prAna Stretch Zion II hiking pants are abrasion-resistant recycled nylon hiking pants that are great to wear on rugged or brushy trails when you want more leg protection. They have an integrated waist tightener that lets you wear them without a belt, which is far more comfortable under a backpack hipbelt or climbing harness. Numerous pockets, roll-up legs, and a gusseted and vented crotch make these stylish pants great for the city and trail.
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- Gender: Men’s
- Pockets: 6, including change pocket with key fob
- Material: 95% Recycled Nylon, 5% Elastane
- UPF: 50+
- DWR: Not worth a hill of beans
- Front Closure: Button, Zipper, Waist Tightener
- Ventilation: Crotch vents, roll-up-ankle snaps
- Pros: Durable, integrated waist belt, change pocket with key-fob, roll-up ankle snaps
- Cons: Too warm for humid weather
The prAna Stretch Zion II hiking pants are comfortable and abrasion-resistant, suitable for hiking, backpacking, and climbing. I’ve been wearing them virtually nonstop for the past few weeks, both in hot and dry conditions out west and in the cooler pre-autumn weather we’ve been experiencing lately in the Northeastern United States. They dry quickly when wet and provide excellent protection when I bash through dense vegetation or high grass and berry bushes on hikes.
While these pants do have belt loops, I wear them without one. Instead, they have a waist-tightened strap that lays flat under a hipbelt or climbing harness and is much more comfortable than having a belt buckle digging into your stomach. I prefer hiking pants with this type of waist strap or a buried belt for just this reason. They’re increasingly difficult to find, though.
These pants have six pockets: three up front, including a change pocket with a key fob, two in the rear (one with a flap), and a cargo pocket on the leg sized for a smartphone with two zippers, one on the top and one on the side. Inside the right front pocket is a small zippered change pocket large enough to hold a key or ID. It has a small gear loop inside to attach a key for security. While storing a phone in the cargo pocket is uncomfortable when hiking, it is convenient when traveling when you want a secure but accessible place to store your phone.
The Stretch Zion II pants have two venting options for warmer days: small reinforced holes in the gusseted crotch and roll-up ankles with snaps. I can’t say I’ve noticed much cooling from those crotch holes, but the ankle zips are a nice feature for wading through shallow streams when I’m fly fishing or when I’m hot and my calves start to sweat. They’re not as functional as the zip-off legs on convertible pants, but then again they’re a lot more durable, easier to use, and less obvious (for work) than the micro zippers that most convertible hiking pants come with.
Comparison – Men’s Hiking Pants
When prAna first came with the Stretch Zion II pants to replace the original Stretch Zion, there was quite an uproar by customers since the original pants were so popular. prAna has since reintroduced the original Stretch Zion pants and sells both. The main difference between the two is that there’s more elastane stretch (5% instead of 3%) built into the Stretch Zion II, but either way, they’re both popular hiking pants because they have such great features and fit so well. Highly Recommended.
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