Soft Enough for the Couch, Fit for the Crag: La Sportiva Roots Pants Review

The La Sportiva Roots Pants ($89) blur the line between technical apparel and sweats I’d happily wear all day. Climbing pants often force a tradeoff between performance and comfort. Traditional softshells excel on long alpine routes and unpredictable-weather days but can feel stiff or overbuilt for everyday climbing or gym sessions. The Roots take a simpler approach, pairing soft organic cotton with a clean fit and enough stretch for climbing.

From late winter through the hot days of summer, I wore them for 20 climbing days split between gym sessions and outdoor climbing at local crags near Salida and Buena Vista, Colo. Their easy-moving fabric, harness-friendly waistband, and approachable price make them a great value for climbers who spend most of their time indoors or climbing outside in dry conditions.

In short: The La Sportiva Roots are exceptionally comfortable climbing pants with an easy-moving fit and a simple waistband that sits smoothly under a harness. They’re best for gym sessions, bouldering, dry-weather sport climbing, and post-climb coffee stops rather than big alpine objectives. The lack of a fly and secure pocket, along with some early durability concerns, limits their versatility.

Compare the La Sportiva Roots to others tested in our guide to the Best Men’s Climbing Pants and the Best Women’s Climbing Pants.

La Sportiva Roots Pants Review

Comfort Is King

The first thing I noticed when pulling on the Roots was how soft the fabric felt. The organic cotton gives these pants a broken-in feel right off the rack.

Unlike synthetic climbing pants that can feel heavy, stiff, or even “noisy,” the Roots have the comfort of a favorite pair of sweatpants while maintaining a clean climbing fit. They don’t feel overly technical, but they also don’t look or move like baggy lounge pants.

That comfort carries through an entire day of climbing. Whether I was warming up on plastic, projecting at the local crag, or relaxing around camp after sunset, these were pants I could mostly forget I was wearing.

I also found that the cotton breathed reasonably well in moderate temperatures. For spring and fall climbing or sessions in a climate-controlled gym, it kept me comfortable without becoming overly warm. For hot, muggy crag days or long approaches, however, I’d choose something lighter and more breathable.

Excellent Fit Without Restricting Movement

The Roots manage a balance that’s surprisingly difficult to achieve. They’re athletic enough to keep excess material away from my feet while climbing, but never feel tight through the hips or thighs.

I tested a medium — my usual size — and found the fit spot-on, with enough room through the hips and thighs without feeling loose at the waist. The waistband also remained secure throughout testing.

High steps, drop knees, heel hooks, and stemming all felt unrestricted. The articulated knees and small amount of elastane helped the pants move with me without pulling across the knees or seat.

I like climbing pants with a tapered lower leg because it provides a clear line of sight to my feet while allowing me to spot tiny footholds. The Roots aren’t ultra-slim, nor are they baggy. Instead, they hit a comfortable middle ground that should appeal to a wide range of climbers.

Simple Comfort Under a Harness

The waist design is simple, just the way I like it. There’s no internal belt, button, snap, zipper, or drawcord. Instead, the Roots have a wide, perforated elastic waistband.

It sat comfortably under my harness without the awkward bunching or pressure points I’ve experienced with many other climbing pants. Once I had my harness on, I rarely noticed the waistband or needed to adjust it.

That low-profile design works particularly well for gym climbing, bouldering, and single-pitch sport climbing. It also contributes to the relaxed feel that made me want to keep wearing the Roots after the climbing day ended.

From the Gym to the Crag

The Roots are at their best in places where comfort matters more than outright technical performance.

Indoor sessions might be their strongest use case. They handle long hours on the mats or ropes with ease and move seamlessly to running errands afterward. They’re equally at home bouldering, where mobility matters more than weather protection. Sitting on crash pads, walking short approaches, and spending an afternoon projecting all play to the strengths of the cotton construction.

On the wall, the tapered legs stay out of the way, and the articulated cut handles a wide range of movements without feeling restrictive. Off the rock, they look casual enough for travel days, campground evenings, or grabbing food without screaming technical apparel.

Room for Improvement

The biggest drawback is the lack of a traditional fly. Bathroom breaks become awkward while wearing a harness and particularly impractical on multipitch routes.

Storage is also limited. The Roots have two deep front pockets and one back pocket, but none of them have a secure closure. I was hesitant to trust them with keys, a wallet, or a phone while climbing. One zippered pocket would add useful security without much bulk.

Durability also raised concerns. After a few months of moderate use, the seams inside both knees started coming undone, and a small hole opened in one spot. The pants had seen very little hard crack or off-width climbing, so I have questions about how well they’ll hold up on rough rock.

The organic cotton also limits them to fair weather. During one spring outing, blue skies gave way to snow within about 10 minutes, and the pants quickly soaked through. For alpine objectives or unsettled weather, a synthetic softshell like the Black Diamond Alpine Light offers much better moisture management and protection.

La Sportiva Roots Climbing Pants: Who Are They For?

The Roots make the most sense for climbers who prioritize comfort, mobility, and price over maximum technical performance.

If you want one pair of pants for training indoors, fair-weather cragging, and relaxing on rest days, these are an excellent choice. However, if your tick list regularly includes long multipitch routes, abrasive cracks, or unpredictable mountain weather, you’ll want to invest in a dedicated synthetic layer instead. The lack of a fly and secure pocket becomes much more noticeable when you are hundreds of feet off the deck.

The La Sportiva Roots succeed because they don’t try to be everything. Their organic cotton, comfortable fit, and climbing-specific mobility make them easy to wear day in and day out, offering fantastic value at $89.