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Women's Leggings/Pants for Climbing

Original Post
Skylar Williams · · Norman, OK · Joined Jul 2017 · Points: 0

Hey Ladies,

I've always loved climbing in leggings for the comfort and flexibility but after ripping holes in two pairs from rocks the past two weekends I believe its time to start climbing in something a little bit more durable. What's your favorite pants/leggings for climbing that is comfortable and flexible while also being able to withstand rubbing against rocks (bonus if also affordable!)?

Thanks!

- Sky

Walkin' Fool · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2018 · Points: 0

I love the Title Nine Clamber Pants. They're durable, comfortable, super stretchy, don't get saggy, and look good. I wear mine climbing (outdoor and gym), hiking, and backpacking (5 day trip without getting saggy!). They come in tall and petite sizes too. I have a hard time finding pants that fit well (tall, muscular thighs and butt, smaller waist) and these actually fit in the legs without falling down in the waist. Con: Definitely not cheap. 

Matt N · · CA · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 425

Find your fit/size in a good pair of pants, like something from Prana/Patagonia/etc, then setup alerts on ebay for your size, jump on a cheap pair. Also scour poshmark.

Outdoor Research Ferrosi work well for my wife. They breathe great, stretch, block a bit of wind, and are plenty durable. Just buy on sale. With patience, you don't have to spend over $30/pair.

Helen Wang · · Mountain View, CA · Joined May 2018 · Points: 75

I’m a huge fan of the Prana Halle straight pants (on sale at REI for ~$60 right now) and the mountain hardwear dynama ankle pants. Both are comfy, don’t impede mobility, and made from material more durable than leggings. I like that I can roll them up easily to better see my feet as well. The pranas are slightly thicker/more durable than the MH pants - usually I use them for slightly cooler weather. Also a huge bonus, both have thigh pockets big enough to fit my giant iPhone X which is amazing for multipitch stuff!

S H · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2015 · Points: 10

There's a similar thread from over a year ago that may be helpful: https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/topic/114113016/womens-climbing-pants-love-em-or-hate-em

I don't climb in any of the pants I listed then anymore   I now climb in Kailas 9A Onsight and Outdoor Research Ferrosi pants. The Kailas are high-waisted, stretchy, durable, and my go-to pair. The Ferrosis are stretchy and lightweight but I don't find their cinch at the bottom of the legs useful.

Brie Abram · · Celo, NC · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 493

Fjallraven Trekking Tight​​​

Not cheap, but my wife loves these so much she owns two
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3PY4QdDTM5/

She also loves skimo pants for cooler weather:

https://skimo.co/crazy-idea-b-side-pants

These appear to be a clone of the Trekking Tights, and they are currently on sale:

https://www.nwalpine.com/collections/womens/products/womens-technical-alpine-legging

natalie horton · · Boulder.CO · Joined Jul 2013 · Points: 5

Carhartt makes a pair of reinforced tights that I really like. Not the lightest but they are comfortable, durable, and affordable! carhartt.com/products/carha…

mwoodsh · · Helena, MT · Joined Aug 2016 · Points: 0

the carhartt leggings are awesome, POCKETS, and they don't look like your normal tights which to me is a plus.

for more climbing specific pants, with a bunch of stretch and functionality and comfort, both black diamond alpine pants are awesome. the downside is they are pretty short and only come to my ankles - but i'm 6'1.

Matt N · · CA · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 425

^ ^ $60 for those Carhartts!!! We're too cheap for that. $30 or less OR Ferrosi off ebay for the win.

Dan Mack · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2015 · Points: 115

Got a couple pair of leggings on sale, La Sportiva, here, looks like they are under $25

mwoodsh · · Helena, MT · Joined Aug 2016 · Points: 0

i had a pair of ferrosi, they lasted one weekend climbing before they had holes and pilling. that's certainly not worth $30 to me (i'mma buy once and make it last kinda consumer); i'm always happy to pay for durability, which is a rarity in women's pants.

but glad you like them!

Gina Schaefer · · Lake Hughes, CA · Joined Sep 2016 · Points: 30
mwoodsh wrote: the carhartt leggings are awesome, POCKETS, and they don't look like your normal tights which to me is a plus.

for more climbing specific pants, with a bunch of stretch and functionality and comfort, both black diamond alpine pants are awesome. the downside is they are pretty short and only come to my ankles - but i'm 6'1.

I tried these on and wanted them to fit sooooo bad, but they are NOT made for petite ladies.  I'm 5'2" and 130lbs and a small was way too big.  I don't think they come in XS.


I've been climbing in a pair of columbia saturday trail pants.  I've had them for years, and other than pilling (which is only really noticeable around the thighs) they're in great condition.  I have two holes in them, both from rappelling into nails in mines, but I shockingly haven't managed to destroy them climbing.  They're also incredibly stretchy and... in all honesty, make my butt look awesome which I probably shouldn't weigh as heavily in my pants evaluation as I do :p

I have been looking at other pairs though just to try something new.  I've heard good things about some different Prana pants so I might try those next.
Sky Drive · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2020 · Points: 0

. Has anyone tried any of these? My favorite is Weekendr tight - the most durable leggings I ever had, plus zippered pockets like carhartt.

Jinny Y. · · North Carolina · Joined Oct 2015 · Points: 0

I like prana avrils. Their sizing is variable but there's a drawstring to help with waist sizing

Amanda Richter · · Denver, CO · Joined Oct 2019 · Points: 0

Arcteryx makes an awesome pair of women’s climbing leggings. I’ve been climbing with mine outside (they even survived joshua tree) for almost a whole year and they have yet to pill. 

Mx Amie · · Milwaukie, OR · Joined May 2019 · Points: 327

I'm bummed that Permagumby is shutting down, I finally got around to picking up a pair of these, and I'm enjoying them:

https://permagumby.com/outdoor-leggings/ultimate-leggings-blue-climbing

prior to that I was climbing in fabletics and senita leggings, the senita's seem a bit more durable of the two, and they're definitely cheaper. the downside is that their thigh pockets have moved up towards the hip, so they're underneath my harness and unusable.

I have a pair of the prana rocklands, they're terribly saggy - I can't wear them without a harness. And the rough texture on the butt looks like a diaper (even black on black).

my absolute bombproof pants for knee bars, thigh locks, and other offwidth shenanigans are the Fjallraven Nikka pants, which are not leggings, not overly cute (at least in black, they didn't have my size in any other color), and expensive as all hell, but they take a beating.

Annie Climbs · · Boulder, CO · Joined Mar 2019 · Points: 52

Sportiva Mantra pant. Not cheap, but durable, lightweight, stretchy material with big enough pockets to skip the backpack on multi pitch. Elastic waist plays nice with harnesses, too. IMO big upgrade from prana or leggings if the brand fits you.

Amy Fleshman · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined Dec 2019 · Points: 0

Mountain Hardwear Dynama pants are the bomb. I tried a pair, loved them, and then bought 3 different colors ha. Awesome for climbing, super flexible and breathable, with legit pockets. Also Prana pants are great- really anything they make! Just got their Briann pants, which I really dig.

Jennifer Raven · · SLO, CA · Joined Aug 2020 · Points: 0

I've got some North Face Progressor's I got online. They're really nice and a lot thicker than normal tights with knee reinforcements etc. I think I paid like $25/ea and bought 3 pairs.

Kate Michelle · · San Francisco, CA · Joined Apr 2017 · Points: 16

Seconding the Fjallraven trekking tights. They are an investment for sure but I have put them through hell for the past 2 years and they have yet to show much if any wear at all. Offwidths, dirt and filth, chimneys... the reinforced knees and butt make these seemingly indestructible. 

Matt N · · CA · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 425

Update - OR Ferrosi 

Wife wore a couple holes in them and then the knee blew out as it snagged the rock during a high step. Luckily they'll replace them for free without worry - 100% guarantee. Got decent use out of them but not super durable as I'd hoped. 

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