Prana Brion II Pants Review

The Brion II is very functional as a hiking pant but also excels as a casual, everyday pair. The stretch fabric ensures that they are super comfortable against the skin while also offering superior mobility, durability, and protection you would expect from an outdoor pant. This model has a relatively slim and straight cut. They come in a wide variety of earthy colors, ensuring you will look as comfortable in a meeting at work as you are on the trail.

Performance Comparison

Comfort and Mobility

The Brion II is a very comfortable pant that ranks up there with our favorite pairs in this metric. In particular, we love the 95%/5% nylon/spandex blend that offers just the right amount of stretch in the crotch and upper legs. The fabric feels soft against the skin, and we appreciate that even though they are cut a little slim, mobility is rarely limited. We like the gusseted crotch. The fly zipper could stand to extend a bit lower, but it's totally functional.

The front secures with a button closure. We appreciate that it is relatively low profile, which makes it more comfortable underneath a backpack hip belt or a climbing harness. Though it doesn't have a felted waist, we didn't experience any hip abrasions while hiking. These pants also retain their stretch; that is, they can be worn many, many times between washes before the waist starts to get noticeably looser.

Venting and Breathability

During our hiking field tests, we noticed that these pants hold more heat compared to the competition. The stretch fabric is a bit heavier than the material found on the most breathable pants. Weighing in at 12 ounces, the pair is about average for the category. However, the slimmer fit suggests there is also likely less material through the legs, and there are few other features to add weight, so we suspect that the fabric itself is heavier than most pants. In addition, the Brion II has very few ventilation features. It comes with mesh-lined front hand pockets. However, considering the openings for these pockets lay flat against the leg, it's not a significant feature for releasing heat.

There are no crotch holes or roll-up cuff snaps. However, we did notice that the gusset is a slightly lighter material than the rest of the pants. Even with this subtle addition, they are not our favorite choice for hot weather. Having said that, because of the slimmer fit, the legs do roll up securely if you need some relief on a warmer day.

Weather Resistance

Though these pants come with a durable water-repellent (DWR) coating applied to the outside, we found that water soaks in much more quickly than most hiking pants we tested. In a light mist, water droplets bead up and run off, but in a true rainstorm, these pants rapidly become saturated. Not only that, but they also start to feel wet on the inside against the skin almost immediately. If you need a pant that has solid water repellency, we recommend looking elsewhere.

However, when it comes to wind resistance, this model is a little bit sturdier. The mid-weight fabric insulates better than its airier counterparts. In addition, these pants dry comparatively quickly. Despite their underperformance in wet weather, they are durable. Their simple design means no small plastic parts to fall off or break. Riveted pockets and a reinforced waist also add to their durability.

Features

The Brion takes a minimalist approach to features. In fact, there is nothing extra at all. There are two front handwarmer pockets (with an inset coin pocket on the right side), two rear pockets, and belt loops, and that's it. The front pockets aren't especially deep, and we never felt totally comfortable stashing anything essential like car keys in them while out on the trail. Having said that, they are totally serviceable throughout the day to day. The same goes for the rear pockets; they are proportional to the overall slender style of the pants.

There are no extra cargo pockets, drawcords, zip-off bottoms, or any of the features found on most comparable hiking pants. It is worth mentioning, though, that these pants have a UPF 50+ rating, meaning their ability to shield you from the sun has been lab-tested and confirmed. They are also manufactured with recycled nylon, and the fabric is Bluesign-approved. We actually rather enjoy their simplicity; it's just important to know what you are getting with this model.

Versatility

These pants lack the technical features that would expand their versatility across a wider array of activities and seasons. As discussed above, they have thicker fabric, are not convertible, and don't have any substantial ventilation points to help cool you off, like roll-up cuff cinch cords or snaps. All of this diminishes their versatility for hot weather, long backpacking trips, or technical adventures like rock climbing.

On the other hand, they are still quite functional for outdoor work around the house, traveling, and car camping. On top of that, they look great. Their stretch makes them a good option for hiking, but these pants are easily passable as officewear in many settings. They come with traditional belt loops, so it is simple enough to make them look even nicer (as opposed to many hiking pants that come with an integrated outdoor-looking belt). In fact, these pants are more notable for their fashion-forward aesthetic than their technical expertise.

Should you Buy the Prana Brion II?

The Prana Brion II look, feel, and perform far closer to an average pair of casual pants than they do to a technical piece of outerwear. We think this model provides plenty of good value for the right wearer. Though they are super simple and lack all of the technical features of typical hiking pants, we have to admit that we love this pair for its style and cross-functionality between trail and town.

What Other Hiking Pants Should You Consider?

For those who just need more features, the Outdoor Research Ferrosi is also a simple model but comes with an additional leg pocket and internal drawstring. If style is what you are after, the Royal Robbins Alpine Road is another office-ready pair. If you like the simplicity of these pants but prefer a techy aesthetic, the Arc'teryx Gamma is a good pair to look at as well. Lastly, in the other direction, if you like the Prana brand, don't care about frontcountry style, and want highly functional pants, the Prana Stretch Zion II is a sure bet. If you want a pair of hiking pants that can also turn into shorts, the REI Co-op Sahara Convertible is a good option.