Prana Halle Straight Pants II Review

These pants are casual enough to wear in various life settings but work well for hikes, bikes, and travel. They are made with a 95% recycled nylon and 5% elastane blend and have a straight cut. We also love that they come in a flared cut and in shorts. The Halle II comes in sizes from 00 to 16 and in three inseam options — short (28 inches), regular (30 inches), and tall (34 inches).

You can count on these pants for unimpeded movement on the rock and trail. They are not the best option for long-term, backcountry use but are excellent for everyday adventures closer to home.

Performance Comparison

Comfort and Mobility

The Halle II pants are among the most comfortable and flexible we've reviewed, allowing a full range of motion without any restrictions. The cut is roomy without feeling too voluminous, the material is soft and stretchy, and articulated knees keep the pants flexible even in the middle of the most extreme high step.

The mid-waist rise keeps the pants in place and is just about perfect for hiking, shorter backpacking trips, or day-to-day wear. The thigh-to-waist ratio works well for even our curvy lead testers – the waist hugs and the thighs skim. A gusseted crotch gives you more room to move.

The only slightly limiting element of the Halles is their inflexible waistband. When we tested them on the yoga mat, we felt its lack of stretch in a few positions. But these aren't meant to be yoga pants, or climbing pants for that matter, though we'd wear them for either activity in a pinch. Especially climbing, where their higher waist, substantial fabric, and endless flexibility shine. We never feel these pants hold us back.

An integrated waist tie lets you tailor the fit and account for weight loss or fabric stretch during longer adventures. We didn't notice any issues with the pants loosening with wear, though, likely thanks to the rigid waistband. The straight cut is convenient when the cuffs get damp or when foot placement is more precarious. These roll right up to allow you to keep doing what you do.

Venting and Breathability

These pants are lightweight but are still thicker and more substantial than many of the whisper-thin options we tested. In some ways, this adds to their comfort, as they do more to protect your skin from rough edges or unexpected brush. That does mean that they keep you warmer in hot, sunny weather. The fabric breathes well though, and you can easily roll the hems up to vent your lower legs.

We stayed comfortable working up a sweat on warm days and at the gym, and any moisture buildup moved on quickly. Of all the pants we tested, this is the only one with two small, physical vents in the gusset at the crotch. They are about the size of a narrow, mechanical pencil eraser. You'd think they'd be noticeable and annoying, but that isn't the case. We're not sure how much they added to the Halle's impressive breathability, but they sure didn't hurt.

Previous versions included straps and snaps to hold the hems in place when you decided to roll them. It was nice to know your pants were secure, but the fabric is substantial enough to stay in place anyway. We don't mourn their loss.

Weather Resistance

These pants have a durable water-repellent (DWR) coating that beads light splashes or rainfall, helping the water evaporate more quickly or simply roll off the fabric. We put the Halle through several water resistance tests, some intentional and some accidental. We sprayed the pants with a water bottle, stood in the shower for a few minutes, and got caught out in a storm when the rain was coming in sideways. The pants can shrug off light splashes, but when it rains, the DWR sheds water for a moment before it starts to soak the outer layers and reach your legs.

Once wet, they take longer to dry than the lightest-weight pants we tested. As such, they aren't the best option for the deep backcountry, where getting and staying wet can have serious consequences. But they're fine if you have a change of pants or a place to duck out of the storm or dry off. Prana told us that the DWR coating they use is free of toxic forever chemicals called PFAs.

While the Halle's block wind well, we wouldn't say they are windproof. The pants do have a UPF 50+ rating for sun protection, which is especially nice in the thin atmosphere of the high country.

Construction Quality

While the fabric of the Halle pants feels sturdy and substantial, it didn't stand up as well as we'd like in our paperclip test. We used one blunt-tipped end to scrape across the fabric and seams, seeing how easy it is to snag or puncture the pants. Turns out, it's not that hard to puncture the fabric—easier than many other options in the test, at least. The punctures don't seem to run or propagate, though, which is a good sign.

The pant's seams are a mixed bag. Some are hidden, tucked safely away. The exposed seams are fairly easy to snag. Some hold fast when you pull on them, and others stretch out concerningly. We haven't noticed any wear and tear over the months we've tested them though.

We greatly appreciate that Prana reinforces the double front buttons with a ribbon of webbing. They're unlikely to fail on you, and the fly zipper and belt loops seem solid.

Versatility and Features

The Halle II pants are versatile enough to work in a variety of situations and have a few smart features, including a functional internal waist tie and reasonably useful pockets. The hand pockets are big enough to fit actual hands and will hold your phone or wallet on casual walks in a pinch. There is also a little chapstick-size pouch within the pocket on the left side. Since there is some extra fabric around the front of the pants, we might actually use it.

Placed on the right thigh, a zipped side pocket is barely big enough to hold a smartphone, if you have enough patience to jigsaw it in there. If you have a larger phone or a bulky case, you're likely out of luck. It works well for a chapstick or credit card. The back pockets have reasonably sized snaps, but there's only so much you want to shove in your pant seat.

An internal drawstring helps hold the pants in case your weight shifts during your adventures. The pants also have belt loops, but many of us hate wearing a belt with a backpack or climbing harness.

From your morning meeting to your evening hike to the local crag, these pants flow from one task to the next, scoring well in day-to-day versatility. They are durable enough for scrambling and climbing, nice-looking enough to wear around town, and warm enough for even chilly climbing days.

While they work for a variety of activities, they are too thick to be our first choice for the hottest days. They also don't handle rain well enough or dry quickly enough to inspire confidence on long backcountry missions. The thick fabric does a good job fending off blood-sucking mosquitoes, though, and we love them on day-long outings.

We always thought the original Halle pants were fashionable and fit in well with other casual streetwear. The Halle II straight pants feel equally flattering. There is a bit of excess fabric around our mid-section that can look awkward at times despite a good fit, possibly due to the higher rise. We still think they look nice, with a slight metallic sheen.

Should You Buy the Prana Halle Straight Pants II?

These pants offer a lot of comfort and versatility at an average price point. They're a great option for anyone who needs to look more polished at a casual or active workplace and then head straight to the trail. They're also an excellent option for extended active travel.

These pants are also made of 95% recycled nylon and 5% elastane that are bluesign approved, which is a third-party water and air quality, consumer safety, sustainability, and job safety certification service.

What Other Hiking Pants Should You Consider?

The Kuhl Freeflex Roll-Up Pants are another super comfy, professional-looking pair of hiking pants. They also have easy-to-use, drop-in thigh pockets that do a better job of holding tools, your phone, or a small notebook during the workday. They don't seem to hold up as well or look quite as polished, though. If you're looking for cute pants at a value, we really like the REI Co-op Trailmade Pants; they're more casual, but we were often complimented on their good looks.