We need to talk about Prana... I'm really concerned.

I wear my Kuhl Renegade Rock Pants just about every time I climb whether it's outside or in the gym. I have rubbed them all over rocks and gym walls and snagged them on stuff while walking to the crag. These things look like I just picked them up from REI last week. I would definitely recommend getting a pair. I've been planning on getting a pair of the zion stretches but after reading this I'm thinking I'm gonna stick with Kuhl.

Wrangler outdoor somethings at Walmart or amazon… $20 

3rd world street market quality clothing.

I quite like these generic hiking pants from Amazon ($37): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08V486NDS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use them for pretty much all of my rock climbing and hiking now when it's not so hot that I want shorts. They have all the features you want in climbing pants: ripstop nylon fabric that is nice and light and breathable but has some water resistance; plenty of stretch for easy movement; zipper pockets including harness-compatible ones that sit below the leg loops; comfortable elastic waistbelt (also includes a separate belt); easy to roll up into shorts.

Basically an OR Ferrosi ripoff at less than half the price.

Patrick L wrote:

OR Ferrosi 

The OR Ferrosi is ok, but the material is just too darn thin for me. I haven't had any issues with ripping, but the wind blows right through you. Way too cold for my skinny boy climber legs when I want to be wearing pants. Great for hot summer temps or if it's hot enough in the sun for the winter, but in most other scenarios the ZIon is a much better fit/feel. 

If you've got bigger legs I can see the OR Ferrosi being a good option, but for us slim folk there are better options. I just need to do research now if the zion truly is phasing out and getting the 5.10 treatment. 

Jon Browher wrote:

Eddie Bauer guide pro. Every once in a while the stitching fails on the pockets, but they give you your money back and you buy another one. The material is outstanding and incredibly comfortable, light, and protective. I have a bunch of dogs and I prefer the guide pros to the Zions because the latter seem to collect an inordinant amount of dog hair

Guide pro is my Absolute favorite pant and the shorts are good too. 

Bought a pair of Zion pants in Sep ‘21 and then were nothing like the pants I bought in 2019. The material, size, and fit were all different and the pants felt much cheaper. I bought them without trying them on thinking I knew what I needed and it felt like a bit of gimmick.

I still wear my 2019 Zion pants climbing to this day after three full rock seasons.

For what it’s worth:  Tried the Zions—meh.  Material seemed okay, but the lack, and poor design, of pockets was less than desirable, especially for multi-pitch.  Switched to Kuhl’s Radikl years ago.  Good pants—comfortable, durable, enough pockets, breathable.  Getting some Renegade Rock pants when Kuhl has the 30” waist in stock again.  My climbing buddies have these and like them better than the Radikls, which they’ve had for a while.  

I was a die hard Stretch Zion fan until they only offered drab colors and changed the design and material- I noticed this around the same time as others ~2019.  I still have my very first pair of stretch zion shorts from 2010 and they're weathered as hell and worn, but no holes, and I'd estimate they've seen hundreds of days of climbing and yard work.  The new shit just sucks.  And they're overpriced for what they are.  I've been climbing in Arcteryx Gamma LT pants as my go-to replacement for a couple years now, and I'm absolutely blown away by the fit, durability and functionality.  The zippered, almost seamless pockets are great, the ability to tighten the cuff works very well (it's a bit cumbersome, but still works and is a great feature).  I'm about 6'2" and have a 34" inseam and a 33" waist and the Medium Tall size of these pants are just slightly long (at 35") but I haven't found pants yet that fit as well as they do.  I mostly climb single pitch trad and sport, and boulder a ton.  They're pricey, but in my estimation they're one of the few products out there that are actually worth the money- especially if you can get a 20% off coupon and buy them from an online retailer.

Aw man! I literally just got a pair. 

Irreverent Bastard wrote:

Wrangler outdoor somethings at Walmart or amazon… $20 

They fit weird. They are like yoga pants tight on my thighs. And the fabric piles a lot. I still wear them but they are nowhere near as nice as the Zion pants.
However the zion cargo pocket doesn't fit a modern cellphone, which is pretty annoying. Fits in the walmart pants though.

Not Hobo Greg wrote:

I have to disagree there. I strictly wear stretch zions and climb 220 days a year, 160 of those in Joshua Tree, a place that eats clothes, and they stand up great to the quartz monzonite. And I’ve only been wearing them since about 2019. 

Different strokes I guess.  I'm tall and lanky, maybe that has something to do with it.  I'm glad they hold up for you, and the older ones do mostly, but the newer stuff I've found to be lacking, and way inferior to the Arc. Gamma LTs, but again, this is somewhat subjective.  If they work for you, that's fantastic.  I tore a pair up pretty badly on Old Rag Mountain a few years ago, and that place is very similar to the rough granite found at JTree.  I have to take you at your word, because I'm not getting out nearly as much as you are.