The ten Finest Ladies’s Searching Pants in 2024

How We Tested the Best Women’s Hunting Pants

We hunt in a variety of terrains in a ton of varying conditions, and we hunt year-round. From subalpine environments to the desert and everything in between, we’ve tested women’s hunting pants in just about every possible scenario.

After generations of having to hunt in hand-me-down hunting gear that was designed for men or having to fork over the cash for gear not made for us, we’re hard on women’s hunting gear because we want it to perform. We’re critical because we’ve had to be. We have nearly unlimited options for women’s gear now, and we’re always elated to put new hunting pants to the test.

We’re rough on hunting clothes. They get thrown, balled up, soaked, and soiled, and to be honest, a care label has likely not been read around here. Our pants, in particular, get stained, snagged, and cut because we actually use them for hunting.

We have testers on both coasts and everywhere in between. We hunt everything from screaming elk in September to mountain lions in the snow. Our team loves to chase birds behind working dogs and crawl through brush to sneak up on the infamous speed goats of the West.

Whether in a tree stand, spot and stalk, on snowmobile, or on horseback, we certainly run as many hunt scenarios as we can to help you decide which hunting pants will work for your specific venture.

And we’re glad to beat our gear up so you know where your penny is best spent. Be sure to check out our women’s–specific hunting boots and hunting jacket guides to help keep your feet happy and the rest of you warm and dry all season.

Any pair of pants that offers you comfort, protection, and the ability to move about in varying terrain can make a great hunting pant. I spent the vast majority of my early years hunting in Wrangler jeans and Carhartts. To this day, I bet I toss on a variety of canvas work pants for quick day hunts more than my dedicated hunting pants.

Much of the reason for this was initially a lack of options. Today, there is no shortage of women’s hunting gear available. Just a few short years ago, we couldn’t make that same statement.

So, how do you choose the best hunting pants for you? Let’s break it down.

Understand the Terrain

When it comes down to the best hunting pants for your chase, one of the most important aspects (besides budget) is knowing your terrain.

Are you going to be busting through the rough brush, or are you just walking up a maintained trail? Are you crossing streams and climbing? How many fences will you have to wiggle your way over? These are all questions you should be asking yourself before you invest your hard-earned money on a pair of hunting pants.

There’s no reason to go all in for a reinforced seat and knees if you don’t need them. If you end up going too lightweight and have to bushwhack your way to your target, you will regret it. Get a feel for your hunting terrain and take that into consideration before looking at pants.

Warmth vs. Breathability vs. Weatherproof

If you’re hunting in dry, hot conditions with a lot of sharp brush around, you’ll likely not care much about a waterproof pant and care more about breathability and protection. For hunters who spend a lot of time in late-season, snowy conditions, you’ll want to look at lined or insulated pants. For wet weather, you should avoid cotton and wool as an outer layer.

You need to look at and consider the build of your pants, including insulation, outer and inner material, and reinforced areas.

If warmth is what will keep you out there longer, make sure you invest in insulated pants and high-quality base layers.

If staying cool and hydrated is important, forgo waterproof layers and opt for lightweight breathability, such as nylon and wool.

Camouflage vs. Solids

Understanding your target species and how they perceive their environment will help you determine whether or not camo is really necessary for your hunt.

Are you hunting a species that relies more heavily on smell or sight? For a general elk and deer season, you may be just fine in solids (though camo never hurts). For turkey, you’ll probably want to make sure you have a camo pattern that most closely matches your environment.

If you’re rifle hunting, your need for camo is far less important than if you’re bow hunting.

From there, you can decide which colors and patterns best match your terrain and conditions. In the end, camouflage never hurts and can be used on a variety of hunts, so you really can’t go wrong with choosing an applicable pattern for your area and utilizing those pants throughout the year.

Price & Value

Hunting gear is expensive, and pants are no exception to the rule. Though there is always a huge push for everyone to have the most expensive, top-of-the-line gear, we can assure you it isn’t the most important thing. If you already have a comfortable pair of pants that work in the conditions you’ll be hunting in, wear them. So long as you can stay in the field, be protected, and blend into your environment, go for it.

Budget

There is no reason to feel obligated to buy a pair of specific hunting pants. Canvas work pants are a great option for a hunting pant that doubles as a regular pair of clothing (though they can be noisy). Remember, your grandparents likely hunted in a red flannel and jeans. So long as you put in the work, you can get the job done. There are also so many options for budget hunting pants these days.

The Magellan Outdoors Stonewall Cargo Pant ($30) is our favorite budget pick thanks to its comfy fit, useful pockets, and camo options. However, these are a poor choice if you primarily hunt in the backcountry and need serious weather protection.

Mid-Tier

Spending from $150 to $250 can get you outfitted in a pair of versatile, technical hunting pants. We’re talking articulated and reinforced knees, durable waterproof treatments, and a fair amount of stretch for mobility. These pants sometimes even feature insulation for the colder months.

Our top pick, the KUIU Attack Pant ($149) falls into this category. It does everything you need it to, doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, and while it isn’t insulated, you can always throw a base layer on underneath. If the budget only allows for one pair of hunting pants and you don’t need something waterproof, end your search here.

Premium

$250 and above gets you into specialty bibs and waders, and while they are expensive, their features are worth the price and sometimes mandatory for a successful hunt. The First Lite Core Bibs ($450) are designed to keep you warm during long stints in a treestand or whenever you need to be stationary for a while and the temps are below freezing.

If you’re hunting waterfowl, a pair of waterproof waders are essential, and while not technically “pants” the LaCrosse Estuary Hunting Waders ($300) are constructed from Lycra, neoprene, and Thinsulate to keep you warm while trudging through the water. And at $300, they’re pretty darn affordable as far as waders go.

Frequently Asked Questions

We gathered up some of the more popular questions about women’s hunting pants, and we hope they help you pick the right women’s hunting pants for you.

Of course, you can always wear a pair of men’s hunting pants, as long as they fit you and you are comfortable in them. Most adult female hunters who have been hunting their whole lives have likely spent more time in men’s gear than they have in women’s.

That being said, if you’re going to invest in a pair of dedicated hunting pants, you may as well go with a pair that has a fit and function best suited for your body. Many women’s hunting pants have adjustable waists, a higher rise, a more curvier cut, and a bit more stretch than the men’s version.

It really comes down to what you are most comfortable in.

If you’re spending any amount of money on hunting gear, it pays to take good care of it. Wool certainly needs a gentler hand. And you’d be surprised how much body scent synthetics can retain even after going through your normal laundry routine.

Thankfully, there are simple options that can easily fold into your laundry routine. One option GearJunkie likes is Active Wear Detergent, and you can read founder Stephen Regenold’s review on it here.

Two other options come from Nikwax. Nikwax Wool Wash is a machine-friendly option for merino and other wools, and Nikwax Tech Wash does the same for synthetics.

Remember to use scentless products to eliminate any chance that a big ol’ whitetail deer catches a Cotton Fresh breeze and decides to book a flight from your deliciously scented location.

The short answer is yes, they can be. The longer answer is: they can either be the best or worst choice.
GearJunkie’s own Sean McCoy has been hunting in his grandpa’s 80-year-old Woolrich pants for a lifetime. They’re low on scent, high on warmth, easy to fix, and durable.

Wool can be expensive. However, if you’re pressed for cash, go to your local Goodwill, thrift store, or pawn shop. Sift through clothes until you find a heavy pair of wool pants.

Just be aware that when it comes to old-school wool, you can get in trouble really quickly if a sudden downpour breaks loose. Wool can absorb a ton of water, and those vintage spun pants can become a heavyweight ice box in a matter of minutes.

A safer choice may be to go with a water resistent outer layer and keep your wool layer next to your skin.