We’ve compiled a complete guide to some of the best women’s climbing pants. Many of these women’s climbing pants have been personally tested out by us on no less than a hundred routes. Others, have been vigorously researched and referenced by other climbers’ reviews to create a comprehensive guide for female climbers.
We hope this list creates helps you find the best women’s climbing pants of 2023!
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Overview of the Best Women’s Climbing Pants
- Prana Kanab Pant – Best All Around Climbing Pant
- Kuhl Womens TREKR Pant – Best Weather Resistant Climbing Pant
- Black Diamond Womens Levitation Capri – Best for Summer Climbing
- La Sportiva Womens Mantra Pant – Best for Projects & Alpine Climbing
- Black Diamond Notion SP – Best for All Around Roped Climbing
- Prana Summit Pant – Best for All Day Comfort & Versatility
- Black Diamond Womens Forged Denim – Best for Durability with Style
- Kuhl Splash Roll-Up – Best for Trad & Crack Climbing
- Prana Becksa Leggings – Best for Gym Climbing
- Patagonia Hampi Rock Pant – Best for Bouldering & Casual Climbing
First, we’ll break down things to know when shopping for women’s climbing pants and things to consider.
You can skip our things to know breakdown and jump straight to the comparison by clicking here and you can jump straight into our breakdown of each women’s climbing pant by clicking here.
Womens Climbing Pant Styles: Pros & Cons
Cargo / Classic Climbing Pants
The womens Cargo/Classic Climbing pant style provides a balanced combination of comfort, function, and durability. Truly, the best womens climbing pants fall into this category. However, there are varying combinations of elastic, cotton, and polyester that make each cargo pant have slightly different warmth, durability, and fit.
Leggings
Leggings are a gym climbers number 1 choice and a fan favorite of sport climbers and boulders alike. These pants provide ultimate comfort and mobility. Be wary of taking them out on climb where you may claw nail and tooth at the rock for — the material isn’t always sturdy.
Denim
The latest trend in the climbing apparel industry is designing climbing-specific denim jeans.
“Haven’t people always climbed in jeans?” I’ve been wondering the same thing.
You see, climbing denim is different, *she says half-jokingly.* Climbing denim is much stretchier and half as heavy as any old pair of denim jeans.
Other pros of these womens climbing pants is the low profile waistband that supersedes any old denim. Compared to classic jeans, it’s no argument. the real question is whether climbing style denim suits your climbing needs or if it’s better to go for cargos or leggings.
Things To Know About Women’s Climbing Pants
Inseam
When shopping for women’s climbing pants, inseam is likely the most important thing to keep in mind in order to make sure the pants fit your build right.
Many of the pants on this list give you options on inseam length but many also don’t. Be sure to measure your inseam in advance that way you know if some climbing pants are not a good choice for your build.
Fabric, Warmth & Durability
Fabric plays a huge role in the function of your climbing pants. By and large, it changes the durability level and the warmth factor, which is something to keep n mind when shopping. There’s no bad fabrics, it just depends what your intention is in climbing.
For example, cotton adds a lot of comfort and breathability but it also absorbs water & doesn’t dry fast. Keep this in mind because you might want to steer clear of it if you’re climbing involves a long approach.
Polyester and nylon are standard fabrics are included in pretty much all of these pants. These fabrics add that sweat wicking feature but Nylon tends to be much more durable than polyester.
Spandex and elastane add a level of exceptional stretch, a form-fit, and fantastic durability. These are highly valued features in climbing pants.
Type of Climbing
Depending on the type of climbing you’ll mostly be doing in your new climbing pants will change what style of pants you should buy. Bouldering? Prioritize comfort, you’ll be resting a lot. Multi-pitching? Warmth & moisture wicking matters more.
Related: Best Beginner Climbing Shoes
Women’s Climbing Pant Comparison
Note: This table is hard to see on mobile but works well on desktop.
| Name | Rating | Price | Fabric | Waistband | Fit/Leg Cuff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prana Kanab Pant | 4.8 | $80 | 62% Organic Cotton, 36% Nylon, 2% Elastane | Elastic | Elastic Cuff |
| Kuhl TREKR Pant | 4.8 | $90 | 57% Polyester, 43% Nylon | Button & Fly w/ Elastic Drawstring | Straight w/ Cinch Option |
| Black Diamond Levitation Capri | 4.7 | $75 | 87% Nylon, 13% Elastane | Elastic | Fitted |
| La Sportiva Mantra Pant | 4.7 | $100 | 96% Nylon, 4% Spandex | Elastic w/ Drawstring | Elastic Cuff |
| Black Diamond Notion SP | 4.7 | $85 | 98% Cotton, 2% Elastane | Elastic w/ Drawstring | Elastic Cuff |
| Prana Summit Pant | 4.5 | $90 | 95% Recycled Nylon, 5% Elastane | Elastic | Straight w/ Elastic Cinch Option |
| Black Diamond Forged Denim | 4.4 | $120 | 75% Cotton, 10% Nylon, 13% Polyester, 2% Elastane | Button & Fly | Narrow |
| Kuhl Splash Roll-Up | 4.3 | $85 | 68% Cotton, 29% Nylon, 3% Spandex | Button & Fly w/ Elastic Drawstring | Relaxed w/ Roll-Up Option |
| Prana Becksa Leggings | 4.1 | $45-70 | 42% Recycled Polyester, 42% Polyester, 16% Elastane | Elastic | Fitted |
| Patagonia Hampi Rock Pant | 4.0 | $80 | 53% Hemp, 44% Recycled Polyester, 3% Spandex | Fitted w/ Drawstring | Partially Fitted |
Breakdown Of The Top Women’s Rock Climbing Pants
Looking to SEND IT in style or at least replace your old trusty pair of climbing pants? Here’s the breakdown!
Prana Kanab Pant – Best All Around Women’s Climbing Pant
Rating: 4.8
Pros: Has everything you love about leggings in a tough, rugged design. Padded knees. Breathable jogger style but not too baggy.
Cons: Not the most sweat wicking. May rip easily on hard rock or on gritty climbs.
The Prana Kanab pants are the best overall climbing pants for a reason. The Kanab pant has everything you love about leggings in a tough, rugged design thanks to the canvas organic cotton blend.
At first glance the pants seem too stylish for function but that’s far from the truth. The extra knee padding is helpful for climbers and the 4-way stretch is suitable for even the gnarliest heel hook.
I personally love the many pockets that maintain a slender fit, great for roped climbing with a harness.
Last but not least, these Kanab pants are a mid-rise jogger style, and have a perfect combination of relaxed-fit breathable, but also aren’t too baggy. The knit waistband is soft and comfortable like leggings rather than classic crunchy, scratchy cargo pants can often be.
Prana Kanab Specs:
- Price: $50-80
- Fabric: 62% Organic Cotton, 36% Nylon, 2% Elastane
- Weight: 370g
- Waist Opening: Knit-Elastic
- Leg Opening: Knit-Fitted/Elastic Cuff
Related: Top Climbs in City of Rocks ID
Kuhl Womens TREKR Pant – Best Weather Resistant Climbing Pant
Rating: 4.8
Pros: My favorite mountain-specific climbing pants. Most durable pants. Weather resistant. Different inseam options.
Cons: Runs big. Small waistband buttons may bother some.
I’ve personally tested these climbing pants out on dozens of routes and never have they disappointed. To be honest, I was hesitant to first climb in these. They seemed so heavy and the open leg cuffs seemed like they’d really get in my way on footwork.
Turns out, they’re way lighter than expected and they have a an amazing lower leg cinch that allows you to quickly convert your pants to capris. P.S. The cinch actually stays put!
They’re my top pick when it comes to either alpine weather (cold & windy) and/or mountain climbing.
Of course, the durability makes them a great choice for sharp rock (especially on vertical to slightly-less-than-vertical terrain. crack climbing
Keep in mind that the Kuhl TREKR Pants run a little bit on a big side. If I had bought 1 size smaller, I would love these pants even more now. That being said, I love that Kuhl offers different inseam options so you can pint the perfect length pants.
Kuhl TREKR Specs:
- Price: $90
- Fabric: 57% Polyester, 43% Nylon
- Weight: 400g
- Waist Opening: Button & Fly with Elastic Drawstring
- Leg Opening: Straight, 15 ½” bottom opening
Black Diamond Womens Levitation Capri – Best Summer Rock Climbing Pant
Rating: 4.7
Pros: My favorite warm weather climbing pants. Soft, stretchy, strong waistband. Capri cut to stay cool.
Cons: Not designed to keep you warm. Leaves the ankles exposed to rope burn.
After putting these womens climbing pants through the ringer, I think it’s safe to say that these are the perfect climbing leggings for any summer send.
During summers of sport climbing from Tensleep to Red River Gorge, these were my trusty SEND-pants. What are send pants? You knowwww, that outfit you always choose when you’re going be trying a hard new route or project.
Even though leggings are classically assumed to rip easily, not with the Levitation capris thanks to the durable Nylon & Elastane only fabrics.
In terms of fit, the waistband is sturdy and stays put. In 3 years, these leggings have impressively managed to not rip at all despite the money knee scraped against sharp limestone.
These pants are best suited for summer climbing, and more particularly summer sport climbing. The mid-weight fabric and Capri-cut make for the perfect balance of compression and breathability when it comes to staying cool in the midst of summer.
Black Diamond Capri Specs:
- Price: $75
- Fabric: 87% Nylon, 13% Elastane
- Weight: 210g
- Waist Opening: Elastic
- Leg Opening: Fitted
Related: Why Tensleep is a Climber’s Paradise
La Sportiva Womens Mantra Pant – Best Climbing Pant for Projects & Alpine
Rating: 4.7
Pros: Articulated knee. Stylish and cool looking. Big pockets but flat, seamless waistband w/ reinforced drawstring. Sweat wicking.
Cons: Price.
When you imagine yourself wearing the La Sportiva Mantra Pant, it seems that in a daydream you’re suddenly able climb cave overhangs on mini-crimps with elaborate toe hooks like Margo Jain.
Unfortunately, pro level climbing will remain dream for many of us, HOWEVER we can still dress the part with these high performance womens climbing pants.
In all seriousness, the Mantra pant is a fantastic companion for your hardest sends and you’re long days on the mountain.
With function you don’t sacrifice style with these climbing pants. Unlike some baggy-styled cowmen’s climbing pants, these pants give your room to move but also maintain flattering appearance due to the narrowing leg and elastic cuff.
Dozens of reviews mention love for the hard-to-find feature of big pockets that aren’t too bulky. And last but not least, the waistband has everything you could want, with a strong, flat elastic that also reinforced with a drawstring.
LS Mantra Specs:
- Price: $100
- Fabric: 96% Nylon, 4% Spandex
- Weight: 420g
- Waist Opening: Fitted elastic with drawstring
- Leg Opening: Elastic cuff
Related: Climbing Guide to Lander, Wyoming
Black Diamond Notion SP – Best All Around Rope Climbing Pant
Rating: 4.7
Pros: Comfortable. Though cotton, thick material makes them fairly durable. Fantastic fit from waistband (w/ drawstring) to cuff. Reinforced knees. Harness-freindly.
Cons: Mostly cotton. Not sweat wicking and may rip more easily. Not great for curvier thighs.
The Black Diamond Notion SP pants are a radical balance of soft and durable, warm and breathable, cute and comfortable.
Revamped from the classic Notion pant, the elastic waistband has been improved with an additional reinforced inner drawstring making sure they stay put. The Notion SP includes favorite features for climbers including reinforced knees, harness-friendly pockets, an of course, elastic cuffs to keep the pants out of your way.
With a jogger style fit, these pants are cute but also breathable and are bit slimmer fit than the other jogger styles on this list.
Considered by many to be the perfect climbing pant, there’s not much to complain about with the Notion SP. The only cons come from the cotton material that will absorb sweat and won’t dry fast. Cotton may also make them prone to ripping on extra sharp rock.
These are best compared to the Prana Kanab Pant. Key differences are really only the slightly different fit. Prana Kanab is best suited to curvier thighs while these pants are don’t provide as much thigh space.
Notion SP Specs:
- Price: $85
- Fabric: 98% Cotton, 2% Elastane
- Weight: 354 g
- Waist Opening: Elastic waistband w/ reinforced drawstring
- Leg Opening: Elastic cuff
Prana Summit Pant – Best Climbing Pant for Versatility
Rating: 4.5
Pros: A unique combo of cozy and durable. Great for all day comfort or versatile use from campground to crag. Great lower leg cinch to convert to capri jogger.
Cons: Some may feel the straight style makes them too casual for climbing. Not designed or warmth.
The Prana Summit Pant is a great choice for versatile climbing and stylish comfort anywhere you go. Upon first glance, you’d think that flowy leg cuffs would get in your way on the way but fortunately, there’s an adjustable elastic lower leg cinch that transform them into a versatile jogger-capri.
Thanks to the versatile style of the Summit Pant, you can take these climbing pants anywhere — whether that’s a lounging around at a bouldering crag, trad climbing in City of Rocks, or sport climbing in Red River Gorge.
Prana Summit Specs:
- Price: $90
- Fabric: 95% Recycled Nylon, 5% Elastane
- Weight: 250g
- Waist Opening: Fitted stretch-jersey
- Leg Opening: Straight cuff
Related: Best Rock Climbing in St George, Utah
Black Diamond Womens Forged Denim – Best Climbing Pant for Durability with Style
Rating: 4.4
Pros: A unique combo of durable, stretchy, and light. Stylish and breathable. Great for digging your knees into cracks or protecting your legs on sharp rock.
Cons: Pricey. Some may consider them restrictive in comparison to relaxed cargo pants or stretchy leggings. Not great for warm weather climbing.
To be honest, I’m not a big fan of the climbing-style denim. I personally would rather climb in something super stretchy like leggings or super durable like cargo pants.
Really, the BD Forged Denim Pant is best suited for someone who is looking for high-level durability but doesn’t want to sacrifice on a slim fit. When it comes to climbing denim, you really get a balanced combo of breathability and warmth, durability and soft material, fitted fit and mobility.
Like mentioned earlier, these women climbing pants have a low profile waistband making it great for roped climbing.
And due to the durable material, the BD Forged Denim is great for digging your knees into cracks or protecting your legs on sharp rock.
These pants are best for someone who wants durability but also wants to stay in style if they roll into a cute town after a long day at the crag.
BD Denim Specs:
- Price: $120
- Fabric: 75% Cotton, 10% Nylon, 13% Polyester, 2% Elastane
- Weight: 210g
- Waist Opening: Button & fly
- Leg Opening: Fitted
Kuhl Splash Roll-Up – Best Climbing Pant for Trad & Crack Climbing
Rating: 4.3
Pros: Roll up conversion to capris. Great pockets. As good as it gets with durability.
Cons: Open leg cuffs may get in the way while climbing (even when rolled up)
Though the Kuhl Trekr pants have made nearly the top of our list, Kuhl has another fantastic pair of pats for any women who climbs. The Splash roll-up is much like the Trekr except for 3 key features.
First, the Splash roll-up has great thigh pockets that don’t get in the way of your harness. The Splash Roll-Up is designed with a relaxed fit, which is something purely up to personal preference.
Unlike the Trekr that has a cinch that converts the full-length into a capri, the Splash is (like the name says) a roll-up conversion instead.
It can feel like the cuff gets in your way of seeing your feet while climbing, which is why we rate the Trekr higher. However, the pros of this pant outweigh that feature.
These pants are as durable as they get, absolutely perfect for long multi-pitch, trad routes, crack climbing, and sometimes even alpine climbing.
The the waistband isn’t elastic, but the button-up FreeRyde™ Waistband with an elastic drawstring is yet to disappoint me in it’s performance. And just like the Trekr, you can pick your chosen inseam length to fit yourself just right.
Kuhl Splash Specs:
- Price: $85
- Fabric: 68% Cotton, 29% Nylon, 3% Spandex
- Weight: 400g
- Waist Opening: Button & Fly with Elastic Drawstring
- Leg Opening: Relaxed, 16 ½” bottom opening
Related – Gym to Crag: Beginners Guide to Rock Climbing Outdoors
Prana Becksa 7/8 Leggings – Best Women’s Gym Climbing Pant
Rating: 4.1
Pros: Stylish ribbed fit, strong elastic, and good compression. Small side pockets.
Cons: Price. Some breathability but not a ton. May be prone to ripping due to softer Polyester material.
I absolutely love Prana Leggings. Prana merges a great balance between rugged climbing apparel and minimalistic style that’s soft and comfortable. The Bekcsa 7/8 Leggings are just that and combine fashion and function for your casual climbing at the gym or sport crag.
The Becksa leggings are 7/8 length which I prefer for style.
When comparing these climbing leggings to the Black Diamond climbing leggings, the key difference is really just in the material. The main fabric on the Becksa pants is polyester as opposed to nylon on the BD Levitation Capri. It makes for a softer and warmer fit but not quite as breathable or tight fitting.
With these leggings, you get to choose the inseam length for a perfect fit.
Prana Becksa Specs:
- Price: $45-$70
- Fabric: 42% Recycled Polyester, 42% Polyester, 16% Elastane
- Weight: 300g
- Waist Opening: Elastic
- Leg Opening: Fitted
Patagonia Hampi Rock Pant – Best Bouldering & Casual Climbing Pant
Rating: 4.0
Pros: Comfortable. Suitable for any sort of lowkey climbing. Very soft and breathable.
Cons: Waistband isn’t functional for some builds
If you thought the Prana Summit pants look cozy, look again. The Patagonai Hampi Rock Pant are about as cozy as it gets. The hemp and polyester combo makes for hyper-soft material.
While these may look like just a pair of sweatpants that aren’t suitable for climbing, dozens of reviews say otherwise. People love the Hampi Rock Pant for indoor and outdoor climbing alike.
These are a great choice for indoor climbing, casual outdoor climbing, bouldering, and particularly warm desert climbing due to the relaxed fit and great breathability.
The tapered fit is similar to many other pants on this list and keeps your sight clear when looking down at your footwork. These pants half just a partially fitted cuff though and this allows room for you to pull them up a bit for additional breathability
Hampi Specs:
- Price: $80
- Fabric: 53% Hemp, 44% Recycled Polyester, 3% Spandex
- Weight: 240g
- Waist Opening: Elastic
- Leg Opening: Partially fitted
Related:
- Best Beginner Climbing Shoes
- Best Beginner Sport Climbing Destinations
- Gym to Crag: Learn How to Rock Climb Outdoors
- Climbing Guide to Lander Wyoming
- Climbing Guide to Tensleep, Wyoming
- Best Rock Climbing in St George
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