One Pair of Pants for Every Hunt: KUIU Attack Pant Review

It’s uncommon that an outdoor product can play every game in its niche. That’s why the KUIU Attack Pant is a rare product.

Over the last 3 years, I’ve worn the KUIU Attack Pant hunting elk, upland birds, waterfowl, and deer. I’ve used them on warm September hunts as I climbed enormous mountain meadows in the beating sun. And they’ve hugged my legs over a base layer when I belly-crawled over snow toward a herd of elk on a below-zero morning in December.

They’ve hiked a hundred miles across the open plains of South Dakota, splashed through shallow ponds, and stayed quiet as I hunkered under spruce trees during sudden downpours. And after all of that, I’d call them my favorite hunting pants to date, if for no reason other than their remarkable versatility.

Note: I tested the men’s version. KUIU makes the Attack Pant in fits for youth and women as well. If you’re going to buy one pair of pants for every hunt, the KUIU Attack should be the top of your list.

In short: The KUIU Attack Pant ($150) is a stretchy, versatile, quick-drying hunting pant that can do it all. This midweight Primeflex polyester pant has a brushed interior (to ward off chafing), articulated knees, a gusseted crotch, side vents, and multiple zippered pockets. They’re incredibly durable and protective, given their soft feel. If I had to choose one pair of pants for every hunt, it would be the KUIU Attack Pant.

Compare the Attack Pants with others in our guide to the best hunting pants for men and best hunting pants for women.

KUIU Attack Pant Review

The KUIU Attack Pant starts with midweight 247 g/m² polyester. It’s not light, not heavy, and in so many circumstances, just right. The straight-leg cut gives room around the legs, but they are rather snug in the hips and waist. If you hunt with a pack, it doesn’t leave room for fabric to bunch under waist belts.

The cut-and-sew pattern is dialed. The articulated knees and gusseted crotch let you lift legs high to step over logs or through fences with ease. I have never found these pants restrictive, and I appreciate them when navigating tricky obstacles like tangled deadfalls.

The side vents with zip closures are small, but do add a modest amount of venting when temps get high. Like many things in these pants, the details are subtle, but when taken together, they result in a pair of pants that’s hard to beat.

They have a light DWR (durable water repellent) and odor control added. These are nice touches, with the DWR helping fend off light moisture — just don’t depend on it for real rain.

Limitations

The Attack Pant is genuinely a do-all hunting pant, but it has its limits. First, they aren’t very warm. I’ve worn them on some very cold hunts, layered with thick long johns, and they did the job. But when the temp gets close to freezing, there are better choices. My top choice for those conditions is wool.

The next limiter is thick brambles. If I expect to be whacking through brambles all day, I’ll choose a thicker, hardier pair of pants that better protect my skin. There are plenty of options out there, but something like the Filson Tin Cloth pants comes to mind. Finally, they aren’t waterproof. Don’t expect them to act like rain pants or waders.

Pockets: Plentiful, but Flawed

The Attack Pants have lots of pockets, for which I’m thankful. When wearing them, I tend to use the front hip pockets for things I access regularly, like my phone or a box of diaphragm calls.

I also use the thigh zipper pockets quite a bit, often stowing light gloves or a headlamp there for short-term stowage before putting them in my pack later. They aren’t huge, but they’re sufficient for smaller items. The zippered closure is great for security.

Generally, the pockets are good. But let’s get to the one flaw. The front hip pockets use mesh fabric as the pocket bag. While effective, it tends to catch on small items like keychains and knife clips. This is a really minor nitpick and far from a deal-breaker, but it’s the only issue I’ve had with these pants over multiple seasons.

Fit, Durability

The KUIU Attack Pants fit true to size. I’m 5’8, 160 pounds, and wear a size 32. It seems to be pretty accurate compared with my normal daily-wear clothing.

The pants are very durable but not infallible. After three seasons of hard use, I finally tore a small flap in a leg while pushing through thick, spikey oak brush. The tear stopped at about 1 inch long, and I intend to patch it. That said, I have hunted another 20 or so days since tearing the pants, and the tear hasn’t run further.

Other than that, the signs of wear are surprisingly minimal. I put down big miles and have even worn out a pair of Filson Tin Cloth pants while bird hunting. I’m shocked, but the Attack Pants have held up as well as much stiffer, legendarily tough material. To be fair, though, I do usually wear gaiters.

Who Should Buy Them

At $150, the KUIU Attack Pant isn’t cheap. But it does feel like a good value. If you want to buy and own one pair of dedicated pants for everything from high-mountain big game to wide-open fields, get them and be done. I’ve used mine for at least 100 days now and have never yearned for something else.

Comfortable, durable, quiet, and unrestricting, the KUIU Attack Pant really is the one pair of hunting pants that can do it all.