Whether hitting the trails or sending a route, you want a pair of high quality pants that will protect you from mishap. With this in mind, Freshman Outdoor Product Design student Ian Lake recommends the Zion Pant made by PrAna.
“It is just so darn versatile and comfy, it’s my favorite pair of pants by far,” Lake said. “It is very light weight and the design is made to be breathable. The material is what is so nice. It’s a durable sort of synthetic fabric that has some sort of spandex incorporated into it making it stretchy. That means that it is really comfortable and great to move in. They also treat the pants with a water repellent coating that makes them ideal for going outside and being prepared. They have tons of pockets, roll up leg snaps, and overall a clean earthy look. I would totally recommend it to others looking for a climbing or hiking pants that they can wear to class. I have had a pair for about 4 years now, and they are holding up great. The knees are still intact, and they have resisted plenty of abrasion from hiking and climbing.”
The Zion pant comes in both men and women’s styles, and a tall and petite option within those. They average about 85 dollars but certain colors go on sale for around 44 dollars. They come in 5 neutral colors for men and 7 brighter colors for women. Along with being water resistant, they have UPF 50 sun protection. Making them perfect for a long day in the outdoors.
“One time when I was wearing them and climbing outside and they saved my knees,” Lake said. “I was at Joe’s Valley, a bouldering area in Utah, and my friends and I had all gone up for the weekend. We were working on a climb that requires you to use you to press your knee against the wall and lock it in place, so you can move your hand to another hold. The rock was really gritty sandstone, and my friends that didn’t have pants were tearing up the skin on on their knees, their shorts were riding up. Luckily for me, my pants took most of the pain away, and I was able to send the problem.”
Having an adventurous side means your gear can experience a lot of wear and tear. Check out the Zion Pant by PrAna for a pair of long lasting bottoms and come back next week for another Aggie Gear Guide.
By Summer Vaughn