Prana brings back the OG Stretch Zion Pant

Posting this for others who liked the Stretch Zion pant before they ruined it by switching fabrics in the Zion II pant. Apparently the complaints were heard and they brought back the OG. I haven't tried the re-released ones yet, so I cant confirm that they are the same as before, but will post up a review if/when I get another pair.

https://www.prana.com/the-zion-family-collection/stretch-zion.html?pos=3

Switched to e9 and never looked back. Superior in every way IMO

It's pretty rare a company does a 180 this hard, must've really hurt the bottom line. I never moved on, what did everyone end up replacing them with?

can't believe people are willing to part with so much money for pants.  

go to the thrift store

Aaron Liebling wrote:

Switched to e9 and never looked back. Superior in every way IMO

Eh, it's really just a matter of what fits for you. The E9 pants are sized S/M/L/XL, whereas the Prana pants have finer resolution selection of sizes based on waist and inseam measurements. Not to say the E9 pants aren't great, but for me the prana pants have provided the best combo of fit, function, and durability.

The negative responses on this thread are weird, honestly. Standard MP, I guess. In the original post it specifically notes that it is news for people who liked the OG Stretch Zion. If you prefer other climbing pants, or like to wear whatever you find at the thrift store, that is fine, this post isn't for you. The need to come on and declare that it isn't for you is a bit weird though.

JCM wrote:

Posting this for others who liked the Stretch Zion pant before they ruined it by switching fabrics in the Zion II pant. Apparently the complaints were heard and they brought back the OG. I haven't tried the re-released ones yet, so I cant confirm that they are the same as before, but will post up a review if/when I get another pair.

https://www.prana.com/the-zion-family-collection/stretch-zion.html?pos=3

Not sure if it's the OG cut, but my favorite iteration of the Zion pants in terms of fit was the one sold as XS, S, M, and L maybe around 2015ish? It was a true straight fit cut on the slightly slimmer side.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we did it.

Now we lobby to get the BD C3s back and literally every good piece of gear that patagonia discontinues over yet another fratboy synchilla product. 

Jeremiah White wrote:

It's pretty rare a company does a 180 this hard, must've really hurt the bottom line. I never moved on, what did everyone end up replacing them with?

These: Kuhl Deceptr. Pricey, but very comfy and much better fitting than anything else I've tried. Glad for the Zion return though, as I like those too. Sure, a pair of used Dickies and Converse All Stars can work for cheaper, but so can hexes and tricams. 

Jeremiah White wrote:

It's pretty rare a company does a 180 this hard, must've really hurt the bottom line. I never moved on, what did everyone end up replacing them with?

I never found a replacement I liked quite as much, and was just continuing to use my current pairs. It was getting to be time to buy new pants though, so I'm glad to see these return!

Cool last time out my friends commented about how many holes I had in my Zions.  Got 20% for being a new customer.  Not exactly cheap at at $80/pair delivered but I know I can cycle two pairs for 3+ years.  Costs 45 cents each day to climb in them. Worth the comfort to me.

Agree fully with Kuhl Deceptr as the best climbing pant, especially the older style tapered legs. 

I never liked the stretch zions. I'd always tear right through them.

The old ones lasted a long time doing Surveying field work.  The new ones lasted one time slab climbing on granite.  Thanks for the heads up!  

bernard wolfe wrote:

can't believe people are willing to part with so much money for pants.  

go to the thrift store

Ok Mr. Fuckin' Skinnylegs. Those of us with any degree of mass in our legs and ass will blow out any thrift store pair of pants in a couple months, at most. During my powerlifting days, I tried everything from $5 thrift store pants to custom $200 stretch denim jeans specifically made for people that lifted, destroying dozens of pairs of pants before eventually finding Zions. They lasted years instead of a month or two. I'm not even exaggerating any of this. It kind of sucked. I usually just had to wear pants a few sizes too large in the waist, so it was nice finally being able to wear pants that fit.

Not as 'thiccc' now, but I still swear by their longevity, especially considering you can easily find them for close to 50% off.

I don't know why people loved these pants, I had at least 2 "OG" pairs and they were shit in both shape and durability.

Jeremiah White wrote:

It's pretty rare a company does a 180 this hard, must've really hurt the bottom line. I never moved on, what did everyone end up replacing them with?

Never found a great replacement. Experimented with a few other brands (REI has some decent ones) but mostly just kept patching the old pants. Lots of patches.

Thanks for posting JCM!

J I wrote:

The old ones lasted a long time doing Surveying field work.  The new ones lasted one time slab climbing on granite.  Thanks for the heads up!  

How are you slab climbing where you tear your pants?   

Did the originals come in a slim cut? I am indeed a Mr. Fuckin' Skinnylegs and love the fit of the slims but my god folks weren't exaggerating about their durability issues. I have an OG pair I believe that I like the fit on but I have no clue if they're slim as well or if there's just really not much of a difference between the fits on their straight and slim cuts.

Tal M wrote:

Did the originals come in a slim cut? I am indeed a Mr. Fuckin' Skinnylegs and love the fit of the slims but my god folks weren't exaggerating about their durability issues. I have an OG pair I believe that I like the fit on but I have no clue if they're slim as well or if there's just really not much of a difference between the fits on their straight and slim cuts.

According to Prana's web site the Stretch Zion Straight pant (original fabric) has a slim fit. The last pair I bought did indeed have a slim fit, but that was a few years ago.

Ive owned stretch zion pants and shorts for over a decade - at least 12 pairs. I lived in these things year round. Well my pants are getting tattered and worn so I went to buy new ones and the new pants SUCK! Good to see they are bringing back what works. Too bad Ive already moved on to Kuhl shorts and Stio and other pants that are just as good as my original zion's. 

I would also note that the old school Bronson pants were rad - I've got a few pairs that Ive abused for like 12 years. 

Wrangler sells pants at Target under the ATG line that are almost identical to these pants but like 30$. Love them a lot. Regular or Jogger

Kevin Mokracek wrote:

How are you slab climbing where you tear your pants?   

by barely rubbing my knee on a small flake.  one bump, one hole.  could have been on the approach just as well, but hey, who really, actually, gives a fuck?