Kings Camo recently sent me their XKG Pivot Pant to test and evaluate. Introduced in 2025, the Pivot Pant is designed as a mid-weight, high-mobility outdoor technical pant. While Kings primarily markets it to hunters, I have found many of its features equally useful for hiking, general outdoor use, and even some tactical training applications.,
Kings Camo provided the pants at no cost for review. However, all observations and opinions in this article are my own.
Materials and Construction
The Pivot Pant is made from a blend of 94% polyester and 6% spandex with a fabric weight of 250 GSM (grams per square meter). In practical terms, that puts it squarely in the middle of the mid-weight category. It feels more substantial than lightweight summer hiking pants but avoids the bulk and stiffness that often come with heavier softshell garments.
The four-way stretch fabric strikes a nice balance between durability and comfort. The polyester provides good abrasion resistance and dries quickly after exposure to moisture, while the spandex gives the material plenty of stretch. The fabric moves naturally with me instead of fighting against my movement.
One thing that immediately stood out was how quiet the material is. Many synthetic outdoor fabrics tend to make noticeable swishing or rubbing sounds, especially in cooler temperatures. The Pivot Pant stays remarkably quiet while moving, which is obviously beneficial for hunters but can also be appreciated by anyone who spends time observing wildlife or prefers gear that doesn’t constantly announce its presence.
The fabric also incorporates Polygiene Odor Control Technology. While it doesn’t completely eliminate odors, it does seem to slow their buildup during extended use. For multi-day trips or situations where washing clothes isn’t practical, that’s a feature I always appreciate.
A durable water repellent (DWR) finish helps shed light moisture as well. Morning dew, damp vegetation, and light precipitation beaded off the fabric during testing rather than soaking in immediately. It’s important to note that these aren’t waterproof pants, but they handle everyday outdoor moisture well and dry quickly when they eventually get wet.
The fabric is designed for stealth. Some fabrics can be noisy. Not so the Pivot Pant’s fabric It’s one of the pants standout features. Even when stretched or under tension, the material remains remarkably quiet when moving through brush. Hunters will certainly appreciate this characteristic, but anyone who values stealth and minimal noise in the outdoors will benefit from it as well.
Durability
Weighing in at about 18.9 ounces, the Pivot Pant sits comfortably between lightweight hiking pants and more rugged technical options. During my testing, the fabric handled brush, rocks, and regular trail use without issue. That said, these aren’t built like dedicated tactical or work pants. By design, the Pivot Pant lacks reinforced knees, double-seat panels, or heavy-duty construction features. If your activities involve frequent crawling, hard use, or abrasive surfaces, that is something to keep in mind. While I have not had the pants long enough to judge long term durability, the durability of the pant is definitely more than adequate fir hiking, hunting, and general outdoor recreation, I don’t foresee any wear issues.
Fit and Ergonomics
The Pivot Pant uses an athletic fit, and that’s immediately noticeable when you put them on. The cut is slimmer and more streamlined than traditional cargo or work pants, reducing excess material that can snag on brush or feel cumbersome during movement. Personally, I prefer this style because it feels more modern and less bulky, but those accustomed to relaxed-fit outdoor pants may notice the difference right away.
The gusseted crotch and articulated knees contribute significantly to mobility. When climbing steep terrain or navigating obstacles, I rarely felt any restriction. The pants bend and move naturally with your body, which is exactly what I look for in a performance-oriented outdoor pant.
Environmental and Field Performance
The Pivot Pant is most comfortable in warm to moderate conditions. The fabric breathes well and releases heat efficiently during physical activity. When temperatures drop, adding a base layer underneath is usually enough to extend its comfort range. These are not insulated pants, so I wouldn’t consider them a standalone cold-weather solution. However, they layer well with merino wool or synthetic thermal bottoms when additional warmth is needed.
One feature I particularly like is the zippered mesh hip vents. Open them up and excess heat escapes surprisingly quickly. During warmer weather and more rigorous activities, they make a noticeable difference in overall comfort. The vents are well positioned and don’t interfere with my movement, which isn’t always the case with similar designs/
Another feature I appreciate is s the rubberized gripper waistband. It’s designed to help keep shirt tails and base layers tucked in. It worked as advertised during testing. It’s not overly aggressive or uncomfortable, but it does help keep everything where it belongs. It’s a nice touch and is another example that exemplifies the attention to detail Kings Camo puts into its products.
Pockets
Pockets are an important consideration. The pants have six pockets, including low-profile cargo pockets secured by snap closures. I would describe the storage capacity as sufficient rather than generous. Storage is practical without being excessive. There’s room for essentials, but if you’re looking for the extensive organization and carrying capacity found in dedicated tactical pants, you’ll likely want something else. Kings clearly prioritized mobility, comfort, and a streamlined profile over maximum storage space.
The pants feature reinforced sections on the upper front pockets specifically designed for a knife clip, and the difference is noticeable. Knife clips can be hardon pockets. After clipping and unclipping my pocketknife numerous times, the material shows no signs of stress or wear. This added reinforcement should help prevent long-term damage and significantly extend the life of the pockets.
XK7 Camouflage
Kings sent me the Pivot Pant in their XK7 camouflage pattern, but it is also available in several solid colors as well. The XK7 pattern was specifically developed for the diverse hunting environments of North America. Inspired by the region’s natural colors, textures, and terrain, XK7 uses seven abstract shapes to break up the wearer’s outline and provide effective concealment at both close and long distances. Its versatile design performs well across a wide range of habitats, from desert landscapes and open country to forests and mountain terrain, making it a good choice for hunters seeking a single pattern that can adapt to multiple environments.
Final Thoughts
The XKG Pivot Pant delivers exactly what it sets out to do: provide a comfortable, mobile, and quiet outdoor pant that performs well across a wide range of environments. Its greatest strengths are its stretch, comfort, ventilation, and exceptionally quiet fabric. While it can certainly serve in some tactical training environments, it isn’t intended to compete directly with dedicated tactical pants that feature reinforced wear zones, knee pad compatibility, or expanded cargo storage. For hiking, hunting, and general outdoor use, however, I think Kings hit a sweet spot. It’s comfortable for long days the field, moves easily through varied terrain, and never feels overly hot or restrictive.
The Kings Camo XKG Pivot Pant carries an MSRP of $159.99 and is currently available in XK7 Camo, Charcoal, Dark Khaki, and Dark Forest. While not inexpensive, the price is competitive with other technical outdoor pants that offer similar materials and performance features.
Photos by Kings Camo.