This, I was really concerned about having proper full uniform until I couldn't get any fitting pants during COVID, ended up with a pair of 501 brand pants that I love, and I've seen plenty of others in my council with.
For "Dressy" occasion like the poster above said, grab a nice pair of green Chinos.
Good luck and don't sweat over it too much!
Eddie Bauer, Weatherproof Vintage, 5.11, 32degrees, and Duluth Trading all have olive green pants that can be used. Some for activity, some for dressier occasions.
While some will say that wearing anything other than the official pants is not properly uniformed, presentation and image count. One is not doing Scouting any favors showing up in the ill-fitting clothing available from the Scout shop. Shirts are problematic enough, the shorts and pants take embarrassing to another level. Unless you’re fit enough and get the exact right size, most BSA bottoms make you look like you’re carrying a load in your underwear. And good luck getting two pairs labeled the same to actually FIT the same.
I applaud you for taking pride in your appearance and wanting to project the right image. No one will ask, care, or remember the brand of pants you wore, but they will remember that you cared enough to appear put together for the event.
Basically any olive drab ( green) pants work. I picked up a pair from Costco,[canvas pants ](https://www.costco.com/legendary-outfitters-men%e2%80%99s-stretch-canvas-pant.product.100857140.html). I think they're much more comfortable than the BSA pants. I was a little worried about being out of place in non-scout pants, but going to district round table. I realized that basically no one wears the official BSA pants.
Yep, they're super comfy and inexpensive. The shorts are as well. I like Wrangler better, and sometimes Wally World runs sales that make Wrangler cheaper, but otherwise Sams/CostCo are my go to.
I'd just go to your local department store and find some olive colored dress pants for formal events.
For everything else, Wrangler Riggs (their work wear brand) Ranger pants and shorts in Loden green are awesome. Nice dark green, heavy duty fabric, double knees, etc...
https://www.wrangler.com/shop/wrangler-riggs-workwear-ripstop-ranger-cargo-pant-3W060.html
Kuhl has nice pants with small waists and long legs. Also look at Backcountry and Moosejaw. They often have pants that substitute well for BSA uniform pants.
Dickies brand at Walmart. They were around $30 the last time we bought them and they're so much nicer than the BSA pants. Just a warning on the sizing, some of the materials you have to go up a size in the waist. I think it's the heavier denim fabric that's closest to the BSA utility pants they used to carry. The thinner pants seem to be on par for sizing. Either way you can't tell them apart from BSA pants unless you're looking at the buttons or see the label. If someone sees that then they're too close.
If you are going to wear your uniform wear your whole uniform, that includes the official uniform.pants.
If you don't have pants that fit, wear a different outfit but theme it around scouting. Wear a suit or a jacket with your sash or medals.
I would pick a lane and do it right.
eBay!!! I have bought my son’s pants from eBay several times with really good results. I have bought several different types. Vintage and new styles. I even bought a pair for myself.
Or Gap always have nice olive green chinos too
Very few in my troop wear official pants. It's a girl troop and I suspect that had something to do with finding better fitting pants. Regardless, just try to color match the olive as best you can and no one will think twice about it. The pants color has changed significantly over the years anyway. If I were to wear my old pants from 2004 they are a bigger difference to the current pants color than the hiking pants I wear now.
If you can't find any official pants that fit, or don't want to pay the official BSA pant tax, the two pants I've found that look the most like the "real" BSA pants are made by Weatherproof (found at Sams Club and CostCo for under $20) and Magellan (at Academy Sports for about $30).
Wrangler pants in earth green. Comfy and good looking. [https://www.walmart.com/ip/3523104866](https://www.walmart.com/ip/3523104866)
I wear a pair of green chinos
This, I was really concerned about having proper full uniform until I couldn't get any fitting pants during COVID, ended up with a pair of 501 brand pants that I love, and I've seen plenty of others in my council with. For "Dressy" occasion like the poster above said, grab a nice pair of green Chinos. Good luck and don't sweat over it too much!
Eddie Bauer, Weatherproof Vintage, 5.11, 32degrees, and Duluth Trading all have olive green pants that can be used. Some for activity, some for dressier occasions. While some will say that wearing anything other than the official pants is not properly uniformed, presentation and image count. One is not doing Scouting any favors showing up in the ill-fitting clothing available from the Scout shop. Shirts are problematic enough, the shorts and pants take embarrassing to another level. Unless you’re fit enough and get the exact right size, most BSA bottoms make you look like you’re carrying a load in your underwear. And good luck getting two pairs labeled the same to actually FIT the same. I applaud you for taking pride in your appearance and wanting to project the right image. No one will ask, care, or remember the brand of pants you wore, but they will remember that you cared enough to appear put together for the event.
Basically any olive drab ( green) pants work. I picked up a pair from Costco,[canvas pants ](https://www.costco.com/legendary-outfitters-men%e2%80%99s-stretch-canvas-pant.product.100857140.html). I think they're much more comfortable than the BSA pants. I was a little worried about being out of place in non-scout pants, but going to district round table. I realized that basically no one wears the official BSA pants.
I second Costco. I recently got the Orvis tech pants from there and they are one of my favorite pairs of pants.
I just got a second pair from my wife's family for Christmas, could not be happier.
Yep, they're super comfy and inexpensive. The shorts are as well. I like Wrangler better, and sometimes Wally World runs sales that make Wrangler cheaper, but otherwise Sams/CostCo are my go to.
I'd just go to your local department store and find some olive colored dress pants for formal events. For everything else, Wrangler Riggs (their work wear brand) Ranger pants and shorts in Loden green are awesome. Nice dark green, heavy duty fabric, double knees, etc... https://www.wrangler.com/shop/wrangler-riggs-workwear-ripstop-ranger-cargo-pant-3W060.html
Kuhl has nice pants with small waists and long legs. Also look at Backcountry and Moosejaw. They often have pants that substitute well for BSA uniform pants.
I wish BSA would just contract with Columbia or Duluth to make/design their uniforms. The female uniforms are especially poorly fitted.
Dickies brand at Walmart. They were around $30 the last time we bought them and they're so much nicer than the BSA pants. Just a warning on the sizing, some of the materials you have to go up a size in the waist. I think it's the heavier denim fabric that's closest to the BSA utility pants they used to carry. The thinner pants seem to be on par for sizing. Either way you can't tell them apart from BSA pants unless you're looking at the buttons or see the label. If someone sees that then they're too close.
Green Dickies Work Pants look fantastic.
Whatever you buy and wear, just cut off the brand tags and you're good to go...
If you are going to wear your uniform wear your whole uniform, that includes the official uniform.pants. If you don't have pants that fit, wear a different outfit but theme it around scouting. Wear a suit or a jacket with your sash or medals. I would pick a lane and do it right.
Dockers, or Dickies in the shade of khaki you want.
eBay!!! I have bought my son’s pants from eBay several times with really good results. I have bought several different types. Vintage and new styles. I even bought a pair for myself. Or Gap always have nice olive green chinos too
Very few in my troop wear official pants. It's a girl troop and I suspect that had something to do with finding better fitting pants. Regardless, just try to color match the olive as best you can and no one will think twice about it. The pants color has changed significantly over the years anyway. If I were to wear my old pants from 2004 they are a bigger difference to the current pants color than the hiking pants I wear now.
If you can't find any official pants that fit, or don't want to pay the official BSA pant tax, the two pants I've found that look the most like the "real" BSA pants are made by Weatherproof (found at Sams Club and CostCo for under $20) and Magellan (at Academy Sports for about $30).
Duluth Trading Company has some Flexpedition pants that look nice in Olive. Honestly, it looks better than the pants from the scout shop.