Choosing the right pair of climbing trousers may seem like a minor detail, but it's actually an important decision for any climber, whether you're a beginner or more experienced. A good pair of pants should strike the perfect balance between comfort and performance, allowing smooth movement and complete freedom, while also being durable and suited to the specific demands of climbing. Whether you're scaling outdoor rock faces or tackling indoor routes on resin holds, the trousers you wear can have a significant impact on both your comfort and your performance.
Comfort and Abrasion Resistance: Key Criteria for All Men's and Women's Climbing Clothes
Comfort is essential when it comes to choosing climbing pants. An uncomfortable pair can quickly become a distraction—or even a hindrance—affecting your focus and taking the enjoyment out of your climb. Performance is just as important. Well-designed trousers should allow a full range of motion without restriction, while also providing adequate protection against friction and bumps.
Modern Materials for Unmatched Comfort
The materials used in the construction of climbing trousers play a key role in ensuring comfort. Technical fabrics such as polyester or nylon are often preferred for their lightness, breathability, and moisture-wicking properties. However, it’s the stretch fabrics containing elastane that have truly enhanced freedom of movement around the crotch area. These materials are also resistant to tears and abrasions, which is essential for outdoor climbing where conditions can be harsh.
While 100% cotton, although pleasant to the touch, isn’t always the best choice for climbing, when blended with other technical fibres it becomes a very appealing option. The Venga Rock trousers from Patagonia, for instance, are made from 93% organic cotton and 7% spandex—an elastic material that feels soft against the skin, offers excellent durability, and provides an ergonomic stretch.
A Tailored Fit for Maximum Freedom of Movement
The fit of climbing trousers is another important factor, though one that often shifts with current trends.
Objectively speaking, a closer fit allows for greater freedom of movement. The fabric stays close to the body and never gets in the way during footwork or dynamic moves. A skin-tight slim fit, like that of leggings, is ideal for performing the most acrobatic movements without any restriction. However, more relaxed or regular fits provide a layer of insulating air between the fabric and the skin, which is a real advantage when climbing outdoors in shoulder-season or on cooler days.
Useful Features Found on Some Models:
Trousers with pre-shaped articulation at the knees and hips are especially popular, as they follow the body’s natural movements without causing tension or uncomfortable rubbing.
Some trousers also feature an elasticated or adjustable waistband. These designs offer excellent support while maximising comfort. Certain models also include built-in belts or drawcords for a personalised fit.
As for the fastening system, a simple stitched button is often quite fragile, and leading outdoor brands often replace it with a snap-button, which may also be combined with a drawcord or belt.
Shorts or Leggings: What to Wear for Greater Freedom of Movement?
Choosing between shorts and leggings largely depends on personal preference and climbing conditions. Shorts offer excellent freedom of movement and are ideal for hot, sunny days. They allow better ventilation and often weigh less.
Leggings, which have made a strong comeback in recent years among both men and women climbers, offer full leg coverage. They’re typically made from technical fabrics that provide high elasticity and excellent breathability. Fitting closely to the body, these climbing garments are so comfortable they’re barely noticeable during your climb.
Advantages of Climbing Shorts
Climbing shorts are appreciated for their lightness and the freedom of movement they offer. They’re particularly pleasant to wear on hot days outdoors. However, shorter styles don’t protect the knees. For climbing, it’s generally better to go for longer shorts or even 3/4-length trousers that fall just below the knee.
Advantages of Leggings
Leggings simply provide a truly unrestricted feeling. They’re made from synthetic fabrics offering excellent stretch and breathability. Popular in the gym, yoga, and Pilates, leggings are once again in fashion for climbing, where they allow total freedom of movement without any discomfort. Unfortunately, leggings are quite delicate and don’t hold up well against rock abrasion. It's best to avoid knee jams and chimney climbs when wearing them. The thinnest models may also wear out quickly due to rubbing from the harness leg loops. As such, they’re better suited to bouldering than sport climbing.
The Best Outdoor Climbing Trousers Are at Glisshop
Outdoor climbing presents unique challenges that require suitable gear. Trousers for outdoor climbing need to be both durable and breathable, while also offering adequate wind protection. Technical fabrics like nylon or polyester are often chosen for their tear resistance and abrasion resistance, thanks to technologies such as ripstop and specific reinforcements at the knees.
Often blended with elastane or spandex, these climbing trousers maintain good flexibility, which is essential for this sport.
Trousers with reinforcements at the knees and seat are especially well suited for outdoor climbing, multi-pitch routes, and even summer mountaineering. These reinforcements provide extra protection against friction and bumps, whether from the rock or the rope. Depending on the brand, some models also include a handy cargo pocket for storing a GPS, phone, or other small items you want to keep within easy reach.
Leading Brands Like La Sportiva, Millet, Patagonia, Black Diamond
At Glisshop, you’ll find a wide range of climbing trousers, shorts, cropped trousers, and leggings for both men and women. Simply choose the model that suits you and the right size, and you’ll be kitted out like a pro. The hardest part will probably be deciding on the colour!
Which Pants Should You Choose for Indoor Climbing (Bouldering or Sport)?
Indoor climbing comes with different challenges compared to outdoor climbing. Conditions are usually more controlled (no wind, regulated temperature), but that doesn’t mean choosing the right trousers is any less important. A good pair of indoor climbing pants should strike the perfect balance between comfort and performance, allowing for smooth movement and total freedom—whether you’re bouldering or climbing routes.
In terms of materials, you’ll typically find nylon, polyester, or cotton, usually with a touch of elastane or spandex for stretch. The key is having good protection around the knees—because when you slip on a resin hold, bare skin won’t hold up for long!
So it’s best to go for either trousers or leggings without hesitation.
Baggy Pants, Jeans Shorts or Leggings – Which are the Best Rock Climbing Pants?
Every climber has their own clothing style. Classic trousers remain a safe and reliable choice for outdoor climbing on crags and multi-pitch routes, offering maximum leg protection. Shorts, on the other hand, are ideal in hot summer weather, especially for sport climbing or indoor sessions. Meanwhile, leggings are making a strong comeback. Initially popular among female climbers, they’ve now returned to the men’s scene too—much like in the 1970s. It has to be said that for bouldering, nothing offers greater fluidity of movement than a good pair of leggings.
As with all climbing clothing, choosing the right pair of climbing trousers is an important decision that can have a big impact on your experience and performance. Whether you go for longer shorts, leggings, or traditional trousers, it’s essential to prioritise maximum freedom of movement. For outdoor use, choose durable materials and reinforced panels for added protection. Indoors, go for lightweight, breathable fabrics that allow fluid movement and cover the knees. Once you’ve found the right model, brand, and size, all that’s left is to pick your favourite colours and you’ll be ready to climb non-stop!