Climbing Pants are an important piece of gear for any climbing enthusiast because they, improve your movement, wick moisture, and protect your legs. They are more than just a fashion statement.
If you’re searching for a new pair of climbing pants to try out on your next adventure, or you’re looking to buy your very first climbing pants, read on to compare the best ones on the market! We guarantee you’ll find a worthy pair to add to your gear!
Table of Contents
The Pros of prAna’s Stretch Zio Pant for Men
One really solid pair of climbing pants for men that are prAna’s Stretch Zio Pants. They’re made with 97% Nylon and 3% Spandex and cost $89 on both Amazon and prAna’s website.
The pants have the subsequent positives in their construction :
- Abrasion resistance
- Wrinkle resistance
- Water repellant
- Ventilated inseams with gusset
- Roll up leg snaps
- Adjustable waistband
- Durable construction
- 5 pockets (1 cargo)
- UPF 50+
These features help keep your pants lasting a long time, while keeping you comfortable when using them for:
- Bouldering
- Crag climbing
- Indoor climbing
The pants also come in a plethora of colors that are casual enough to wear out on the town but won’t be out of place while climbing. The Stretch Zio comes in the following colors:
- Cargo Green
- Dark Khaki
- Mud
- Charcoal
- Black
- Grey
- Coffee Bean
- Equinox Blue
The Cons of the Stretch Zio Pant
There are some negative points to the Stretch Zio pants, however. Those downsides include the pants:
- High cost
- Weather proofing
- Breathability
The pants are costly especially for someone just starting out. This makes the Stretch Zio’s so-so weather proofing a definite minus.
As far as the breathability, it’s breathable around 9 out of 10 times. These issues usually occur at:
- High temperatures
- High exertion levels
But, if you don’t go out on hot days or really push yourself, this could be a non-issue.
prAna’s Commitment to Sustainability with Stretch Zio
We put this in a separate category as this could be a plus for some people and not an issue for others.
prAna is a brand that lives and breathes the outdoors, so it makes sense that they try to protect it to the best of their ability by using more sustainable practices than other brands. They do this by using recycled nylon in some of their items. They also make sure the products they make are PFC-free.
prAna is fair trade certified as well, so if you want to buy good all-around climbing pants from a company that’s trying to make the world a better place, consider the prAna Strerch Zio Pant!
The Pros of prAna’s Axiom Men’s Jeans
Here’s another prAna item on our list and it’s definitely something to write home about! You might not expect that a jean could be used as a climbing pant, but it definitely can if they’re the Axiom Jean! The Axiom Jeans can be purchased on Amazon and prAna’s website for $89 and are made of 99% organic cotton with 1% spandex for mobility.
These pants are great when used in these situations:
- Bouldering
- Crag climbing
- Indoor climbing
The classic looking blue jeans are perfect as climbing trousers because they have a gusset that helps with stretching. Not to mention, they have all the great aspects that jeans give you like:
- Detailed contrast zig-zag stitch
- An easy pull on closure
- A casual look
- 5 pockets (1 change pocket)
With those aspects in mind, if you want to up your climbing game without looking like you climb, or if you don’t have time or space to change, pull on the Axiom Jeans!
The Cons of Axiom Jeans
These jeans, while being better to climb in than other non-climbing pants are still jeans with drawbacks such as:
- Breathability
- No weatherproofing
- No articulation
- No color options
Since these are jeans, they’re going to behave like jeans, which means they’ll get sweaty and wet in the elements. They also don’t have any articulation in the legs or knees to help with movement.
Also, it must be said that these jeans come in only one color, so short of dying them, all you’ll get is blue.
prAna’s Commitment to Sustainability with Axiom Jeans
These jeans are certified organic with these standards:
- GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)
- OCS (Organic Textile Standard)
Which means prAna uses 88% less water on their jeans than jeans that use normal cotton. They also don’t use toxic chemicals on the Axiom pant.
The Pros of Unisex Xlite Climbing Pants by Ucraft
Another great all around climbing pant is the Ucraft Xlite unisex pants. This style uses
92% polyester and 8% spandex in its construction and costs anywhere from $55 to $67
on Amazon or their website.
These pants are marketed as being made by climbers for climbers, so it has a multitude of nifty enthusiast plusses like:
- Multiple big pockets (including security and zippered)
- Ankle drawstrings
- Chalk bag & brush loops
- Dust proof and quick drying design
- Articulated knees
- Lightweight design
- Breathable & stretchy
Which making doing any of the following things a breeze!
- Rock Climbing
- Bouldering
- Yoga
- Indoor climbing
- Crag climbing
Not to mention you can get these pants as full length trousers or capris in these casual or bright colors:
- Graphite
- Mustard
- Pale Green
- Yellow
So, if you want to set yourself apart from the rest of the climbers at the crag, you may want these pants!
The Cons of Unisex Xlite Climbing Pants
The Xlite has three notable issues with its construction however:
- Warmth
- Durability
- No gusset
These pants aren’t constructed for the cold, so if you want to do some alpine climbing, stay away from these pants like the plague; they won’t keep you warm and they’re not weatherproof.
The durability for these pants overall are so-so since they don’t have any abrasion proofing. This will make the elements play a role in aging these pants quicker than other climbing pants.
Lastly, there is no gusset in these pants so movement in the crotch area could be limited. The pants may also be prone to splitting if put under enough pressure.
Ucraft Commitment to Sustainability with Xlite
The brand Ucraft is similar to prAna in the fact that it does its part to help the environment. They seek to make each pair of pants with recyclable materials to protect the ecosystem. So, if you buy these pants you can recycle them!
Note: There is no other information on the website about this claim besides the listing.
The Pros of Mountain Hardwear Men’s AP Pant
If you’re looking for a climbing pant that has the most color options possible on
the market, you’ll want the Mountain Hardwear AP Pant for men. They’re around
$90, are made with 75% cotton, 23% nylon, and 2% elastane, and come in the following solid colors:
- Dark Storm
- Stone Green
- Zinc
- Golden Brown
- Void
- Sandstorm
- Ridgeline
- Black Sage
- Rusted
- Dark Shale
- Tundra
- Peatmoss
- Shark
- Combat Green
- Scout
- Dunes
- Field
They also come in these interesting two toned color designs:
- Shark and Black
- Golden Brown and Tundra
- Nightfall Blue and Dark Zinc
These pants are also equipped with the following aspects to weigh in its favor:
- Reflective snap closures for rolled pant legs
- Front cell phone pocket and zip secure pockets
- Articulated knees
- UPF 50 filters
The website also boasts the pants can be used for any of these situations:
- Light Backcountry
- Rock Climbing
- Backpacking
- Casual hiking
- Travel
- Camping
The Cons of the AP Pant
With so many colors, you might think this pant has covered all of its bases in regards to its construction, but that’s not entirely the case.
These pants have the following issues with them:
- They’re expensive
- No gusset or adjustable waist
- No commitment to sustainability
These are much like the Stretch Zio pants with some features swapped but they’re not as flexible, which could cause some issues while doing certain climbs. It’ll be up to you if the price is worth the swap for the huge color selection.
The Pros of Men’s Venga Rock Pants by Patagonia
Men’s Venga Rock Pants are made with 73% organic cotton, 24% polyester, 3% spandex and cost $89 on the Patagonia website. While you can’t buy these pants on Amazon, they do have their fair share of positive aspects such as:
- Darted knees
- Articulated legs
- Gusseted crotch
- OppoSet adjustable waist
- Mesh pocket bags that lay flat
- Moisture wicking abilities
- Reinforced pockets
- A toothbrush holder
- Lightweight
They also have a variety of attractive colors listed below:
- Forge Grey
- Coriander Brown
- Navy Blue
- Andes Blue
- Industrial Green
- Balkan Blue
So, if you want a climbing pant to cover all your bases go with these Venga Rock Pants!
The Cons of Venga Rock Pants
The Venga Rock Pants have two cons to speak of which are:
- Their cost
- No leg cinching
Cost is a reoccurring issue with most of these pants and this pair is no exception.
One thing the price tag doesn’t buy you, which could be a problem, is the lack of an ankle cinch to tie up the pant legs. This can make certain climbing situations difficult as you may get tangled with the excess fabric.
Patagonia’s Commitment to Sustainability with Venga
These pants are organic, so they’re eco-friendly right off the bat, but Patagonia doesn’t just stop there with trying to give back to the planet. The company is also working on the following things to be more eco-conscious:
- Using fair trade factories
- Swapping in recycled fabrics
- Keeping PEC’s out of the manufacturing process
- Being part of 1% For the Planet
Which means a good portion of the cost of the pants are going back into sustainable practices!
The Pros of RPS Rock Pant – Men’s by Patagonia
Here’s another Patagonia climbing pant to add to the list! It takes the form of the RPS Rock Pant for men. They’re made out of 52% recycled nylon and 48% polyester and can run you $89 off of their website.
These pants are great for:
- Multi-pitch rock climbing
- Indoor climbing gyms
The positive aspects of these pants are that they’re:
- Lightweight
- Moisture wicking
- Water repellant
- Gusseted
- Have an articulated design
- Equipped with shock chord to tighten cuffs
- Darted at the knees
- Adjustable at the waist with OppoSet
The RPS Rock Pant also comes in the following colors to choose from:
- Navy Blue
- Andes Blue
- Pronghorn Tan
- Industrial Green
- Forge Grey
The Cons of RPS Rock Pant
The issues that arise with these pants are that they are:
- Expensive
- Lacking elastic leg cuffs
- Are a middle of the road option
Elastic leg cuffs are better than having nothing around the ankles to secure excess fabric, but they’re not the best as they wear out after enough use.
This could be a pro or a con, but people don’t rave about these pants. They’re solid, don’t have a lot of problems, will get you from point a to b while climbing, but they’re not exceptional in any way.
Patagonia’s Commitment to Sustainability with RPS Rock Pant
The ecological impact of these pants, however, cannot be understated. Since these pants are made with recycled materials, they save things from entering the waste stream.
Did you know that only a portion of all recyclable items that you put in the recycling bin are actually recycled due to market demand? The higher the demand for recycled products, the more the environment benefits from it!
So, if you want to create that demand, get the RPS Rock Pant!
The Pros of Arcteryx Gamma AR Rock Pant for Men
The Gamma AR Rock Pant is the rock pant people talk about like it’s a famous diva. Why is that? Well, it’s because it’s the most expensive! It can be bought on Amazon or the Arcteryx website for $200 and it’s made with 46% Nylon, 46% Polyester, and 8% Elastane.
But don’t let these pants give you sticker shock! These are priced at $200 for a good reason! It is one of the few pants that can be used for the following things:
- Rock climbing
- Alpine climbing
- Hiking
- Trekking
- Winter climbing
Not only can the trousers be used for many different intensive climbing situations, but it also has the following plus-sides to it:
- Multiple layers with a softshell
- Abrasion resistance
- Breathable fabric
- Wind and water resistance
- A gusset
- Articulated knees
The color choices for the pant, however, are a little sparse. The three colors available are:
- Black
- Cobalt Moon
- Paradox
But, if you want to stay warm in cold weather, color’s not going to matter, and these will be your best go-to!
The Cons of Gamma AR Rock Pant
These buzz-worthy pants do have two big drawbacks as good as they are. The cons are:
- Price
- Weight
These pants will be out of buyable range for those on a budget, but they are also not for those who worry about gear weight. These pants are super heavy! This is due to the way the pants are constructed to withstand freezing temperatures.
If you’re not going to be out in the snow, don’t bother with these climbing pants and pick something more light on your body and your wallet.
Arcteryx Commitment to Sustainability with Gamma AR
If you’re not completely sold on these pants, however, Arcteryx does have a sustainable aspect integrated into its company. It has a buy back policy for its products where you can sell your gently used gear back to them!
Arcteryx will then resell your stuff to those in need of cheaper gear. This helps close the loop on the Gamma AR pant lifecycle and it helps you from having to sell your stuff on eBay!
The Pros of La Sportiva’s Talus Pant M
La Sportiva’s Talus Pant M are another solid option for climbing pants that are made of 96% nylon and 4% spandex. These pants can be purchased on Amazon or their website for $99.
The Talus Pant M is a middle of the line climbing pant that can be used for:
- Bouldering
- Crag climbing
- Indoor climbing
While it doesn’t have a lot of extras like some of the other pants on this list, it does have:
- Articulated knees
- Diamond gusset
- Toothbrush sleeve
- Elastic waistband
They also have fun, asymmetrical two toned color palettes for sale:
- Carbon and Kiwi
- Clay and Poppy
- Kiwi and Citrus
La Sportiva’s Talus Pant M (Cons)
The biggest problems with the Talus pant are that:
- They’re expensive
- There’s no ankle cinch
- The design is asymmetrical
- The fit
While we’ve talked about the first two points as many times as you’ll go to the climbing gym, the third and fourth points are very specific to these pants.
The asymmetrical design, while being a positive for some, might be a negative to other. They’re definitely not made for those who are more conservative with their dress, so if you don’t have the confidence to rock the style, you may want to pass on this pair.
Also, the fit for these pants is slim, so they may not work for you if you like more room in your climbing pants.
La Sportiva’s Commitment to Sustainability with Talus
What can work for everyone, however, are La Sportiva’s sustainable practices. They involve themselves in the following eco-friendly endeavors:
- Investing in Bluesign approved fabrics
- Using zero-waste factories
- Having PFC-free clothes
- Committing to 1% For the Planet
If this piques your fancy, try out the Talus pants!
The Pros of Windstopper Athletic Pants by 4ucycling
Although not technically a climbing specific pant, these multi-sport Windstopper trousers are affordable and provide some of what a climbing pant needs! The pants go for $25 to $40 on Amazon as well as on the 4ucycling site.
They’re made with a combination of polyester and spandex with different amounts in the front and back for flexibility and durability. The front has a double layer of 75% polyester and 25% spandex, and the back is 85% polyester and 15% spandex.
These pants are best for the following uses:
- Bouldering
- Crag climbing
- Indoor climbing
The benefits to these pants affordable are its:
- Thermo fleece inside for warmth
- Water repellent nature
- Moisture wicking abilities
- Zippered pockets
- Reflective logo for visibility
The colors choices for these pants are conservative and come in:
- Gray
- Black
- Black & Gray
- Black & Gray 2
- Black & Gray Line 2
- Black & Red
Sound good? Save yourself some money with the Windstopper Athletic pants!
The Cons of Windstopper Athletic Pants
The cons to this affordable pant are what makes it appealing in the first place. It’s a cheap pant and they’re not specifically climbing pants so they may not hold up as much as actual dedicated rock climbing pants.
Also, 4ucycling doesn’t have any notable sustainable practices to sweeten the pot and they operate in Asian sizing, so if you want a pair you’ll definitely want to size up!
The Pros of Paramount Active Convertible Pants from The North Face
Another pair that’s not specifically for climbing but has all the aspects of a climbing pant is the Paramount Active Converibles. They’re $40 to $120 because some styles are on sale now via Amazon and The North Face website!
The pants are made of 90% Polyester and 10% Spandex and they come in the following lengths:
- Short
- Regular
- Long
These pants are great for use in:
- Bouldering
- Crag climbing
- Indoor climbing
The Convertible Pants also have the following great details:
- Stretchy and breathable fabric
- Zip legs to turn into shorts
- Drawcord waistband
- Gusset crotch
- Knee darts
- Water repellant with flash dry technology
The pants come in these colors you can pick from:
- Twill Beige
- New Taupe Green
- Asphalt Grey
- Caramel Café
- Dune Beige
- Brown
The Cons of Paramount Active Convertible Pants
Ready to click buy? Hold on tight for one moment! The cons to keep in mind for the Active Convertible Pants are:
- Some styles are expensive
- There’s no ankle chord
The sale doesn’t extend to all of the pants, so be careful when you’re making your choice!
As for the convertible portion of these pants, they could make up for there being no ankle chord, but it does leave your knees out in the open to get scratches and bruises.
The North Face Commitment to Sustainability with Paramount
The North Face doesn’t just make good climbing pants, it also spearheads the Clothes The Loop program. This means that these pants as well as other items in your closet can be taken to a brick and mortar The North Face store to be recycled!
For your troubles, you’ll get a coupon for $10 off your next purchase of $100 or more at the store.
So, if you want to support a company that knows selling clothes is just one part of the process they should be involved in and get a fab pair of pants at a reduced rate, get the Paramount Active Convertible Pants!
The Pros of Black Diamond Men’s Notion Pants
Black Diamond Notion pants are a good pair of climbing pants made of 97% cotton and 3% spandex that can cost you anywhere from $80 to $111 depending on the size and color you want from Amazon or their website.
You can use these pants for the following situations:
- Training
- Crag climbing
- Indoor climbing
- Yoga
They’re also specifically great in these climbing positions:
- Chimneying
- Kneebars
- Full-body tactics
- Soft elastic waistband
- Breathable
- Reinforced knees
- Drawstring tie
- Gusseted seat
- Elastic leg cuffs
- Comfortable
The color selection for this particular pant style are also pretty diverse:
- Amber
- Ash
- Port
- Sergeant
- Black
- Ink Blue
- Red Rock
- Brick
- Dark Curry
- Raging Sea
The Cons of Notion Pants
While these climbing pants are super comfortable, they do have some down sides such as:
- No weatherproofing
- Elastic leg cuffs
- No zip pockets
- No sustainable practices
These pants are constructed like more of a well-rounded sport pant than a climbing pant. They work well for climbing but they won’t stand up to weather conditions and they probably won’t be as durable as other entries on this list.
Also, while the elastic leg cuff can be more helpful than a straight pant leg, it is still elastic; therefore it might not be very comfortable for some.
Not having a zip pocket seems like not a huge deal until you start climbing. If you want to have your valuables on hand like your keys or wallet, you’ll want a zip pocket, or your things will fall out!
Finally, we couldn’t find any sustainable information on their website in our research
Conclusion
There are a lot of rock climbing pants on the market, so the best thing to keep in mind is
what you want them to do for you. What’s important for your specific type of climbing? What are things you’d like your climbing pants to have? Are extras important to you? Sustainability? Price? Know what you’re looking for, and the rest will follow.