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Why prAna Stretch Zion II Mountaineering Pants Are a Should-Have for Hikers


Why prAna Stretch Zion II Mountaineering Pants Are a Should-Have for Hikers

prAna Stretch Zion II mountain climbing pants are abrasion-resistant recycled nylon mountain climbing pants which are nice to put on on rugged or brushy trails once you need extra leg safety. They’ve an built-in waist tightener that allows you to put on them with out a belt, which is much extra comfy below a backpack hipbelt or climbing harness. Quite a few pockets, roll-up legs, and a gusseted and vented crotch make these trendy pants nice for the town and path.

RELATED: 10 Greatest Males’s Mountaineering Pants

  • Gender: Males’s
  • Pockets: 6, together with change pocket with key fob
  • Materials: 95% Recycled Nylon, 5% Elastane
  • UPF: 50+
  • DWR: Not value a hill of beans
  • Entrance Closure: Button, Zipper, Waist Tightener
  • Air flow: Crotch vents, roll-up-ankle snaps
  • Execs: Sturdy, built-in waist belt, change pocket with key-fob, roll-up ankle snaps
  • Cons: Too heat for humid climate

The prAna Stretch Zion II mountain climbing pants are comfy and abrasion-resistant, appropriate for mountain climbing, backpacking, and climbing. I’ve been carrying them just about nonstop for the previous few weeks, each in sizzling and dry situations out west and within the cooler pre-autumn climate we’ve been experiencing these days within the Northeastern United States. They dry rapidly when moist and supply wonderful safety after I bash by dense vegetation or excessive grass and berry bushes on hikes.

The integrated waist strap is much more comfortable than a belt buckle under a hipbelt.
The built-in waist strap is way more comfy than a belt buckle below a hipbelt.

Whereas these pants do have belt loops, I put on them with out one. As a substitute, they’ve a waist-tightened strap that lays flat below a hipbelt or climbing harness and is way more comfy than having a belt buckle digging into your abdomen. I want mountain climbing pants with such a waist strap or a buried belt for simply this purpose. They’re more and more tough to seek out, although.

The front change pocket has a security loop to attach your keys
The entrance change pocket has a safety loop to connect your keys

These pants have six pockets: three up entrance, together with a change pocket with a key fob, two within the rear (one with a flap), and a cargo pocket on the leg sized for a smartphone with two zippers, one on the highest and one on the aspect. Inside the precise entrance pocket is a small zippered change pocket giant sufficient to carry a key or ID. It has a small gear loop inside to connect a key for safety. Whereas storing a cellphone within the cargo pocket is uncomfortable when mountain climbing, it’s handy when touring once you desire a safe however accessible place to retailer your cellphone.

The left cargo pocket has a top and side zipper and is sized to hold a SmartPhone
The left cargo pocket has a high and aspect zipper and is sized to carry a SmartPhone

The Stretch Zion II pants have two venting choices for hotter days: small bolstered holes within the gusseted crotch and roll-up ankles with snaps. I can’t say I’ve observed a lot cooling from these crotch holes, however the ankle zips are a pleasant characteristic for wading by shallow streams after I’m fly fishing or after I’m sizzling and my calves begin to sweat. They’re not as useful because the zip-off legs on convertible pants, however then once more they’re much more sturdy, simpler to make use of, and fewer apparent (for work) than the micro zippers that almost all convertible mountain climbing pants include.

Leg snaps let you roll the legs up over your calves
Leg snaps allow you to roll the legs up over your calves

Comparability – Males’s Mountaineering Pants

When prAna first got here with the Stretch Zion II pants to interchange the unique Stretch Zion, there was fairly an uproar by prospects because the unique pants had been so well-liked. prAna has since reintroduced the unique Stretch Zion pants and sells each. The principle distinction between the 2 is that there’s extra elastane stretch (5% as a substitute of three%) constructed into the Stretch Zion II, however both approach, they’re each well-liked mountain climbing pants as a result of they’ve such nice options and match so nicely. Extremely Really useful.

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