Comparison of Sitka Ascent & Equinox Guard Pants | A Tale of Two Pants

Building a hunt system should include a durable pair of pants. Since I am building a lightweight system, I decided to compare Sitka’s Ascent and Equinox Guard pants. Sitka was kind enough to send me the pants during deer hunting season. Below is a table highlighting some of the details of both pants for a thumbnail overview.

Pant	MSRP	Weight	Material	Pockets
Ascent	$199	12 oz	CORDURA, Nylon, and Spandex	4
Equinox Guard	$249	13.5 oz	Polyester and Spandex	5

Ascent Pant

The Ascent Pant is lightweight with an articulated fit to provide freedom to move and take a knee. The pants also do a good job of drying and breathing during arduous movements. After wearing the pants during hunting, ruck runs, and skiing, I was pleased with the pants’ drying performance and stretch. Additionally, even though these pants are best used in hot weather, I wore these pants with a pair of thermal pants in temperatures ranging from the low 30s to mid-40s without discomfort. The pant also has internal knee pad pockets for those who want to use internal knee pads.

 “Lightweight and breathable, this softshell pant will keep you cool and dry for those hot days charging in the mountains” ~ sitkagear.com

There are a couple of things that I do not like about the Ascent Pants. The first thing is that the belt loops are on the smaller side, so you must wear a slimmer belt. The second thing is with the hand pocket design. For me tastes, the hand pocket openings were a bit shallow, making it difficult to secure a pocket knife. Despite those design issues, I like that the Ascent pant has 4-way stretch for improved range of movement. Another feature I appreciate about these pants is the Polygiene Odor Control technology, which helps mask my odors from sweating.

Ascent Pant Features & Specifications:

• Fabric: Stretch CORDURA Nylon Woven Blend (60% CORDURA, 30% Nylon, 10% Spandex)
• Articulated Fit: Delivers a maximum range of motion with minimal bulk.
• 4-Way Stretch: Lightweight and ultra-breathable like the rest of the Ascent line, the Ascent Pant features a quick-drying, 4-way stretch brushed nylon fabric to keep you cool when the heat is on.
• Mesh-Backed Pockets: All pockets are mesh backed for additional ventilation.
• Polygiene® Odor Control Technology safely neutralizes odor caused from sweat.
• Mesh knee pad pockets offer optional protection if desired.
• MSRP: $199.00

Equinox Guard Pant

Like the Ascent Pant, the Equniox Guard Pant is another lightweight, breathable pair of pants. However, several features differentiate these pants from the Ascent Pant. The first feature is that two zippered side vents help regulate body heat when hunting. Another feature is the built-in gaiters and the Insect Shield treatment to prevent insect bites. Performance-wise, I liked the lightweight design when I wore the Equinox Guard Pant during hunting. The pocket design, layout, and front leg pockets are handy for storing a wallet or hunting license. The knife pocket is also a nice touch that gives me ready access to my knife without crowding my hand pockets.

“Comfortable and moisture-wicking, especially in hot, humid conditions, the pant is made from a lightweight SITKA-developed fabric that promotes airflow and features zippered leg vents that expel heat when moving fast and zip up for extra protection” ~ sitkagear.com

One thing I don’t like with Equinox Guard Pant is that the belt loops are a little on the small side for some of the broader belts that I want to wear. On the other hand, I like the five different pockets on the pants and the side vents. I also like the fit of these pants. They are snug but not constricting. I could wear a layer of thermal underwear and maintain a full range of motion.

Equinox Guard Pant Features & Specifications:

• Lightweight, breathable fabric with raised internal grid pattern promotes maximum airflow
• Scent-free Insect Shield® repels mosquitoes, ticks, ants, flies, chiggers and midges (no-see-ums)
• Internal leg gaiters helps prevent ticks and chiggers from contacting your skin when worn under socks
• Two YKK® zippered side leg vents with mesh gussets expel heat when moving fast
• Front leg YKK® zip pockets for additional ventilation and storage
• Dedicated knife pocket
• Hidden suspender attachment points
• UPF 50+ protection; treated with Polygiene® Odor Control Technology
• Pair with Equinox Guard Hoody and Glove for additional head-to-toe protection from insects
• Total weight: 13.5 oz.
• MSRP: $249.00

Final Thoughts

In the end, both pairs of pants perform well in the field. They offer different benefits for hunting or scouting in the warmer to slightly cooler weather range. However, I will let you look at which pants will meet your needs and let you decide which one works best for you. Let us know which one would work best for you. Happy hunting!