SectionHiker.com Backpacking Gear Reviews and FAQs 
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.
RELATED: 10 Best Men’s Hiking Pants
- 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
| Make / Model | Leg Style |
|---|---|
| Patagonia Quandary Pants | Full-length |
| Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants | Full-length |
| Eddie Bauer Guide Pro | Convertible |
| Columbia Silver Ridge Hiking Pants | Convertible |
| REI Sahara Convertible Hiking Pants | Convertible |
| KUHL Renegade Convertible Pants | Convertible |
| Arc'teryx Gamma Pants | Full-length |
| Marmot Mountain Active | Full length |
| RailRiders Eco-Mesh Pants | Full Length |
| Duluth Dry On the Fly Cargo Pants | Full Length |
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.
| Shop at REI | Shop at prAna |
I recently bought a pair of the SZII slim fit. I usually hate slim fit pants, but the lower leg of the regular fit SZIIs are huge and (for me, at least) always get filthy and soaked. I don’t want to have to wear gaiters all the time, so I gave these a try. I like them. I see now that a lot of reviewers are saying the quality isn’t good; I haven’t noticed that yet, but I’ve only worn them on a hike once. Time will tell.
I have beaten these to death – no issues.
I have thousands of kilometers in my originals I bought years ago! They are still fine and I can’t seem to wear them out. I will buy a new pair just to change colours for an upcoming hike in Japan.
I’ve been wearing the same pair of Stretch Zion shorts for about 10 years, they still hold up. I bought a second pair on sale shortly after buying the first, and they’re still unused in my gear storage. These things last.
Prana also just brought back the convertible version of the stretch Zion (limited colors). I’ve worn the older version (which has pockets on both legs) for about 10 years and they show pretty much zero signs of wear.
My daughter recently bought me a pair of Kuhl convertibles, which I have not worn hiking yet. Unlike the Pranas, they do require a belt … ok, well maybe not at the start of the hike :)
I just (seconds ago) bought 2 pairs of the convertibles.
My favorite hiking pants for a few years now. Rugged but comfortable. Pants are very thing you said and come in a large variety of sizes and colors. I would say they fit on the bigger size but not much.
I love then original but the II had signs of durability issues. I got two new pairs and they piled at high wear area within two months. The original lasted years without any sign of wear. Recommend the original over the II if you have a choice.
The reason people hated the Zion II was threefold:
1) recycled nylon does not have the same smooth feel
2) recycled nylon pills
3) prAna replaced the metal button with a plastic sewn-on button that broke!
From what I’ve read, the New Old pants (aka “New OG”) once again use NEW nylon and have a METAL snap.
prAna (i.e. Columbia) must have felt the impact (i.e. loss of sales) as a result of messing with a pant that needed no “improvement”!
Like previous commenters, I too have owned the OG pants for years, and they last forever. I wear the same pair to work, to church, and to camp and hike in. And I like the more roomy cut so I can pull them off without removing my shoes.
I’m skeptical. I have 3 pairs of shorts which are great. I bought a pair of convertible pants and they are way too baggy, they are relegated to yard work, etc. I also bought a pair of regular pants that are a very slim fit, and I’m 6′ 175, a little slimmer than you(no offense) has the fit changed?