REVIEWS
14 Reviews
Route66Drifter
These pants are well made and durable. So why only one star? Because of the pockets. The rear pockets are shallow and not secure. If you are climbing, hiking or traveling anything in both rear pockets are at serious risk of getting lost. The one cargo pocket has two zippers. One on top and one on the side, absolutely ridiculous. Should have put one of those zippers on a back pocket. So if you are not active, these pants would be ok. However, if you are active and traveling there are better options. I would suggest designers should be hikers and climbers. To make these pants for a climber or hiker make the rear pockets deeper with secure closing (zipper or Velcro) and add a second cargo pocket, which needs only one top zipper.
Blackbird
The original design stretch zion convertibles were UNIVERSALLY loved, literally the rock climbers / hikers / backpackers go-to fave pants. They were expensive, but had a great design and were well made. I bought 2 pairs of those and will wear them until they shred apart. At some point, someone at Prana let their greed make the decision to take their most beloved product and make it cheaper, and as it goes with every other product that gets a cheaper redesign, the new pants were universally hated (I bought another pair and immediately returned it), so much in fact, that Prana decided to "bring back the original" as the ads said, ONLY THEY DIDN'T. This third version is closer to the original design, but the signs of trying to make it cheaper are still there, which is why the cargo pocket on the right is gone (if only most of the population was right handed...). I bought a pair and threw it in the washer before I realized the pocket was gone, otherwise they would've gone back as well. In short, this version is still inferior to the original design, and it doesn't matter how many times the reviews get "cleaned up", there's a reason the average went from near 5 stars to less than 4.
Mikey
As someone who is always checking the temps before a climbing trip these pants are my go to for just about every occasion. These pants allow me to have the mobility I need, stay comfortable, and easily change into shorts if I feel necessary! Take them hiking, climbing, or just to the gym I love them.
George
Pants are really a great design with one big exception. The removable pant legs don't have a side zipper to aid in sliding over ones shoes. They are tight enough that even sleek trail runners have to come off. This means you have to take your gaiters off, your shoes off and then slip the leg off. This is a total pain when on the trail, especially if you are in a dusty or muddy area and you have to now touch everything that has been in the dirt.
MT
Size runs a drop larger than expected in the waist. Not a slim fit which I prefer so wide through the legs. Material was comfortable.
Joe
These are much like the regular pants without zippers, in terms of how they feel with the legs on. Don't really notice that they have zips. It was nice walking with them half unzipped for airflow while also having sun protection. I do wish that they had the side zipper so they could be removed while wearing boots. I didn't realize they did not have that when I purchased them.
Clark
I’ve been wearing these for years and I think they’re alright with a few alterations. I now sew the vertical zipper on the leg pocket closed to reduce snagging on brush and deadfall branches. I cut off the waist buckle cinch buckle and make more belt loops with that material. I hem in the waist because it’s typically oversized. I take diagonal cutters and pop off the stupid snaps on the lower legs. At this point the pants are relatively suitable for moving through the woods cross country. You should be aware at some point the material will start tearing easily and then it will just be tearing all the time like on my moose pack out last year. However, if you’re that sheltered outdoors person that never leaves the trail these converts will last you for years.
Jim
The pants are great as long as you ignore the pockets. The single back pocket is slightly too shallow and leaves my standard-sized wallet vulnerable. The small zippered pocket inside the right pocket is too narrow for me to retrieve small items such as coins or keys without a lot of effort. It allows me to squeeze three fingers in. The two standard pockets are fine, as is the zippered pocket on the left leg. Since the back pocket is not good for securing items, it could use a zippered pocket on the right leg as well, much like my two pairs of prAna Double Peak Convertible pants. It was my high satisfaction with them that encouraged me to buy the Zions. One other, more picky point... the button is one of those metal buttons with a short post connecting the two ends, making it about 1/4 inch long. At times that can find an uncomfortable angle to press against my stomach. I would prefer either a snap or a button like the Double Peak has. I still like the pants. The fit is excellent and they look great on me. They proved to be unsuitable for travel though due to the pockets, and that was my purpose for the purchase and the extra fee for a rush delivery. They got left at home.
Sheila
The pants fit well and are very comfortable. I would have liked longer shorts after the legs are zipped off, and slightly deeper back pockets so I don’t have to worry about my phone falling out.
Evan
Man, I'm disappointed. The original stretch zion convertible is my favorite pair of pants. When they stopped making it I was sad. Now this comes out with ad copy that says something like "you asked for it and we listened and brought them back!" Except...in bringing them back they made a bunch of changes, all of which are imho worse. Only one cargo pocket, and on the non-dominant side. Shorter shorts. Back pocket has a top cover that makes it worse/harder to stick stuff in. Maybe some people will like these changes, but I feel like if you bring something back by popular demand, that's your customers trying to tell you they liked it the way it was. Sigh... Now I have to return them and hope Prana *actually* brings them back, someday before I wear my old ones to shreds.
George
Used them on some gnarly trails and forgot I was wearing them--which is the point, right? Comfortable, good fit. Great hiking pants that look good too.
Nat
I bought these for my husband who is slender. Most tech pants bag on him, but these fit beautifully. 5'9" 145 lbs
Gene
Used these for a 12-day overseas trip. Only improvement could be making each leg zipper a different color to ease putting long legs back on.
Robert
The zipper bound up on my thighs. Very little stretch compared to the regular Zion's.
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