Kings XKG Ridge Pant: OHUB Review

Disclosure: These Kings XKG Ridge Pants had been offered to me for subject testing and overview.

Fast Take

The Kings XKG Ridge Pant is a light-weight, early to mid-season performer that dealt with each Louisiana warmth and a chilly December hunt higher than anticipated. Constructed with a four-way stretch polyester mix, Polygiene odor management, and DWR remedy, the Ridge Pants strike a uncommon steadiness between breathability and sturdiness.

I examined them on two five-hour scouting journeys within the excessive 80s and a seven-hour deer hunt within the mid-40s, and so they stayed quiet, snug, and hard sufficient to push by means of thorns with out a mark. They match completely out of the bag with no belt wanted and rapidly grew to become my go-to searching pants this season.

XKG Ridge Pant Specs

Weight: About 18.7 oz for a medium. Gentle sufficient for lengthy walks however substantial sufficient to really feel sturdy.
Cloth: Polyester and spandex four-way stretch with Polygiene odor management and DWR water resistance.
Match: Athletic reduce with articulated knees and a diamond crotch gusset for mobility.
Waist Sizes: Roughly 30 by means of 44, relying on retailer, with common and tall inseams.
Colours: Darkish Forest, Darkish Khaki, Charcoal, XK7 camo, Desert Shadow, and others.
Pockets: Thigh zip pocket, streamlined cargo pockets, strengthened knife clip pocket, and lined rear pockets.
Extras: Grip strip waistband to maintain shirts tucked, snap loops to roll pant legs, and blood-resistant end.
Upkeep: Machine wash chilly and tumble or cling dry.
What Is Lacking: No insulated choice is constructed into this mannequin, so base layers are wanted for deep winter hunts.

Take a look at Strategies and Situations

I examined the Ridge Pants on two heat scouting journeys round Abita Springs, Louisiana. I wished to check out a number of slug pictures, primarily the Remington Accutip Sabot. Each days climbed into the higher 80s with humidity pushing strongly, which is common for November right here in Louisiana. Terrain included pine, water oak, cypress, and thick brush.

The ultimate check was a December deer hunt utilizing a rifle. Temperatures stayed within the low to mid-40s, and I wore solely a single base shirt with no thermal bottoms. All outings concerned a number of hours of strolling, standing, climbing, and sitting.

Preliminary Prep and First Match

Ranking: 9/10

Proper out of the bag, the pants appeared and felt like high quality. I at all times get nervous ordering searching pants as a result of the match may be hit and miss. At 34/30, the Darkish Forest pants buttoned completely with no belt wanted. The athletic reduce was snug with out being tight, and the waistband grip strip instantly stood out.

There was no chemical odor, no stiffness, and the stretch was noticeable from the primary squat and bend. They felt prepared for a protracted day with zero break in wanted.

Efficiency within the Subject

Ranking: 9/10

The most important shock got here from the breathability. These pants dealt with two lengthy scouting days in excessive warmth with out build up sweat or clinging to my legs. Even with regular strolling, there was no rubbing or irritation. The articulated knees and diamond crotch allowed clear motion when climbing into the stand, stepping over logs, or crouching.

Noise management was spectacular. On one scouting session, a doe walked by and finally turned to depart. I made a decision to see how intently I might observe her. I made seven steps earlier than she heard me and bolted. That silent efficiency issues.

In December temperatures within the 40s, the pants stayed heat sufficient for a full day sitting with out a base layer. For a light-weight pant, that’s saying one thing.

Sturdiness and Development

Ranking: 9/10

On my second scouting journey, I pushed by means of a patch of thorns and immediately thought I had destroyed the pants. Once I stepped out and appeared down, there was not a single tear, scratch, or free thread. That was the second I spotted these pants had been constructed to final.

After a number of journeys, there isn’t a pilling, no stitching points, and no put on on the knife clip reinforcement. Mud washed out rapidly and utterly. The DWR remedy stored the dew from soaking in for lengthy. General, they really feel more durable than their weight would counsel.

Match, Mobility ,and Wearability

Ranking: 9/10

The XKG Ridge Pants transfer naturally whether or not you might be climbing, sitting, strolling, or driving in a truck. There have been no hotspots, no sagging, and no chafing throughout any of my outings. The thigh zip pocket held my cellphone securely with out bouncing, and nothing dug into my legs when sitting.

The grip strip waistband could be my favourite function. My undershirt stayed tucked your complete day. For a cheapskate coming from discount pants, this felt like stepping as much as an actual technical searching piece.

Comparisons and Options

Towards Magellan Ripstop pants: The Ridge Pant is an enormous improve in match, breathability, sturdiness, and tranquility.

Towards Sitka Ascent or Kuiu Attack: The Ridge Pant delivers related mobility and luxury at a lower cost, although Sitka and Kuiu supply extra sizing choices.

Towards First Lite Obsidian: The Ridge Pant breathes higher in warmth however lacks the pure merino odor management of wool-based pants.

Towards Wrangler outdoor pants: The Ridge is much extra purpose-built with higher stretch, quieter material, and stronger reinforcement.

Who It Is For / Who Ought to Skip It

Purchase this if:

• You hunt sizzling, humid early seasons

• You need pants that keep heat sufficient for gentle winter hunts

• You worth quiet material and powerful mobility

• You desire a sturdy pair of pants that handles brush and thorns

Skip this if:

• You want insulation for deep winter (20 levels or beneath)

• You require a free, relaxed match relatively than athletic

Worth and Worth to Efficiency

Ranking: 9/10

For a pant within the 130 to 160 greenback vary, the Ridge Pant delivers critical efficiency. They breathe like light-weight scouting pants however put on like one thing more durable. After a number of journeys, there isn’t a signal of early put on, and the consolation degree is excessive sufficient that I’ve worn them on fishing journeys as effectively.

They outperform their worth level and compete with dearer technical searching pants.

Execs and Cons

Execs:

• Wonderful breathability in warmth

• Heat sufficient for 40-degree hunts with out a base layer

• 4-way stretch with clear mobility

• Quiet material that deer don’t detect simply

• Grip strip waistband retains shirts tucked

• The thigh zip pocket is ideal for a cellphone

• Sturdy sufficient to tear by means of thorns unhurt

Cons:

• Not insulated for deep winter

• Athletic match would possibly really feel comfortable for hunters preferring relaxed cuts

• No devoted air flow zips for excessive warmth

FAQs

Q: Do they match true to dimension?
A: Sure. My standard 34/30 match completely with no belt wanted.

Q: Can they deal with sizzling climate?
A: Completely. They stayed breathable and comfy within the excessive 80s.

Q: Are they quiet sufficient for bow or rifle searching?
A: Sure. I adopted a deer for seven steps earlier than she heard me.

Q: Do they want a base layer in winter?
A: For harsh chilly, sure. For temperatures within the 40s, I stayed heat with out one.

Care, Upkeep ,and Longevity Ideas

Ranking: 8/10

Machine wash chilly and cling dry when doable. Brush off mud earlier than washing to guard the material. Examine knees, cuffs, and seat areas each few months. Reapply DWR spray after heavy use in moist grass. Retailer them dry and flat to keep up the stretch material over time.

The Verdict

The Kings XKG Ridge Pant is likely one of the most balanced searching pants I’ve worn. It breathes in Louisiana warmth, stays heat in gentle winter chilly, strikes quietly by means of pines and hardwoods, and shrugs off thorn patches that might spoil cheaper pants. The proper match and grip strip waistband make it a premium pant in my ebook.

General Ranking: 9/10

Keith Lusher

Keith Lusher is an award-winning out of doors journalist who resides in Covington, Louisiana. He owns and operates NorthshoreFishingReport.com and writes a weekly out of doors column for the Slidell Unbiased Newspaper. He additionally writes for the St.Tammany Parish Tourism Fee’s VisitTheNorthshore.com. He’s the previous host of The Northshore Fishing Report Radio Present and is on the board of the Louisiana Out of doors Writers Affiliation. Keith contributes to quite a few publications each on-line and in print and prides himself on selling South Louisiana’s distinctive fishery. To contact Keith e mail: keithlusherjr@gmail.com