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Climbing pants for women with loooong legs

Original Post
Maya Payton · · Portland/Chicago · Joined Oct 2017 · Points: 0

Hey all! So I have a 36" inseam but a relatively small waist - really having trouble finding climbing pants that are long enough to reach my ankles without sacrificing the waist fit. I have a pair of Prana Halles which work okay, but the flare leg can get in the way sometimes. I'm looking for climbing pants with long inseams (or with length options) with a cinching ankle so that I can be warm and not have to roll up my pants to get fabric out of the way. I'm aware that inseams often lengthen with larger waist sizes, but I really need pants with length options even for smaller waist sizes. Often the inseams for large waist sizes are still too short anyway.

Please let me know where I should be looking! I'm also down to try out non-climbing pants, like some kind of training/running pants, if they come in different waist sizes and lengths!

Mijin K · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2016 · Points: 60

Hi, Maya. I am a midget, so don't know much about pants with long inseams, but suggest checking out the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants. They're light, very stretchy, and can be cinched at the bottom. I have the odd combination of a small waist and speed skater thighs (literally, I do the sport), and the Ferrosi are one of the very few pants I've found that fits well everywhere without having to sacrifice functionality, comfort or style. OR used to make a long version of it, but I'm not sure what the inseam measurement is. It also seems to have discontinued, so might be difficult to find. Moosejaw still carries a limited selection of sizes/colors for the long version.

The brand Kuhl makes short, regular and long inseam versions for a number of their pants. Depending on the model, the pants will have some sort of cinching or roll-up system that allows you to securely shorten the legs when needed. The long inseam is only 34", but it might still be worth trying on some of their pants since brands sometimes deviate from their size charts.

Another alternative is to find a pair of pants that fits you well, regardless of whether or not it has leg cinches, and ask someone with decent sewing skills to put in elastic (jogger style) or drawstrings. If you want the bungee-style cinch cords with toggles, you might have to go to a specialist like Rainy Pass Repair. They'll do a good job, but will be very expensive, and you'll also have to pay for shipping both ways if you don't live within driving distance of their location in Seattle.

Muscrat · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 3,625

Looked at the BD Dogma? They have a cool cinch system at the waist, and although you have to order the 34" waist to get the 33" inseam, they cinch down nicely, and since they are men's cut (don't ask) they are slim cut. Super burley, i climb slab and chimney in them, stand up to abuse. Downside is they are cotton, if you are into walls/weather.
btw, i am 34" inseam and 32" waist (which changes as the climbing trips go on) and i cuff my dogmas at times. It's nice to see one's feet on the slab!
Have you looked into baseball pants? Another great alternative, stretchy, takes abuse, not cotton. They do make a non-capri style (what do they call the cut on baseball pants when they are mid-calf, anyway?) that are more like pants, and sport shops can order almost any sizes.
Like airplane seats, clothes are not made for we tall'uns!
HA!

George Bracksieck · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2008 · Points: 3,693

Stonewear Designs did make such pants for women. I don't know if it's still in business. 

Mijin K · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2016 · Points: 60

That's a good point, George. I had completely forgotten about them. Stonewear Designs is indeed still in business -- just ordered something from them last week.

Maya, along those lines, their Dynamic Pant might be also be worth looking into.

Maya Payton · · Portland/Chicago · Joined Oct 2017 · Points: 0

Thanks so much all - all the tips were super helpful! I'll be sure to check out these brands - the Ferrosi looks pretty promising!

Haha, so glad there are others also at the extremes of the height spectrum who have the beta on brands with pant lengths :)

Climb On · · Everywhere · Joined Jan 2016 · Points: 0

I don't have any brand specific suggestions but I'm currently in Europe and have hit a few outdoor shops just to see what's up. Many of the pants I've tried on are ridiculously long and I often find US brands too short for me. Maybe look into some of the European brands? Sorry, once they didn't fit I didn't bother remembering the brand. 

Mijin K · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2016 · Points: 60

Haglofs, Mammut, Salewa, Lafuma and Millet are some of the better-known European brands, but the selection available in the U.S. is much more limited than what you would find in Europe or Asia.

Tomily ma · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2011 · Points: 555

My wife has a 36” inseam too and gets lots of pants from athelta. Their longs are 36” I believe. Probably not on par with dead bird but nice enough and you won’t look like Noah either. 

Gretchen 81 · · Longview, WA · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 60

I have 35" inseam and wear a size 6/8. OR Ferrosi pants are my fav. I have several pair. They come in longs. They are light weight, super durable, and comfortable...and a good price.

PeterW Whitmore · · Dryden, NY · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 50

I'm a guy with a 36" inseam and finally found some pants that fit from First Lite. They are pricey, but amazing. My sister has bought a lot of their stuff as well. Maybe this will work for you:
https://www.firstlite.com/alturas-pants.html

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