Women's climbing pants: love 'em or hate 'em

Alyssa K wrote:

These look like what I've been looking for. Do they hold their shape over the course of a day, or does the spandex make them stretch out and get too baggy? 

I'm pretty hard on my pants, and I've found that regular women's Carhartts are the only pants that don't stretch out, I can climb comfortably in, and don't get destroyed within a month. But I'd like some pants with a narrower leg since I have to roll up the Carhartts to see my feet. Anyone else with any suggestions? 

I haven't climbed in them, yet.  But, I live 10 miles from Joshua Tree so I am hoping they are tough enough to last me a while.  

As of late I've been wearing the Marmot Lobo's, which are summer alpine weight.  It's too early to report on long-term durability, but I like them so far.

I climbed in my OR Wadi Rum pants today.  I love them and bought another pair in a different color.  I ordered the 2 and 4 since I wasn't sure of the fit.  The 2 are cute, as long as I don't want to climb.  So I kept the 4s.  Really cute, I've already had compliments.  I crack climbed in them today and love them even more.  Perfect amount of stretch.  I am 5'5 123lbs, athletic.  Highly recommend if you are looking for something that is durable and not techy, synthetic material.  OR also has a lifetime guarantee!

Alicia Sokolowski wrote:

Thanks!  I will definitely try on the BD Alpine Light.  They weren't even on my radar, so much appreciated!

I have the BD Alpine and Alpine Light pants.  They fit pretty well, but are a touch snugger in the thigh than I really want.  They work well thanks to the stretchy fabric, but I have no extra room.  My thighs might be bigger than most women my size thanks to 30 years of cycling.

I recently picked up a pair of light softshell pants (Walker pant) from La Sportiva that have just the right amount of room everywhere.  The elastic waist is just below the natural waist.  These might be my new favs for cool weather to replace my aging Patagonia Simple Guides.  (Dear Patagonia, are you listening?  Bring back the Guide series pants.)

I know they're expensive and most of the colors are not what I'm looking for, but the La Sportiva Mantra's are my go-to. They have a higher waste, MASSIVE pockets, and are super stretchy while also being really durable. Plus, they're roomy enough where if I need to I can put some leggings on underneath to stay warmer. 

I live in low waisted black skinny jeans—pretty much year round. I have some that are kevlar lined for when I'm on my motorcycle, and I have some that are stretchy for when I'm on the wall. I've picked up a handful of "climbing pants" (La Sportiva Mantra and EMS Compass), but I hardly ever wear them because they're frumpy and not as comfortable as my $10 Uniqlo jeans.

If I was going to put together a feature wishlist for some climbing pants that I'd actually wear, it'd look something like this:

• Should be form fitting—not baggy—but super stretchy
• Abrasion resistant fabric
• Low waist (should sit at the hip bone)
• NO easter egg colors; DEFINITELY no pink or purple—black, gray, and earth tones only
• Functional pockets that you can get to with a harness on
• Zipper or snaps at the crotch so you can use a pee funnel without having to drop trow first
• Bonus points for a chalk bag loop for bouldering days
• Extra bonus points if I can just wipe off the chalk and go to work without anyone noticing I came from the gym (or wear to a restaurant without looking like I just came from the crag) — i.e., black skinny jeans for climbing :)

Hey Ladies!  Here are a pair of climbing pants I just made for the fall season. Summer weight Ponte knit, 10 percent spandex, very stretchy! I put a pocket where I want it to put paper topos-  below the leg loop. Pocket has two openings, one has a velcro closure. $20 cost. 

phylp wrote:

Hey Ladies!  Here are a pair of climbing pants I just made for the fall season. Summer weight Ponte knit, 10 percent spandex, very stretchy! I put a pocket where I want it to put paper topos-  below the leg loop. Pocket has two openings, one has a velcro closure. $20 cost. 

Super rad!! Thanks for sharing! 

I'm also a fan of the OR Wadi Rum pants. The only downsides I've run into are that they do stretch out a bit by the end of the day and do a great job of showing off any SWASS you might have after a hot day in the desert....but they're pretty quick drying so it's only an issue for a few minutes!

I'm probably alone on this... but I love the fit of BD Credo pant.

Pros - flattering (for me at least), sits higher on the waist, drawstring + button/zipper, side zip pocket that fits my big ass phone
Cons - The fabric is bullshit and has torn already( ~6 months), the price is definitely insane.

Although, after reading all of the comments about you ladies climbing in leggings... I'm sold!

Agreed on the Credo Pants. They're really comfy and the side zip pocket is the best. I had the same problem as you, though. I managed to shred them in 2 months flat. I posted a review saying as much on BD's website and they replied saying that if I submitted them under warranty, they would send me a new pair! So at least their warranty is good. :)

Rika J. wrote: Agreed on the Credo Pants. They're really comfy and the side zip pocket is the best. I had the same problem as you, though. I managed to shred them in 2 months flat. I posted a review saying as much on BD's website and they replied saying that if I submitted them under warranty, they would send me a new pair! So at least their warranty is good. :)

Right?! The 1st day I wore my first pair, the drawstring holes ripped before I even climbed... needless to say wearing them in Joshua Tree is hilarious and extremely pointless.

Ahhh, bless you, angel - I didn't even think about warranty! Sending in my 5 pairs asap

@ people who like the wadi rum pants from OR, what is the fabric like on these? When I look at them online it seems like it's probably pretty durable, but photos of people wearing them sometimes look like they're basically made out of tissue paper.

Lauren Wilson wrote: @ people who like the wadi rum pants from OR, what is the fabric like on these? When I look at them online it seems like it's probably pretty durable, but photos of people wearing them sometimes look like they're basically made out of tissue paper.

They're actually pretty durable and have a good amount of stretch in them. They sit a bit higher on the waist than other pants, which I really like.

Allison A wrote:

They're actually pretty durable and have a good amount of stretch in them. They sit a bit higher on the waist than other pants, which I really like.

How thick would you say the fabric is?

Wondering if any ladies had good advice regarding women’s soft shell/winter pants? I need to invest in a new pair this winter for ice climbing/ski touring. 

Allison A wrote: I'm also a fan of the OR Wadi Rum pants. The only downsides I've run into are that they do stretch out a bit by the end of the day and do a great job of showing off any SWASS you might have after a hot day in the desert....but they're pretty quick drying so it's only an issue for a few minutes!

How would you say their sizing is? Not sure if you have tried PrAna...but the sizing on their pants are at least 2 x bigger than normal for me. 

I've got both the OR Wadi Rum pants in an 8 and the OR Zendo pants (size 8). The Wadi Rums have a higher waist and seem to run on the larger side whereas the Zendos have a much lower waist and run smaller, at least for me. I only have one pair of hand-me-down Prana jeans (size 8) and they are also a bit loose compared to other pants of the same size.

Laralyn M. wrote: I live in low waisted black skinny jeans—pretty much year round. I have some that are kevlar lined for when I'm on my motorcycle, and I have some that are stretchy for when I'm on the wall. I've picked up a handful of "climbing pants" (La Sportiva Mantra and EMS Compass), but I hardly ever wear them because they're frumpy and not as comfortable as my $10 Uniqlo jeans.

If I was going to put together a feature wishlist for some climbing pants that I'd actually wear, it'd look something like this:

• Should be form fitting—not baggy—but super stretchy
• Abrasion resistant fabric
• Low waist (should sit at the hip bone)
• NO easter egg colors; DEFINITELY no pink or purple—black, gray, and earth tones only
• Functional pockets that you can get to with a harness on
• Zipper or snaps at the crotch so you can use a pee funnel without having to drop trow first
• Bonus points for a chalk bag loop for bouldering days
• Extra bonus points if I can just wipe off the chalk and go to work without anyone noticing I came from the gym (or wear to a restaurant without looking like I just came from the crag) — i.e., black skinny jeans for climbing :)

Awesome suggestions! I struggle too with finding pants that I can wear from work to the gym that I think are cute and functional! I would love a pair of durable leggings where the chalk just fluffs right off! Has anyone else found any good leggings to climb in?

I destroy pants.. absolutely destroy them. I dont know why or how, doesn't matter what I do, climbing pants never last more than 6 months to a year.  The best climbing pants I have were $5 from a corner store in central Mexico.  The other pants I wear are 3RD ROCK: they make short leg and regular length, are pretty darn durable and come in various colors so if you want to wear the rainbow you can and if you want to wear black.. thats possible too.

I find Patagonia venga and RPS pants are not durable enough and are too thick.. on warm days it looks like I've peed my pants (if the pants haven't ripped yet).  These pants tend to last a few months but I always have to wear shorts underneath since they ride so low.

3RD ROCK pants are much more durable, the Nora, Eden, and Skat pants all fit slightly differently but are all durable.  They sit high enough on the waist that it's not necessary to wear shorts underneath (awesome).  The Nora are the thinnest but they are the least stretchy, I am short and muscular but find they are also the widest leg fit so there is no issue in movement restriction.

I tried 1 pair of NIHIL pants, they are sooo comfortable and stretchy but NOT DURABLE AT ALL.  Wore them climbing granite for a week and they ripped to shreds... I repaired them but can pretty much only wear them in the gym

thanks for all the opinions and input ladies, maybe next I'll try mens pants!