Mountain Project Logo

climbing pants recommendation

Original Post
bernard wolfe · · birmingham, al · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 300

I wanted to get some feedback/opinion on a good climbing pant recommendation......something that is tough as work pants denim, able to shrug off a long, thorny, scrambly approach..... but flexible, stretchy....has some give....and tailored enough to allow high stepping or other gymnastics.  Something that is currently available.  I know there are likely some legendary garments out there that folks still revere.  Thanks

Andrew Krajnik · · Plainfield, IL · Joined Jul 2016 · Points: 1,739

Prana Stretch Zion are probably the most popular climbing pants on the market. Abrasion resistant, 4-way stretch, and decent styling. (I wear them to the office, or at least I did, when I was still in the office regularly.)

They now have a straight leg option that's much slimmer than the original.

if you like the fabric, but want something without the thigh pocket, the Brion is another slim fit option that uses the same fabric, but in a "slacks" style.

Edit to add: they're not going to be as burly as Carhearts, but I've been pleased with their durabiltiy. If you really want something that's stout, Duluth makes a stretch version of their firehose pants, and they seem to get decent review, but I've never seen them in person. Perhaps someone can chime in on the comfort and mobility of those.

Drederek · · Olympia, WA · Joined Mar 2004 · Points: 315

Gear rep trolling should be done in the gear section 

Pete H · · Bozeman, MT · Joined Jul 2016 · Points: 0

I like the Black Diamond Spire pants. Heavy duty as climbing pants go and stretchy. 

Steven S · · Columbus, OH · Joined Sep 2019 · Points: 16

I almost always climb in my Kuhl renegade rock pants. I really like the number of pockets. I do plan on getting a pair of the prana zion convertibles though because my Kuhl pants can get a little too warm during summer.

Eli Mitchell · · Boulder, CO · Joined Nov 2020 · Points: 40

I have had 2 pairs of these flexible wrangler pants from walmart for 3 years now and they still look new. About a third of the price as a pair of prana stretch zions, in which seem to have less mobility. Also browse in gabes or a tjmaxx. They're usually stocked with decent outdoor branded clothing if you scavenge hard enough. 

Big Red · · Seattle · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 1,175

Foehn - burly as hell and great all around, except for hot weather

bernard wolfe · · birmingham, al · Joined Jan 2007 · Points: 300
Drederek wrote:

Gear rep trolling should be done in the gear section 

I thought about that when i first posted.....and then i thought, are pants 'gear'?....and then i also thought, get rid of all those subdivisions and throw everything together....let the poster employ a keyword discriminator....or the user employ a keyword search.  Too much fragmentation of a forum makes it less useable, in my opinion.

Micah Arrison · · Transit Van · Joined Jun 2019 · Points: 20

Pants are aid, underwear is acceptable but you're on thin ice

Real answer: I have a pair of 5.11 Tactical pants and they're awesome. Loose fitting (easy to move in), lots of pockets, very durable.

Kevinmurray · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2012 · Points: 0

Carhartts

Colonel Mustard · · Sacramento, CA · Joined Sep 2005 · Points: 1,252

Black totems

Fisher Goodwin · · Salt Lake, UT · Joined May 2016 · Points: 0

I’ve had Kuhl renegades, bd spires, fahlraven pros, and a few Patagonia’s in the past two years.
right now I’ve found Topo Designs Boulder pant to be pretty freaking stellar

Will Murdock · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2020 · Points: 0

I second the stretch Zion pants. Very comfy and they seem like they’ll hold up for a while. I would caution anyone to stay away from BD soft gear, the quality (IMO) has gone done drastically 

Albert Moran · · Dayton, OH · Joined Jun 2020 · Points: 0

I wear Kuhl Konfidant pants. I liked my first pair so much that when the bottom half got messed up by some car battery acid, I turned them into climbing shorts. 

Zach Holt · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2014 · Points: 275

La Sportiva 

Doug Chism · · Arlington VA · Joined Jul 2017 · Points: 55

Rab Torque 

almostrad · · BLC · Joined Jul 2015 · Points: 13

+1 for foehn 

Bryan L · · VA · Joined Dec 2017 · Points: 231

Look up Arborwear pants

Brandon Daniel · · Logan, UT · Joined May 2019 · Points: 41

I've had a pair of Prana Stretch Zion for about a year now that get worn for 2-3+ hours of climbing about 3 days a week.

NickMartel · · Tucson, Arizona · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 1,332

I love these 2 pairs of BD pants I have.
Extra zipper pocket in front, and built in waist strap with a hook latch like a rope bag (in addition to belt loops). Don’t know the name as they were gifts. They hold up and protect great on long, off trail Sonoran desert scrub bushwhacks. 

B G · · New England · Joined May 2018 · Points: 41

Old Navy sells all synthetic pants that are meant to look like chinos, and they are on sale on a regular basis. I've got a couple of pairs at like $10 or $20. They've worked great so far, they even have darts at the knee to allow some extra range. Biggest downside is that it just has regular hip pockets. So can't put anything in them while climbing.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
Post a Reply to "climbing pants recommendation"

Log In to Reply
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.