Hunters Element Spur Trousers
The team at Evolve Outdoors were nice enough to provide a couple of the staff here at H&O with some Spur Trousers from the Hunters Element range. Both these staff members have been avid wearers of shorts and thermals their whole hunting life, and have disliked wearing trousers in the bush. As they can feel restricting, get too hot on big days and really soak up the moisture in the scrub.
They were assured the Spur trousers would change their mind. Designed as the ultimate year round hunting pants, while being supremely quiet, stretchy and durable in the rough stuff. The thigh vents designed to let cool air flow in the warmer months, and close them off and the under-layer keeps you warmer in the colder parts of the year. Ultra-durable 4-way stretch HYDRAFUSE™ SCRAPEarmor™ is fabric placed on the knees, seat, and lower legs to add durability to the high wear and tear areas. The Articulated knees and an athletic cut mean they feel amazing in the field and the convenience of multiple streamlined pockets provides plenty of places to store accessories like a pocketknife, lighter or phone.
Other features include;
- UPF 30+
- Weight of a size medium is a minimalistic 500g
- Made from 40 recycled plastic bottles
- Supremely quiet
- Cuff adjusters
- YKK zippers
- Zipped Thigh pockets
- Heat vents
It all sounds very impressive, but how have they performed for the boys?
These trousers have been tested in the Ruahines, in the hills around the Rangitata River down south, the Pureoras, and the Te Urewera Forest parks. They have quickly become favourites due to their durability and lack of restrictiveness. The Spur pants don't absorb the water like fleece, and are even quieter. The zipped thigh pockets are a godsend for storing a lighter to check the wind, and the waist pockets are deep enough as to never lose your belongings while climbing around the scrub, whether it be a phone or spare mag.
They are definitely warm enough but in the South Island thermal leggings were worn underneath easily enough. This really increased warmth retention and remained very comfortable. They haven't been tested in the middle of summer, however it is easy to appreciate the heat vents, and the boys have found themselves using these while carrying meat out or more recently in the middle of very spring like days.
The sustainability factor in the production of these garments is also a nice addition, and the thought that has been put into the design is superb. With the reinforced cuffs where your boots rub, and the stretch in the seat of the pant. The Desolve Veil camo is great, and definitely helps to obscure you from the cunning eyes of Sika, Reds or whatever you find yourself chasing.
Overall a great product and will see the boys right for many more adventures to come!