Blog

Discovering the correct pair of ladies’s pants for outside actions is a notoriously troublesome activity. Too stretchy, not stretchy sufficient, high-waisted, low-waisted, cinched ankles or roll-ups, it’s not straightforward to wade via all of the choices.

Researching dozens of one of the best ladies’s climbing pants available on the market at the moment, we selected 14 fashions from fashionable manufacturers to place to the check. Our lead tester, Miya Tsudome, tried every of them personally, taking them on native hikes in southern California, on uncovered trails and thru prickly desert crops, and on mountain switchbacks with river crossings and bug publicity. 

Throughout testing, we thought of consolation, sturdiness, and freedom of motion. We additionally checked out worth, model, and intelligent options. Having particular metrics allowed us to match totally different fashions of pants objectively to see the place they excelled and the place they fell quick. After a number of months of researching the most recent pants and placing them to the check, we narrowed down one of the best choices for various makes use of, in classes corresponding to versatility, sturdiness, and funds. 

Fortunately, we’re seeing an increasing listing of climbing pants for ladies. And whereas there isn’t a single climbing pant to go well with each girl, we’ve damaged the listing into helpful classes that will help you discover one of the best match.

Don’t overlook to take a look at our purchaser’s information and regularly requested questions for useful suggestions, and take a look at our comparability chart to assist steer your decision-making.

Editor’s Be aware: We refreshed this text on December 22, 2023, including extra particulars about our testing practices, and making certain every current pant is in inventory and up-to-date.

The Greatest Mountaineering Pants for Ladies in 2023

Ladies’s Mountaineering Pants Comparability Chart

Mountaineering Pant
Worth
Weight
Material
Inseam

Patagonia Quandary Pants
$89
10 oz.
96% nylon, 4% spandex
32″

Columbia Saturday Path Pant
$70
11.2 oz.
96% nylon, 4% elastane
29.5″, 32″, or 34.5″

Out of doors Analysis Ferrosi Pants
$99
9.5 oz.
86% nylon, 14% spandex, DWR end 
31”

Kuhl Freeflex Roll-up Pant
$99
4.5 oz./sq. yd
50% polyester, 50% new polyester
32″

Fjallraven Keb Curved Trousers
$235
1 lb., 3 oz.
65% polyester, 35% cotton
32″

Coalatree Trailhead Pants
$99
10.9 oz.
88% nylon, 12% spandex
29”

Athleta Headlands Cargo Tight
$119
Unavailable
91% recycled nylon, 9% spandex
26″, 28″, or 31″

prAna Halle II Mountaineering Pants
$95
Unavailable
95% recycled nylon/5% elastane
30″, 32″, or 34″

Patagonia Skyline Traveler Pants
$99
9.4 oz.
88% nylon, 12% spandex
27″

Mountain Hardwear Ladies’s Dynama/2 Ankle
$85
Unavailable
94% nylon, 6% elastane
28″

Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights HD
$175
9.35 oz.
71% recycled polyester, 29% elastane
29″

prAna Kanab Pants
$89
5.6 oz.
62% organically grown cotton, 36% nylon, 2% spandex
29”

First Lite Alturas Information Pants
$145
14 oz.
Sturdy nylon with DWR
Varies by dimension

The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 pants
$80
Unavailable
95% nylon / 5% elastane
32”

Light-weight climbing pants are perfect for sizzling summer season treks; (picture/Matt Granger)

How We Examined Ladies’s Mountaineering Pants

Right here at GearJunkie, we’re devoted athletes, outside hobbyists, and all-around journey aficionados. In different phrases, we do all of it, and we all know what it’s prefer to need your clothes to have the ability to sustain.

We’ve been reviewing climbing pants for this information since July 2020, and annually we fastidiously analysis one of the best climbing pants available on the market to assessment. On this newest iteration, our testers spent over a 12 months researching which fashions to check, and put these climbing pants via the wringer. From rocky trails within the Pacific Northwest, to the desert sagebrush and alpine mountains of Bishop, Calif., we ensured that every pair was worn over a number of miles in various terrain and circumstances to see how they measured as much as each other. 

Contributor Rebecca Ross is a climbing and backpacking fanatic. She’s hiked everywhere in the Pacific Northwest, typically mixed with climbing targets. An American Alpine Membership grant recipient, she’s no stranger to worldwide climbing expeditions.

Our different tester and editor, Miya Tsudome, can also be an avid climbing fanatic and former information for the Yosemite Mountain College, and might typically be discovered going deep into the Excessive Sierra mountains in her yard of Bishop, Calif. She’s used and destroyed loads of pants bushwhacking her solution to distant crags and shimmying up granite chimneys.

Assessing every of those pants with goal metrics corresponding to materials, versatility, mobility, weatherproofing, and extra options, Miya and Rebecca have been in a position to write an knowledgeable purchaser’s information stuffed with helpful info. Their mixed expertise and information — plus their total instinct on what an amazing pair of climbing pants ought to feel and appear like — will hopefully aid you discover one of the best pair to your subsequent journey.

Purchaser’s Information: Find out how to Select the Greatest Mountaineering Pants

This information focuses on one of the best climbing pants available on the market that boast sturdiness over the long term. Try our information to one of the best leggings if you’d like extra strategies for activewear to match all of your adventures. Additionally, for those who’re on the lookout for male-specific fashions, take a look at our information on the Greatest Mountaineering Pants for males.

Materials

Do you intend to hike solely in heat summer season months or do you intend to hike all 12 months spherical in fluctuating climate? Do you want a number of stretch in your pants or are you on the lookout for one thing extra waterproof and sturdy? These questions are necessary to bear in mind when selecting climbing pants, which are available all varieties of supplies lately. 

Most all climbing pants are product of a mix of artificial supplies. In our lineup, nylon, polyester, and spandex (elastane) are closely featured. This ensures they’ve qualities that make them breathable or weather-resistant, in addition to stretchy to maintain you snug on the path.

Pants made primarily of polyester, just like the Kuhl Freeflex Roll-up Pants and Fjallraven Keb Curved Trousers, are usually extra breathable with excessive moisture-wicking talents and medium stretch. 

The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 pants are light-weight, cellular, and comfy for any climbing path; (picture/Miya Tsudome)

Pants which are primarily product of nylon, just like the Patagonia Quandary Pants, Prana Halle Mountaineering Pants, Columbia Saturday Path Pant, and Coalatree Trailhead Pants are harder than pants made primarily of polyester, making them the higher alternative if sturdiness is of concern.

Lastly, pants with the next stage of elastane, just like the Coalatree Trailhead Pants, or naturally, any leggings just like the Athleta Headlands Cargo Tights, will present extra stretch.

Selecting what kind of cloth will greatest fit your wants is in the end a matter of private desire and luxury, in addition to contemplating for those who want sturdiness or breathability based mostly on the kind of climbing you can be doing. If you’re on the lookout for much more breathability, you may wish to select pants which are made with additional air flow options like on the Fjallraven Keb Curved Trousers. These heavy-duty climbing pants have facet vents on every pant leg for while you want some additional assist cooling down. 

Additionally, since pants are including extra options to safeguard you from the solar — search for pants with UPF safety just like the Out of doors Analysis Ferrosi which is rated at 50+ UPF!

Pant Size & Versatility

Mountaineering pants usually are available three fundamental choices: full-length, convertible, and roll-up.

Full-length pants are an amazing choice for full leg safety, even in the summertime. A lot of the pants on our listing are thought of full-length just like the Patagonia Skyline Traveler Pants or the Columbia Saturday Path Pant.

The prAna Halle II could be cuffed on the ankle which is a pleasant function; (picture/Miya Tsudome)

Convertible pants — none are proven in our listing — are a 2-in-1 packaged deal. They are often worn as shorts or pants, because the legs zip off. They’re an amazing choice for variable climate and multiday hikes the place you need extra choices and fewer gear to pack. They don’t get as many model factors however are practical and versatile if that’s what you’re on the lookout for. 

And someplace between full-length and convertible lie roll-up pants much like Patagonia’s Quandary pants or the Out of doors Analysis Ferrosi Pants. Such pants have a tab, button, or drawcord that secures the cuff when rolled up.

A few of our testers are additionally huge proponents of ankle-length pants that don’t require you to roll the cuff, just like the Mountain Hardwear Ladies’s Dynama/2 Ankle. Not solely can this be a method desire, but additionally it permits you to put on climbing boots with ankle cuffs with out having to make any alterations to your pants, which generally is a bonus for some.

Mobility

Having the ability to transfer freely is a serious hallmark of one of the best climbing pants. Whether or not operating down the path or scrambling up a rocky patch, you don’t need your pants proscribing your motion. That is the place design options like a gusseted crotch, articulated knees, and stretchy supplies show helpful.

The feminine form could be robust to suit, however there are extra choices now than ever earlier than. Some manufacturers like Fjallraven provide curvy and straight matches, whereas others have added plus-size technical choices. And since each physique is formed in a different way, it may be useful to attempt on just a few pairs earlier than shopping for to make sure a cosy (however snug) match.

In terms of trekking-specific leggings, like our favourite choose, Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights HD they’ll typically be barely tighter and fewer forgiving than typical yoga pants however are extra sturdy and infrequently strengthened to help in longevity on the path.

Leggings all the time present nice mobility being comprised largely of spandex, such because the Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights HD seen right here; (picture/Miya Tsudome)

Options

Mountaineering pants are available all sizes and styles, and a few options like the kind of waist closure or dimension and the variety of pockets might help you determine what sort of pants you’ll like one of the best. 

When out on the path, pockets could be useful when needing to entry gadgets rapidly. Typically you’ll see climbing pants with back and front pockets. Pants with extra versatility will present a zippered pocket on the thigh for added safety.

Since we like to remain on the transfer, we choose pants with deep pockets that match our telephones or snacks and, ideally ones that zip. In terms of pockets that aren’t practical for our wants, they have a tendency to make it on our cons listing.

Take into consideration the options that you just’ll want to your particular adventures earlier than selecting your climbing pants; (picture/Miya Tsudome)

The Fjallraven Keb Curved Trousers have a powerful quantity of pockets, with two hand pockets plus two deep pockets on every leg, and even an inside mesh pocket. We additionally actually respect when leggings function pockets, and that’s one of many fundamental causes the Athleta Headlands Cargo Tights and the Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights made it onto our listing.

You’ll additionally should determine what kind of waist closure you’re on the lookout for in a climbing pant. Most conventional climbing pants function a zipper and button closure, just like the Out of doors Analysis Ferrosi, Patagonia Quandary, Prana Halle II, Kuhl Freeflex, and Columbia Saturday Path Pant. Some of these pants additionally all include belt loops, so you possibly can dial in a exact match.

The Coalatree Trailhead pants function a cinched waistband with a drawcord for a extra informal, fairly than technical, look. For some, the stretchy waistband of leggings is likely to be extra interesting. These match snugly below a backpacking backpack’s waist belt, and gained’t be susceptible to any snagging or bunching like button-closure pants may. 

We love the prAna Kanab pants for his or her vast, stretchy waistband; (picture/Miya Tsudome)

Climate Safety

A DWR (sturdy waterproof repellent) coating is used on most climbing pants. It doesn’t make pants utterly waterproof however provides sufficient safety to maintain you dry on dewy mornings or in mild showers.

The Coalatree Trailhead Pants and Out of doors Analysis Ferrosi Pants present a DWR end for surprising rain, however we don’t suggest carrying them as all-weather pants. As an alternative, you’d need one thing designed to tackle extra precipitation just like the Columbia Saturday Path Pant with Omni-Defend for repelling stains and water. Nonetheless, if you need complete waterproof safety — rain pants layered over climbing pants will do the trick.

It’s price mentioning that DWR coatings put on out over time, so that you’ll wish to deal with closely used climbing pants for optimum efficiency. Nikwax Softshell Proof Wash-In is a simple solution to preserve your pants repelling water 12 months after 12 months.

Some pants are handled with a DWR end for climate safety, whereas others give attention to breathability; (picture/Miya Tsudome)

Further Options for Mountaineering Pants

The little extras can actually make or break a very good pair of pants. A number of the options out there are well-positioned cargo pockets, zippered pockets, cooling vents, belt loops, and built-in belts. These increase a pant’s useability and performance on lengthy treks, and assist with group and total consolation because the miles grind by.

Further options we like are stain resistance and anti-microbial properties for fewer washes, safety from abrasions to maintain your pants lasting via rugged terrain, and even designated waist loops designed to maintain gadgets helpful. Whether or not you need these or not is determined by your private climbing plans and elegance.

FAQ