Bear Grylls and his pants

Folks are way into Bear Grylls pants and where to purchase them.  I receive many questions like this on our newsletter/blog, “What kind of pants does Bear typically wear (the ones with the black knees)?”

In addition, this, “On the new episodes airing in November 2007, I notice Bear wearing Pants with knee pads of some sort.  What brand are they?”

Yep, it will not be long before Bear has his own clothing line, actually he does.  Craghoppers has just come out with the Bear Grylls gear line.

The pants Bear Grylls has been wearing on the latest episodes of Man vs. Wild are made by Craghoppers

A good-looking trouser I must say.  Loose fitting and easy to move in, I really enjoy my pair.  Thanks Craghoppers!

Celeste has written a review on Craghoppers trousers.  Enjoy!

Celeste Cole on Craghoppers

Back in 2007, sounds like I’m referring to ancient times, after consulting on the now popular Discovery Channel ~ Man vs. Wild series, many changes occurred in our lives.  Some are a direct result of the hero worship Bear Grylls has generated.

The hero worship expressed here, I believe, is positive.  Bear has empowered people, giving them the courage to take adventures, dispel fears, and spur passions.  He is an amazingly vibrant and compelling soul.  So for all the past, present and future followers of Man vs. Wild, Lifesong Wilderness Adventures is here to help answer your questions, help fulfill your dreams and connect you to the wild.

Getting back to those questions…you would not think someone carrying only a canteen, knife, and the clothes on his back could generate so much interest in what appears to be mundane gear.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  From the make and model of the numerous knives he has used to the canteen and even the parachute cord, he carried it with, to his clothing.

This is my take on the trousers we wear by Craghoppers.  I just want to take a moment to say the people at Craghoppers are outstanding and so are the garments they create!  I can certainly understand why Bear patronized them before announcing his own clothing line.

Craghoppers generously donated a pair of pants to Mark and I as well as supporting THE EDGE by donating a pair to our first place essay winner.

Mark has a pair of Nosquito convertibles.  (He is a shorts man.)  I have a pair of the regular Nosquitos.  Mark is wearing his trousers as I write this….hmmm, he is playing on the beach, and I am here.  There is something wrong with this picture!  For Mark ease of movement is crucial and Craghoppers have taken care of that issue.  Mark is an old mountaineer and knows the value of freedom of movement.  Mark counts on the quality of the garment knowing how easy it can be to reduce clothing to rags during a wilderness adventure.

How does Craghoppers measure up?  Above and beyond!  Mark has been wearing his pants at least every other week for almost a year now and they still look new.

My own experiences have been just as positive.  As a wildlife biologist working in the field, I need good quality clothing.  Add very wet conditions to the equation and the quick dry option is most appealing.  I spend six grueling, but rewarding months searching for owls at night.

I work in a wet climate, steep terrain, heavy timber and brush, throw in some scree, bedrock and river crossings, you can understand why quality is important to me.
It is not often that I make it through a season with a pair of trousers intact.  My Craghoppers look as if I have never worn them.  I have not lost a single button, the zippers all work, (they have been embedded with dirt), and the belt loops are intact, no split seams, no frayed hems.

I have snagged the pants, used them for sledding down a wet hillside, climbed bedrock on my knees, and shinnied up a tree or two.  Not a scratch on them, no holes, no pulled threads, nada, to say I am amazed would be an understatement.  I am not implying they cannot be worn out, but I did not do it in a single season and that is great for me.

Moreover, for anyone who does the laundry, not a single stain.  I usually cannot get mud out of my pants or charcoal for that matter.  You are wondering where I get charcoal…forest fires, climbing around burned trees make for dirty conditions.

Just a quick note to the women, my build is more like the male anatomy in that I do not have a waist and I have long legs.  I wear a man’s small, they are a little big but I like them that way and I can also layer them.  It can get cold at night especially when I am standing for long periods.  In case you are wondering, I layer with Patagonia Capilene.

I am no “Dennis the Menace” or Bear Grylls, still I managed to put Craghoppers to the test and they definitely met and exceeded the challenge.
The Edge