When it comes to early-season hunting pants, there are a few requirements. Almost no pant checks them all. When it comes to womens hunting pants, you have a whole new ball of yarn to unravel. We need them to breathe yet be durable. They have to move and flex with us, yet keep the sharp stuff out. They have to conform to an unlimited configuration of female sizes and shapes, which is almost impossible.

　　The womens version of the Sitka Ascent Pants is what most of the women I know have been asking for. They move, stretch, conform, and breathe. They are stupid comfortable. If yoga pants met hunting pants, fell in love, and had a baby, the Womens Ascent Pants would be born.

　　There is a mens version of the pants, so keep in mind, this review looks at the womens version, which is completely different. Well have the mens review updated soon.

　　Disclaimer: This is a very early review/first look at Sitkas new Ascent Pants. I am wearing them as I write this, and I will wear them tomorrow and likely the next day. I may wear them most days for the rest of my life. Typically, I never review a product this quickly, but these pants are groundbreaking in the world of womens hunting gear. Once I try to rip these things up in some brutal country, this review/first look will be updated.

　　In short: Women spoke, and Sitka listened. The Ascent Pants ($199) seem to be everything we wanted in a comfortable, breathable, stretchy early-season hunting pant. Pending further hardcore testing, these things are flippin sweet if you can handle a bit of audible swoosh.

　　Sitka Womens Ascent Pants Specs Cordura nylon construction Low-profile waistband with integrated belt Pull-on, no-fly front Mesh knee-pad pockets Low-profile zippered cargo pockets Singular, Right-Side Butt Pocket Dedicated Knife Pocket

　　Pros Comfortable Breathable No Constricting Buttons or Clips Stretchy Cons Noisier than Id like Rachelle Schrute Buy Now at Sitka Gear Sitka Ascent Pant First Look/Review

　　Sitka Womens Ascent Pants in Subalpine and Deep Lichen; (photos/Sitka) I spend most of the early season scouting and hunting in anything but hunting pants. Youre more likely to find me in fishing or hiking pants. When temps start tip-toeing into the triple digits, Id rather slice my leg open on a Hawthorne bush than spend the day trudging along with trench tush. I said what I said. The cooler I can stay, the longer I can glass.

　　When the Womens Ascent Pants first arrived, I took a quick peek at them and went about my day. It wasnt until I pulled them out of the box and slipped them on that I realized how different these pants were.

　　The womens Ascent pants are completely their own. They are not just a shrunken-down version of the mens pants. I havent been quiet about how much I disdain products marketed to women that are clearly just shrunken mens versions. The biggest notable difference that makes these pants stand out is the band.

　　Big Comfort With a Simple Upgrade

　　Gone are buttons, flies, and all the other waistband accessories that tend to bite, pinch, and get in the way. Think of your favorite pair of yoga pants. That top band is exactly what these have. Sitka integrated an interior stretchy belt that can be cinched if needed, but otherwise, all you have is a comfortable, stretchy, conforming band that just happens to be attached to hunting pants.

　　See? This is not just a shrink it and pink it situation. These pants were designed with women in mind.

　　Side zip pockets, a singular right-side butt pocket, and a dedicated knife pocket round out the bulk of the storage options, with sleeves for knee pads if you need/want them.

　　With All the Good, We Have a Flaw Right Out of the Box As Ive said before, I havent worn these in the field or on any hunts yet, but right out of the package, I did notice something that tends to make hunters scoff. The Ambient Pants certainly arent the quietest pants Ive worn. Theres some noise to this material that I think feels amplified because theyre so thin. With all that lightweight, breathable stretch comes a bit of audible swoosh-swoosh.

　　Its not a deal breaker, but its worth noting. Once I have them in the brush, Ill be sure to update my thoughts on this.

　　First Impressions of the Womens Sitka Ascent Pants

　　Plenty of pockets, a non-constrictive waistband, and loose, comfortable leg fit on the Womens Ascent Pant; (photo/Rachelle Schrute) This is a very early first impression, but so far, I think these pants will be a hit. Sitka hasnt made any huge leaps in womens gear in a long time. This is one of the first products Ive seen in years that is a huge improvement on their lineup, specifically for women.

　　As I sit here in a pair of Subalpine Ascent Pants writing this review, I have a few pairs in solid colors (deep lichen) in the mail. As comfortable and breathable as these pants are, I have no doubt they will become a regular for early-season scouting, days on the boat, meetings, tradeshows, and even the grocery store.

　　As for the noisiness, Ill have to reevaluate when I get them some serious field time. Ill update this review as time goes on, and I try to destroy them in the brush.

　　Best Bang for Your Buck: DSG Bexley 3.0 Ripstop Tech Hunting Pants ReviewLight, cheap, durable: pick two. Unless you’re talking about the DSG Bexley 3.0 Ripstop Tech Pants, the warm-weather unicorn that left me eating my words last September. Read more