Quail season, at least the way we do it, means alot of walking so I need to be able to move confidently through the full range of terrain.  Todays set up;  Lowa Ranger GTX Boots, Danner Uniform Socks, Arborwear Original Tree Climbers Pants, Yates Uniform Rappel Belt, REI MTS Midweight Zip T-Neck Base Top, Storm Whistle, and Ray Bans. 

I have been wearing Carhartt pants for many years and been very happy with them so when Teammate and fellow SAR Tech Glenn Speight insisted that I give Arborwear a try I thought it would be a waste of time.  Truth is I agreed to evaluate the Original Tree Climbers Pants from Arborwear more out of respect for Glenn than anything else.  Good thing he is so persistent because as it turns out, I prefer these pants to my Carhartts. 

Yep, you read me right.  After wearing the Arborwear pants a couple dozen times over the last year I prefer them to the Carhartt Work Dungarees that I used to wear.  That is big.

So what, they are just heavy (12.5oz) cotton canvas pants, right?  True, the fabric and weight are similar as are the double knees and industrial grade construction but the big difference for me is in the fit.  More specifically, the longer rise and Rugged Gusset crotch which makes busting heavy brush, going up hill and scrambling the steeps much easier because they are less restrictive.  They are not stretchy like my jammy comfortable Sitka Gear Ascent Pants nor are they as light and breathable but they are built for a different purpose and are just as good in the stickers and heavy brush as the famous Carhartts.  That makes them my go to pants for hunting quail in Arizonas rugged backcountry.

Could they be better?  Yes.  I am sure that the single side leg pocket works fine for what it was originally designed for but I want something more functional with a simple closure and two would be better.  Other than that, the Arborwear Original Tree Climbers Pants are pretty dern good and the ones I keep reaching for when the situation calls for big boy trousers that are extra robust. 

The Arborwear Tree Climbers Pants are available in sizes 28 to 44 with various inseams and 5 earthy colors.  There is also a bib version.

Thanks.

Wade Nelson
Editor

Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies. 

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