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I recently set aside a full day to scout a new property in Michigan that I’m considering hunting this fall. Whenever I scout, I try to move the same way I would during the season: slow at times, fast at others, and ready to climb, crawl, or cut through thick cover if that’s what it takes to get a feel for the land. On this trip, I wore the King’s Camo XKG Ridge Pant and the XKG Elevation 1/4-Zip Tee. Both pieces belong to King’s XKG performance series, so I expected them to hold up to some real work in the woods. By the end of the day, I had put them through just about every situation you can imagine while scouting and I came away impressed.
Features of the King’s Camo XKG Pant and Tee
Ridge Pant
- Four-way stretch polyester blend (93% polyester / 7% spandex)
- Weight: about 18.7 oz
- Articulated knees for natural movement
- Gusseted (diamond) crotch for flexibility
- Grip strip waistband keeps shirt tucked
- Reinforced hand pockets for knife clips
- Cargo and thigh pockets for easy access storage
- Snap loops to roll up pant legs
- Durable water-resistant (DWR) and blood-resistant finish
- Polygiene odor control built in
Elevation 1/4-Zip Tee
- Two-way stretch textured poly mesh fabric
- Weight: about 8.3 oz (medium)
- Flatlock-stitched seams prevent chafing
- Raglan sleeves reduce pressure from backpack straps
- Extended back length for coverage while moving
- 1/4-zip for quick venting and cooling
- Thumbholes to keep sleeves in place
- Polygiene odor control for scent management
Early Start in the Michigan Woods
The morning started damp and cool, with that heavy late-summer air that Michigan woods seem to hold under the canopy. I threw on the Elevation 1/4-Zip Tee as my base layer. At first touch, it felt like a simple lightweight shirt, but once I started hiking, I realized how much thought went into it. The fabric breathed really well, and the long sleeves gave me enough protection from early-morning chill and brush without holding me back.
One detail I appreciated right away was the thumbholes. I threw on another jacket, and the sleeves didn’t roll up or bunch. That made the walk more comfortable since I wasn’t constantly tugging them back down. When I bent to check the ground for deer sign, I noticed how well the sleeve still covered my wrist.
Climbing and Crawling in the King’s Camo XKG Pant and Tee
The first real test came when I had to climb over a big tree that had come down across a game trail. The XKG Ridge Pant proved its worth immediately. The articulated knees flexed naturally, and the gusseted crotch gave me the room to swing a leg over without binding. I didn’t feel that pull or tightness that other pants sometimes give you during big steps.
Michigan scouting almost always means thick brush, and this trip was no exception. I pushed through tangles of young trees, thorns, and briers. I could hear them scraping against my pants, but the Ridge Pant didn’t snag or tear. That gave me confidence to push through without worrying about ruining my gear.
Signs of Deer
Not long into the day, I came across my first big find: a skeleton, picked clean and scattered along the leaves. I dropped to a knee to get a closer look and think about what it might mean for the area. The Ridge Pant made kneeling easy. The fabric flexed with me, and the knees didn’t dig into the ground.
Later, I found what looked like a bedding area tucked into cover, and not far from it, a fresh scrape. That combination made me pause for a while. A scrape that close to a bed told me this might be core area for a buck, and it’s exactly the kind of sign I hope for when I’m walking a new property.
Pockets and Knife Clip on the King’s Camo XKG Ridge Pant
One thing I always pay attention to in hunting pants is pocket layout, because that makes a huge difference in the field. The Ridge Pant gives you plenty of options. The cargo and thigh pockets opened and closed easily, which made grabbing my phone and small gear quick and quiet.
The one pocket design I didn’t love was the back pockets. They have flaps sewn on both sides, which makes them extremely secure once something is in there, it’s not going anywhere. But I struggled a little to get my wallet in and out because of that design. For hunting gear, the security is excellent, but for everyday carry, it slowed me down more than I’d like.
On the other hand, the reinforced hand pockets were a huge win for me. I always bring a knife, and mine has a tight clip that can wear through fabric over time. These pants have reinforced areas exactly where knife clips rest, and it worked perfectly. I slid my knife in and out several times, and I could tell that reinforcement will prevent wear in the long run. Since my knife goes with me every time I hit the woods, having that reinforcement built in gives me confidence these pants will hold up for the long haul.
King’s Camo XKG Elevation 1/4-Zip Tee Comfort All Day
As the day warmed up, I started to sweat, especially while climbing ridges and weaving through thicker spots. I pulled down the zipper on the Elevation Tee, and the venting worked immediately. Air flowed in, and I cooled off without stopping. That 1/4-zip isn’t just a design choice it really does let you control body temperature while on the move.
The fabric also dried quickly. Michigan humidity usually keeps you sticky all day, but this shirt wicked moisture away faster than I expected. On top of that, the Polygiene odor-control technology helped keep me from smelling like a sweaty mess. I know deer will care about that more than I do, but it’s reassuring to know my base layer won’t build up odor after a hard day.
Wrapping Up the Scout
By the time I circled back to the truck, I had logged plenty of miles, crawled through brush, climbed over logs, and found several promising signs; a skeleton, a bed, and a big scrape. The property looks like it has real potential for the fall, and I’ll definitely be back to hang some cameras soon.
The King’s Camo XKG Ridge Pant and Elevation Tee never once slowed me down. The pants took all the abuse from briers and branches, while the shirt kept me cool, dry, and comfortable no matter how hard I pushed. One small but important detail I noticed: the Ridge Pant waistband grip strip kept the shirt tucked all day. I never once had to stop and adjust my layers.
Final Thoughts
Scouting in Michigan means being ready for anything…cool mornings, humid afternoons, thick brush, downed trees, and surprise signs of deer. On this trip, the King’s Camo XKG Ridge Pant and XKG Elevation 1/4-Zip Tee handled it all.
The Ridge Pant gave me durability, smart pocket design (even if I wrestled with the back pockets), and reinforcement that protected my knife clip area. The Elevation Tee kept me cool and odor-free from start to finish. Together, they made a long, challenging day in the woods not just manageable but enjoyable. After this scout, I’m confident these will be my go-to pieces when the season arrives. If you would like more info on these or other King’s Camo gear, visit kingscamo.com or amazon.com.