Sitka Mountain Pants Review: 10 Things You Should Know Before Buying A Pair

If you’re looking for the best Sitka Mountain Pants review, you’ve come to the right place. (No time to read the whole thing? Click here to watch my 1 minute, 55 second video review on these pants).

The lowest prices for the Sitka Gear Mountain Pant? Still the right place. I’ve included them all below. If you decide to buy them and click on one of the links, I’ll make a small commission.

Maybe you were wondering, “Are Sitka Mountain Pants waterproof?” Yep, I’ve got you. Just click here to get the answer.

The Mountain Pants are Sitka’s most versatile pair and the first piece of “gucci” gear I ever tried. After having used them extensively, I’ve been able to form a strong opinion about them. Here’s a few thoughts:

Sitka Mountain Pants Are Very Comfortable

Seriously, they are. Before I tried these pants I was a firm believer that expensive gear like this was “all show”.

But as soon as I put them on, I noticed they were comfortable. Like, a higher-than-normal level of comfort.

So, that said, here’s why:

#1: Comfortable Four-Way Stretch Material

Seriously, every time I write a review on Sitka pants, I’m raving about the four-way stretch material. It really takes the pants to a new level.

Four-way stretch means the pants flex and stretch when you apply pressure. Once you’ve worn something like this, you won’t go back. It eliminates any pinching or binding you’ll feel around the knees or groin when climbing over dead fall, scrambling up steep slopes, and even while sitting down to glass.

My first Sitka Blacktail deer on top of a mountain in Southeast Alaska
This trip was the first time I ever tried the Sitka Gear Mountain Pant.

The material itself is comfortable. It doesn’t itch, it doesn’t pull out you leg hairs (for you hairy fellas), and it does a good job at keeping you cool. After 14 miles of hardcore hiking in Utah back country, I never felt hot in these pants even though I was constantly changing out jackets.

#2: Its Well Fitting Articulated Pattern

The Sitka Gear Mountain Pant is made in an articulated pattern that fits more comfortably than other pants.

A thin, tall waistline help the pants ride your hips more easily, while reducing hot spots underneath a heavy pack. The inside of the waistline features a thin strip of rubber, which helps them hold to your waistline.

A gusseted crotch (meaning a diamond piece of fabric replaces the four crotch seams) allows for greater leg mobility and a more comfortable fit.

Showing the front of the Sitka Mountain Pants with a stream in the background and green grass.
Notice how the pants taper towards the ankle.

And tapered legs allow the pants to fit snugly over your boots, which eliminates extra fabric flopping around while you’re on the move.

#3: Soft, Yet Awkward, Removable Knee Pads

I’m not going to lie, not a big fan of the knee pads. They feel awkward while I’m hiking around and I just don’t kneel down enough for them to really be useful.

However, that doesn’t mean that you won’t like them. The knee pads are an innovative feature which protects your knees as you kneel down, whether that’s to field dress an animal or sneak up on one.

Showing the articulated knee pads.
The articulated knee pads.

The knee pads have a small notch cut out on each side. This allows them to bend easily, reducing any resistance they might give while you’re kneeling down. They’re also feather light, you’ll barely notice any weight difference if you do decide to put them in.

Small Details Concerning Sitka Mountain Pants

Are the pockets big enough? What type of belt can I use with these pants? Will the suspenders give me a wedgie?

Well, only if you tighten them up too much.

Small details matter. They’re the difference between a mediocre product, and a great one. Here’s a few small things I noticed about these pants:

#4: The Sitka Gear Mountain Pant Has Seven Pockets

These pants have two front pockets, four side pockets, and one back pocket.

The two front pockets are plenty spacious for your hands and a few items. The back pocket is slightly smaller but is the perfect fit for a phone. Each of these pockets are fleece lined and zip closed, which is a nice feature considering you don’t want to lose any valuable items to Mother Nature.

The side pockets consist of two main pouches, and two smaller ones on the outside (about the same size as the back pocket) that can be zip closed. The main pockets are big enough to fit various items inside with room to spare. They’re lined with the polyester four-way stretch material, and can be closed with ultra-quiet snaps.

#5: Comes With Removable Suspenders And Has Small Belt Loops

The Sitka Mountain Pants come with removable suspenders.

I really like this feature. When I’m on the move, I strap em’ up. With the help of thin strips of rubber lining, they keep those pants up no problem. And when I’m just chilling around camp, I’ll pop them off my shoulders and just let them hang.

The attachment point for the Sitka Gear Mountain Pant removealbe suspenders
The attachment point for the removable suspenders.

Not a fan of the suspenders? No worries, they hook into the front and back belt loops, so all you have to do is unhook them and you’re good to go. A word of warning though, I have found the belt loops to be a little small, so be sure your belt doesn’t look like something a champion UFC fighter would wear.

#6: That Lovely Two-Way Zipper

Besides the four-way stretch material, I always mention the two-way zipper. Seriously, it’s awesome. When Mother Nature decides to call, you don’t have to worry about shedding your pack or digging around for a zipper. It opens both up and down, so take your pick and let er’ rip.

Holding open the two way zipper.

The Sitka Mountain Pant’s Practical Side

You might be reading this Sitka Mountain Pants review and saying things like:

“Yeah that two-way zipper sounds alright, but what about the camouflage?”

or

“Cool review bro, but that four-way stretch sounds like it might rip on the first branch.”

or

“I know its got knee pads, but are Sitka Mountain Pants waterproof?”

Let me assure you, I’ll answer all these questions right here:

#7: It Comes In Effective Camouflage

The Sitka Gear Mountain Pant comes in three colors. Dirt (brown), Optifade Open Country, and Optifade Sub-Alpine.

The Optifade coloration work great as camouflage. After several wildlife encounters, I’m impressed. While searching out spring bears in Utah, I ran across a group of mule deer. They smelled me, they heard me, but they sure had a hard time finding me.

Showing the Optifade Camo of the Sitka Mountain Pants while glassing another hillside.
Just out here looking for black bears in my Sitka Mountain Pants.

The Optifade Open Country camouflage works well in gray, late-fall/early-spring environments. The Sub-Alpine coloration works great for greener areas, such as Southeast Alaska or late-spring hunts.

The pants are also quiet. The articulated pattern helps prevent excess noise, and I didn’t notice the fabric scraping as I walked (like you’d hear with the Sitka Ascent Pants).

#8: It Handles A Large Variety Of Temperatures And Climates

Sitka Mountain Pants are heavier than the Sitka Ascent Pant, yet lighter than their more robust counterpart, the Sitka Timberline Pant. This makes them suitable for wide ranges in temperature and climate

I’ve used these pants on hunts where 70°F or more was the norm and felt fine. I’ve also used these pants where temperatures dip below freezing, and with proper layering they worked fine.

These pants do very well when it comes to the middle ground, not too hot but not too cold. However, if you’re going to be constantly hunting in the heat or cold, I’d suggest one of Sitka’s other pants mentioned above.

#9: Are Sitka Mountain Pants Waterproof? No.

But they’re water resistant. The pants are covered in a durable water resistant finish, which makes them suitable for hiking through snow and light rain. However, these pant’s will be soaked after any sort of heavy exposure to moisture.

A picture looking down the legs responding to the question "Are Sitka Mountain Pants Waterproof?"
After a wet spring day, with a few light rains, patches of snow, and mud, the Sitka Mountain Pants kept my legs dry.

While hunting in Southeast Alaska, I hiked four miles through thick, wet brush to reach prime deer country. And my pants were soaked.

Also, these pants don’t have the waterproof, nylon ripstock knees and seat like the Sitka Timberline Pants. I found this a little frustrating while trying to sit down on a wet spring day in Northern Utah.

#10: They’re Durable

The first time I wore these pants, I was concerned they’d rip. The material was light, and they felt fragile. But after using these pants for a while, I’ve been impressed.

Showing the only hole I have in my pair of pants.
The only hole I have in these pants.

After two hunting seasons, the only damage I’ve noted is a small hole in the knee and a few loose threads. That’s it. Even after snagging on branches, scraping across rocks, and being in my possession for a few years, they’re still in great shape.

Concluding Thoughts About Sitka Mountain Pants

I wouldn’t suggest these pants if you’re freezing your butt off in a late-season, tree stand hunt or sweating your brains out on an Arizona Coues deer hunt, but if you’re looking for great hunting pants that are a reliable, “jack-of-all-trades” piece of gear, this is it.

Turkey hunts, deer hunts, elk hunts, and everything in between, these pants can take it.

So if you’re looking to buy a pair, check out the prices below.

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And if you think is gear review sucks because I missed something, let me know in the comments below!

Those Low Prices I Promised

Older editions of the Sitka Mountain Pant generally sell for less. Check out the following prices:

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Steeven

    So useful info for Sitka Gear – lots of money will be save

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