Best Women’s Ice Climbing Pants
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Finding pants for ice climbing as a woman has been so much harder than I expected, especially as a curvier woman with hips. For the past couple of seasons, I’ve tried so many different options, and finally I feel confident I’ve found the best options for me, so I wanted to share my experiences in case anyone else out there is going through the same struggles.
Choosing Women’s Ice Climbing Pants
There’s no such thing as an “ice climbing pant” for women. With it being such a small, niche sport, what you’re looking for are pants designed for mountaineering, which offer quite a large range of options. While I was looking around, I found some great options for summer mountaineering, but fewer that were suitable for winter mountaineering and ice climbing.
Hiking vs Skiing vs Mountaineering Pants – What’s the Difference?
Hiking pants are usually made from softshell material, which has a great freedom of movement, which is needed for ice climbing. However where hiking pants usually fall short is the thinner material and lack of reinforcement around the ankles to stop you ripping holes in them if you catch a crampon (which is easily done, usually when walking rather than climbing).
Skiing pants are generally waterproof, although softshell pants are becoming much more popular these days, especially for ski touring. While the waterproofing is often something you’ll benefit from for ice climbing, ski pants are not ideal for ice climbing. This is primarily because they usually too wide in the lower leg, due to having to fit over bulky ski boots. When ice climbing, you’re better with a narrower cut that reduces any excess material that you’re likely to catch and tear with crampons.
Mountaineering pants are usually meet in the middle. The materials are usually slightly thicker and warmer than a hiking pant, as they are designed to be worn in harsher conditions. You’ll find many options in this category for both softshell and hardshell options.
The Best Women’s Pants For Ice Climbing
My Favorite Softshell Pant – Mammut Eisfeld Guide SO Pant
For days when a softshell is sufficient, these have become my favorite pants for ice climbing. My favorite features include:
- High waist with removable suspenders
- Integrated, removable gaiters
- Large reinforced kick patches to protect from crampons
- Velcrow strips allow calf & ankle to be sinched in to reduce loose fabric catching or opened to be worn over ski boots
- Warm
- Flexible material
Retail Price: $440 / €460 / £350
Where to buy:
– Mammut (worldwide)
My Favorite Hardshell Pant – Mammut Nordwand Pro HS Pant
It’s probably no surprise that since I love the Mammut Eisfeld Guide softshell pant to much, my favorite hardshell is the waterproof equivalent version of them. Here’s why I love these pants:
- Drop seat zip – this is the best functioning drop seat I’ve found. You don’t need to unzip from the waistband, but from just around your butt, meaning you don’t need to pull any material out from your harness.
- Gore-Tex Pro membrane is top class for waterproofing, durability and warmth
Is there anything I don’t love about these pants? Yes – the cost. They are one of the most expensive pants on the market, but in my opinion, also one of the highest quality. They also feel slightly heavier than some of the alternatives.
Retail Price: $680 / €700 / £560
Where to buy:
– Backcountry (USA)
– Mammut (worldwide)
– Amazon (USA)
Honorable Mentions
While the Mammut pants have become my favorites, when I was on the search for pants, there were a few other close contenders, including:
Mountain Equipment Tupilak Pant
What drew me to these pants was the reinforcements on the hip to protect against ice screws, a feature that no other pants offered.
Price: $650 /€600 / £475.00
Where to buy:
– Ellis Brigham (UK)
– Mountain Equipement (worldwide)
Ortovox Westalpen 3L Pant
I really liked the look of these pants, with the bright and vibrant colors. I also liked the exastic around the ankles to sinch them in to use with crampons. In the end, I decided against them as I was slightly concerned about durability (the material is lightweight and doesn’t feel as durable as others). I’m also quite vain LOL, and felt like if I was going to buy the pants, then I needed the matching jacket, and that it could be hard to get a good color match in future if I needed to replace either the jacket or the pants.
Retail Price: $580 /€550 / £530
Where to buy:
– Ortovox (worldwide)
– Sport Pursuit (UK & Europe)
What to look for in an ice climbing pant
When it comes to choosing ice climbing pants for women, there are several important factors to consider to ensure comfort, mobility, and protection from harsh conditions. Here are key tips:
1. Focus on Weather Resistance
- Look for pants made from waterproof or water-resistant materials to protect against ice, snow, and moisture.
- Ensure the pants are windproof to shield you from harsh alpine winds.
A Note on Materials:
There are new materials being developed constantly.
Gore-Tex is one of the most well-known membranes for waterproofing, with Gore-Tex Pro being their most durable option.
This should not be confused with Gore-Tex Infinium, which is a windstopper. Windstopper is a windproof and breathable membrane that is used in fleece and softshell clothing. The products are completely windproof, highly breathable and – depending on the model – water-repellent. However, they are not waterproof.
Another name you might hear is Pertex. Pertex make high-performace fabrics, including waterproof membranes and windstoppers. They partner with many top outdoor brands, including Patagonia, Haglöfs and Rab.
However many outdoor brands are now developing their own versions of waterproof, breathable membranes, so you may see high-end pants that offer similar specs to Gore-Tex, but without the Gore-Tex label.
2. Prioritize Mobility
- Opt for pants with a stretchable fabric or articulated knees to allow full range of motion during high steps and complex moves.
- Gusseted crotches are an excellent feature for unrestricted movement.
3. Durability is Key
- Ice climbing is tough on gear, so choose pants reinforced in high-wear areas like the knees, seat, and inner ankles to resist abrasion from ice, rocks, and crampons.
4. Consider Layering Options
- Your pants should fit comfortably over a base layer without feeling too tight or bulky.
- Many ice climbers pair thermal leggings or insulated shorts with their climbing pants for extra warmth.
5. Breathability Matters
- While insulation is important, breathability helps manage sweat during high-energy climbs. Look for pants with ventilation zippers or made from materials with good moisture-wicking properties.
6. Fit and Comfort
- Women-specific fits ensure the pants accommodate curves without restricting movement.
- Adjustable waistbands or integrated belts can help achieve a secure fit over base layers.
- Check for compatibility with climbing harnesses—pants with flat or low-profile waists are ideal.
7. Softshell vs Hardshell
- Softshell Pants: Ideal for moderate conditions; offer stretch and breathability, but may not be fully waterproof.
- Hardshell Pants: Better for extreme weather; fully waterproof and windproof but might require an insulating layer underneath.
8. Crampon Protection
- Integrated scuff guards or reinforced fabric at the ankles are crucial to prevent accidental punctures from crampons.
9. Zippers and Features
- Look for pants with full- or three-quarter-length side zippers for easy on/off over boots.
- Pockets should be accessible even when wearing a harness or jacket.
Drop Seat: A drop seat is an additional feature that you might want to consider when looking for ice climbing pants. A drop seat typically includes a zipper, flap, or other opening mechanism at the rear of the pants, that allows you to unzip and pee without having to remove your harness and pull down your pants completely. Especially in cold, winter conditions, this can be a lifesaver!
10. Try Them On
- If possible, test the pants with your climbing harness and boots to ensure they’re functional and comfortable for climbing.
If you’re in the UK or Europe, a great place to look for really great discounts on mountaineering and ice climbing pants from top brands is Sport Pursuit. They often have styles from 1-2 seasons ago at massively reduced prices:
