If you ask me (and I imagine other women), there’s no greater hell than trying to buy pants. Every pair of pants fits differently, and sizes can be extremely inconsistent across different brands. Now add the dimension of trying to find functional, durable pants that can perform well outdoors. At times, it feels like I have a better chance of finding the Holy Grail than comfortable, high-quality hiking/climbing pants.
After trying countless pairs of pants over the years, I can confidently say that I have finally found my Holy Grail: the prana halle pants ($98). These pants have been my constant companions during my climbing and hiking trips in California, France, New Zealand, Kentucky, Utah, and other places. To reduce weight while backpacking, I only carry one pair of pants, and that’s it.
In short: The Prana Hayley pants offer the perfect balance between durability and breathability, with plenty of stretch to allow you to move as much as you need. The lower-rise fit bucks the high-waist trend in a way that provides more comfort around the changing body.
Compare the Hayley with other picks in our guide to the best hiking pants for women.
Material
97% nylon, 3% elastane
Pros
- flexible, lightweight fabric
- extremely durable
prana halle pants review
Material
The Halle is made from Prana’s signature fabric: Stretch Zion. This blend of nylon and elastane allows full range of motion. I wear these pants when climbing, and can easily keep a high leg by keeping my knee up near my elbow. Pants never limit me when I’m trying out Funky Beta on the wall.
They also have a UPF protection rating of 50+, and are treated with a PFC-free water-repellent coating. Halle dried relatively quickly: I got caught in a rain storm in Jackson Falls, Illinois, and had to walk several miles in the rain back to my car. The pants were not completely filled with water and I hung them on the headrest of my car. Within a few hours they were completely dry.
Suitable
Hailey features a relaxed, bootcut fit with a waist that sits between the hips and navel. Over the past few years, the high-rise trend has become ubiquitous: Most women’s pants sit at or above the navel.
While this is certainly stylish, it can also be uncomfortable when on the trail. When backpacking, I don’t want my hip belt to get caught by the button/closure of my pants. And if I’m bloated due to my period or overeating, high-waisted pants may be overly tight or restrictive. The slightly lower rise of the Halle pants allows me to stay comfortable as my body goes through its normal ups and downs.
The waistband has adjustable ties if you want a tighter fit, and the stretchy fabric means there’s always a little leeway in the waistband; It never sinks into my skin.
As a woman with larger hips and buttocks, I appreciate the extra room Hailey has in these areas. Every body is different, so it’s hard to know if a pair of pants will work for you until you try them on. Often, I have difficulty finding pants that have the right proportion between the waist, hips, and butt, and at least for my body, Halle checked all those boxes. The Prana Halle is available in a wide size range, from sizes 00 to 22, in regular, short and long inseams.
Bootcut styles are also a nice change from leggings and other tight-fitting pants. The extra space allows for more air flow, and the pants stretch a little more down the leg, so I don’t have to worry about ticks or critters getting inside. On a 90-degree day backpacking in Arizona, I rolled them up to my knees, which was easier due to the more comfortable fit through the lower leg.
Tolerance
There’s no better test of a pair of outdoor pants than climbing a chimney. When I started climbing the wall my knees and buttocks literally hit the sandstone. Prana says the Hailey features abrasion-resistant fabric and articulating knees for durability, and the brand isn’t lying.
After years of scraping and sliding on rocks, the only noticeable damage is a slightly thinned fabric on one of the knees. I’ve had other climbing pants tear holes in them the second or third time I took them out, so the Halle pants are really on another level.
There’s a joke going around on the Internet that women only want one thing, and it starts with “P” and ends with “S”: pocket. The Halle has five pockets: two in the front, two in the back, and a zip-up pocket on the side of the leg. The front and back pockets are deep enough: I can safely fit my smartphone in a case there. When I wear Halle I often forget to bring a bag: I just keep my phone, wallet and keys in the pocket.
The zip-up pocket on the side is a nice idea, but it’s not super-functional. It’s too small to hold a phone or wallet, and its location means that any item you put in it will dig into your thigh. It is also incompatible with climbing harnesses, as the leg loop goes right over it.
Travel
Halls make great travel pants. On a 5-day climbing trip to France, they were the only pants I wore. They can tolerate a lot of sweat and dirt without becoming overly smelly. The breathable, lightweight and quick-drying fabric makes them great for environments like airplanes and trains, where you have little control over the temperature.
During a long trip in New Zealand, I washed them in the sink with dish soap (the only option), and they came out perfectly fresh. They are very wrinkle-resistant; You can put them in a bag, take them out after 3 days, and be ready to go.
Style
Although, of course, function trumps aesthetics, it’s still nice to have a pair of good-looking pants. I wear these pants all the time at my local climbing gym, and often get compliments from other women (who also ask where they can buy them).
Especially dark colors like black and navy, which don’t show dirt, they don’t really look like outdoor pants. They can easily be used as a replacement for jeans or slacks in a casual environment.
a shortcoming
Only one thing comes to my mind about Halle. The pants have a two-button closure, and for some reason, that means the zipper has trouble staying up. When I’m in a public place, I have to constantly check that my fly is down. Nobody wants to worry about looking like they forgot to zip their pants after the bathroom.
a note on price
The Halle’s cost $98 a pair, and let’s just say that’s not cheap. Unfortunately, it’s pretty standard practice for outdoor pants to cost around $100 these days. In GearJunkie’s list of top women’s hiking pants, budget option Is $80.
Our top hiking pants, Outdoor Research Faroese PantsCost $110, and another favorite, black diamond alpine lightGoes for $150. top tier brands like Fjällräven It can cost more than $250. Overall, Halle is on the lower end of the scale, and their durability makes the $98 price tag an easy pill to swallow. I’ve owned two pairs of Halle pants for 5 years, so if I think in terms of cost per wear, it’s not a bad deal.
conclusion
If you’re a woman and looking for a pair of all-purpose outdoor pants, the Prana Holles is worth checking out. From hiking to climbing, they can handle almost any outdoor activity with years of durability.
The relaxed fit and stretch fabric is comfortable, adaptable, and made to move with you. If you’re hiking in the mountains or tackling sport climbing, these pants will work with you, not against you. Whenever I pack for a backpacking, climbing, or hiking trip, there is only one pair of pants that has made it to my bag, and it’s the Prana Hailey.
