Men’s prAna Stretch Zion Standard Pant Review

Bottom Line

The prAna Stretch Zion Standard Pant is an update to the long-loved Stretch Zion family. Its relaxed fit, combined with elastic material, makes it highly mobile and great for a variety of activities. Across seasons, activities, and environments, the Stretch Zion Standard’s reliable performance and tasteful design make it one of our favorite hiking pants.

The prAna Stretch Zion Standard is tailored with a standard fit that feels more relaxed than others we tested. This cut fits a wide variety of body shapes, but it may feel baggy on those with a slender frame. Its tasteful design is utilitarian without being techy, and we enjoyed features like a low-profile thigh pocket for carrying extra items and an integrated belt for keeping the pants secure on the hips. The Stretch Zion Standard comes in a variety of colorways to fit different styles and tastes.

These pants combine elements of performance pants with more casual options, leaning slightly in favor of casual. They lack the weather resistance found in more performance pants, and their thicker material can feel hot on warm days. Although these may not be our top choice for rugged backcountry adventures, they are perfect for going from the trailhead to town without changing in between.

How We Tested

We tested the prAna Stretch Zion Standard over four months on Alaskan trails and summits. Field testing is at the forefront of all our work, and we take a methodical yet practical approach to testing each product. Whether it’s kneeling in gravel repeatedly to test the durability, wearing the pants in a rain storm to test their weather resistance, or going for a hard hike to test their breathability, we put the Stretch Zion Standards through the wringer to deliver a comprehensive and well-researched review.

Comfort & Mobility

The Stretch Zion Standard is unique for its more relaxed fit compared to other pants in our lineup. This fit accommodates a range of body types but may feel baggy on slender legs. This relaxed fit allows for a wide range of motion – great for bouldering, climbing, and making awkward movements in uneven terrain. The gusseted crotch allows for unrestricted movement, and the elastic blend material is extremely stretchy. We loved these pants in the climbing gym and on the trail for their unrestricted movement and comfort on the body.

Breathability

A unique feature of the Stretch Zion Standard is the ventilation eyelets within the gusseted crotch. These six small holes are purpose-built to help increase airflow in sweaty areas. However, in practice, we found that these pants are quite warm. These small holes do not provide enough ventilation to air them out fully. We quickly became warm when hiking at an uptempo pace and felt that their slightly baggy cut trapped more heat and had excess material around the legs. 

Compared with other hiking pants we tested, the Stretch Zion fabric is on the thicker side, making these pants heavier and warmer than we initially expected. They may not be the best for exertion in warm weather, but they provide enough breathability for moderate exertion and all-day wear.

Weather Resistance

In the balance between performance and casual style, the Stretch Zion Standard lacks the performance needed for wet weather. They have relatively low weather resistance, making them less suited for backcountry adventures in inclement weather. At best, the pant provides enough weather resistance to get by if you’re caught in a brief rain shower.

Although they are labeled as water repellent, our field testing revealed this to be only superficial. They can repel the lightest of rains but quickly wet through and held moisture. Wearing these pants in a cold spring rain, we quickly decided the Stretch Zion is not our first choice for hikes in damp weather.

Durability

We tested the Stretch Zion Standard’s durability by repeatedly kneeling and grinding our knees into gravel, rubbing them through thorns, and scraping branches. During our testing, we were pleasantly surprised with how they held up. Our pair showed no signs of wearing through. 

The slightly thicker material provides a little extra durability compared with paper-thin ultralight models. The pants are reinforced with extra material around the hems to add extra durability in high-contact areas. However, we definitely felt gravel and thorns through the pants. It’s not our first choice if we expect frequent contact with the ground, brush, and rocks.

Features

The prAna Stretch Zion Standard blends utilitarian features with tasteful design to deliver a well-crafted pair of pants that isn’t overly techy. The one thigh pocket has two zippers for access: one vertically along the side, the other horizontally across the top. Two hand and two seat pockets are great for storing small essentials. 

Our favorite feature is the integrated belt system. This virtually eliminates the need for a belt (even though there are belt loops) and keeps the pants secure around the waist. The features of the Stretch Zion Standard are simple yet reliable, improving the pants’ performance.

Should You Buy the prAna Stretch Zion Standard Pant?

The prAna Stretch Zion Standard is a long-time favorite of ours for its stretchy material, comfortable fit, and versatility. Its relaxed cut fits a wide variety of body shapes but may feel baggy. Its material is extremely mobile and great for climbing or bouldering. That being said, this pant lacks the weather resistance of a more performance-oriented pant and can feel hot on the crag or trail. If you’re looking for pants for casual hikes or a quick bouldering session – and don’t want to change before heading to town – the Stretch Zion Standard pant is a versatile and well-rounded choice.

What Other Hiking Pants Should You Consider?

Check out our full gear guide to see all our favorite hiking pants.

REI Trailmade Review: Affordably priced, the Trailmade’s relaxed fit is similar to the Stretch Zion Standard and is sure to be comfortable for long hikes.

Kuhl Deceptr Review: Another pant that blends function with fashion, the Deceptr is equally elastic and mobile for climbing or hanging in town.

Rei Sahara Convertible Review: If you’re looking to carry more cargo with the option to zip into shorts, the Sahara has got your back.