Boots and Pants for Archery Elk in late Sept.

[Kessler10]

I have worn the same boots for about 6 years. Gore-tex lighter weight boot. Never had any issues with them and they are comfortable. is there any reason I should look for new boots for upcoming trip? They are getting old, but no holes or anything coming apart on them. Wondering if I should invest in new boots before 2015 archery elk season where I will be doing a lot of hiking, or just stick with what has worked for me for so long? Or maybe buy some cheaper backup boots to have along with me?

Also, I know for sure I want to invest in new pants. I have heard the Sitka Timberland are great. (I think that was the name.) But also saw they are around $250. Any other pants, Sitcka or under armour, closer to the $150 range for early season archery in the mountains that would be a good buy? I was thinking "water resistant" would be good enough for September Archery in Montana.....or is getting "waterproof" recommended?
Thanks!

[Indian Summer]

In all honesty if your trusty old broken in pair of boots are showing no signs that they are ready to self destruct I'd stick with them.

As far as the pants.... since Sitka is about to release a bunch of new stuff I'd sign onto Camofire and keep your eye open for those Timberlines. Elknut will agree with me when I say you can't go wrong with Sitka and you'll love them.

[timberland]

Check out Core4Element Highline pants.

[Elkduds]

Quote from Sitka website:

Like the Ascent Jacket, the Ascent Pant offers maximum breathability and mobility. This is our go-to pant for any warm weather western hunt.

I got a pair last year, they are remarkable. I just added base layers as temps got colder.

[jmez]

What size pants? The Mountain pants work well for Sept archery season.

[Freebird134]

I've war the ascents exclusively for the last 5 years on sept hunts with no complaints. I'm curious about the mountain pants, but the ascents have always been great.

[ferris bugler]

Get pants from Kuiu. I love mine. The most function;l hunting pant I've ever worn. Works in all kinds of weather. As far as the boots go, as long as you don't feel sore on the soles of your feet they should be good to go. But after you spend the entire summer getting in shape for elk season they will be worn out.

[Indian Summer]

I wouldn't wear those boots to stay in shape. Once I have a good pair of elk hunting boots broken in I don't use them for anything other than actual elk hunting.

As far as the Sitka pants: Ascent is a thinner fabric than the Mountain Pants and Timberlines. But the Mountains & Timberlines are definitely not too heavy for warmer weather. If I knew for sure I would be hunting in warm to hot weather I might go with the Ascent. The only difference between the Mountain Pants and the Timberlines is that Timberlines have a waterproof seat and knees which is awesome. The same guy started Sitka and KUIU so they are nearly identical products. I think the only reason I'd choose one over the other is preference of camo pattern.

[Kessler10]

Seems like the only camo pattern I can find in the Acsent pant is that "optifade", seems like more of an open country type camo. Does it make that much different in your opinion?

[Indian Summer]

That's all I own and the dead elk I've known never mentioned that it bothered them. I think a whitetail is the ultimate test of camo and I've won a few staring contests wearing the Optifade.

Seriously though... I would highly suggest the ones that are heavier than the Ascent. That material is extremely light. It's like one step up from being naked! I consider the others to be lightweight as well really. It surprises me how well they hold up.

[BadgerStateBugler]

I have been very impressed with the Core4Element switchback pants, in the mothwing mountain mimicry pattern. I wish they were still making gear in that pattern.
I also noticed the new Alpine pants from KUIU, these look like some great pants at a semi-affordable price!!

Another pant that I like is the Predator camo, poly-stalker pants. These are very durable, lightweight, AWESOME pattern, the only downfall I have found is the extremely shallow front hand pockets. The price is good as well, if I recall correctly I found them priced the lowest at Basspro.com

[BadgerStateBugler]

Correction....The predator pants I posted about earlier were the Poly 6 Pocket Pants, these are much like the cabelas microtex line or my favorite material of all time. SADDLECLOTH

[Kessler10]

Seriously though... I would highly suggest the ones that are heavier than the Ascent. That material is extremely light. It's like one step up from being naked! I consider the others to be lightweight as well really. It surprises me how well they hold up.

What about the Sitka Men's 90% Pant? They actually had these in stock at the Cabelas near my house and they are on sale , so I was able to actually get a life like feel of the pants. Which really helps of course. They seemed perfect. Didn't make the purchase yet, but liked what I saw. Are these much different than the Tibmerline or Moutnains pants from Sitka? Or even the Ascent pant, from what you know?

[Kessler10]

Also, is the only difference between the Mountain and Timberline pants the waterproof/padded knees and seat? Beside that they are the same?

[Indian Summer]

Yes... other than that they are the same. The 90% material is about halfway between the Ascent and those two.

I feel that the Timberline/Mountain pants is as light as I want to go. I can handle the warmest of days no problem and they are durable. But it's been a long time since I have checked out the 90% so I can say exactly how much lighter that material is. Maybe Elknut will chime in on that.

[pointysticks]

buy KUIU. i wear the ATTACK pant and it is the hikingest pant ever. there is this weird gusset in the crouch that just allows more movement when you take those big awkward steps in the wilderness. i went 6 days straight last year in them and still wore them to IN/OUT burger on the drive home..and didnt stink up anything. i love the VERDE camo pattern.

if you opt for KUIU. you buy from them. call them!! and order old school. ask, "hey..do you have any coupon codes?". i am 100% on some random discount they have floating around in their heads. my last discount was 20%. i get to shop at the store tho..i live about 45 mins away, and there is an awesome sushi joint nearby, so i can typically drag along my eye-rolling wife with her one single camo joke, "wait, cliff, where are you? i cant see you!". it is really so old it stay funny. maybe you have to be there.

they are NOT the best for brush crashing..i have pulled up some burrs in the AZ desert where everything wants to stab you, take a ride, germinate, and populate your front yard.

[EVD]

I have and like both the ascent and mountain pants. The ascent are a little lighter weight for warmer days, but it's close. Ended up taking the knee pads out of the mountain pant. Picking up a pair of KUIU next.

For boots, I'd say whatever is comfortable and broken in, but not falling apart.