Caving pants

[hardcorecaver]

I am looking for good caving pants. I if you have any lead please tell me. [/b]

[JackW]

Army winter weight BDU pants.

Free (more or less) with enlistment with the US armed forces or usually $25 at the Army surplus store. You can get them from US Cavalry Catalog.

http://www.uscav.com/category.aspx?cate ... 22&tabID=1

[Dangerjudy]

B@C Wunderwear makes pants out of ballistic nylon. I highly recommend their stuff.

http://www.bcwunderwearinc.com/

[jmo]

I usually wear Carhartt coveralls when I go caving. They are warm, built to last and the best part is that they make knee pad inserts that slip right over the knees.

The only downside is they are a little to warm and bulky to wear on those long hikes on a summer day.

I purchased them at the local army surplus store. You can probably find them for a good price on Ebay as well.

[Scott McCrea]

I can't speak for them personally, but I have heard numerous people rave, literally rave, about Gonzo Guano Gear's pants. I was hoping to check them out at Convention, but Becky sold them all before she even got there. Perhaps someone else can fill in the details about the pants. They are not on her website.

[tangled_slinky]

for something cheaper, wal-mart has some nice heavy duty cargo pants in the men's section. less than $20.

[Tim White]

Becky's GGG pants are great! I use mine for most trips that do not require a cave suit. Berta has the bibed version that she really likes. Tough material, does not hold water, much warmer than nylon or cordura.

If you want something of a lighter weight than the GGG pants, check out Chilli Heads - Stretch Cordura Leggings. Just let Susan know that you are a caver and she will reinforce the stitching. (for free!)
http://www.chilliheads.com/leggings/legcordura.htm
They are heaver than light weight poly-pro, near mid- weight. TOUGH as nails!! I’ve been wearing them for close to 8 years, without anything covering them and have yet tare a pair!

For my style of caving in TAG that ranges from horror to wet to dry, I am happy with the a Petzl cave suit, the GGG pants and Stretch Cordura Leggings.

These 3 items cover it all. (pun intended).

[Lava]

I don't understand how some of you can wear cotton pants or coveralls in a cave. I'd get way too cold if I did that. I don't wear a shred of anything but synthetic materials when I'm caving.

In my opinion, at least for slightly-wet mid-50 degree caving, the best pants are simply a layer of heavy polypro bottoms with a pair of nylon shorts to protect the butt (and to not look silly).

In hotter caves (60 F +) I ditch the poly bottoms and just wear shorts (w/kneepads of course), and in colder caves I put on a PVC cavesuit.

[tangled_slinky]

I don't understand how some of you can wear cotton pants or coveralls in a cave.

i have more trouble keeping my arms and chest warm than my legs. even when my (cotton) pants are sopping, the legs aren't cold. i don't understand how you can wear shorts- even with long pants and bombers, my shins and knees are still bloody and bruised. which is fine with me.

[Lava]

i don't understand how you can wear shorts- even with long pants and bombers, my shins and knees are still bloody and bruised. which is fine with me.

I also don't ever wear elbow pads, so maybe I'm a glutton for punishment.

[pebblepoint]

On the surface, it looks like you save money by getting wool pants or cotton coveralls. However, I have caved hard for 15 years in the stuff I bought from B&C. They look like sh.t but I'm not posing for pictures anyway.
A few trips in our ragged caves in Missouri and cotton is trashed.
don
little egypt grotto

[Amocholes]

I've been using a set of Lost Creek coveralls for about 5 years. Heavy ballistic nylon with pockets for knee pads. Finally had to do a little re stitching on a couple of seams last year though. Normally wear them over a set of Polypros and stay nice and warm.

[steelwool]

I have a pair of B@C Wunderwear pants... I like them. I got mine for $25 after some OTR discounts ie winning money. I think they usually go for about $75.

[Caver John]

I would love to get the lost creek coveralls but I've been using army Ecwcs goretex shell pants and they hold up great! Keep me warm and dry and no tears so far.

[Jon]

Laddie wear a kilt! Whooie that fast rappel was refreshing!