Bushwhacking pants

Tough AND light eh? Hmm :) I don't know of anything really… but two ideas that come to mind are heavy duty gaiters (would protect and streamline the area that's taking the most abuse) or chainsaw pants… both of which are extremely tough… but not light… or cheap (quality gaiters can run close to $70+… and chainsaw pants are in the $200 range).

The Montane Atomic DT pants are made of Entrant DT which is pretty tough. ~ 170 g in M.

You may be searching for the holy grail of pants. I hope you can find something that fits your needs as I've yet to find the perfect pants for that category.

If the durability is more important, the closest I've managed was simply military BDU's (not the cotton knock offs). 511tactical.com sells them in a variety of types and they are indeed tough but the good ones are only medium or heavy weight. They are still lighter than most other even medium durability options and if it was important enough one could remove many of the pockets and features to lighten it up significantly with only a pair of nippers.

All of my attempts at light weight pants for bushwacking have ended up back at REI with holes in them. Which thanks to their 100% promises of quality has made me more willing to try some of their brands that promise to handle such things. So far, it hasn't happened despite trying a dozen pairs or more.

If light weight is more important then I've had best luck (oddly) with more mainstream companies like Columbia instead of the specialty companies such as Montbell, Mammut, OR or North Face. The columbia convertable pants last me about two seasons worth of use before I'm patching small holes, but that's better than the 1/2 of a trip for the north face ones I've tried. Maybe I'm just too hard on my pants.

I know a few members here in Australia that rely on Taslan trousers for bushwacking which may be the best option overall but they simply aren't commercially available here in the states for me to really test and comment on them. Rodger did however put together some DIY patterns in the premium content I believe.

If it's just burrs you are worried about then putting on your rain or wind shell pants will usually shed them. The downside is heat and humidity management get much harder when hiking in a shell. The down side is of course, that if it's actual branches and throns then most anything is going to get shredded.

I wear ".511" brand nylon Tactical pants for desert backpacking and hiking. The Mojave Desert's plants are 99% sharp and jageddy. The .511 Tactical pants are TOUGH and protective. They come in light cotton canvas or nylon canvas. I have two pair of the nylon canvas pants and love them. They are $49.95 and, IMHO, better than RailRiders muuch pricier nylon pants.

FEATURES:
1. double knees W/ inside vertical "pocket" to insert .511's neporene knee pads – good for rock scrambling.
2. double seat
3. right rear climbing gear nylon webbing "rack"
4. cell phone/GPS pocket (L. front)

Eric

As Joe said, you are chasing the holy grail.

Yes, I make my own out of Taslan nylon, and they work well. There is a pattern in the article
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/make_your_own_gear_trousers.html

There are two other alternatives:

* RailRider make the Backcountry Khakis Pants, at 11 ounces, and the Adventure Khakis at 7 ounces. However, while tough both are a bit more breezy, and not that light.

Go down to your local cheap sports/discount shop and buy some cheap light nylon track pants, summer weight (not the fluffy ones!). Brand doesn't matter – all made in China. Rip any lining out of them. They will come close to what you want at a very low price. And they last a surprising length of time.

Cheers

just wear shorts and man up.

i don't know of any pants that are tough and light ive always just worn shorts.

I knew I could count on this community for help.

Roger, great advice and article. I can barely sew a straight line. I have made some stuff sacks and may try a tarp in the future, but my skills are not there yet to attempt this project. (Like the new avatar – more clothes on-ha ha)

Eric and Joe, I am leaning toward the 5.11 tactical nylon pant for its toughness and price.

Jay, Sorry dude, but my legs are so hairy that they would pick-up more than the supplex pants did.

Thanks all,

Dave

Then shave your legs of course! Saves weight, too.

I've got a pair of '06ish Patagonia French Roast pants. Thus far they fit all the aforementioned criteria, and I won't be mistaken for a SEAL.