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Whether you’re training in the gym or planning your next multi-pitch adventure, we’ve identified the best climbing pants for every budget and adventure.<\/p>\n
Climbing pants are designed with careful consideration of everything climbers need. Solving boulder problems, tackling grueling alpine routes, and redpointing single-pitch sport routes all require capable and durable clothing. Apparel-related discomfort can limit performance, so climbing pants should offer freedom of movement, protection from the elements, comfort, and thoughtful features.<\/p>\n
Admittedly, we’ve had a lot of fun putting these trousers to the test. Austin Beck-Doss, a man with long legs and steel fingers, evaluates each pair while contorting his way up the steep limestone around Lander WY, where mobility is key, and summer storms offer plenty of opportunity to test the weather resistance and drying properties of each pair. Further west, senior editor Matt Bento puts climbing pants through their paces in Bishop, CA. The sharp, grainy rock of the Buttermilks is a 10-minute drive away, and another 10 minutes put him at 10,000 ft, where he can ramble and scramble over the endless ridges of the High Sierra. Since 2021, they’ve tested over 11 pairs of the best pants from top brands and notable smaller manufacturers to inform this guide.<\/p>\n
To help you identify the best climbing pants for your specific needs as a climber, we’ve also included a comprehensive buyer\u2019s guide<\/strong><\/a> at the end of our list of recommendations, a detailed specification chart<\/strong><\/a>, and a Price and Value<\/a> <\/strong>analysis to mop up any final queries.<\/p>\n Editor’s Note: We refreshed this guide on<\/em> August 20th, 2024, just in time for Fall. After a summer of ridge traversing in the High Sierra while wearing the Black Diamond Alpine Pants<\/a><\/strong>, we had to include them in the lineup. These technical trousers certainly live up to their namesake, and we’ve named them our favorite pants for alpine climbing.<\/em><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOriginal Stretch Zion material has perfect blend of give and durability<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWide size range available<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPFAS-free DWR finish<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRoomy fit doesn't constrict motion<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPants will pill eventually with enough climbing<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n They’re back! After enjoying high praise from climbers everywhere for some 20 years, the prAna Stretch Zion<\/strong> Pants<\/strong><\/a> ($95) have returned to their original fabric (after a brief stint as offered with prAna’s ‘ReZion’ material \u2014 a slicker and less-breathable substitute). Rest assured, this is the real deal again, and we’re here for it. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n You don’t have to be an OG to appreciate the Stretch Zions, either \u2014 these pants simply nail the execution at pretty much every angle for what we’re looking for in the best climbing pants. The hallmark Stretch Zion material is a 97% nylon\/3% elastane blend that balances the breathability to durability scales well, and is cut with a generous hand to provide all the room you need to make the move.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The pocket layout, too, is nigh-perfect: two deep drop side pockets are mesh-lined to bump up the ventilation-factor, and are flanked by two rear pockets (one with a flap to retain essentials when things get inverted), as well as a thigh pocket that opens with two different zippers \u2014 one horizontal, and one vertical. Killer for accessing while wearing a harness.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The tradeoff for the original fabric is going to be eventual pilling after hard climbing, but the trade-off in stretch and breathability is well worth it in our opinion. These pants are ideal for anyone climbing outdoors on a variety of rock types and in multiple climates. If you’re thrutching up burly squeeze chimneys often you may want something with a bit better armor, such as the Topo Designs Dirt 5-Pocket Pants, but for pretty much everything else, these are the ticket.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n It’s refreshing to see a brand read the tea leaves and bring back a cult favorite, and the prAna Stretch Zion Pants<\/a><\/strong> certainly deserve the title.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tComfortable<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRoomy fit<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tZippered rear pocket<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDurable elastic waistband<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRear zippered pocket is difficult to access with a harness on<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The simple and streamlined Basin Pull-On Pants<\/a> <\/strong>($79) from Mountain Hardwear are the most comfortable rock climbing pants we tested. We recommend these pants to any climber looking for a go-to pair of pants for all types of fair-weather climbing.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Unlike many of the pants on this list, the Basin features a straight-leg fit. The extra roominess in the legs allows for totally unrestricted movement. The stretchy blend of nylon and elastane breathes well, too. We never overheated in these, even though the pair we tested was dyed black.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Dual square-cut, drop-in front pockets help prevent your items from easily sliding out while climbing. A zippered back pocket provides a secure place to keep a phone on multipitch routes, though it’s slightly tricky to access while hanging in a harness.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Even after many uses, the elastic waistband held its shape and never dug into our skin. As a backup, a simple drawstring allows the wearer to customize their fit. These pants do not open at the fly, which slightly complicates the process of relieving oneself in certain climbing scenarios.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Though nicely priced, these pants are fairly bare-bones in terms of features. There’s no zippered fly, the knees aren’t articulated and the crotch isn’t gusseted. If you can get a good fit, the stretch factor should allow for decent mobility, but not like the PrAna Stretch Zion or the BD Alpine pants. The Basin Pull-ons are comfortably baggy, but their loose, drapey appearance might not be a great choice for date night. If however, you’re on a budget and looking for capable, comfortable climbing pants, the Basin Pull-ons will do the trick.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\nThe Best Climbing Pants of 2024<\/h2>\n
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\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\tBest Overall Climbing Pants\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tprAna Stretch Zion Pant\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\t\tSpecs\t<\/h3>\n
\n\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t13.2 oz.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStretch Zion \u2014 97% nylon, 3% elastane<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTwo front hand pockets, two rear, one zippered thigh<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRoll up pant leg snaps, webbing waist belt, rear pocket flap, vent holes in gusset<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRelaxed; straight leg<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\t![\"Product](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/BestOf_2024.png\")
\n\t\t![\"The](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/prAna-Stretch-Zion-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\tPros\t\t<\/h4>\n
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\n\n\t\t\tCons\t\t<\/h4>\n
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\n\tAustin Beck-Doss<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\t$95 at Amazon<\/a>Check Price at prAna<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\tBest Budget Climbing Pants\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tMountain Hardwear Basin Pull-On Pants\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\t\tSpecs\t<\/h3>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t9.5 oz.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t94% nylon, 6% elastane, PFC-free DWR finish<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTwo front hand pockets, two drop-in back (including one zippered)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tElastic waistband, zippered back pocket, drawstring waist<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRoomy<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n![\"The](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/mountain-hardware-basin-pull-on-pant.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\tPros\t\t<\/h4>\n
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\n\n\t\t\tCons\t\t<\/h4>\n
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\n\tAustin Beck-Doss<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\t$79 at REI<\/a>check price at amazon<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
![\"The](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Screen-Shot-2024-08-15-at-7.52.23-AM.png\")
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