The Best Women’s Climbing Pants of 2024

The North Face Women’s Aphrodite 2.0 Capris ($60) are perfect for those who don’t want to wear leggings but also don’t want to wear run-of-the-mill climbing pants. And with a price hovering around $60, we couldn’t help but deem these pants the best budget pick.

In addition to being fashionable, these pants function admirably at a climbing gym because of their remarkable lightness, comfort, and range of motion. And for outdoor climbing, they have added benefits, including FlashDry technology, durable water resistance (DWR), and a UPF 40+ rating.

However, there are a few things we noticed after testing these pants. First, we weren’t impressed by its triple-stitched band that impedes its range of stretch, making it particularly challenging to don over our widest part — our hips and butt. Second, after only a few tests out in the field, these pants became prone to snagging and pilling. And last, despite having a DWR finish, we weren’t impressed with its mild ability to repel even the lightest amount of precipitation.

So while these are definitely our favorite budget choice, we don’t hold them to the highest standard for long-lasting durability, especially in rough terrain. But even with that said, The North Face Women’s Aphrodite 2.0 Capris are still a great addition to an active wardrobe for when you want to make a statement at your indoor climbing gym, running errands, or doing light outdoor activities.

The Women’s Dynama/2 Ankle pants ($85) from Mountain Hardwear are arguably the most comfortable climbing pants we’ve tested. These pants are incredibly lightweight, breathable, and provided the kind of outstanding stretch we needed to accomplish our climbing objectives.

The Dynama/2 Ankle pants are not only so comfortable that we found ourselves wearing them multiple days in a row (without odor thanks to their odor-resistant technology), but they also proved plenty durable for bushwacking to the crag. And if comfort and durability weren’t enough, we couldn’t help but delight in the sleek, attractive feel and look of these pants in action — they fit perfectly underneath a harness.

We liked how light these pants were, weighing only 8.4 ounces. However, we didn’t love how the pockets felt almost useless due to the thin material; items like a cellphone were too heavy and caused them to sag. Unless we needed instant access to minor items like chapstick, cards, or a key, we frequently neglected our pockets altogether.

These Mountain Hardwear Women’s Dynama/2 Ankle pants are the perfect option for anyone looking for a pair of pants that are suitable for everything, including grabbing drinks post-climb, traveling, hiking, and most definitely bouldering or topping out at your local climbing gym.

They balance supreme comfort with exceptional performance without sacrificing style, making them one of the best women’s climbing pants around. You’ll want them in every color available.

Patagonia’s Terravia Alpine Pants ($149) have everything you would ever need for technical climbing and scrambling above the treeline. We labeled these the best technical pant for several reasons.

Their lightweight recycled polyester and spandex blend enables climbers to be ultra mobile. And the reinforced paneling on the knees, butt, and inside the calves gives an added dose of protection in all the right areas.

After taking a closer look, we appreciated all the little details, like the adjustable cuffs keeping pants out of the way. And the zippered flat pockets do not interfere with a harness. Plus, a low-profile waistband with an integrated adjustable belt makes these our top choice for big pursuits.

Aside from the hefty price tag, the other issue with these pants is with their inseam — those needing a shorter inseam may need to utilize the pants’ adjustable cord lock on the cuff. This is a slight downside considering all the other bells and whistles these pants offer. Additionally, after extended use, the zippers have proven less durable than those of the Arc’teryx Gamma pants.

There’s little to complain about because these pants have a lot to offer. When planning your big alpine missions this summer, consider the Terravia Alpine as your go-to climbing pants — they’ll undoubtedly live up to their name.

Need pants for your next big mission? The Arc’teryx Gamma Pants ($200) will carry you deep into the mountains. The high-performing fabric cuts the wind and sheds moisture while moving with you through high steps, heel hooks, and stems. 

We tested these while climbing on some of the windiest, coldest days of the winter in Joshua Tree. The Gammas kept us as comfortable as we could expect in gusts of up to 45 mph. During a particularly windy stretch in January, we wore these pants day after day; none of our other climbing pants offer the same amount of protection. 

In our experience, the Gamma pants are unrivaled in durability. The smooth softshell fabric resisted snags from spiky desert plants and the coarse granite of Joshua Tree. After weeks of climbing, boulder scrambling, and desert bushwacking, they showed almost no wear. For warm-weather climbing, we’d probably opt for slightly lighter fabric, like that of the Terravia Alpine pants, but the fabric is breathable enough for a wide range of temperatures.

The features are exactly where we want them; the side zip pocket is just big enough to secure a phone and the ankle drawcord makes it easy to adjust the length. While we tend to prefer an elastic waistband for climbing pants, the built-in belt is sleek and easy to use. 

At $200 a pair, they’re on the higher end of the climbing pants in our review, but if you expect a lot out of your apparel, you won’t be disappointed. With exceptional durability and perfect features, the Arc’teryx Gamma Pants will soon be your go-to alpine and cool-weather climbing pants.

After the Wondery Isabel 3.0 Pants ($110) had been recommended to us countless times, we had to give them a try. What we found was a stylish pair of multi-purpose pants we could take from the crag to the after-party, wherever that may be. 

The best part of the Isabel 3.0 pants is how well they fit diverse body types and styles. With extended sizes and three length options to choose from, we were impressed with our ability to dial in a perfect fit. Plus, you get to select from eight bold colors to further express your personal style. We also like how the adjustable belt adds another color pop against the pant’s fabric.

The fabric is mostly cotton, and we noticed a slightly more limited range of motion compared to high-stretch pants like the Outdoor Voices RecTrek Pants or Outdoor Research Ad-Vantage Leggings. But we were still able to move well on our projects without noticing much resistance. We liked the cargo pockets for stashing snacks or chapstick on the go, but we usually look for a zipper when securing our phone high on a route. 

While these aren’t our first choice for technical missions or hard climbing requiring a full range of motion, the Wondery Isabel 3.0 Pants are a unique and playful option for diverse body types and styles. We recommend them for multi-adventure days that end in a night out with friends.

These Patagonia Chambeau Rock Pants ($129) are perfect for long days on multipitch climbs. Their fast-drying, stretchy material coupled with a comfortable waistband make them one tester’s first pick for all outdoor climbing excursions.

The recycled polyester-spandex blend is light and breathable for hot summer days. And the DWR coating repels light moisture. The cuffs adjust with a pull cord, so you can guarantee proper foot placement without baggy pants getting in the way.

These pants aren’t loaded with features, which failed to tick all of our boxes at this higher price point. We also weren’t impressed with the drop-in front pockets that can’t hold a lot beyond small essentials. Yet, we still appreciate the addition of the zippered leg pockets — all of which lie flat and don’t cause any discomfort under the harness.

If you want something incredibly lightweight and stretchy to get you to the top of your multipitch climb on a blazing day while protecting your legs from unwarranted abrasions, then check out the Chambeau Rock Pant.

Mountain weather can be unpredictable, but the Black Diamond Alpine Pants ($150) have got you covered. The durable softshells offer a solid DWR finish that sheds precip and light wind while still maintaining a full range of motion for technical climbing objectives in the alpine.

Our tester wore them while guiding a mountaineering trip in the North Cascades and during cool-weather alpine rock climbing objectives. She found the zippered thigh and hand pockets helpful for easy phone navigation and quick access to SPF chapstick on the glaciers. The ankle drawcord was also handy for keeping snow out of her boots and neatly stowing her extra crampon straps. 

While the fabric was ideal for chillier temps and windy conditions, our tester switched to shorts once she was off the snow and back on trail. These softshells aren’t insulated, but they are a bit heavier than the Arcteryx Gamma LTs or the Mountain Hardwear Alpine Light Pants. As a result, they’re a little toasty for warmer weather alpine rock climbing. Pack the Alpine Pants for early to mid-summer mountaineering trips or pair them with wool base layers for ice season, and they’ll serve you well.

The Mountain Hardwear Chockstone Pants ($150) hold up well during big alpine and multi-pitch routes. Made with four-way stretch softshell fabric, they offer weather and abrasion resistance while still being relatively lightweight. At $150, they also are more affordable than some of the competition in this category. 

We tested these pants on car-to-car missions in the mountains, multi-pitch rock routes, and cool-weather cragging days. They were quite comfortable on breezy, high-elevation alpine routes, even in the sun. Our tester found them to be too hot for lower-elevation climbing during the summer, even during evening sessions. They would work better for multi-pitch climbing and cragging in the fall and winter. After lots of climbing on coarse granite, the fabric was also starting to get a little fuzzy in some places. 

With essential technical features like zip pockets and an adjustable waist, the Chockstone Alpine Light Pants check all of our boxes without going overboard. The stretchy fabric offers excellent range of motion, so you’ll be high-stepping, jamming, and stemming through pitch after pitch of alpine rock.

Designed in partnership with world-cup competitor Quinn Mason, the Outdoor Research Ad-Vantage Leggings ($99) were built specifically for climbing. The movement-mirroring stretch fabric includes a 16% blend of Lycra and flexes with you in every direction, whether you’re high-stepping, drop kneeing, or heel hooking.

We put these tights through the wringer during several cragging days on the tacky granite of the Index Town Walls in Washington State. The knees and hips are reinforced to improve durability with DuraPrint technology, which is a 3D-printed silicone-like material that overlays areas of high abrasion. The result? We didn’t notice any wear on the fabric after plenty of scraping up the coarse rock — in fact, the only pilling we did notice was along the seams after a handful of routes. Safe to say, the added overlays certainly help shore up what is often a struggle for climbing tights.

The waistband on the Ad-Vantage Leggings is constructed with ⅝-inch interior elastic to help prevent sagging, and we were pretty impressed with the result. During an approach with a heavy pack, these tights stayed put better than similar products we’ve used, though we still noticed some sagging during longer hikes.

Leggings are undeniably functional for climbing, and the Ad-Vantages are no exception. Also, their uses don’t end at the crag: We kept wearing these tights for hikes, workouts, runs, and everything in between.

If you want a pant that can go wherever you go, then look no further than the prAna Halle Straight Pant II ($95). Though not a winner in any specific category, they’re highly versatile thanks to their abrasion resistance, superb stretch, UPF 50 protection, and water-repellent finish.

These pants are highly durable against rugged terrain and unpredictable weather. They’re similar in style to the Outdoor Research Ferrosis, but they hold up a bit better with heavy use. We also liked the ample pockets, including a thigh-high zipping pocket to secure our phones. Moreover, this pant’s versatility extends beyond just functionality, with its everyday look designed to be worn to the office and then straight to the crag without missing a beat.

Unfortunately, we were disappointed to find that there were no drawstring ankle ties or snaps to roll pant legs up on hot days. And while we found it easy to simply roll them up due to their straight-leg design, they didn’t stay put. Another thing we noticed was that after wearing them all day, they tended to bunch around the crotch, which made them appear unflattering at times.

But despite a couple of minor shortcomings, the prAna Halle Straight Pant II is a phenomenal choice when you need a cross-functional climbing pant for adventures that may entail a mix of various disciplines and conditions.

For a lightweight pair of softshells with great stretch, look no further than the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants ($99). The fabric is what really makes these pants shine; it’s wind-resistant enough to withstand some blustery weather while still shedding heat as temperatures start to rise. 

Anyone who has climbed in the desert knows that the temperatures fluctuate drastically between the sun and shade. We took the Ferrosi Pants on a couple of missions deep into Joshua Tree National Park, which involved hiking under a hot sun to climb classic pitches that were in the shade. We were impressed with the Ferrosi’s breathability in the heat and comfort in cooler temps. The UPF 50+ rating is another plus for long, exposed approaches on sunny days.

We did notice a few snags in the fabric after brushing past scrub oak and other abrasive plants. So for those hiking in burlier environments, the Ferrosis are not the most durable or wind-resistant pants on the market. 

We also struggled a bit with the fit; they seemed baggier around the waist and ankles compared to other pants of similar sizes. However, we do appreciate that the Ferrosis are offered in plus sizes and varying inseam lengths. We trust that most will find a good fit with some trial and error. 

The Ferrosis include the key features we look for in climbing pants; a side zip pocket and ankle drawcord round out the design. Falling in a similar category to the prAna Halle Straight Pants II but offering more stretch, the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants are a classic choice for hikers and climbers alike.

Outdoor Voices calls the RecTrek Pants ($98) its “most versatile pants,” and we have to agree. Our tester wore them climbing, but she kept them on long after leaving the crag. Comfortable enough for lounging around, decently durable for scrambling over abrasive rock, and cute enough to be dressed up or down, you can wear the RecTrek pants wherever you go. 

We loved the RecTreks for heel hooking and high-stepping on our projects in Joshua Tree this winter. The combination of nylon and elastane allows for an exceptional range of motion, and we never felt constricted while trying hard on boulder problems. 

On chilly days, the material does a decent job of cutting the wind; we stayed comfortable in breezy weather in the mid-50s. Over the course of testing, we did start to notice a bit of pilling from repeated washing. 

The high-waisted, relaxed fit reminded us of the Topo Designs Mountain Boulder pants, whose design we also loved. Neither have a highly technical look, so they transitioned easily to grabbing dinner or drinks after cragging. 

For more demanding missions in the mountains, we’d reach for the more streamlined fit of the Patagonia Terravia Alpine pants. But for cool weather bouldering, cragging, and generally living our lives, the Outdoor Voices RecTreks fit the bill.

If you spend a lot of time in technical clothing, the soft comfort of cotton can feel like a treat. The E9 Onda Story Pant ($118) manages to maintain an excellent range of motion while using 98% cotton fabric. The unique color combinations will help you stand out while crushing at the crag or pulling on plastic indoors. 

We found the elastic waistband to be quite comfy and secure, even while carrying a heavy backpack. The drawstring feature on the cuff helped us keep an eye on our feet while smearing or toe hooking, but we did notice it snag on the rock once or twice. 

The brush holder loops are a unique feature that we haven’t seen on other pants, but we didn’t end up using them. We were concerned we might forget to remove the brush before hopping on a boulder problem; a piece of wood or plastic attached to your side could increase risk during a hard bouldering fall. 

Overall, the E9 Onda Story Pants are comfortable with a unique streetwear style. They’re a good option when the weather is nice or when you’re sticking to the gym, but we’d reach for something more weather-resistant for most outdoor climbing.

The prAna Kanab Ripstop Pants ($95) have everything we look for in the best climbing pants — they’re durable, comfortable, and stretchy. The organic cotton canvas blend holds up to abrasions, and the double-walled knees give an added dose of protection.

And while built for heavy use, they manage to also be incredibly breathable. Cuffed bottoms and the midrise waistband also make them quite stylish and comfortable.

We also appreciate the deep, usable pockets. We’re easily able to stash a phone or snacks comfortably.

To make these pants ideal, we would have valued a hidden drawstring in the waist for more security and to ensure that they fit different waist sizes — a feature these pants are currently lacking.

Overall, we included the prAna Kanab Ripstop Pants in our best of the rest because of their practical use for climbing and everything that follows. They’re ideal for camping, hiking, and Sunday morning hangouts.

These Black Diamond Notion Pants ($95) warranted our attention due to their comfort while belaying and overall awesomeness for single-pitch sport climbing. Reinforced knees make them withstand tough routes, while the stretchy fabric allows the mobility that’s required to assist you to the top.

Newly revised for 2024, the Notion gets a few key updates that we were stoked on, and unfortunately loses a pocket on the backside (that we will miss sorely). Even still, the newest version is top-notch, and still retains all of the comfort we loved about these pants previously.

The cozy drawstring waistband now adjusts from the inside of the pants as opposed to the outside, cleaning up the front profile and keeping clutter down when wearing a harness. This waistband is an easy fit for ladies who don’t like hugging on the midsection. Two hand pockets and one back pocket also make these pants useful for carrying extra items to the crag.

“If you’re sensitive to heat and humidity, and have a tendency to sweat a ton, this fabric — which is mostly cotton — isn’t really breathable for super long or sun-bearing days on the wall,” said one tester. But they’re a go-to climbing pant for moderate temps and mild weather conditions.

Super comfortable on the wall, but also while camping, hiking, bouldering at the gym, and traveling, the BD Notion Pants will keep up with all your activities.