We have tried many styles and brands of outdoor pants through the years. We have worn pants from Kuhl, The North Face, Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, and Fjallraven But in our opinion, the one we always go back to is the Stretch Zion Pant from Prana. We feel they are the best pants for Kilimanjaro.The Prana Zion material is a wonderful stretchy material that expanded with us while we were in quarantine and still fits now that we are back on the trail.
CONS
The Zion Pants went through a revision over the last year and it has not met with the approval of us die-hard wearers.
The pants are now the Stretch Zion II pants. They rebranded the material ReZion, because they are now made from recycled nylon. It isn’t bad, but the material has a shinier look to them which has not gone unnoticed by the reviewers.
Furthermore, they did away with a perfectly good metal button and replaced it with this terrible plastic button on a piece of nylon webbing. It hasn’t broken yet, but it feels like it could at any moment. I’m not sure why they changed it, in the decade of purchasing their Zion pants and shorts, I’ve never broken the button… maybe that’s the point, maybe they are too durable.
PROS
Now that you’ve heard the negative points, here are the positive ones.
The pants are very comfortable. Since they have Elastane they stretch nicely when you have to step over obstacles, rock climb in them, or bend down to tie your boot.
The built-in belt is great. Since you still have to remove your belt at the airport, this makes this a bonus feature. The belt easily cinches up when the pants get wet so they don’t fall. Furthermore, they can easily be loosened when you need some breathing room. Despite that, they do not loosen while you hike.
They have plenty of pockets—back, front, and a low-profile cargo pocket that has access both from the top and the front. Access from the front is a nice feature since you can get into it while sitting down.
The length and waist seem pretty true and yet, like we mentioned earlier, expand and contract as needed.
The colors are also nice and change throughout the years. But they have nice grays, both light and dark, earth tones, and other various colors.
One thing that we have noticed (maybe it is just the time of year) but they no longer have the convertible version on the website. I hope this is just an end-of-season issue and not a permanent one. We recommend the convertible pants for Kilimanjaro so you can remove the legs when it is warm during the day, and put them back on at night once it is colder.
Another nice feature, especially in hot climates, is the gusset has breathing holes to give your crotch some air.
Finally, the material also wicks away moisture and quickly dries. This is essential when climbing Kilimanjaro.
SIDE NOTE
For women, they make Halle pants in the ReZion material as well. They are also our best women’s pants for hiking. We will review them at a later date.
Prana’s Stretch Zion II Pants Description
Whether conquering the crag or an epic weekend BBQ, our Stretch Zion Pant II pulls zero punches. Made with ReZion™, the more Earth-friendly evolution of our bestselling performance fabric, you can adventure confidently knowing there are over two decades of tried and trusted durability backing you up.
Read more on the updates we made in the ReZion™ Upgrades section below.
Style Details
- ReZion™ recycled nylon blend stretch performance fabric
- Webbing adjustable waistband
- Left thigh zipper cargo pocket with double entry
- Concealed zipper coin pocket with elastic key loop
- Front thigh seam detail
- Mesh lined pockets
- Back patch pockets with flap at back right pocket
- Ventilated inseam gusset
- Snap roll-up feature at the hem
Fit
- Relaxed fit through the hip and thigh
- Straight leg opening
Performance
- PFAS-free DWR finish (durable water repellent)
- Abrasion resistant
- UPF 50+
- Stretch
Sustainability
- bluesign® approved materials
- Fair Trade Certified™ Factory
- Recycled Content
ReZion™ Upgrades:
We heard your feedback, and using our original Stretch Zion silhouettes, we made slight updates for more functionality, durability & comfort as you move:
FIT: This style fits the same as our original Stretch Zion Pant at the waist and hip, but with slightly less fabric bulk through the leg.
FRONT CLOSURE: Thoughtful details make all the difference—that’s why we updated the button closure on all our Stretch Zion II styles. The new low-profile plastic closure lays flat for added comfort and compatibility when wearing things like a climbing harness or a backpack with a hip belt. Plus, the webbing on the button is now anchored with four bartacks, distributing tension across the waistband for added strength and durability.
FABRIC: Our ReZion™ fabric is now more Earth-friendly, made with Recycled Nylon, and tested to ensure it stacks up against the original version. It’s more lightweight to promote breathability & performance. You may find the fabric has a subtle sheen, but don’t worry, this was intentional to achieve maximum durability.
Fabric details
- 95% Recycled Nylon
- 5% Elastane
Final Thoughts
All in all, the Prana Zion Pants were the best pants we have tried for hiking and trekking in moderate weather when it isn’t going to be too cold or wet. Even though version two has met with mixed reviews, you can see from their description above that Prana is listening to their customers and have already made a few redesigns. If you are out shopping for pants for your climb, we still feel that the Prana Zion II are the best pants for Kilimanjaro as you ascend through the different climates zones before it gets too cold as you approach the summit.
