New Pants!!

[Elkduds]

As a fan of Mountain Mimicry camo, I have had to get by on a few C4E clearance items from Camofire. And my used Sitka Ascent pants, 90% pants/jacket came came from classifieds. The guys @ Camofire suggested last spring that a new manufacturer might revive MM camo. It's here! Sylo is the brand, and their Natural pants just fell off the Wells Fargo wagon. I'm very impressed.

Thinking of my mid-Nov hunt coming up, I pulled the trigger. The Natural is a softshell DWR water resistant/breathable pant w patterned microfleece lining, of a little heavier and less fleecy fabric than my older 90% pant. I'd say these are a little warmer than a 90% pant. Removable elastic/rubber grip suspenders, removable thick knee pads in zippered compartments w double layer knee fabric. Button closure, belt loops, rubberized stay-tucked waist. Cuffs are snap/drawstring, w 8" zippers. Standard hip pockets, thigh cargo pockets w single snap flaps. Each cargo pocket has a zipper pocket on the outside. 2 rear pockets have zip closures.

Genius bits: You know pit zips? These pants have crotch zips. Mesh-lined zipper vents 8" down the inside of thighs. And the fly zipper is 2 way, opens from the top and bottom! I don't get out much, so this is new technology to me. These pants are built to pamper the junk

Fit: These 34 regulars are barely 34" around, not much stretch in the waist. A light base layer will fit. Camofire recommends ordering a size larger but I went w my pant size. Fabric is 4 way stretch. The crotch is about as long as Ascent, which is good for my 5/11, 165# self. No binding during squats. Inseam length is 33" I think for the regular, long is also available. W boots on these will not drag on my 31" inseam, so length is good as well. Knee pads hang just below kneecaps while walking, right where I like them.

I paid $136 w shipping. If they are as durable as they appear, it will be a good value. MM is the only pattern available.

[Rangerz]

I saw these as well and was thinking about them.

Question: How much stretch do they have?

One thing I like about the C4 Swithchback pants is the little bit of give that they have.

[Elkduds]

They stretch almost as much as 90% pants in legs, hips, crotch, plenty for my needs. As note above, little stretch in the waist. Also the Sylo Natural is on Camofire this morning.

[Rangerz]

Just picked up a pair and like them. Heavier than the core 4 switchback pants, but should be great for later seasons.

[Elkduds]

I wore the Sylo Natural softshell pants for 2 days last week. Light polypro base layer underneath. Temps 10 degrees to high 40s. Excellent pant, warmer than Sitka 90%, which I wore the 3 days before in slightly warmer temps. Sylo pant is a softshell exterior, so is louder and stiffer than the 90%, not an issue for rifle hunting. It has a grid-pattern fleece lining, warm and breathable. I zipped open the crotch vents a few times when walking during the warm part of the day, which cooled the jewels. I did not use the suspenders; a belt held the pants up, even w a lumbar pack around my waist, so the rubber waist gripper worked well. More pockets than the 90%, and the hip pockets are much deeper, so stuff doesn't fall out like it did w the 90%. Sylo pant has 12" zippers on lower legs to take off over boots. I removed the knee pads for this hunt as I was not crawling. Bottom line, I'm keeping these pants for use during later seasons, and will try them w no base layer during warmer hunts.

[Elkduds]

Full review I sent to SYLO manufacturer:

Sylo Natural softshell pants w crotch vents open.

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I gave the Natural pants a head-to-head comparison against my older Sitka 90% pants on a recent elk hunt. It was Nov. in CO, unseasonably warm. Teens before sunrise, 40s during afternoons. Base layer was medium weight polypro. I did not use suspenders or knee pads. The Naturals were a little heavier and considerably warmer. Hip pockets on the Nats are much deeper and thus better than on the 90s. I used the crotch vents, they worked noticeably when it warmed up. I like the 2 way fly zipper when I remembered to use it. All pockets are large, useful. I was impressed w the friction fabric outside hip pockets, for knife clips. The more substantial Nats stretch enough to allow long strides and high steps, though not as stretchy as the 90s. The outer fabric of the Nats is thicker and louder than the 90s, not significant for rifle hunting. Maybe it will soften w laundering/wear? Anyway, these pants are likely too heavy for early archery season wear. Cuffs and pant legs zippers work well, can be used for venting as well. The DNR kept me dry in shallow snow, while the pants breathed better than expected, given their thickness. I'm impressed by the Nats. They are my go-to choice for temps below freezing. These will sell well if the word gets out. Thanks for a superior product that improved my performance on my latest Nov.CO elk hunt.