In the world of hunting gear and apparel, nature’s unpredictability demands high performance from all your gear, all the time. With that in mind, Stone Glacier has stood as a beacon of excellence for over a decade, elevating the experience of hunters through premium, ultralight equipment and apparel.
With humble beginnings in a garage in pursuit of a better mountain hunting backpack, the brand has grown into one of the most popular brands in the hunting industry. Today, the brand offers a full lineup of must-have hunting gear with a reputation for dependability.
I’ve been searching for a pair of hunting pants that would meet my needs, pushing fields for pheasants just as well as they would on long walks through the woods for early and mid-season archery hunting. Stone Glacier’s De Havilland pants caught my eye with their claims of weather resistance, “high durability,” and warmth. SG even claims they can be worn into “extreme cold” conditions when properly paired with a capable baselayer. Game on.
In short: The De Havilland pants sit at the crossroads of comfort, versatility, and performance, providing you with everything you need for day afield and nothing you don’t.
Pros
- Very comfortable, athletic fit
- Side zips and kneepad compatible
- Patented contour waistband
- Tons of sizing options
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Premium price point
- No camo patterns
- Only two color choices
Stone Glacier De Havilland Pant Review
The De Havilland Pants
Built with the mountain hunter in mind, the De Havilland pants are made with all of the fixings you need to excel in any condition. Made with a DWR water- and wind-resistant face and a blend of polyester, nylon, and spandex technical fabric, these pants have an athletic fit and articulated knees.
This was a big selling point for me, as fall in Minnesota can bring all kinds of weather — from dewy morning pushes in fields to cold sleet while sitting in the treestand waiting for a big whitetail. Beyond that, I appreciate hunting apparel that isn’t boxy and “dad-fit.”
Contour Waist
One key feature I love is Stone Glacier’s patented Contour Waist System. This allows the user to adjust the size of the pant’s waist by up to 3 inches for an exact fit. When making in-field layering adjustments, this feature is huge. It allows these pants to be worn comfortably as a standalone piece or with heavyweight baselayers in the deep cold.
Going further, the Contour Waist functions without bunching material at the hips — which can cause unreasonable discomfort under a pack. When you add in the extra-long side zips for venting when you’re hot and the four-way stretch breathable and weather-resistant textile, you have a winning combination.
Finally, the De Havilland pants are kneepad-compatible. You can order the P12 pads directly from the Stone Glacier site. It is also worth noting that there is a “Lite” version of these pants for hunters who hunt primarily in warmer conditions and won’t need that extreme cold protection. You can check out the De Havilland Lite pants here.
Testing: At Home in the Field & the Woods
I used these pants throughout the hunting season doing everything from upland bird hunting, to long sits in the woods for whitetail, to everyday wear. I experienced unseasonably hot days afield, biting winds, sleet, snow, frigid temperatures, and everything in between.
At this point, there is very little I wouldn’t do wearing these pants. The fit and comfort is phenomenal. As simple as that is, it is a huge selling point for me. The four-way stretch fabric makes athletic movement in the field a breeze.
I can wear these pants in the grocery store on the way back from the hunt without feeling like I rolled out of the treestand or the field. The Contour Waist system is as effective as the brand says it is and makes layering up with the seasons’ change simple. When you combine this with the fact that they offer myriad sizes, you can really get your fit dialed in. For example, in size medium alone, there are four options: medium, medium tall, medium large, and medium tall large.
Silent Pockets
One sleeper feature that I found helpful was the front-facing cargo pockets with quiet-close pocket buttons. This was invaluable while sitting in the treestand, working to minimize extra sounds and movement. I do wish that there were camo options for this pant for archery hunting. That’s a small gripe in the grand scheme of things.
I am the type of person who prefers to be too hot rather than too cold. This preference generally leads me to overdress for hunting excursions and realize a short while into the field that I am overly prepared and overheating quickly.
The ability to quickly dump heat with the extra-long side zippers down each leg became invaluable for me. They even have double zippers, allowing you to hone in on exactly how much venting you need at a moment’s notice and adjust easily as you exert more energy or slow down.
Final Thoughts
It’s pretty simple, really. The De Havillands are my new go-to pants for the majority of my hunting adventures. Stone Glacier didn’t cut any corners when designing these pants. It shows with their complete functionality and durability throughout my testing. Personally, they provide everything I need and nothing that I don’t. All with a nod to comfort and an athletic fit that genuinely looks good in the field and beyond.
This begs the question — is it wrong to wear hunting pants to the office?
