s called the nylon ripstop seat on a pair of Sitka Timberlines.

The knees and seat of these pants are waterproof, which is a great feature, especially when you have to sit or kneel in some wet country.

The knees also come with a set of articulated, removable knee pads. It does feel a little awkward moving around with them in, and I tend to take them out, especially when I know I’m in for lots of miles. But they do help keep those knees in pristine condition when you’ve got to field dress an animal on rocky ground.

For The “Small Details” Guy

You know that moment when you buy something, and you immediately notice the smallest detail that won’t stop annoying you.

Maybe it’s the placement of a pocket, or the absence of one. The zipper gets stuck half-way up, there’s not enough belt loops, no wait, too many. And what’s that design on the back pocket?

Yeah, I get it. We buy stuff but forget to check the little things.

Here are some “small details” I noticed while using these pants:

• The Removable Suspenders
• The Pockets
• The Zipper

#3: Removable Suspenders

I’ll be honest, I’d never worn suspenders in my life before getting a hold of these pants. And I never really cared to.

That’s why I thought it was a bit silly to see all these guys in their Sitka pants, suspenders up, running around like a bunch of old men.

But, after using the suspenders once or twice, I’ve come to love them. They keep my pants up, and it feels nice to not have a piece of leather squeezed around my waist all the time.

The suspenders themselves are light, and have a rubber lining along the inside preventing them from slipping off your shoulders. The suspenders are also adjustable, so if you’re of shorter stature, or maybe you just like wedgies, feel free to crank them up at any time.

But maybe you’re not a fan of suspenders. No worries, they’re removable. You can easily detach and reattach them, and replace them with a belt. I have found the belt loops to be a little small, so smaller belts are required.

#4: Pockets

Now if you’re a guy who’s loads up his pockets, good news. These pants have plenty of room.

With two pockets on the side of each leg, two front pockets, and one back pocket, you’re set.

The side pockets are large, a main pouch closed by two buttons, big enough to fit a lightweight pair of gloves or a range-finder with ease. They also come with a secondary, outer pouch, which zips closed. I found this pocket just big enough for my phone.

The side pockets are conveniently located just above the knee, making them easy to reach in any situation.

The two front and back pockets are all adequately sized. They all zip closed, which is a nice feature considering you don’t want to lose your wallet to Mother Nature. I can place a knife, wallet and keys between the two front pockets with room left to slip my hands inside.

#5: The Zipper

Okay, lets not forget the zipper. You can zip it open from the top or bottom, which is a point worth mentioning. No more digging around for a stuck zipper tab, just go straight to the bottom and you’re ready to let ‘er rip.

For The Practical Guy

If you’re one of those hardcore hunters, you couldn’t care less what you went out in. If you’re pants rip in half, you’re more than happy to hoof it in your whitey-tighties for the rest of the day.

Comfort might not really matter to you. Small details don’t bug you. Rain or shine, pants or no pants, you’re going hunting.

Instead you’re probably thinking something along the lines of:

• “Are these pants durable enough to keep up with me?”

OR

• “Will these pants work for different hunts?”

Here’s my take on these questions.

#6: Durability

I’m rough on gear. My philosophy is if it can’t keep up with me, there’s no point in using it.

These pants are light and soft enough they feel like they’re ready to rip as soon as you snag a nasty branch or a sharp rock. That’s why I was surprised at how well the pants held up after one of the nastiest, thickest, hardest hikes of my life in Southeast Alaska.

Not only did they hold up on one trip, but several others soon after.

The pants are made from a high thread count polyester/spandex blend. Polyester is renowned for its durability and resistance to wear and tear. And a high thread count (threads per square inch) only adds to the fabric’s strength.

The two areas most prone to wear, the knees and seat, are made from double reinforced nylon ripstop. Nylon itself is tough, but a ripstop weave is specifically designed to be near invincible.

After several months of use, my Timberline pants have some loose threads around the seams, but zero tears and few signs of wear in the fabric. And trust me, I’ve thrown everything I could at these pants. Rocks, sagebrush, gnarly cedar trees, more sagebrush, and even Alaska. These pants are tougher than they look.

#7: Versatility

While deciding on which Sitka pant to purchase, I called them directly. I told them I was looking for an all-around pant.

Something I could use in Alaska during the summer deer season or spring bear hunt, but use just as effectively in my home state of Utah while looking for elk or searching out sheds. The suggestion, the Sitka Timberline pant.

After using these pants for a variety of hunts, I’ve come to find, they really are the “Jack of All Trades” when it comes to Sitka’s lineup.

The camouflage works well. I bought the “sub-alpine” version of these pants, with a digital pattern of browns, greens, tans, and blacks. They blend in well with Alaska’s southeast climate, and are at home in the mountains of Northern Utah and Southern Idaho. I’ve heard several hunters claim that animals look over them while wearing Sitka camo (check out Billy Kennington’s article “Sitka Review – 5 First Pieces” to see how game saw “through him”).

The pants are also extremely quiet, adding to the stealth factor. All the zippers are quiet, the buttons silent, and the fabric itself doesn’t crinkle or rustle when you’re on the move. These pants work just as well on the stalk as they do charging down ridgelines.

The pant’s also hold up well in temperatures of high-50’s to low 30’s. After a shed hunt where morning temperatures dipped below freezing, then climbed to high 40’s with the sun shining, and then quickly dove again to freezing as snowflakes began to fall, I was convinced at the wide range of climates these pants could handle.

Anything warmer and I would suggest Sitka’s Mountain Pant, and anything cooler you could throw on a pair of thermals and be fine.

Is It Worth It?

A lot of praise.

A lot of nice features.

And a lot of money.

So you might be asking yourself are all those Sitka “Gucci” hunting features and technology worth it?

I bought these hunting pants several months ago, and have never regretted it. I would happily spend another $229 on a pair of Sitka Timberlines. They keep me on my feet longer, keep my mind sharper, and ultimately, help me hunt harder.

 

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