REVIEW: UF PRO P-40 Camou Pants

When you go into the green forest and almost lose your pants, it was probably GreenZone by PenCott that did its job here. But we found them again, the P-40 Camou pants from the Slovenian manufacturer UF PRO. At IWA 2013, the guest from the southern edge of the Alps enthused all visitors to their booth with new gear. And not just because of the camouflage effect. Reason enough for SPARTANAT to take a closer look at the new pants from UF PRO. (Click on all images to enlarge.)

UF PRO normally produces uniforms for the Slovenian army. But for the P-40 Camou, the Slovenians have chosen a different path, namely the new camouflage patterns from PenCott - Read everything about this new camouflage HERE. The P-40 Camou is available in GreenZone (pictured) and in BadLands for drier landscapes. GreenZone fits perfectly in a green environment like the late spring forest where we took the photos. The camouflage pattern is much more detailed than the already very good, classic pixel patterns. The pants camouflage great and are also great to wear. They are not - like many combat pants - cut rather baggy, but have a normal fit. If you normally wear a size 34/34 in civilian pants, you can go for the same size here. Fits perfectly.

When we delve into the details, we find very classic and innovative solutions that convince: The pants are not buttoned, but have a zip. Above all, like any sensible outdoor or mountain pants, they are double closed (top left), snap button and hook provide mutual security. The belt loops were also doubled (bottom left): The BDU belt is threaded through the firmly sewn loop, on top of which there is another loop that is freely velcroed. Here you can place and secure the Duty Belt on top of it, so that the equipment fits well. UF PRO also found a nice detail solution for the leg closure: The shock cord, which can be tightened, is captured by a fabric tunnel after the buckle, so there is no dangling at the leg closure.

At first glance, it is noticeable that the pants are made of two materials: the body is made of the PenCott camouflage fabric. But there are areas that are clearly interspersed with brown Schoeller Stretch. In the upper pelvic area, it looks like on a Crye pants. But underneath there is also a "butt leather" made of stretch. The camouflage fabric is solid and compact, the stretch is flexible and hard-wearing. The result is that the pants are as sturdy as a combat pant must be, but at the same time as flexible as a modern high-end mountain pant. There are two zipped pockets on the buttocks (left) and the front pockets also have a zipped "secret compartment" (right).

On the thighs, you can also find attached pockets on the right and left. Both have two zippers: One is horizontal for standing, allowing easy access to the pocket. The other is horizontal for sitting (e.g. in a car), preventing the need to reach into the pocket in a complicated way and potentially losing something. By using zippers, UF PRO avoids the classic problem with Velcro: it is too loud at crucial moments.

The pants look like normal pants, but have a compartment for integrated knee protectors (left). The knee protectors are hidden in a gray bag and are originally bright orange and have an unusual feature. When you touch them, you feel like you have soft plasticine between your fingers. When subjected to a sudden impact or a quick kneeling to the ground, the material reacts by solidifying quickly - protecting the knee. When inserted into the pants, you barely feel the protectors, but you have immediate protection when you need it. Here again, an excellent solution. And for those who want to extend the duration of the pants: there is even a windstopper insert that can be zipped in, a pants within the pants so to speak. This way, you can get through the cold season (although not as well camouflaged with the GreenZone pants).

CONCLUSION: The P-40 Camou from UF PRO convinces and is one of the best pants we have come across lately. We particularly like that it combines a relatively civilian cut with the practical requirements of military pants - and does so without copying Crye. The P-40 Camou is a trekking pant in terms of comfort, but tailored to a Heavy Duty User. Robust material meets excellent workmanship here. All the detail solutions on these pants are convincing. No frills, concrete, straightforward features that work. The elevated quality corresponds to the price. We are extremely excited about the matching Combat Shirt for the P-40 Camou.

The UF PRO P-40 Camou Pant is available directly from UF PRO in the PenCott camouflage patterns GreenZone and BadLands for 144 euros (excluding shipping). The UF PRO Knee Protectors are available for 38.40 euros. And the Windstopper Lining for 76.80 euros. In Germany, the UF PRO P-40 Camou Pant is available at Recon Company for 149.95 euros.

HERE is the interview about the new PenCott camouflage patterns.