Flannel-lined pants-

I'm not into tactical gear so I get mine as plain old jeans from Sportmans Guide.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/30-inseam-santa-fe-flannel-lined-jeans-indigo.aspx?a=729495

They have the tactical stuff too.

Carl

Hey Mr. File,
Tis the season for flannel lined pants here in the upper Okanogan too. I have worn Carhartt for years, both fleece-lined and flannel-lined, and my view is that for winter wear, it don't get much better than Carhartt for us folks in the northern tier of states. I followed your link and just on a whim ordered a pair of those LA Police Gear flannel lined pants. They were on sale for 30 bucks so I figured why not. Was startled a bit about the UPS Ground shipping charge of 12 bucks which I think is a little excessive for a $30 pair of pants but what the heck. It's important for me to know which pants are best for the climate I live in, so I took it as a challenge. Will let you know my product review when I get those pants. Am vaguely wondering why p'licemen in Los Angeles would ever need flannel-lined pants, but maybe it gets cold down there on the beach in Malibu sometimes.

Your weather there in MT is very similar to what I got here tonight. 20-25 knots of wind out of the NE, gusts to 35knots, and the thermometer in the woodshed (protected and out of the wind) is currently reading 20F but prediction is for -10F by tomorrow morning. I live right on the shore of a long lake which straddles the Canadian border. The Hawk is coming down that lake in full force tonight. Ice forming on the beach. I haven't ventured out on the windward side of the house for 3 days.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.
BC

I have 2 light weight L L Bean lined jeans and a heavy lined pair from Wrangler. The later I wear for the cold hunting without long johns. If I want to briar bust I have a pair of light weight chaps that are in my vehicle 100% of the time except when I slip them into my hunting pack. I wore the Wranglers last week for some survey work. It was cool, but my personal system was down with possible flu and I just had to get some field work in. Once or twice I felt a touch warm but a quick adjustment of upper layers kept me even.

A few weeks ago my wife and I stopped into the Woolrich Outlet in Woolrich, PA on the way to the Penn State-Michigan game. I saw and liked the lined tactical pants and also liked the Middle Eastern style tactical shirt. I was not impressed that nothing appeared to be US made, so I will buy from Dick's or Tractor Supply. We both kind of agreed that if we never got back to Woolrich it would be no big loss. My wife is still looking for a decent lined pair of jeans in a woman's cut.

She's busted briars for me on a few wetlands locations. Since it is not great precision I have tried to teach her to use the gun. After 2 or 3 shots with me giving constant radio instructions she just busts in to where ever I am and rips away the rod, glares at me and I scamper back. I pity the bear that gets in her way.

Paul in PA

Yup. Good ol' blue jeans with flannel lining are very nice on cold, breezy days. Wish I had discovered them sooner. Add some insulated long johns for very cold days. That'll keep the jewels comfortable.

"Cotton Kills"

Anyone working outside who is subjected to water in the form of rain, freezing rain, wet snow, and is in contact with wet trees and brush should take a look at traditional wool. It is water resistant and retains the heat even when wet. Some years ago we hired a Paul Smith surveying graduate. The term "cotton kills" was something that she repeated a number times having picked it up at school. She wore wool manufactured locally by Johnson Woolen Mills, as I have always done. My long time assistant who had retired in his mid 60's from logging and farming and helped me survey into his mid 80's wore flannel lined jeans and got along quite well, so it is definitely a matter of taste. I imagine there have been some cotton casualties, people stranded far from roads with wet through cotton garments.

Willard

I have a wool bibs I use when it's real cold, but usually I use dickies for winter surveying with long underwear underneath. Dickies are a 60/40 cotton/poly blend. It has enough poly so that moisture will NOT wick it's way up your pantlegs like cotton.

Willard

Yeah, that wicking is the problem. A fabric that would defeat wicking and absorbtion without the weight of wool would be good. Another reason I like wool is that there is nothing quieter in the brush for hunting according to those who have made comparisons. But it does look a little old fashioned. I remember one year when I was single staying in hunting camp. Still had my hunting clothes on and after a few drinks it seemed like a good idea to visit an upscale bar at the Sugarbush Resort which is just across the valley. Everyone was very polite but looked a little scared seeing an original mountain man come in out of the cold. Can't believe I did that.

"Cotton Kills"

The term "cotton kills" was something that she repeated a number times having picked it up at school. She wore wool manufactured locally by Johnson Woolen Mills, as I have always done. My long time assistant who had retired in his mid 60's from logging and farming and helped me survey into his mid 80's wore flannel lined jeans and got along quite well, so it is definitely a matter of taste. I imagine there have been some cotton casualties, people stranded far from roads with wet through cotton garments.

I agree with everything you said. The "cotton kills" cry is nothing more than a slogan developed by the non-cotton industry. I have always worn cotton or a blend of cotton with the wool pants on the outside. I am happy to announce that I am still alive and kicking. If you get Severely wet in the winter and are very far from the truck you probably won't make it out alive no matter what you are wearing.

5.1 tactical is pretty good stuff. Not quite as good as carhart, but pretty good nonetheless.

All my cop buddies wear that gear. It's comfortable, breaths, etc.

"Cotton Kills"

100% wool will retain 80% of it's heating properties when soaking wet.

That's why when it's really cold, I have 100% wool clothing that I wear. I don't wear it often in Texas, but it's handy when you need it. It's about 10 years old now, and in great shape, so long as I stay in shape (any shape but round if you get my drift).