What do you put in cargo pockets?

Bulky things you need to put away but aren’t ready to stop and take off your pack to do it like your gloves?

The facetious answer is cargo, in the army we were told to use them for nothing heavier than folded maps, so something light weight and flat. Bandanna? That said I find the ones on my windproofs good for my gloves and/or overmittens when I get to warm to wear them

As @sbhikes said. Also, I use the for valuables (wallet, ID etc) when I prefer to keep them on me when sleeping; it’s more comfortable than having them in hip pockets.

Just pretend they are not there. I dislike pants pockets all together. Cargo pockets are the worst. Not to mention the fashion nightmare,lol.

I don’t know that I’d ever try breeks, but I’ve been thinking that I should try winter hiking my whipcord wool pants and tweed blazer.  I’m not using them for the office anymore.

I tend to buy pants without the cargo pockets for the exact reason you mention, objects rubbing against the leg.

But for the pants that do have them: maps, compass, permits when required, smallish thin snacks.

10+ year old REI nylon cargo pants; my pockets look much roomier than yours…

In cargo pockets:

SOL Emergency Bivy

Aquamira tabs

Paper Map

Coghlans Combination Lensatic / Map Compass, with included instructions in included nylon pouch

Coghlans laminated Glass Signal Mirror (has instructions printed on back) and SOL Slim Rescue Howler plastic whistle both in a 5iveStarGear survival mirror nylon pouch

Light My Fire Firesteel mini 1500 Fero-rod and striker wrapped around one of those waterproof plastic match cases with the o-rings – inside I have water proof matches and vasoline soaked cotton balls

So I generally have 5 ‘things’ in my pockets – bivy and map in the left pocket; compass, mirror+whistle, and fire starter kit in my right pocket (which has a zipper in addition to the velcro flap). The aquamira disappears in the pockets. I usually keep my ‘normal’ pockets empty, available to hold stuff like gloves if I don’t want to put them down.

I’ve considered that the aquamira tabs are useless without a water container but they are so small I just leave them in. A lifstraw strapped to my belt better completes the emergency-pants-kit, but is kinda bulky. Moreover, whatever survival situation this gear implies would likely benefit from a larger cutting tool, which I generally don’t want to carry either.

The only thing I ever carry there on purpose (other than temporarily) is map+compass.  Even that is only if the pocket provides a LOT of expansion space.  Anything that pulls the pants tight around the thigh is sheer misery, especially on steeper trails.

While hiking I keep an empty sandwich-sized ziploc in my left cargo pocket (which just has a flap) that use for depositing trash (wrappers, bottle caps, etc.) that I find along the trail.  I then unload it, returning the empty to my pocket, into my main trash bag at breaks so the trash is never in the pocket for more than 3-4 hours.

I’m a hammock-camper and at night my phone goes into my right zipped cargo pocket so I can find it easily and so that it doesn’t slip out and end up under me.

Other than that they’re empty.

I like roomy cargo pockets (two is sufficient) but have a hard time finding them- seems like one small one is the most common layout for some reason.

I’ve got a couple of hunting pants that have them (two), but the fabrics are a little heavy for backpacking.

I keep a half Buff and cell phone in one and light gloves, map and headlamp in the other

Cargo pockets-hate ’em. All they do is make the pants more expensive, and hotter in warm weather, bulkier, increased weight. Anything I put in them rubs against my leg, it just doesn’t feel right.

Phone, keys, wallet at a minimum. I like cargo pockets that zip to keep the keys and phone secure.

I like having those 3 items on me at all times except when I’m sleeping. Losing any of them would be a huge problem.

Mostly my cargo pockets hold the promise of getting pulled aside in a TSA check point.

A zippered pocket to keep keys (and possibly wallet, but usually that’s in the car) is handy.  6 years ago in Hawaii and earlier this summer in Alaska, I repeated a fair portion of a hike to go back and find the keys that I dropped when pulling out a bandana or snack.

I like side cargo pockets. I got used to them as a kid when I’d stash a bunch of hacky sacks in for juggling (I brought them everywhere). I prefer the weight of items down on the side than in front or back like normal pockets. I don’t really go out of my way to buy pants with cargo pockets anymore but when I do I tend to use the pockets. They are easier to access when sitting.

The problem with many cargo pockets is that they’re designed for the fashionista crowd and weren’t actually meant to be used.  If they are sewn flat, then any objects stowed in them will pull tight against the leg, and most fashionista pant legs these days are sewn slim to skin tight, marketed as being made of stretch material of some sort, usually lycra, which impedes quick drying…not really meant for hiking.  I prefer some volume in my trousers for freedom of movement and air circulation.  (By the way, pants are for girls, trousers are for boys).  Another hallmark of the fashionista cargo pocket is that they are always located on the front of the leg, and as pointed out, is exceedingly aggravating as they bang against one’s leg with every step.  So, cargo pockets that are truly utilitarian are sewn on the side, not flat, incorporate some sort of bellows design, and made of quick drying nylon sans lycra.  Brands such as White Sierra and Dakota Grizzly can be had at Sierra Trading post for $25 or less, usually weigh in at around 10 oz, and can be straight legged or convertible.  As a plus, skeeters have a tough time drilling through nylon, unlike lycra!

As for items carried in the cargoes: lip balm, pocket knife, ferro rod, small vials of bug juice and sun screen, sanitizer, tiny pulsar light, compass, etc.  Nothing goes into the main pockets except maybe gloves because I’ve had stuff fall out; cargo pockets zip or velcro shut.

Well, I’ve had a few days on the fell with my new Scandi breeks.

Monty is right – the cargo pockets seem more designed for fashion than function.

They go right down to the knees, making it difficult to get anything out. Anything hard, like a compass, just bangs against your knee and would get crushed when you kneel. Anything stiff like a map is horribly uncomfortable. And the lining scrapes against your skin when you’re ascending. The only thing that fits without being annoying is a buff.

Pity – because otherwise its a good cut with excellent freedom of movement and quick drying. I think I’ll simply cut out the lining – not something you expect to have to do with a high-end product, even if you did get it in a sale…

Toilet paper in Ziploc….cargo pocket

Credit cards / money / key in little cuben sack….zippered pocket

Map/guide pages needed frequently in ziplock…..cargo pocket/front pocket

Phone in ziplock…..front pocket

I’m surprised that nobody else has mentioned this, but what goes in my cargo pockets are the zip-off legs to the pants.  That, and maybe a map if I really have to pay attention to navigation…

I like that idea!

Zip off, convertible pants are an abomination. Always bad tailoring, fit

Either that, Ken, or your body is the wrong shape.  Blame the pants!  (kidding)

I don’t worry very much about looks in the backcountry.  But I love the fact that I can start hiking with temps in the 40s and zip off the legs when it gets into the 70s and I’m going uphill…

Other things that appear wrong to me with modern hiking pants:

Different model numbers from same manufacturer, have different fit for the exact same size despite the fit guidelines on the web page. Examples: Prana, ExOfficio

Super shallow, super skinny front side and back pockets that hardly fit a men’s wallet. Examples: ExOfficio

Super short front fly zippers.

In a men’s pant, no difference in rise although the inseam changes, for example from 30 inch to 34 inch

I suspect that all the US based manufacturers are using the same 5 or 6 contract manufacturers in China.  While the outdoor clothing designers are focused on look over function, the supply chain folks push for cost reductions. So the contract manufacturers cut costs. And the quality control folks, if such exist, never check the cost reduced designs on the usability of things like pockets.

Those US based manufacturers are not really ‘manufacturers’. They are just trading houses. Sadly, it seems to be the way so many companies go – cheap cheap cheap. Well, cheap on the buying side, anyhow.

I either MYOG our clothing or buy direct from (China etc) via ebay. That seems to halve the cost or better. Same factories, same quality, no middle-man mark-up. Sad for the local shops, but the retail environment HAS changed.

Cheers

Aside from the cargo pockets, how do they fit? I was on the search for a proper hiking knickerbocker about a year ago. Ended up going with the Patagonia Venga Rock Knicker. They have a useless cargo pocket you can’t get anything out of once put in. Hey Geoff, why do you call them “breeks”