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Prana Stretch Zion II Pants Review

A hardy model that easily crosses over into multiple outdoor recreational activities like climbing due to their relaxed fit and stretchy material
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prana stretch zion ii pants hiking pants review
The inclusion of both traditional belt loops and an integrated belt confuses us a little but we appreciate the ability to fine tune the fit for maximum comfort.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Price:  $95 List
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Manufacturer:   Prana
By Ben Applebaum-Bauch ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 13, 2023
66
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#7 of 13
  • Comfort and Mobility - 35% 7.5
  • Venting and Breathability - 20% 6.0
  • Weather Resistance - 15% 7.0
  • Features - 15% 7.0
  • Versatility - 15% 4.5

Our Verdict

The Prana Stretch Zion II is one of our favorite hiking pants and has been well-liked among our team of reviewers for years now. This model is durable, comfortable, and equipped with great features. We love the unique dual-zippered cargo pocket, the low-profile waist tightener, and the snap buttons on the lower legs that enable the wearer to roll up and secure the cuffs. They lack the breathability of lighter-weight models because of the thickness of the fabric, though they do have a few features to increase ventilation. As the name implies, these pants are stretchy and allow for great mobility. These are pants for the outdoor adventurer who is into cool-weather hiking, climbing, or long-haul travel.
REASONS TO BUY
Durable
Integrated belt
Leg roll-up snaps
REASONS TO AVOID
Not much ventilation
Few pocket zippers
Editor's Note: This article was updated on November 13, 2023, to include additional recommendations and comparisons to other pants in our lineup.

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Bottom Line These hiking pants are both durable and comfortableFor comfort and breathability, these pants can’t be beatThis stellar pant surprised us with its high performance at an affordable priceThe simplest hiking pant that also proved to be the most stylish for everyday wearThese pants are lightweight, but offer limited mobility and therefore limited versatility
Rating Categories Prana Stretch Zion... Outdoor Research Fe... Patagonia Quandary... Prana Brion II Pants Columbia Silver Rid...
Comfort and Mobility (35%)
7.5
9.0
8.0
7.5
6.0
Venting and Breathability (20%)
6.0
8.5
6.5
7.0
8.0
Weather Resistance (15%)
7.0
6.5
7.0
5.5
6.5
Features (15%)
7.0
5.0
7.0
5.0
7.0
Versatility (15%)
4.5
7.5
7.5
8.0
5.0
Specs Prana Stretch Zion... Outdoor Research Fe... Patagonia Quandary... Prana Brion II Pants Columbia Silver Rid...
Weight 13.3 oz 12.2 oz 9.7 oz 10.7 oz 10.4 oz
Material 95% recycled nylon, 5% spandex 86% nylon, 14% spandex; 90D stretch woven ripstop 94% nylon (62% recycled), 6% spandex 95% recycled nylon, 5% spandex 100% nylon Silver Ridge ripstop
Water Resistance DWR finish DWR finish DWR finish DWR finish No additional treatment
Sizing (Waist, Length Options) W: 28" - 42"
L: 28" - 36"
W: 28" - 42"
L: 30"- 36"
W: 28" - 40"
L: 30", 32", 34"
W: 28" - 42"
L: 28" - 36"
W: 28"- 44"
L: 28" - 36"
Sun Protection UPF 50 UPF 50 UPF 40+ UPF 50 UPF 50
Pants/Shorts Convertibility No (but snap to mid-calf) No (but have ankle cinch cord and fully convertible version available) No No Yes
Pockets 2 hand, 2 back, 1 left thigh, 1 coin 2 hand, 2 back, 1 thigh zip 2 hand, 2 back (1 zip), 1 thigh zip, 1 coin 2 hand, 2 back, 1 coin 2 hand, 2 back velcro, 2 thigh (1 zip, 1 velcro)
Waist Strap and Fastener Button and zip fly, waist cinch Button and zip fly Button and zip fly, integrated elastic cord Button and zip fly Button and zip fly, full belt, elastic on hips
Other Features Ventilated inseam gusset, roll up leg snaps, adjustable waist tightening strap Drawcord cuff closures, side zip pocket Front and back knee articulation, gusseted crotch, slim straight fit Gusseted crotch, belt loops, mesh pockets Gusseted crotch, full belt, elastic waist

Our Analysis and Test Results

At first blush, the Prana Stretch Zion II looks and feels like a typical pair of pants. They have a comfortable, laidback style and are also nice for hiking and climbing. They don't seem to breathe as well as some other models, but they disperse heat in other ways. There is no doubt that these pants are comfier in cooler weather.

Performance Comparison


prana stretch zion ii pants hiking pants review - the prana stretch zion ii is a comfortable, feature-filled pair of...
The Prana Stretch Zion II is a comfortable, feature-filled pair of pants.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Comfort and Mobility


From a comfort standpoint, these pants have a few things going for them. The interior material is soft, and the interior of the waist is also lined with a felt-feeling fabric, both of which reduce chafing. They provide the right amount of lateral stretch for hiking and are a suitable option for activities like yoga or climbing. We didn't feel constrained when sitting in them for long periods. They have a great amount of space in the gusseted crotch as well as at the knee. We found them to be true to size, but if you need to adjust the waist, the integrated belt is convenient, simple to use, and comfortable, even underneath a backpack hip belt.


On the downside, we wish that the fly zipper was slightly longer in these pants — it feels like it stops a little too short. That said, we didn't experience tightness or constriction and think that the low-profile button closure pairs well with a climbing harness. All things considered, the comfort and mobility of these pants are high.

prana stretch zion ii pants hiking pants review - an interior liner makes these pants comfortable in the waist and...
An interior liner makes these pants comfortable in the waist and reduces chafing, especially when wearing a backpack with a hip belt.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Venting and Breathability


This model feels hot compared to some of the other lighter pants. Coming in at 13.3 ounces, they are one of the heavier pairs among modern hiking pants we've tested over the years. The fabric is thicker than most, and consequently, they retain more body heat. To help counteract this, the front pockets are partially mesh-lined, and the crotch has three vent holes on each side of the inner thigh (though we aren't entirely convinced that this made much of a difference).


These pants also come with small plastic snap buttons to hold the cuffs up if you need some extra air on your lower legs. Though this feature only takes them up to about calf height, they can easily be rolled up higher, just without the extra snap security. Ultimately, we enjoyed them most as spring and early fall pants more than a pair for the heat of the summer.

prana stretch zion ii pants hiking pants review - snaps on the sides of each leg make it possible to roll up these...
Snaps on the sides of each leg make it possible to roll up these pants for a little added ventilation.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Weather Resistance


These pants are climate-sensitive. If you are searching for a pair for use in humid environments, we recommend looking elsewhere. However, this pant does come with a DWR coating on top of its 97% nylon weave fabric, which does fairly well at repelling water. We also appreciate that their fit allowed us to wear long underwear underneath to increase the warmth factor in cold weather. However, if you are in a big storm, they get very heavy in the rain and also take a comparatively long time to dry.


We doappreciate them for their solid wind resistance (save for the vent holes in the crotch). They avoid the pitfall of other pants with a softer, slightly insulated liner, which prevents them from feeling cold when the wind presses them against your skin. They also come equipped with a UPF 50+ rating, meaning that they add increased protection to your legs from sun exposure.

prana stretch zion ii pants hiking pants review - the stretch zion ii has great water resistance, shedding beads and...
The Stretch Zion II has great water resistance, shedding beads and resisting absorption.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Features


The Stretch Zion II pants have a full complement of features that we found to perform decently. This pair has five pockets: two front handwarmers, two rear (one with a security flap, one without), and a thigh cargo pocket with both vertical and horizontal zippers. Neither the front nor rear pockets have zippers, which always makes us nervous about the security of items, but they are plenty deep. The cargo zipper pocket on the side of the leg is handy for securing valuables and important items when on the move. The thigh pocket has zippered access both on top as well as on the side. This second side zipper is on the small side but allows you to easily grab items from the pocket, even if you are sitting down on a snack break.


It also comes equipped with an adjustable integrated belt, which is nice for its low profile, and roll-and-snap-up pant legs. There are traditional belt loops as well, though we found their inclusion to be useful only as a spot to clip things to, as the integrated belt needs no additional assistance. The front button closure is hearty, much like the rest of the pants.

prana stretch zion ii pants hiking pants review - the coin and key pocket has an elastic cord and a zipper to keep...
The coin and key pocket has an elastic cord and a zipper to keep small items super secure.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Versatility


We found that the Stretch Zion II is a valuable asset for a variety of outdoor activities. In addition to hiking, they are a great choice for rock climbing and travel. However, as noted above, we don't think that they are the best choice for summertime hiking. With that in mind, they are super durable. Almost all of the stitching is reinforced, and the thicker fabric stands up to even high abrasion that comes with climbing rock faces, let alone withstanding regular wear.


In terms of style, these pants have what we would characterize as a regular fit (that is, not slim). They are straight through the leg and sit at the waist. In terms of style, they aren't the most flattering. The indiscrete cargo pocket, vent holes in the crotch, flappy integrated belt strap, and visible leg snaps all detract from the visual appeal of these pants for a day at the office or a casual night out. Having said that, they are practical out on a trail or around the house for any number of activities and are a great move for a laidback weekend at home or in the backcountry.

prana stretch zion ii pants hiking pants review - they aren't the most stylish, but these pants have some unique...
They aren't the most stylish, but these pants have some unique features, like a dual-access cargo pocket.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Should You Buy the Prana Stretch Zion II?


The Prana Stretch Zion II is a solid all-around pair of pants. If you are already inclined to buy this model, then they offer a solid value. Even with some of the downsides that we have pointed out, these pants are well-constructed and durable enough for daily wear. For those searching for a sturdy, flexible pair of climbing pants, the fabric of the Zion II is thick, and the stitching is robust. If you think that there is enough to like about them, then we are confident you will see their long-term value as well.

What Other Hiking Pants Should You Consider?


Though the Stretch Zion II has unique pocket formats, the Royal Robbins Alpine Road and Outdoor Research Ferrosi are also highly practical options with a leg pocket. If you love having a wide array of pockets, the REI Co-Op Sahara Convertible is solid. If you like Prana but want simpler pants, the Brion II is a stylish option.

prana stretch zion ii pants hiking pants review - the prana stretch zion is a functional, practical pair of pants for...
The Prana Stretch Zion is a functional, practical pair of pants for a variety of adventures.
Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Ben Applebaum-Bauch