Prana Halle Hiking Pant Review

Perhaps no other women’s hiking pant is as ubiquitous and revered as the Prana Halle. In fact, when I bought my first pair, the two female sales associates spotted my purchase and began raving about their experiences wearing the Halle to work, out to eat, to walk the dog, and, of course, to hike. Eager to find out if it could live up to the hype, we took the Prana Halle Pant on a four-day trek in the Grand Canyon. Although not without its downsides, the Halle is an impressively versatile pant that fits in just as well on the trail as our local café. Below we break down our experiences with the Halle. To see how it stacks up to the competition, check out our article on the best women's hiking pants.

Editor’s note: We tested the past-generation Prana Halle Pant for this review, and the design has since been updated with a low-rise cut (the pant we tested was mid-rise). If you prefer a higher waist, the Halle Straight Pant fits the bill and is otherwise largely identical apart from slightly more streamlined cuffs. Prana also released the newer Halle II, although the ReZion fabric is a step down in quality and comfort from the original version covered here.
 

Table of Contents

• Comfort and Stretch
• Water Resistance and Breathability
• Features
• Style and Versatility
• Build Quality and Durability
• Fit and Sizing
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Comfort and Stretch

The Prana Halle’s soft and stretchy fabric arguably is its best attribute, making the pant both mobile and wildly comfortable. It's built with the same material as Prana's Stretch Zion Pant (the men’s version), which incorporates 3% spandex into its nylon construction for a noticeable boost in stretch. Additionally, the Halle’s knees are articulated, resulting in superb freedom of movement. Even if you size your pants relatively snug (their intended fit), you still should have full mobility and comfort.
 

I wore the Halle throughout the entirety of our four-day backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon, removing them only at night to sleep (which was barely necessary considering how comfortable they are). Whether squatting to refill water, sitting down to tend to the stove, climbing up the tricky fourth-class terrain of the Papago Wall, or hiking with a heavy backpacking pack, the pants moved with me. Further, while hiking and camping can entail a lot of bending over, I didn't find myself needing to pull up the waist to keep the Halle from slipping, which is a common problem I have with other pants. Finally, even four days into the trip—when pants often begin to stretch out or start to sag—the Halle retained its form-fitting shape.
 

Water Resistance and Breathability

The Prana Halle is a mostly nylon pant, designed for breathability and quick drying. In practice, my legs did not grow clammy even while hiking in 70-degree desert heat—a testament to the Stretch Zion fabric’s breathability. You also can roll the pant up to just below the knees, which adds significant ventilation on especially warm days. That said, it’s important to note that the Halle is not a particularly thin pant, meaning you get some added warmth on cold days, but it's perhaps too much pant on hot days. In the summer heat, we recommend opting instead for shorts or a thinner nylon or cotton pant like the Mountain Hardwear Dynama/2.
 

For protection against light precipitation, the Halle has a durable water repellent (DWR) finish that helps light moisture bead up and slough off the pant instead of soaking through. During our hike, the Halle skillfully deflected light rain, and when a wave lapped up while I was collecting water from the Colorado River, the beaded moisture rolled right off. However, when a true downpour came—right as we were setting up our backpacking tent on the last night—the DWR-coated nylon soaked through entirely. Thankfully, the pants dry very quickly and were wearable by morning (with remarkably the same snug fit). Keep in mind that if you want the DWR finish to continue working over time, you’ll want to regularly wash the pant and apply a spray-on or wash-in coating when the DWR wears off completely. And as a side note, the Stretch Zion fabric also offers UPF 50+ sun protection, so you’re covered in non-inclement weather as well.
 

Features

Pockets
The Prana Halle has two standard front pockets, two back pockets with a flap and button closure, and a zippered stash pocket on the right thigh. Unfortunately, none of these pockets are particularly large, which is one of my main gripes about the pant. The two front and back pockets are too small to fit my iPhone, while the zip pocket on the right thigh is just barely large enough to accommodate it. When it comes to hiking pants, deep front pockets and a roomy zip pocket are almost imperative, and unfortunately, the Halle’s small pockets are more stylish than functional.
 

Roll-up Legs
On warmer days, for creek crossings, or just for kicking around town, the Prana Halle has flaps that allow you to secure your rolled-up pant cuffs. Each leg has two flaps—attached to the inside just below the knee—that fold over the rolled cuff and secure to an external snap for a knicker/capri look. If rolled-up pants aren’t your style, Prana has done a great job of making this feature relatively inconspicuous with just a small, fabric-colored snap showing on the sides of each knee.
 

Front Closure
The Halle has standard trouser styling with a front button fly and zipper. It also features an internal waistband that knots just below the belly button, allowing you to dial in fit and preventing the pants from slipping when you bend over. However, while this design would be manageable without a pack, I found that my backpack’s hipbelt consistently dug into the Halle’s waist knot—not something I would expect from a pair of pants meant to be worn while hiking or backpacking. In addition, the entire waist design of the Halle is rather bulky with belt loops, an extra layer of fabric, and multiple rows of stitching. Because of this, I developed pressure points in various places along my waist, which were only relieved by pulling up my pants high enough that the waistband fell above my pack’s hipbelt. All told, I like the Halle’s waist design for hiking without a large pack, chores around camp, or casual wear around town, but it wasn't optimal for backpacking.

Style and Versatility

Prana describes the Halle as a “cross-functional pant,” and after wearing them while backpacking, climbing, playing disc golf, and running errands around town, I couldn’t agree more. The Halle is almost as comfortable and free-moving as a pair of sweatpants but with more versatile styling that fits in on the trail or at the café. I really can’t say enough about the active fit and mobility of these pants, which are even more impressive when paired with the sleek and slimming design. Put simply, the Prana Halle manages a class-leading combination of good looks, comfort, and on-trail performance.
 

All that said, the Halle isn't quite as versatile as I had hoped for backcountry use. As mentioned above, the small pockets and bulky waist are more casual than performance-oriented. These two features alone make me hesitant to take the Halle on a multi-day hike again, despite everything else I love about the pants. Additionally, the legs are slightly flared, which also detracts from the pants’ technical prowess—the bulky fabric can catch your opposite foot while climbing or hiking (note: Prana does offer a slightly more streamlined straight-leg version for the same price). But for day hikers, travelers, and casual recreationist, the Halle’s versatility will outweigh these minor concerns.
 

Build Quality and Durability

Hiking pants are made to be abused—roll them up, sit on them, scrape them in the dirt, or stuff them in your pack and they’ll most likely make it out unscathed. And the Prana Halle has a few design additions that boost its durability and trail-worthiness even further. First, stretch fabric is inherently durable: While other fabrics might rip under strain, the Halle’s Stretch Zion give and extend. For example, on our last night in the Grand Canyon in the midst of a torrential downpour, I found myself setting up my tent right next to a prickly bush. Each time I passed, my pants caught on the bush, but not once did they threaten to tear. In addition, I also found the Halle to be remarkably stain-resistant and able to keep their shape after multiple days on the trail (more in “Fit and Sizing” below). For pants that are meant to be worn day after day without a washing, this is very good news. All things considered, the build quality and durability of the Halle are fantastic, and you can rest assured you’ll get a lot of life out of your pants.
 

Fit and Sizing

Next to the stretch and freedom of movement that they offer, one of the biggest selling points of the Prana Halle is the amazing fit. They are designed as mid-rise, snug-fitting pants, meaning they offer modest coverage almost up to belly-button height but don't sacrifice style or appearance in the process (note: The latest Halle Pant is low-rise, while the mid-rise Halle Straight Pant is more in line fit-wise with the model that we tested). Further, the stretchy fabric allows the Halle to fit many body types, and the pants even come in the three available lengths: short (30 in.), regular (32 in.), and tall (36 in.). In terms of sizing, Prana pants routinely run a bit large, so you might need to size down (I went from a 6 to a 4). The pants will stretch out a very small amount, but as I mentioned previously, the Halle maintains its shape remarkably well, even when worn for days on end without washing. 
 

Sustainability

Like many leading outdoor brands, Prana now makes many of their products with an eye toward sustainability. In this case, the Halle Pant utilizes a PFAS-free DWR coating that forgoes the use of per- or polyfluorinated chemicals—“forever chemicals” that are known to have a negative impact on the environment and human health. With many states stepping up to ban the sale of items that include PFCs, the outdoor industry is seeking better solutions for water- and stain-resistant finishes. Prana also uses plastic-free packaging for their all products and works with several Fair Trade Certified factories to ensure safe working conditions and transparent production practices (you can read more about all of their sustainability efforts here).
 

Other Versions of the Prana Halle

As we touched on above, the Halle is offered in a number of sizing options, including dedicated short and tall variations. In addition, Prana makes the pant in a straight-leg model for the same price. Overall build and feature sets are nearly identical, with the only discernible differences being the cut at the ankles (the narrower opening is nice for more technical use) and mid-rise waist (the standard version has a low-rise waist). Since our review, Prana has also released the newer Halle II, which uses their recycled ReZion fabric. The II comes in several styles and variations, including both straight- and flared-leg pants, shorts, a skort, and joggers. However, despite the upgraded sustainability slant, we found that the ReZion fabric is noticeably less soft and comfortable than the original.
 

Men’s Prana Stretch Zion Pant

The Halle is a women’s design, but Prana uses the same Stretch Zion fabric to make the similarly popular men’s Stretch Zion Pant. The Stretch Zion has the same hiking and lifestyle intent as the Halle but comes in a men’s-specific fit, is offered in different colorways, and includes added features like a cargo pocket and built-in belt. You can also customize the waist and inseam measurements separately, with a wide selection of both for dialing in the right fit. Zooming out to the wider collection, Prana offers the Stretch Zion Straight Pant, Convertible Pant, and Pull On Short, along with a few options in the newer Stretch Zion II line that use their recycled ReZion fabric. 
 

What We Like

• With a soft and forgiving stretch fabric, flattering fit, and variety of sizing options to choose from, the Halle’s fit and comfort are hard to beat.
• Stretch Zion fabric is impressively durable: It stretches rather than forming holes and maintains its shape extremely well over time.
• Excellent styling that transitions seamlessly from trail to town. 
• The pants dry quickly, and the DWR finish effectively resists splashes and light rain.
   

What We Don’t

• Pockets are disappointingly small.
• When worn with a large backpack, I experienced consistent discomfort with my pack’s hipbelt pushing into the Halle’s bulky waist.
• Many will find the thicker fabric too warm for summertime hiking. 
• Slightly flared legs can get in the way when hiking or climbing (however, you can roll up and secure the bottoms).
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

The Prana Halle offers an impressive combination of performance and style, but there are a number of other worthy women's hiking pants to consider. Outdoor Research’s Ferrosi is another crowd favorite for active endeavors, with technical features like articulated knees, a zippered pocket on one thigh (plus a rear zip pocket), and a slightly more streamlined waist for comfort under a backpack hipbelt or harness. It even has drawcord closures to secure the cuffs out of the way while climbing. Perhaps the most defining feature of the Ferrosi, however, is its 14%-spandex design, which adds significant stretch compared to the Halle. But while some will appreciate this for added mobility, I find the 3% of the Prana to be more than enough. Further, in my experience, the Ferrosi’s fabric is more prone to pilling and catching on sharp rocks and branches. For around the same price, but we think the Halle is the better all-rounder.
 

Next up is Patagonia’s Quandary, which again falls more toward the performance end of the spectrum than the Halle. With the Patagonia, you get tough but light fabrics with a DWR coating for fending off light moisture, articulated knees and a gusseted crotch for mobility, and clean styling that doesn’t get in the way on the trail. However, while the Quandary uses a similar mix of materials as the Halle (96% nylon and 4% spandex), it’s noticeably thinner and more breathable, making it a better match for hot-weather adventures. If versatility is your primary consideration, we love the Halle. But the Quandary still wears well around town and will be much more comfortable should you be adventuring in the heat of summer.

Even more so than OR and Patagonia above, Arc’teryx doesn’t shy away from being unapologetically technical. For $160, their Gamma Lightweight Pant addresses many of our performance gripes about the Halle by adding tapered legs, a less bulky waistband, and more zippered storage (including two generously sized hand pockets). The Gamma’s fabric is thinner than that of the Halle, too, meaning it’s more breathable, lightweight, and quick-drying. This makes it our preferred option for true summertime use when we still want the leg coverage and protection of a full pant. Will you be wearing them out to dinner with your friends? Probably not. But if a truly performance-oriented pant is what you’re after and you’re willing spend up, there’s no question: The Arc’teryx Gamma Lightweight wins out.
 

A final option to consider is Kuhl’s Freeflex Roll-Up, which also nicely straddles the casual and performance categories. In this case, you get a 50-50 mix of polyester and stretch polyester, which wicks moisture well, dries quickly, and offers a good amount of give for staying comfortable and unrestricted on the trail. We also like the Kuhl's slightly tapered legs, which don’t get in the way as frequently as the Halle’s flared ankles. The only major downside is the lack of zippered pockets, which can make it tough to securely stow valuables and electronics. All in all, both options are durable, good-looking, and reasonably priced, but we give the slight edge to the Halle for its more functional storage layout at a slightly cheaper price.