What do you look for in a climbing pant?

Stretch
Gusseted crotch, often necessary with the limited amount of stretch in some pants
No cinch at the bottom of the legs... you do not want that getting caught on a carabiner, and yes I have

Material blend, thickness, zip pockets or not, etc... varies depending on the climbing to be done. OW vs summer multipitch vs winter multipitch, etc...

ROCKMAN2 Pecknoldwrote:

What is the most you would pay for your ideal climbing pants? Most good Italian climbing shoes cost around $200+ a pair, and wear out faster than pants usually do. Defining ideal - perfect combination of fit/function/materials/craftsmanship. Would anyone pay $200 for a perfect pair of climbing pants that would last for multiple years of hard climbing with repairable features to keep them going? 

I might pay $50 for warm weather pants.  Good cargo pants that get about 80% there can be had for $30-35, and you can always patch them by scavenging material from a retired pair.

@Li and Sam, good feedback. I suspect the upper ceiling is around $180-200 since folks are willing to shell out $180 for some Gammas from Arc that don't repair very well and don't last for more than a few seasons of abuse. Does country of origin matter? Would you pay more for something that was sourced and constructed by climbers in North America? Or are cheap pants cranked out in sweatshops more desirable? 

New to the sport and following for some suggestions on women's alpine pants for this ice climbing season. 

As little shit as possible.... Some days are better than others. 

I'd love for once to find a pant that doesn't sit below my waist--and harness. So.....Mom climbing jeans?

Latrowrote:

Can I post in with a slight diversion?  I'm looking for non-stretch nylon pants - for hiking, or just straight loose pants with a reasonably tight weave.  While I have a few stretchy things - nice pants until something happens.... I want more pants with a nonstretch medium wgt nylon.  My google-fu, such as it is, is hopeless.  The inclusion of -stretch or -spandex seems to fill my screen with more of the same.

I burned through 2 such EMS pants in 30 yrs, with some support from even heavier nylon pants from LLBean for skiing.  My North Face stretch nylon shorts got shredded in 4 years.  A pair of cotton shorts barely make it through a summer of gardening.

Thanks.

It’s not “nonstretch” but I have a pair of Marmot arch rock pants that are no where near as stretchy as like Prana Zions. They’re extremely light, and have been surprisingly durable. Fairly comfortable too. Just wait until marmot has one of their huge sales.

Lots of veteran ice climbers use bibs for ice climbing, I prefer goretex because it keeps you dry if the ice is dripping and it usually has very durable face fabric that takes more abuse than softshell alternatives. Goretex bibs can also be lighter than softshell, and protect better against wind/water. great solution to the pants problems you might encounter while ice climbing. A good pair of gaiters can help protect against crampons too, even though it's a more old school solution to snake bites. 

At least as of two weeks ago, La Sportiva NA was closing out a bunch of their pants. Sizes and colors are limited, but I got a pair of Roots pants in traffic cone orange for $15.00. I have used them since they arrived and they are fantastic. Stretchy, sturdy feel, not bulky, good fit and three pockets.  I mean…$15.00!

I used to buy climbing pants from thrift stores but got tired of going back every 4 months to get a new pair.  Now I throw down some money for pants that last longer.  Just bought BD's most durable pants available.  Will see if they hold up longer.  

I usually buy nylon pants but went with cotton.  Have you all seen a longevity difference between the two materials?

ROCKMAN2 Pecknoldwrote:

@Li and Sam, good feedback. I suspect the upper ceiling is around $180-200 since folks are willing to shell out $180 for some Gammas from Arc that don't repair very well and don't last for more than a few seasons of abuse. Does country of origin matter? Would you pay more for something that was sourced and constructed by climbers in North America? Or are cheap pants cranked out in sweatshops more desirable? 

I wasn't talking about sweatshop cheapo walmart pants.  Even made in USA Carhartt work pants sell for about $60.  $200 is getting into the realm of custom made-to-measure pants, so you may as well talk to a local tailor at that point and get actually perfect-for-you pants instead of trying to chase some magical off the rack solution.

Darawrote:

I'd love for once to find a pant that doesn't sit below my waist--and harness. So.....Mom climbing jeans?

This is what frustrates me most about modern tailoring.

Second most frustrating is the tightness in thighs and knees. 

I don't need to be vain. I need to have my movement unobstructed by pants sewn by companies positioning themselves as climbing companies. 

Sam Schwinghammerwrote:

I wasn't talking about sweatshop cheapo walmart pants.  Even made in USA Carhartt work pants sell for about $60.  $200 is getting into the realm of custom made-to-measure pants, so you may as well talk to a local tailor at that point and get actually perfect-for-you pants instead of trying to chase some magical off the rack solution.

I think you would find it very difficult to get anything from Carhartt that isn't imported, or assembled from imported materials. There's no other way to suppress pricing like that. If you're referencing the B01, they don't provide a clear answer on those: 

• Imported or Made in USA of Imported Parts

https://www.carhartt.com/product/B01-BRNW31L34/loose-fit-firm-duck-double-front-utility-work-pant

Don't sleep on these pants from Walmart. 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Wrangler-Men-s-and-Big-Men-s-Outdoor-Stretch-Zip-Cargo-Pant/2323468209

You can grab 4 pairs for the price of one pair of Prana pants. They last just as long. Not very heavy, so a good pant for temps above 50°F . One thing I like is that the thigh side zipper pocket is easy to access and doesn't get covered up by your leg-loop which I have experienced with some other climbing specific pants. Only thing is that the fabric starts to pill pretty fast, but if you don't care about your pants looking like you can do a job interview in them after a few climbs, these are great. 

pfwein Weinbergwrote:

Hmm, I don't think the purpose of the diamond panel is to last longer, but rather to improve mobility (e.g., when doing something like splits).  

Most recent pants I bought specifically for climbing were from a tip someone else posted on MP:  https://www.target.com/p/wrangler-men-s-atg-side-zip-5-pocket-pants/-/A-54585868?preselect=54497249#lnk=sametab

Haven't had a chance to use them yet, but for the price they seem good to my eye.

Used these and the groin ripped on day one! No central gusset for high step flexibility. "All Terrain" but my tag said they were 98% cotton, maybe its was different model than what you linked? Pass on these.

Adam blocwrote:

Used these and the groin ripped on day one! No central gusset for high step flexibility. "All Terrain" but my tag said they were 98% cotton, maybe its was different model than what you linked? Pass on these.

ATG by Wrangler has different models that are either cotton or synthetic fabric. I wouldn't use their cotton pants for climbing but have put lots of milage in the synthetic ones and they've been fantastic. 

Step 1: Buy E9 pants, because they are comfy and look good.

Step 2: My phone tries to escape out the bottom of the pocket. Probably because of how my leg loops push down on it from above.

Step 3: My partner mends my pants with awesome colorful patches, and they end up looking even better.

Repeat from Step 2. 

I've had good experience with REI private label brand pants, as well as a cheap assed-pair I got from Costco. The Costco ones have held up well to climbing and bush whacking, surprisingly well. 

Like some others, price is first consideration and generally I don't buy any outdoor soft gear that isn't on sale or close out.

Cherokee Nuneswrote:

I've had good experience with REI private label brand pants, as well as a cheap assed-pair I got from Costco. The Costco ones have held up well to climbing and bush whacking, surprisingly well. 

Like some others, price is first consideration and generally I don't buy any outdoor soft gear that isn't on sale or close out.

It’s tough to pass up. All the pants I’ve bought from there have been satisfactory, and are holding up as well as my $120 pants from REI.   

Jerd Kwrote:

ATG by Wrangler has different models that are either cotton or synthetic fabric. I wouldn't use their cotton pants for climbing but have put lots of milage in the synthetic ones and they've been fantastic. 

Climbed in ATG pants yesterday, stretchy and comfy for 29.00

15.00 cotton Tractor Supply work pants are not bad either, super loose fitting for skinny legs.