Rock climbing is growing and outdoor brands are now making pants specifically for it. With so many climbing pants on the market, it can take days to find the perfect pair. To help you save time, I compiled together the Top 8 Climbing Pants for Women 2023 (yay!).
When it comes to climbing pants, you’ll want to look for mobility, stretch, comfort, breathability, abrasion resistance, articulated knees, and a comfortable waistband. For women who love going outdoors, features for climbing pants can include: weather protection, water resistance, secure pockets, and sun protection. Read on to find your perfect pair of climbing pants.
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Best Lightweight Climbing Pants
Patagonia Caliza Rock Pants
The Patagonia Caliza Rock Pants are like a match made in climbing heaven, combining functionality and a dash of stylish flair that will have you feeling like a rockstar at the gym or crag. I like how the Caliza Rock Pants are made of a lightweight cotton/spandex blend, so they feel comfortable on hot days. These pants are best for climbing situations that don’t require weather protection from wind and water. The Patagonia Caliza Rock Pants are comfortable to wear all day.
Best for: cragging, bouldering, indoor climbing, every day
Features:
- Made with Regenerative Organic Certified™ Cotton
- Breathable and Durable Four-Way Stretch material
- Articulated pattern and added stretch allow for better mobility
- Low-profile contoured knit waistband is comfortable under a harness or a backpack waist belt
- Harness-compatible pockets
- Adjustable snapped cuffs
Cons:
- No zippered pockets
- Small pockets
- Comes only in short and regular, no tall
Best Climbing Pants For Outdoor Adventures
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants
The Outdoor Research Women’s Ferrosi Pants are designed for outdoor enthusiasts seeking both durability and comfort, and they deliver on both fronts with remarkable finesse. I love the many features, such as deep pockets and sizing inclusivity for short, tall, and plus-size people. Win!
Best for: outdoor adventures, multi-adventure, climbing, hiking
Features:
- Durable, abrasion resistant
- Breathable
- Weather protection, water-repelling, wind protection
- Stretchable
- Articulated knees
- Deep pockets
- Belt loops
- Lightweight material
Cons:
Some reviewers have said the pants will stretch over time but can be remedied by washing and drying the pants.
Prana Halle Jogger II
When it comes to outdoor adventures, finding the perfect balance between style and functionality can be a challenge. However, the Prana Halle Jogger II rises to the occasion, effortlessly blending comfort, durability, and a touch of trendy flair that will make you fall in love with these joggers at first wear.
Best for: Climbing, hiking, outdoor adventures, every day, traveling
Features:
- Stretchy
- Cross-functional for multiple activities
- Ventilated inseam gusset for added mobility and breathability
- Articulated seams at knees
- Functional zip fly and updated button closure with interior drawstring
- Back welt pockets with secure zipper closures
- Patch pockets at wearer’s right and left side seams
- Wearer’s left side seam pocket with invisible, secure, vertical zipper closure
- Front hip pockets & wearer’s left coin pocket
- Knit cuffs
- Abrasion resistant
- PFAS-free DWR (durable water repellent)
- UPF 50+
- Length suits shorter frames
Cons:
- No tall or plus size
- No XXS size for smaller builds
- Zipped pocket may not fit all phones
- Waist can become loose
- No belt loops but has internal drawstring
Best Climbing Pants From Mountain Hardwear
Mountain Hardwear Dynama High Rise Pant
If you’re looking for stylish outdoor climbing pants with a feminine shape, then the Mountain Hardwear Dynama High Rise Pants are what you want. We love that the pants look sleek, have sun protection, is water repellant, and have a comfortable wide and high waistband. Plus, there are zippered pockets!
Best for: rock climbing, hiking, outdoor adventures, indoor climbing, sport climbing
Features:
- Tough nylon weave with enough stretch to comfortably scramble
- Water-repellent coating sheds light rain and spilled beverages
- A wide, high-rise waistband sits comfortably against the body
- UPF 50 – Integrated sun protection works to block harmful UV rays
- Lightweight
- Zippered pockets
Cons:
- No tall or short option
- No XXS for petites
- Durability is questionable, might pill
- Some reviewers didn’t like the fit
Best Featured-Packed Technical Climbing Pants
Arc’teryx Gamma Pants
Designed for the active adventurer, the Arc’teryx Gamma Pants pants combine superior functionality, durability, and exceptional comfort to enhance your outdoor experience. You’ll want these pants for all your mountain adventures with variable weather. We love how you can wear these pants for climbing, trekking, backpacking, alpine adventures, hiking, and cross-country skiing. These are the pants you’ll want to have if you like to do it all!
Best for: climbing, trekking, backpacking, alpine climbing, hiking, cross-country skiing, alpine environments, all mountain, outdoor adventures, cooler temps
Features:
- Weather resistant
- Stretchy
- Highly breathable
- Abrasion resistant
- Lightweight
- Softshell
- Light insulation
- Adjustable low-profile webbing waist belt rides comfortably under a harness or pack
- Drawstring at waist
- Deep secure pockets
- Moisture-resistant outer face fabric
- Adjustable pant cuff drawcord
- DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish repels moisture
- Articulated patterning for unrestricted mobility
- Gusseted crotch for comfort and freedom of movement
- Two hand pockets with zippers
- Thigh pocket sits just below a climbing harness
Cons:
- Short and tall sizes are not always in stock
- Too warm for hot days
Best Tough Climbing Pants With Mega Style
Prana Kanab Pants
When the climbing is harsh, you need pants that can keep up with demands. The Prana Kanab Pants can keep up. These tough pants are made from an organic cotton blend canvas and can handle everything your climb throws at it. Made with canvas material, multiple pockets, double-layered articulated knees, and a loop for a brush–you can tell these pants were built specifically for climbing.
Best for: climbing, when you need protection from the rock
Features:
- Organic cotton blend canvas climbing pant
- Comfortable knit waistband for compatibility with harness
- Straight yoke seaming wrapping to front pockets
- Back pockets with envelope flap closure
- Zipper pocket at wearer’s left leg
- Double-layered fabric at knees with articulation for protection and comfort
- Loop for brush
- Deep pockets
- Good mobility
- Flattering fit, good-looking
Cons:
- No short, tall, petite, or plus size
- Can get hot. Better for cooler days.
Best Climbing Pants From Black Diamond
Black Diamond Notion SP Pants
These loose-fitting cotton pants are perfect for gym sessions and cool days in the boulders. The Black Diamond Notion SP Pants for women offer a touch of stretch and plenty of pockets for your small essentials. I love how the pants come in various colors so you can stock up on multiple colors.
Best for: rock climbing, bouldering, indoor climbing, sport climbing, cooler temps
Features:
- Elastic cuffs allow for precision footwork on techy climbs
- Hidden adjustable drawcord waistband
- Reinforced knees for scrappy climbing on coarse rock
- The updated design includes harness-friendly pockets
- 2 hand, 2 rear pockets
- Comfortable
- Gusseted Crotch
Cons:
- No tall option
- No XXS option for petites
- May run large
Best Denim Climbing Pants
UpWest All-Day High-Rise Denim
The UpWest All-Day High-Rise Denim wasn’t made specifically for climbers, but its buttery smooth material, stretch, and relaxed fit make it perfect for days you go climbing and then going straight to the bar. Just dust off any chalk, and you’re ready to go! I love the stretchy and forgiving high waist. Once outdoor companies learn about these jeans, they will copy them, add bigger side pockets, and market them as official climbing denim.
Best for: crag to city adventures, climbing, casual, travel
Features:
- Stretchy
- Super soft
- Cross-functional for city and crag life
Cons:
- Pockets can only fit small phones
Best Colorful Climbing Pants Brand
La Sportiva Climbing Pants
Not all of us like wearing dull-colored pants. Some of us love colors and want to rock the coolest-looking pants. La Sportiva makes the most colorful climbing-specific pants with fun designs. La Sportiva always comes out with new climbing pants and unique designs/colors, so check out their website every season.
- La Sportiva Technique Pant – For feeling cozy and training in cooler temps
- La Sportiva Machina Pant – Best for multi-pitch climbing
- La Sportiva Temple Pant – Every day climbing pants
- La Sportiva Setter Pant – Good for winter
- La Sportiva Tundra Pant – All-purpose climbing pants/everyday
- La Sportiva Mantra Pant – Super durable pants for when you need protection from rocks and snags
More Climbing Pants:
New climbing pants are popping up every season, and we haven’t reviewed them all. Here are some more to try:
- Arc’teryx Gamma Tapered Pant – Technical pants with weather protection for outdoor adventures
- The Northface Routeset Pants – Has sun protection for outdoor adventures
- The Northface Routeset Pull-On Crop Pants – Has sun protection for outdoor adventures
- Mammut Massone Pants Women – Has five pockets, one of them is a zippered pocket for your phone. Robust fabric. Suitable for outdoor adventures.
- Mammut Massone Light Pants Women – Lightweight pants with zippered pockets. Every day climbing pants.
- Rab Valkyrie Pant – Lightweight pants for indoor climbing and summertime cragging.
- Kailas 9A-CLASSIC Rock Climbing Multi-functional Quick-dry Pant – Lots of fun colors!
- Ocun Women’s Noya Pants & Jeans – Lightweight and suitable for warm weather climbing!
- So iLL Women’s Denim – For when you want denim from a climbing brand
- Stoic Brushed Twill Jogger – Soft but rugged pants that look fashionable and can go climbing
I’m excited to see all of you babes in your new climbing pants! Please tag me on Instagram (@kimmie.tu) so that I can see your new climbing wardrobe.
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