The Best Women’s Climbing Pants of 2023

The Patagonia Caliza Rock pants ($109) are the answer to the female climber’s prayers. There are so many reasons why these were deemed our best overall climbing pants. For starters, we were immediately impressed by how well they molded to the body.

Unlike other climbing pants that are either too baggy or too tight in the wrong areas, these seem to have the perfect amount of stretch in all the right places. Plus, these organic cotton-blend pants earn high marks for durability.

We also found the wide elastic waistband to be comfortable and perfectly placed for your harness to fit over. And let’s not forget the snaps on the bottom cuffs that can be adjusted to fit your ankle.

The pockets — both in the front and the back — are so flat and low-key that we didn’t even know they were there until we looked in the mirror. With that said, open shallow pockets like these don’t hold much or keep items from falling out. We wouldn’t use them while climbing to ensure the safety of others below.

Overall, the Patagonia Caliza Rock pants are remarkably versatile for all types of climbing and are comfortable enough for all-day leisurewear. And with five colors to choose from, you might not want to wear anything else. We’re quite confident they’re the best women’s climbing pants available today.

For more, check out our full review of the Patagonia Caliza Rock Pant.

The North Face Women’s Aphrodite 2.0 Capris ($50) 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 $50, 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.

For the style-conscious climber looking for unique apparel that still climbs well, the Topo Designs Boulder Pants ($109) are a great choice. They’re ideal for bouldering and single-pitch climbing. With five bold colors to choose from and a high-waisted, modern fit, these pants will transition seamlessly from the crag to a casual night out. 

Made with four-way stretch nylon, the Boulder Pants allow for unrestricted movement and provide decent protection from the elements. During some blustery days of climbing in Joshua Tree during the winter, we noticed that these pants offered wind protection similar to a softshell jacket. Though we mainly tested them while climbing in the desert in January, the fabric feels light enough to keep wearing during warmer seasons. 

We love how well the high elastic waistband stays in place, even while wearing a harness weighed down by a double rack of cams. We also appreciate the ankle drawcord feature, which helps dial in precise foot placements. 

For longer or more technical missions, we prefer a slimmer fit and additional zip pockets; the single zip back pocket isn’t very functional for multi-pitch climbing with a full harness. When your climbing keeps you closer to the ground, however, you can’t go wrong with the cute and functional Boulder Pants.

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 Altvia 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.

There’s little to complain about because these pants have a lot to offer. When planning your big alpine missions this summer, consider the Altvia 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 ($190) 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, 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 $190 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.

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.

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. 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 ($89). 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. With a no-frills cut and great fabric, the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants are a classic choice for hikers and climbers alike.

Love the relaxed look and feel of joggers but need a little more durability? The Camie Pants ($109) from Mammut may be the best climbing pants for you. The gusseted crotch and pre-shaped knees, coupled with four-way stretch material, make these pants my go-to when comfort and a wide range of movement are in order for the day.

From yoga to wrestling with the kids to climbing, these pants have seen a lot of constant use these past few months. The elastic waistband with a drawcord and elastic cuffs adds some fun, functional style and looks great with just about any cute tank.

Despite the high percentage of natural fibers, the cotton in these pants makes them prone to wrinkling and doesn’t provide the same water-resistant functionality compared to others. However, they do make up for it by being lightweight and breathable.

For those always on the move keeping up with their kids, running errands, hiking, or sending their next climbing project — the comfort and versatility of the Camie Pants might make them the best climbing pants for you.

The Cotopaxi Cerro Travel Tight ($90) pants are practically second-skin. These ultra-comfortable leggings weren’t originally designed with climbing in mind. Rather, they were made as a “do-everything tight.”

However, if you’re like most female climbers, your do-everything tight includes climbing, stretching, running, errands, lounging around, and more. Ever since we put on these leggings, it has been hard to justify taking them off.

These tights work great as our climbing gym and warm outdoor cragging leggings. The five stash pockets, flat seams, and wide waistband make them our first pick for exploratory days and warm indoor or outdoor climbing sessions.

However, the spandex and recycled polyester material don’t lend themselves to be great for cold outdoor climbing days. And the lack of abrasion-resistant material won’t withstand chafing against rock, but again, they weren’t designed to do that.

For warm-weather adventures, climbs, and gym workouts — the Cerro Travel Tight will do the job. Those who aren’t fans of feeling encumbered while relaxing (but still want to look cute) will love them.

The prAna Kanab Pants ($89) 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 Kanab 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.

The drawstring waistband has an easy fit for ladies who don’t like hugging on the midsection. Two hand pockets and two back pockets also make them 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 Notion pant will keep up with all your activities.