Prana Stretch Zion Pant Review

Likes
The Stretch Zion pant is a versatile 3-season hiking and climbing pant that has been hugely popular since it first was introduced in 2005. The pant has undergone multiple revisions, and was most recently updated for spring of 2011.

Weight and Materials:
The Stretch Zion Pant is made from 97% stretch nylon and 3% spandex, with a DWR coating. The fabric is lightweight (13.5oz / 385 g), slightly wind and water resistant, and breathes incredibly well. When soaked, the pant dries extremely quickly. The fabric is also highly abrasion resistant, and the quality of craftsmanship and stitching is excellent, making for a pair of pants that’s really made to last. There is some stretch in the fabric, but is rarely noticeable due to the looser fit of the pant. Prana nailed it on the fabric with this pant.

Fit:
The fit of the Stretch Zion is large and roomy. This makes for plenty of air flow on hot days and more than enough room to layer under comfortably when you are using this pant in colder temperatures. The loose fit also allows for completely unrestricted dynamic movements. The fit also allows Prana to avoid adding articulated knees to this pant, helping the Stretch Zion look at home downtown. The pant is available in waist sizes from XS to XXL, and inseam lengths of 30”, 32”, and 34”, so you should be able to really dial in your fit. Be aware that a size 33” waist falls under both the Medium and the Large size charts, so size up or down based on how much room you want in the butt and thighs.

Pockets and Features:
The Stretch Zion comes with two rear pockets (one with flap covering, one without), 2 mesh front hand pockets, and 1 zippered thigh pocket (dual-entry). The thigh pocket has both a top and a side zipper; the side zipper provides quick and convenient access to this essential pocket when you are wearing a harness. The two back pockets make these pants versatile for use around town. The leg snaps for securing your pant leg in place work well when you roll the hem tightly. The integrated belt got a makeover this year with a simpler design that slips less than previous models, and Prana also got smart and included belt loops on this pant as well, so users can choose to use their own belt.

Dislikes
It is our opinion that the Stretch Zion pant still has lots of room for improvement. Read on:

Fit:
The fit of the Stretch Zion is very loose and baggy. As discussed above, there are advantages to this, but we think that a climbing-specific pant ought to be more fitted. In this pant, you are forced to roll up your pant legs to see your footwork on pretty much every climb. Extra fabric in the thigh area bunches under the leg loops of a harness. Extra material down the length of the leg adds to the annoying “swish, swish” sound of walking or hiking in synthetic pants. The pants also run a hair long, which means the cuffs get stepped on while walking, and also requires the rolling up of the pant leg while climbing.

Pockets and Features:
The 2011 update of this pant had some really great changes but also its own issues. Prana added a reinforced cuff to the back of the pant legs on these pants, to avoid the wear and tear of stepping on the cuff of the pants. We would prefer to see a properly sized pant and forego the excess weight of the reinforced cuff. This also makes rolling the pant even more difficult than before since it is more material to roll.
Prana also added an improved belt system, but the belt has a tail that is much longer than needed, and there is nowhere to tuck the excess fabric away. Instead it hangs down the right pant leg awkwardly.
The new thigh pocket design is also an improvement, but the zippered openings are smaller than the diagonally opening pockets of the 2010 version, and it is difficult to fit a full hand in either the top or side entrances. This is frustrating as this is the pocket you are most likely to use while climbing, to consult a printed topo of your route, for example. The front pockets also were shrunk on this year’s pant, which is regrettable! The massive, deep pockets of the 2010 version were a customer favorite.
One feature they should have gotten rid of is the gusset vents, three small holes on each side of the inseam gusset. We think they are a gimmick. We do not think they help with venting or cooling in any significant way, but do make the pant slightly less stylish in another setting. The roll-up leg snaps are one final feature that we think the Stretch Zion could do without. They do work, but you have to roll the pant so tightly to fit it in the clips that you create a stiff donut of material which you can then feel hitting your legs when you are climbing. We much prefer a wider fold that moves with you rather than the tight roll.

Best Application
It is a good option for those in a desert environment (airy and cool), for boulderers, or any other type of climber or hiker looking for a looser fit.

Value
This is the cheapest pant reviewed, at $70 retail. We recommend spending a few extra bucks and getting the superior Patagonia Rock Guide pant. The Stretch Zion pant is a good quality pant for the money; however, it’s just not as good as the Rock Guide!

Dedicated shoppers may find the 2010 model still available for sale at greatly reduced prices, but buyer beware: make sure that the features that you are passing up are not going to be missed down the line.

Other Versions
The Stretch Zion pant comes in three inseam lengths (30, 32, and 34), and is offered in three color choices, Charcoal, Khaki, and Olive.

The pant also comes in a convertible version, available in the same three inseam lengths, but with only two color choices, Charcoal and Khaki. Consider this if you are buying the pant primarily for hiking or for extended trips. The slight weight increase of the zippers is much less than packing a pair of shorts as well. For day use, however, rolling the legs up on the original Zion pant will promote enough airflow to get you through the heat of the day. Prana also makes the Stretch Zion short, which has identical styling and fit as the pant in an above the knee cut.