Best Climbing Pants of 2025

**The REI Trailmade Pants are lightweight and filled with features at a fraction of the price of other pants.**

Performance and Durability

The REI Co-op Trailmade Pants aren’t as soft, spacious, and stretchy as some other pants in our pool, but overall, they are comfortable to climb in. They have a tiny bit of stretch that helps aid mobility, but their slimmer fit means there isn’t quite as much room as we’d like. While some mobility is lacking, what really helps the Trailmade Pants stand out in terms of comfort is their weight. Weighing just 7.9 ounces (for a women’s size 8), they were the lightest pair of women’s pants we tested.

Since the REI pants are so light, you might think they aren’t durable, but you’d be wrong. They were one of only two women’s pants that came out unscathed after our concrete test, and they didn’t get any damage from our climbing sessions.

Features

Even for a pair of budget pants, the REI Co-op Trailmade basically have all the features you need. The women’s version has cinchable ankles (not available on the men’s version), extra material on the knees and the back of the ankles for added durability, and an interior drawstring. We preferred the built-in clasps and buckles of some of the other pants we tested since drawstrings take longer to tie and untie, but we still appreciate the ability to fine-tune the size of the waist.

**REI’s Trailmade Pants are one of the few pairs with a thigh pocket that actually fits big phones.**

These pants also have a good amount of pockets, with a zippered pocket on the right thigh. This pocket is harness-compatible and actually big enough to stash a phone. Plus, these pants feature a UPF 50+ rating and a DWR coating to help keep you protected from the weather.

Fit

The fit of the REI Co-op Trailmade Pants was true to size, making them another standout of the women’s testing pool. Our women’s tester normally wears either a size 6 or 8, and sometimes orders petite lengths. When she tried on the size 8 in the regular length, it felt close to perfect. The waist was a little big, which was easily fixed with the drawstring, and the length was spot on.

**REI Trailmade Pants have a slimmer fit and less stretch than other pants we tested, so they might not be the best fit for everyone. However, these pants have a huge range of sizes.**

The REI Co-op Trailmade Pants have the widest sizing range out of any pants we tested, and along with the adjustable waist and length, you should have no problem finding a pair that fits you well.

Best men’s lightweight climbing pants: Mountain Hardwear Basin Pull-On Pants

Material: 94% nylon/6% elastane
Pockets: 5 (2 front hand pockets, 2 back pockets, and 1 “secret” zippered back pocket)
Closure: Elastic waist and drawstring
Weight: 8.64 ounces (men’s medium)
Available sizes: 5 (small to XXL)
What we liked: Simple, lightweight pants that are airy and comfortable
What we didn’t like: No thigh pocket and they don’t have cinchable ankles

The Mountain Hardwear Basin Pull-On Pants stand out for their airy, lightweight feel. They’re the lightest pair of men’s pants we tested, and have just enough stretch and mobility to feel great on the wall. They lack cinchable ankles and a secure thigh pocket, however, they look just good enough that you can wear them around town without looking like you just came from the crag.

Mountain Hardwear Basin Pull-On Pants

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**The Mountain Hardwear Basin pants are super lightweight and comfortable.**

Performance and Durability

The Mountain Hardwear Basin Pull-On Pants were some of the more comfortable pants we tested. The material isn’t as soft as some others, but they’re so lightweight that it feels like you’re barely wearing anything at all. The fit is quite relaxed, so you have plenty of wiggle room when you need to get a high foot, plus, the material is decently stretchy to help give you great mobility.

When it comes to durability, the Mountain Hardwear trousers weren’t the best, as they suffered a tear when rubbed on the concrete. However, that’s a little expected since they’re so lightweight and airy.

Features

**The Mountain Hardwear pants have five pockets, including a secret pocket in the back.**

The Basin Pull-On Pants don’t have too many features, but their elastic waistband and adjustable drawstring really help them feel extremely comfortable. They lack ankle cinches and a thigh pocket, but the pants do have an additional zippered back pocket that fits my phone.

Even though they’re lacking some features, another area where the Basin pants excel is their aesthetics. They come in neutral, pleasing colors and don’t have the utilitarian zippers and buckles of other climbing pants we tried. While you probably won’t wear them to work, if you hide the drawstring under your shirt you could pull them off basically anywhere else.

If you don’t care about the fashion element, our runner-up pair for the best lightweight pants would be the REI Co-op Trailmade. The men’s version doesn’t have extra material on the knees or cinchable ankles like the women’s pants do, which is a big bummer, and they’re not as stretchy as the Mountain Hardwear Basin Pull-On Pants. However, they do have a zippered thigh pocket and more sizing options. And at 9.38 ounces for a men’s medium, they weigh less than an ounce more than the Mountain Hardwear pants.

Fit

The fit of the Basin Pull-On pants feels right on the spot, and the elastic waistband is very forgiving. Thanks to their jogger-like feel and built-in drawstring, you could order a size up or down if you’re between sizes and be happy. While the fit is true to size, the Mountain Hardwear pants don’t have the best availability. They only come in five sizes, and multiple color options are sold out. If your size or preferred color is sold out, we’d recommend checking out the Prana Wonderland Rocks Pull On Pant for a similar jogger feel, or the REI Co-op Trailmade Pants for its coveted zippered thigh pocket.

Best men’s climbing pants for bouldering: Prana Wonderland Rocks Pull On Pant

Material: 85% recycled polyester/15% spandex
Pockets: 3 (2 zippered front hand pockets, 1 back pocket)
Closure: Elastic waistband and drawstring
Weight: 11.08 ounces (men’s medium)
Available sizes: 5 (small to XXL) with 3 length options (30, 32, and 34-inch)
What we liked: Super soft pull-on pants, one of the most comfortable and flexible pants we tried, feel great to climb in and are durable enough to survive real rock
What we didn’t like: No thigh pocket or any reinforced areas

If you want one of the most comfortable pairs of climbing pants we tested, the Prana Wonderland Rocks Pull On Pants are for you. They’re similarly soft and stretchy as the Patagonia Terravia Alpine Pants, but have an airier feel and fit for maximum comfort. They lack a thigh pocket, which means they’re not as good for rope climbing, but feature a drawstring and adjustable ankles to help you find the perfect fit.

Prana Wonderland Rocks Pull On Pant

**The Prana Wonderland Rocks Pull On Pant are extremely stretchy and comfortable and have the features you want in a bouldering pant.**

Performance and Durability

It’s easy to say these Prana pull-on pants were some of the most comfortable we climbed in. They’re incredibly soft, stretchy, and airy, so it barely feels like you have anything on when you’re on the wall. The material does feel a bit thin compared to the Patagonia Terravia Alpines and some other pants, so they won’t offer as much protection from the cold for shoulder-season sessions, but they’re a fantastic choice for warmer weather or the gym.

Even though the pants are lightweight and feel thin, the Pranas were surprisingly durable. I climbed in them on the notoriously rough boulders at Flagstaff Mountain in Boulder, Colorado, and I didn’t notice any damage. When I rubbed them on concrete, only some slight pilling appeared.

Features

**We wish the Prana Wonderland Rock Pants pants had a thigh pocket, and the fit is slightly large in the waist.**

The Prana Wonderland Rocks Pull On Pants are notably missing a thigh pocket, which is why we named them the best men’s climbing pants for bouldering. Rope climbers might want the harness-compatible pocket to stash essentials, whether they’re on the wall or belaying. Despite the absence of that pocket, the Prana’s other features are quite useful.

Its best attribute is its drawstring. We’re normally not a fan of drawstrings, as other closures like buckles and clasps are easier to use, but Prana’s drawstring is clever because it can be tied on the outside or the inside. If you want easy access to your knot, keep it on the outside. But if you want to dress up the pants and have a cleaner look, you can tie the knot on the inside to keep the drawstring completely hidden. This obviously isn’t a life-changing feature, and I still wish the pants just had a clasp, but it is a smart improvement over other drawstrings.

The Prana Wonderland Rocks pants also feature ankle cinches to help adjust the length of your pants and keep your feet visible. This pair is quite similar to our winner for the best men’s lightweight climbing pants, the Mountain Hardwear Basin Pull-On Pants, but the biggest differentiator is the Prana’s ankle cinches.

These Prana pants also have zippered front pockets which, while not harness-compatible, still give you some extra security if you keep stuff in your pockets while bouldering.

Fit

**The Prana Wonderland Rock Pants have extra holes, so you can wear the drawstring on the inside or outside.**

The Prana Wonderland Rocks pants felt slightly large in the waist, so if you’re in between sizes we’d recommend sizing down. The elastic waist and drawstring help tailor the fit though, so even though these pants were big for me, I was able to tie them tight for my climbing sessions. The pants come in five sizes from small to XXL, and three inseam lengths of 30”, 32”, and 34”.

Best women’s climbing pants for bouldering: Mountain Hardwear Rockryge Pant

Material: 67% cotton/25% nylon/8% elastane
Pockets: 3 (2 front hand pockets, 1 zippered back pocket)
Closure: Elastic waist with built-in belt
Weight: 12.59 ounces (women’s small)
Available sizes: 5 (XS to XL)
What we liked: Stylish with a loose fit, amazingly comfortable, stretchy, and durable
What we didn’t like: Loose fit means putting on a harness is a little harder, and no thigh pocket means this pair is better for boulderers

These loose-fitting, jogger-like pants are super comfortable and the perfect pair for a day of bouldering at the gym or crag. The cotton blend is soft yet durable, and the cinchable ankles and built-in belt mean they’re easy to adjust.

Mountain Hardwear Rockryge Pant

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**Mountain Hardwear’s Rockryge pants have a loose fit and stretch, giving them fantastic mobility.**

Performance and Durability

Most cotton blend pants we tested weren’t very stretchy, and instead relied on a loose fit to ensure mobility. The Mountain Hardwear Rockryge bucked that trend by being loose and stretchy. They weren’t the stretchiest pants we tested, but the two-way flexibility made these pants feel super comfortable whether we were climbing or just driving to the gym.

Because they’re a cotton blend, these pants do feel thicker than synthetic options like the Patagonia Terravia Alpines or the REI Co-op Trailmade. That means you have a bit more protection for when you’re heel hooking outdoors, but you sacrifice a bit of breathability. However, they weren’t as bulky and hot as some other cotton pants we tried and, in our opinion, their material is right in the sweet spot of thickness.

Features

These bouldering pants had a solid amount of features, but since they’re missing a thigh pocket, we think they’re better for bouldering than rope climbing. They do have two front pockets and a zippered back pocket, as well as cinchable ankles, and we really love how these pants forgo the classic drawstring and have a built-in belt with an easy-to-use clasp instead.

Fit

**Ankle cinches and a thick, comfortable fabric make the Mountain Hardwear Rockryge some of the best women’s pants we tested.**

When it comes to fit, our women’s tester said these pants are on the bigger side. When looking at the size guide, she would have ordered a medium, but the small fit perfectly. So if you’re in between sizes or on the lower end of a size’s measurement range, we’d recommend sizing down.

Besides the size, the loose fit around the thighs makes these pants feel extremely comfortable and compatible with more body types. Our women’s tester said the pants are a little bit hard to get on if you have big hips, but once they’re on, the fit is relaxed. The pants fit stays quite straight through the calves until it reaches the ankles, where you can adjust the opening with a cinch so you can keep an eye on your footwork. The pants only come in five sizes, from XS to XL, but we think the design and adjustability help a ton with finding the right fit.

Best climbing pants for trad climbing: Arc’teryx Gamma Pant

Men's AND Women's

Material: 88% nylon/12% elastane
Pockets: 3 (2 zippered front hand pockets and 1 zippered thigh pocket)
Closure: Snap button and zipper with built-in belt
Weight: 10.76 ounces (women’s size 8) and 12.1 ounces (men’s size 30)
Available sizes: 24 in women’s (00 to 10 in short, 00 to 16 in regular, and 4 to 16 in tall) and 17 in men’s (28 to 38 in regular, and 30 to 38 in tall)
What we liked: Fantastic built-in belt, incredibly durable and water resistant, have a thigh pocket that actually fits big phones
What we didn’t like: Pricey and don’t have as many pockets as we’d like

Trad climbers need a durable pair of pants that can survive multi-pitch routes and off-width cracks, and the Arc’teryx Gamma Pants are the best pants we tested for thriving in those difficult environments for both men and women. The durability is fantastic, they have a great built-in belt and ankle cinches, and all of its pockets have zippers. Plus, the thigh pocket actually fits big phones, so you can have easy access to your mobile device on multi-pitch adventures.

Arc’teryx Gamma Pant

Performance and Durability

What makes the Arc’teryx Gamma Pants shine above other pants is their durability and weather-resistance. After rubbing both the men’s and women’s pairs on concrete, there was barely any evidence of damage. The material on both is a solid blend of nylon and elastane that’s comfortable to move in but can stand up to some real abuse.

The Gamma pants aren’t as stretchy as some other pairs we tested, but they do have a decent amount of give for those awkward chimney moves. Plus, a gusseted crotch and knees along with the regular, straight fit help with mobility. While these pants are a bit overkill for the gym, we felt comfortable climbing in them indoors and out. Another bonus for outdoor climbers: the Arc’teryx Gamma Pants are incredibly water resistant and showed zero signs of saturation after being held under our kitchen sink for 30 seconds.

At $200, most climbers probably don’t need these Arc’teryx pants and one of our other winners will suffice. But for those who are in need of a high-performing pant with a thigh pocket that actually fits your phone, the Gammas are a great pick.

Features

Beyond its zippered thigh pocket, the Gamma pants also have two front pockets with zippers. They’re not harness compatible, but help make sure your essentials are secure on the hike to the crag. Both men’s and women’s versions have ankle cinches as well to keep any extra fabric out of the way.

The built-in belt for both the men’s and women’s Gamma pants is another stand-out feature. The men’s pants have a metal hook that easily latches to the belt, allowing for easy, on-the-go adjustments. The women’s belt is a bit less obvious, and utilizes a smaller buckle to the right of the snap button to adjust its sizing. Both versions were extremely easy to use, and some of our favorite waist adjustments we tested.

Fit

The fit of both the men’s and women’s Arc’teryx Gamma Pants was right on the money. I tested a size 30, and since I normally vary between a 28 and a 30, the waist on the Gammas felt slightly big, but nothing the adjustable belt couldn’t fix. Similarly, our women’s tester said her size 8 pair was a tiny bit big in the waist, which was expected since she normally wears either a 6 or 8.

**The men’s and women’s Arc’teryx Gamma Pants have different built-in belts, but both are easy to adjust.**

The fit in the thighs and legs wasn’t overly spacious or tight, and since they were a bigger size, the length was a tiny bit long. She said she wouldn’t size down though, so if you’re between sizes, it might be a good idea to size up since you can cinch the waist tight. The length of both pants also felt true to size, and they each come in short, regular, and tall lengths as well.

Best men’s climbing pants for gym: Prana Stretch Zion 5 Pocket Slim Pant

Material: 95% recycled nylon/5% elastane
Pockets: 5 (front hand pockets, two back pockets, zippered coin pocket)
Closure: Button and zipper
Weight: 10.23 ounces (men’s size 30)
Available sizes: 11 waist sizes (28 to 42) and 3 inseam lengths (30, 32, and 34)
What we liked: Comfortable with a clean style that can be worn at the office
What we didn’t like: No features like waist or ankle adjustments

When it comes to the different features of pants, where you climb doesn’t matter as much as what kind of climbing you do. Sport climbers look for harness-compatible pants with secure pockets, while boulderers might look for a looser pair with an emphasis on durability. However, if you’re in need of a pair of pants that you can wear all day at the office then get in a gym session right after, the Prana Stretch Zion 5 Pocket Slim Pants are a perfect choice.

Prana Stretch Zion 5 Pocket Slim Pant

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**The Prana Stretch Zion 5-Pocket Slim Pants have a great aesthetic that can go from the office to the gym.**

Performance and Durability

The Stretch Zion pants from Prana have “stretch” in their name for a reason. They’re not the most flexible we tested, but they are surprisingly stretchy and comfortable for pants that look like khakis. The recycled nylon and elastane blend create a soft material that easily moves with you.

What makes these pants special is their mix of style and performance. You could easily be comfortable sitting in an office all day while wearing them, then head to the gym and throw a heel hook up above your head with zero issues. They’re easily the best-looking pair of men’s pants we tested, especially when you take into account the six simple, stylish colors.

The material isn’t too thick or too thin, so they didn’t feel quite as breathable as some of the airy pants we tested, but they also didn’t feel as hot as some of the thicker, cotton blends. They’re comfortable while wearing a harness too, so they’re a good pick for both rope climbers and boulderers. Plus, these trousers were surprisingly durable, only obtaining a few small pills and imperfections after our concrete test.

Features

**The Prana Stretch Zion 5-Pocket Slim Pants don’t have ankle cuffs or a thigh pocket, but these pants are still comfortable for climbing.**

While these pants are stylish enough to wear to work, they fall flat when it comes to climbing specific features. Ankle cinches, scuff panels, and built-in waist adjustments are all absent. Instead, the pants have belt loops and four main pockets. The only feature that differentiate these pants from casual wear is a fifth secret zippered coin pocket above the right front pocket and a gusseted crotch for more mobility.

Fit

This pair of Pranas fit true to size on me, with the 30 feeling a tad loose. These pants do have a slim, tapering fit—probably to be more aesthetically pleasing—but that cut might not be the best for everyone.

Best women’s climbing pants for gym: Prana Stretch Zion Halle Pants

Material: 95% recycled nylon/5% elastane
Pockets: 6 (2 front hand pockets, 2 back pockets, 1 hidden zippered back pocket, 1 zippered thigh pocket)
Closure: Button and zipper with interior drawstring
Weight: 10.86 ounces (women’s size 6)
Available sizes: 10 (00 to 16) and 3 inseams (30, 32, and 34)
What we liked: Abundant pockets and stylish aesthetics
What we didn’t like: Slimmer fit isn’t for everyone, and the material could be stretchier, and the material could be stretchier

Just like the men’s Prana Stretch Zion pants, the women-specific Prana Stretch Zion Halle Pants are a fantastic choice for workers that need to head straight to the gym from the office. They’re stylish, comfortable, and have the best pocket layout out of all women’s pants we tested.

Prana Stretch Zion Halle Pants

**Prana’s Stretch Zion Halle Pants also look good enough for a post-work gym session.**

Performance and durability

The Prana Stretch Zion Halle pants have the same combination of recycled nylon and elastane of the men’s Prana Stretch Zion pants, which means we’re fans of the decent stretch and comfort. The material is soft and has just enough flex to get you through a day of commuting, working, and climbing.

Also, similarly to the men’s Prana pants, the Halles only had slight damage from our concrete rubbing test, and showed zero wear from regular climbing.

Features

While the fabric of the women’s Stretch Zion Halle and the men’s Stretch Zion are the same, the Halle pants come with more features and pockets. For one, they have an interior drawstring so you can fine-tune the fit of the waist and you don’t have to mess with any belts. Plus, these women’s pants have more pockets, including a sleek thigh pocket and a hidden zippered pocket on the right rear. A UPF 50+ rating and PFA-free water-resistant coating round out the features of these sneakily technical pants.

Fit

The Prana Stretch Zion Halle Pants felt like they ran a bit big. Our women’s tester is normally between a size 6 and 8, and the size 6 fit perfectly. On the other hand, they felt a bit tight and slim compared to other pants that have a looser cut like the Mountain Hardwear Rockryge Pants.

**While the Prana Stretch Zion Halle Pants don’t have ankle cinches, these pants do have an internal drawstring to help fine-tune your fit.**

The length was true to size and felt a bit long for our women’s tester, who sometimes has to order petite lengths. The inner drawstring helps dial in the fit of the waist, but you’d have to cuff the ankles for any length adjustments, as there aren’t any cinches. The pants come in size 00 to 16, with inseam lengths of 30”, 32”, and 34”.

**A sleek thigh pocket of the Prana Stretch Zion Halle Pants is barely noticeable but super useful for stashing your phone.**

Other climbing pants we tested

Black Diamond Men’s Notion Pants

Material: 98% organic cotton/2% elastane
Pockets: 4 (front hand pockets, one back pocket, one zippered thigh pocket)
Closure: Elastic waistband with interior drawstring
Weight: 15.2 ounces (men’s small)
Available sizes: 7 (XS to 3XL)
What we liked: The thick cotton blend is soft and the material itself is very comfortable
What we didn’t like: The pockets were thick and uncomfortable while climbing, especially when wearing a harness

These Black Diamond pants have some promise for winning the hearts of boulderers, but the thick material of the pockets felt uncomfortable during our climbing session. It isn’t often that I notice the pocket pouches on a pair of pants, but the ones on these Notion pants felt very thick and hot. The pants in general felt hotter than most other pairs because of the cotton construction, and they got a hole during our rub test, knocking them down in our rank for durability.

Black Diamond Men’s Notion Pants

Men's

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**The Black Diamond Notion Pants felt a bit heavy and hot.**

Arc'teryx Men’s Cronin Cotton Pant

Material: 61% cotton/29% nylon/10% elastane
Pockets: 6 (2 front hand pockets, 2 back pockets, 2 thigh pockets)
Closure: Snap button and zipper
Weight: 1 lb. 1.57 oz for men's 30 tall
Available sizes: 17 (28 to 38 in regular and short lengths, 30 to 38 in tall lengths)
What we liked: Super stretchy material, loose fit, fantastic mobility, and good durability
What we didn’t like: High price tag and lack of features

The Arc’teryx Cronin Cotton Pants could be a solid choice for boulderers. They’re loose-fitting and stretchy, have a surprisingly good number of pockets (including a zippered thigh pocket that fits some phones, but not my iPhone 11 with its bulky case on), and are quite durable. However, there is no built-in waist or ankle adjustment, which we’d want to see on a pair of pants at this price point (over $150), especially since it has such a loose silhouette.

Arc'teryx Men’s Cronin Cotton Pant

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Outdoor Research Men’s Cirque Lite

Material: 88% nylon/12% spandex
Pockets: 3 (2 zippered front hand pockets, 1 zippered thigh pocket)
Closure: Snap button and zipper, built-in belt with plastic buckle
Weight: 13.09 ounces (men’s small)
Available sizes: 18 (small to XXL in regular, short, and tall lengths)
What we liked: Soft, stretchy material, scuff panels, and built-in belt
What we didn’t like: Buckle of the built-in belt isn’t as nice as others, no ankle cinches

These Outdoor Research pants are stretchy, comfortable, breathable, and durable. However, they didn’t stack up to our winning pairs when it came to weather resistance and pocket configuration. Small details on these pants were also a bit off, such as the thigh pocket not being able to fit a bulky phone, missing ankle cinches (instead the pants have an expandable gusset controlled by a zipper), and the belt buckle isn’t very comfortable.

Outdoor Research Men’s Cirque Lite

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Black Diamond Men’s Alpine Pants

Material: 85% nylon/15% elastane
Pockets: 3 (zippered front hand pockets, one zippered thigh pocket)
Closure: Two snap buttons, zipper, and adjustable belt with plastic buckle
Weight: 12.2 ounces (men’s 30)
Available sizes: 8 (28 to 38)
What we liked: Secure pockets, cinchable ankles, and a great built-in belt
What we didn’t like: The fit of these pants felt way off

On paper, the Black Diamond Alpine Pants have everything you’d want out of climbing pants: stretchy material, an easy-to-adjust belt, ankle cinches, and a zippered thigh pocket that fits your phone. Unfortunately, the fit of these pants felt extremely weird compared to all the other pants we tried. The crotch and seat felt long, but the thighs felt tight, leading to an uncomfortable climbing session. If you have a thin and tall frame or you can try them on in person and they feel good to you, they’d be a great set of pants.

Black Diamond Men’s Alpine Pants

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**Black Diamond’s Alpine Pants had a weird fit, but they’re super stretchy and have all the features you want.**

Outdoor Research Timberline 5-Pocket Pants

Material: 95% nylon/5% spandex
Pockets: 2 hand, 2 back, 1 zippered back
Closure: Button and zipper
Weight: 10.6 ounces (men’s 30x32)
Available sizes: 11 waist sizes (28 to 42) and 3 lengths (30, 32, and 34)
What we liked: Extremely stylish, pretty soft and comfortable
What we didn’t like: Not as eco-friendly or as water-resistant as the Prana pants

These pants from Outdoor Research were almost our pick for the best men’s climbing pants for the gym. They performed similarly to the winning Prana Stretch Zion pair, but didn’t hold up as well in our sink test to test for water resistance, and aren’t made of as sustainable materials. However, they are soft, comfortable, stretchy, and overall a great option for a post-work climb.

Outdoor Research Timberline 5-Pocket Pants

Kuhl Renegade Rock Pant

Material: 95% nylon/5% spandex
Pockets: 8 (2 front hand pockets, 2 drop-in side pockets, 2 zippered thigh pockets, 1 back pocket, and 1 zippered back pocket)
Closure: Button and zipper
Weight: 12.31 ounces (men’s 30x30)
Available sizes: 11 waist (28 to 42) and 3 lengths (30, 32, and 34)
What we liked: Unrivaled pockets and a soft, durable material
What we didn’t like: Little stretch and a slim fit, which sacrificed mobility

These pants from Kuhl fit true to size, look and feel great, and have the best pocket configuration out of any pair of pants we tested. However, the slim fit and minimal stretch made them one of the only pairs of pants where we actually noticed our mobility being restricted. Most of the time it didn’t matter, but we could feel ourselves fighting against the pants on a couple of occasions when trying to place a high, awkward foot. If mobility isn’t a dealbreaker for you, you’ll love these pants for their eight pockets, reinforced areas, and cinchable ankles.

Kuhl Renegade Rock Pant

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**Kuhl’s Renegade Rock Pants had the best pocket layout of any pair we tested, but they limited our mobility.**

Coalatree Trailhead Pants

Material: 88% nylon/12% spandex
Pockets: 4 (2 front hand pockets, 1 back pocket, and 1 back pocket with Velcro)
Closure: Elastic waist and drawstring
Weight: 11.2 ounces (medium, slim)
Available sizes: 6 (XS to XXL) and 2 fits (slim and regular)
What we liked: Soft interior, really stretchy, and really durable
What we didn’t like: You can feel the stitching of the crotch if you’re not wearing boxers and the drawstrings at the ankles are annoying

The Coalatree pants are durable, incredibly stretchy, and comfortable for the most part. I loved the way they felt on my legs, but our women’s tester noted she could feel the stitching of the crotch against the skin of her thighs, which was uncomfortable. If you don’t wear boxers, the stitching could get annoying. These pants are very durable and survived our concrete rub test with zero damage, but they felt hot when climbing in the gym and the drawstrings at the ankles often untied themselves.

Coalatree Trailhead Pants

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REI Co-op Trailmade Pants

Men's AND Women's

Material: 96% nylon/4% spandex
Pockets: 5 (2 front hand pockets, 2 back pockets, 1 zippered thigh pocket)
Closure: Button and zipper with interior drawstring
Weight: 9.38 ounces (men’s 30x30)
Available sizes: 15 waist (28 to 50) and 3 lengths (30, 32, and 34)
What we liked: Lightweight and breathable, durable, and decently comfortable
What we didn’t like: Missing small details like extra material on the knee and ankle cinches, we wish the pants were a bit stretchier

If the men’s REI Co-op Trailmade Pants had the same features as the women’s pair, they might have snagged a winning spot. The women’s REI Co-op Trailmade was a winner for best budget women’s climbing pants and best lightweight women’s climbing pants (review above).

Unfortunately, the men’s pants don’t have the added material on the knee or ankle cinches, so they fell down in our rankings. However, if you’re looking for a low-cost, lightweight, and decently comfortable pair of pants, these are a great budget pick. They aren’t as stretchy as we’d like, but are more than good enough for most climbers.

REI Co-op Trailmade Pants

Men's

Prana Vaha Pant

Material: 53% hemp/44% recycled polyester/3% elastane
Pockets: 3 (2 front hand pockets, 1 back pocket)
Closure: Pull-on elastic, drawstring
Weight: 11.99 ounces (men’s medium)
Available sizes: 6 (XS to XL) in 32 length
What we liked: Amazingly comfortable and airy, they feel as soft as sweatpants
What we didn’t like: No ability to tighten the ankles and poor durability

The Prana Vaha Pants were the airiest pair we tested, and multiple people said they look more like pajama pants than climbing pants. That design paired with its hemp-based material meant it was amazingly comfortable, but it couldn’t keep up with more technical pairs in our tests. Extra fabric got in the way of our footwork, the pants only have three pockets, and a big hole appeared after our concrete test.

Prana Vaha Pant

Prana Stretch Zion Field Pant

Material: 95% recycled nylon/5% elastane
Pockets: 5 (2 front hand pockets, 2 back pockets, 1 hidden zippered right hand pocket)
Closure: Elastic waist and drawstring
Weight: 11.4 ounces (men’s small)
Available sizes: 5 (small to XXL) and 3 lengths (30, 32, and 34)
What we liked: Comfortable and a little bit stretchy, yet still quite stylish, great for boulderers
What we didn’t like: No thigh pocket and a tear from our durability tests

The Prana Stretch Zion Field Pant is an impressive pair that was nearly our winner for the best men’s bouldering pants. It features the drawstring we like on the Prana Wonderland Rocks pants (which can be tied on the inside or outside of the pants), it has a hidden zipper in the right front pocket that actually fits my phone, and it has cinchable ankles. It just might have won a top spot if it didn’t get a tear in our concrete test, dropping it down in the ranks for durability.

Prana Stretch Zion Field Pant

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**The Prana Field Pants were a close contender for the best bouldering pants for men, but they weren’t as durable as our winners.**

Gnara Go There Pants

Material: 93% nylon/7% spandex
Pockets: 5 (2 zippered front hand pockets, 2 back pockets, 1 zippered thigh pocket)
Closure: Button and zipper with interior drawstring
Weight: 16.2 ounces (size 8)
Available sizes: 13 (00 to 22)
What we liked: Pee zipper is a fun feature, and they’re some of the stretchiest women’s pants we tested
What we didn’t like: Heavy but didn’t pass our durability test with flying colors

Gnara’s Go There Pants are incredibly stretchy and comfortable, and their unique pee zipper is worth a look (you can pee without taking off your harness—a game-changer on multi-pitches, long climbs, or when you run off into the woods at the crag). However, for how thick and heavy they are, they weren’t as durable as we’d like and came out of the rub test with a slight tear. The thigh pocket couldn’t fit our phone, but the pants are perfectly water resistant and have ankle cinches as well as buttons to convert the pants into capris. They also come in a huge inclusive size range.

Compared to the other pants we tested, they were just too expensive for how they performed.

Gnara Go There Pants

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Black Diamond Women’s Notion SP

Material: 98% organic cotton/2% elastane
Pockets: 3 (2 front hand pockets, 1 zippered thigh pocket)
Closure: Elastic waistband
Weight: 13.2 ounces (women’s large)
Available sizes: 7 (XXS to XXL)
What we liked: Styled like joggers and quite comfortable
What we didn’t like: No way to cinch the waist, felt thick and hot while climbing

The Black Diamond Women’s Notion SP pants are quite comfortable thanks to their cotton blend, but our women’s tester thought they were too thick and hot while climbing. We wish they had a drawstring to adjust the waist, and they got a hole from our durability test.

Black Diamond Women’s Notion SP

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Patagonia Women’s Caliza Rock Pants

Body material: 93% cotton/7% spandex
Waistband material: 81% recycled nylon/19% spandex
Pockets: 4 (2 front hand pockets, 2 back pockets)
Closure: Elastic waistband
Weight: 11.3 ounces (size 8)
Available sizes: 13 (00 to 22) in short and regular lengths
What we liked: Incredibly soft and comfy, almost our favorite bouldering pants for women
What we didn’t like: Run short and don’t have as many features as the winning bouldering pants for women

The Patagonia Caliza Rock Pants were a frontrunner for the best bouldering pants for women… until the Mountain Hardwear Rockryges overtook them. Even though the Mountain Hardwear pair won, these are still a solid pair that’s worth a look. They’re incredibly soft and lightweight, and the cotton blend was decently durable. We wish the waistband had some adjustability, and we also would have loved cinches at the ankles instead of plastic, snap buttons.

Patagonia Women’s Caliza Rock Pants

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**Patagonia’s Caliza Rock Pants were almost the best women’s bouldering pants, but our winners were more comfortable and had better ankle adjustments.**

Mountain Hardwear Women’s Chockstone Alpine Light Pant

Mountain Hardwear Women’s Chockstone Alpine LT Pant

Material: 88% nylon/12% elastane
Pockets: 3 (2 zippered front hand pockets, 1 zippered thigh pocket)
Closure: Snap button and zipper with built-in belt
Weight: 10.7 ounces (size small)
Available sizes: 5 (XS to XL) and 3 inseam lengths (short, regular, long)
What we liked: Some of the stretchiest we tested, have a good waist adjustment and ankle cinches
What we didn’t like: Not enough pockets and the slim fit isn’t for everyone

The Mountain Hardwear Chockstone Alpine Light Pants are a good contender for sport climbers, thanks to their good durability and super stretchy material. They feature a built-in belt for quick sizing adjustments, ankle cinches, and a harness-compatible pocket. Where they fell short, though, was the fit. The slim design felt quite tight on our women’s tester, and even though the stretchy material helps, we wish it was a bit looser.

Mountain Hardwear Women’s Chockstone Alpine Light Pant

view at mountain hardwear

Prana Stretch Zion E-Waist Jogger

Material: 97% nylon/3% elastane
Pockets: 6 (2 front hand pockets, 2 back pockets with Velcro, 1 covered thigh pocket, and 1 hidden zippered pocket)
Closure: Elastic waist and built-in belt
Weight: 13 ounces (women’s medium)
Available sizes: 7 (XXS to XXL)
What we liked: Oversized fit is comfortable, they have flexible sizing thanks to an elastic waistband and built-in belt
What we didn’t like: Aesthetic isn’t for everyone, suffered a small tear in our durability test

The Prana Stretch Zion E-Waist Joggers were another close contender for the best women’s bouldering pants, but they fell just short. We loved the built-in belt and elastic waistband since they gave fantastic adjustability, and the fabric was soft and comfortable. However, the pants are super baggy, which might not be everyone’s favorite look and a small tear appeared after rubbing them on concrete.

Prana Stretch Zion E-Waist Jogger