KUIU Attack Pants are heavyweight softshell pants that have side vents along the upper thigh to vent heat and help regulate your temperature on strenuous hikes. Originally designed for hunters, they’re a good choice for winter hiking if you run cold, by themselves, or layered over long underwear. While they’re not as form-fitting as the softshell pants designed for winter sports and lack more technical features like ankle zips or a buried belt, their low-profile pockets, breathability, and durability make them an attractive option for winter hiking. Although KUIU specializes in clothing for hikers, their garments are also available in a wide range of non-camouflage colors and well well-suited for backcountry use
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- Gender: Men’s (Women’s available)
- Pockets: 6
- Closure: Button, zipper
- Thigh vents: zippered
- Material: 247 g/m² Primeflex Polyester
- Weight: 19.5 oz (Men’s 38s)
- Brushed inside to eliminate chafing and add warmth
- Articulated knees
- Gusseted Crotch
- Belt Loops
I first learned about KUIU Attack Pants here on SectionHiker from one of my readers, but it was only after running into an acquaintance wearing them (on a remote winter hike) that I decided to buy a pair and try them out. While KUIU rates them as moderate-weight pants for use in 40-70F degree temperatures, they are substantially heavier than the other softshell pants I normally wear for winter hiking. They’re also quite roomy, almost boxy, with straight legs and pair well with long underwear.
One of the things that makes the Attack Pant so desirable as winter hiking pants is their zippered thigh vents. These are 11 inches long and backed with synthetic mesh to keep out debris or snow. They’re great to crack open when you start to feel perspiration accumulating in your underwear on strenuous hikes or snowshoe trips. They also pair well with KUIU’s Ultra Merino 145 zip-off long underwear which also has full-length side zips for ventilation and can be taken off without having to take off your boots or pants first.
The Attack Pants have six pockets: two mesh-backed drop pockets in front, two zippered mesh pockets on the thighs, and two zippered rear pockets on the back. The zippers are covered by a fold of fabric for added durability and protection since hunters often stalk animals off-trail through woods and high brush. The thigh pockets are deep enough to store a full-size folded map and compass, providing hipbelt-compatible storage, which can be hard to come by in winter when wearing a backpack and a hardshell jacket.
The legs are cut straight and are wide enough to fit over insulated winter hiking boots, although they can get a bit warm when worn with gaiters. When wearing long underwear with them, you might consider wearing a 3/4 length leg to avoid sweating into your boots. The bottoms of the legs are plain without ankle zips to accommodate larger footwear or gaiter strap hooks to prevent them from riding up. The waistline is similarly plain, without further adjustability except for 1 and 1/2-inch belt loops, a button closure, and a front zipper.
The Attack Pants have a brushed interior so they are quite warm when worn alone. They’re also on the heavy side, weighing 19.5 oz in men’s 38s (short), which is about 30% heavier than the softshell REI Activator Pants (15 oz) I usually wear when it’s 15 degrees or warmer. In addition to extra warmth, that extra heft gives that added durability, making them an excellent option for long winter bushwhacks where you’re likely to encounter deep brush.
Softshell Winter Hiking Pants – Comparison Table
Recommendation
The KUIU Attack Pant is a heavyweight softshell pant suitable for cold weather hiking with zippered side vents so you can regulate your warmth level on strenuous hikes. They have six pockets and lots of interior room to layer with long underwear. I think they’re ideal for hikers who run cold and for off-trail use on winter bushwhacks, when their added warmth and durability provide added assurance in rugged terrain.
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