If you ask me (and I imagine other women), there is no greater hell than trying to buy pants. Every pair of pants fits differently, and sizes can be wildly inconsistent across brands. Now add the dimension of trying to find functional, durable pants that can perform in the outdoors. Oftentimes, it feels like I have a better shot at finding the Holy Grail than I do a pair of comfortable, high-quality hiking/climbing pants.
After years of trying countless pairs of pants, I can say with confidence I’ve finally found my Holy Grail: the prAna Halle Pants ($98). These pants have been my constant companion along my climbing and hiking adventures in California, France, New Zealand, Kentucky, Utah, and more. To save weight while backpacking, I only carry one pair of pants, and these are it.
In short: The prAna Halle Pants deliver the right balance between durability and breathability, with plenty of stretch to allow you to move however you need. The lower-rise fit bucks the high-waisted trend in a way that allows for more comfort around changing bodies.
Compare the Halle with other picks in our guide to the Best Hiking Pants for Women.
Materials
97% nylon, 3% elastane
Pros
- Stretchy, lightweight fabric
- Extremely durable
prAna Halle Pants Review
Materials
The Halle are made with prAna’s signature fabric: the Stretch Zion. This blend of nylon and elastane allows for full range of motion. I wear these pants while climbing, and can easily place a high foot with my knee up near my elbow. The pants never limit me when I’m trying funky beta on the wall.
They also have a UPF protection rating of 50+, and are treated with a PFC-free water-repellent coating. The Halle dried relatively quickly: I got caught in a rainstorm in Jackson Falls, Ill., and had to hike several miles in the rain back to my car. The pants didn’t get totally waterlogged, and I hung them up on my car’s headrest. Within a few hours, they were bone dry.
Fit
The Halle has a relaxed, bootcut fit with a waist that sits between the hips and the belly button. In the last few years, the high-rise trend has spread everywhere: Most women’s pants sit at the belly button or above.
While this is certainly stylish, it can also be uncomfortable on trail. While backpacking, I don’t want my hip belt to press against the button/closure of my pants. And if I’m bloated from my period or a big meal, high-waisted pants can become overly tight or restrictive. The slightly lower rise of the Halle pants allows me to stay comfortable as my body goes through its normal fluctuations.
The waistband has adjustable ties if you want a tighter fit, and the stretchy fabric means that the waistband always has a little give; it never digs into my skin.
As a woman with larger hips and butt, I appreciate the extra space Halle has in these areas. Every body is different, so it’s hard to know if a pair of pants will work for you unless you try them on. Oftentimes, I struggle to find pants that have the right ratios between the waist, hips, and butt, and at least for my body, the Halle checked all those boxes. The prAna Halle is available in a pretty wide size range, from sizes 00 to 22, in regular, short, and tall inseams.
The bootcut style is also a nice change from leggings and other tight-fitting pants. The extra space allows for more air flow, and the pant extends slightly further down the leg so I don’t have to worry about ticks or critters finding their way in. On a 90-degree day backpacking in Arizona, I rolled them up to my knees, which was easy thanks to the more relaxed fit through the lower leg.
Durability
There is no better test of a pair of outdoor pants than climbing a chimney. I literally scraped my knees and butt against sandstone as I scooted myself up the wall. prAna says the Halle has abrasion-resistant fabric and articulated knees for durability, and the brand isn’t lying.
After years of scraping and sliding on rocks, the only noticeable damage is slightly thinner fabric on one of the knees. I’ve worn holes in other climbing pants on the second or third time taking them outside, so the Halle pants really are on another level.
Pockets
There’s a running internet joke that women only want one thing, and it starts with a “p” and ends with an “s”: pockets. The Halle has five pockets: two in the front, two in the back, and one zip-up pocket on the side of the leg. The front and back pockets are pretty deep: I can securely fit my smartphone in a case in there. I frequently forgo bringing a bag when I’m wearing the Halle: I just store my phone, wallet, and keys in the pockets.
The zip-up pocket on the side is a nice idea, but it isn’t super-functional. It’s too small to store a phone or a wallet, and its location means that whatever item you put in there will dig into your thigh. It’s also incompatible with a climbing harness, since the leg loop goes right over it.
Travel
The Halles make great travel pants. On a 5-day climbing trip to France, they were the only pants I wore. They can stand up to plenty of sweat and dirt without getting too stinky. The breathable, lightweight, and quick-dry fabric makes them great for environments like planes and trains, where you have so little control over the temperature.
On a longer trip in New Zealand, I washed them in a sink with dish soap (the only option), and they came out pretty fresh. They are very wrinkle-resistant; you can shove them in a bag, take them out 3 days later, and be good to go.
Style
While, of course, function trumps aesthetics, it’s still nice to have a pair of pants that look good. I wear these pants to my local climbing gym all the time, and frequently get compliments from other women (who also ask where they can buy them).
Particularly in dark colors like black and navy that don’t show dirt, they don’t really look like outdoor pants. They can easily pass as a replacement for jeans or slacks in a casual environment.
One Drawback
There’s only one con to the Halle that comes to my mind. The pants have a two-button closure, and for some reason, this means the zipper has trouble staying up. When I’m in public, I constantly have to check that my fly isn’t down. No one wants to worry that they look like they forgot to zip up their pants after the bathroom.
A Note on Price
The Halle cost $98 a pair, and let’s face it, that’s not cheap. Unfortunately, it’s pretty standard practice these days for outdoor pants to cost around $100. In the list of GearJunkie’s top women’s hiking pants, the budget option is $80.
Our top hiking pants, the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants, cost $110, and another favorite, the Black Diamond Alpine Light, goes for $150. Top-tier brands like Fjällräven can cost upward of $250. As a whole, the Halle lands on the lower end of the scale, and their durability makes the $98 price tag an easier pill to swallow. I’ve had my two pairs of Halle pants for 5 years, so if I think in terms of the cost per wear, it’s not a bad deal.
Conclusion
If you’re a woman looking for a pair of do-it-all outdoor pants, the prAna Halles are worth checking out. From hiking to travel to climbing, they can handle almost any outdoor activity, with the durability to last for years.
The relaxed fit and stretchy fabric are comfortable, adaptable, and made to move with you. If you’re scampering around in the mountains or fighting your way up sport climbs, these pants will work with you, not against you. Any time I pack for a backpacking, climbing, or hiking trip, there’s only one pair of pants that has earned a spot in my bag, and it’s the prAna Halle.
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