OffroadAdmin
Bottom Line
The prAna Brion II Pant is versatile, lightweight, and durable, designed for both outdoor adventures and everyday wear. Made with ReZion fabric, a performance upgrade to prAna’s original Zion material, these pants offer superior stretch, water resistance, and quick-drying properties. The slim fit and clean design provides a modern, streamlined look, and the abrasion-resistant fabric ensures long-lasting wear, even in rugged conditions. The Brion II continues to be one of our top hiking pants.
With its gusseted crotch and fabric made of recycled nylon and elastane, the Brion II is extremely flexible. This made it great for climbing, bouldering, and everyday wear – where flexibility is paramount. We did find the fit of these pants to be unique as they are tight through the quads and wider at the hem.
Stripped down to the basics, the prAna Brion II is a simple and reliable pair of pants. Learning more towards casual performance, these pants are great for gym climbing, wearing around town, and light hiking.
How We Tested
Gear Analyst Miles Knotek tested the Brion II on Alaskan trails, hikes, and peaks across the span of multiple months. Every pair of pants we test has been out in a variety of weather, and we are sure to take each pair out for as many miles on trail as possible.
Quick Specs
Men’s prAna Brion II
No-Frills Pants with a Casual Look
CleverHiker Rating:
70.5/100
Price:
$85
Weight:
12.3 oz.
Fit:
Slim
Fabric:
95% nylon, 5% elastane
Pros
- Stretchy material
- Stylish cut
- Simple
- Look like regular pants
Cons
- Tight in crotch
- No zippered pockets
Comfort & Mobility
The Brion II is one of the most flexible and comfortable pairs of pants in our lineup. Although the pant’s fit is on the slimmer side, we never felt restricted due to its extremely stretchy fabric. Sliding on the Brion II felt like slipping into a pair of stretchy athletic or yoga pants. We loved this for activities like climbing when flexibility is needed. The gusseted crotch further aids flexibility.
The fit of these pants is somewhat unique, however. Slim through the thighs, the legs widen below the knees almost giving them the feeling of bell bottoms. This resulted in us frequently scuffing the cuffs with muddy shoes while hiking. This is easily avoided by rolling up the legs, which is easy due to their wider shape.
Breathability
The Brion II offers moderate breathability but not enough for us to choose it as a hot weather pant. We tested these pants primarily in cooler weather of late fall and early winter and found them better suited for moderate temperatures. Mesh pocks do help vent some heat, but the fabric of the pants is slightly thicker than other pants we’ve tested that are dedicated to hot-weather. We felt sweat lingering in these pants and found that they do not wick quite as well as others tested. So while these may not be the pants of choice on a hot summer day, they are more than enough for casual uses and most other temperatures.
Weather Resistance
Even though the Brion II features a durable water-repellent (DWR) coating, we found it didn’t perform as well in wet conditions as others we tested. Light mist rolls off easily, but steady rain quickly saturates the fabric, leaving the pants feeling damp and clingy against the skin. If you’re after solid water repellency, these might not be the best choice. They do offer some wind resistance but not enough for us to reach for these on inclement weather days. The tighter thighs quickly wet through – that’s where we first felt moisture.
Durability
After multiple uses and washings, the Brion II has held up to use and shown no signs of slowing down. We love that the elastic feeling of the pants has not worn out and that they continue to wear as if brand new. Though they are standing up to outdoor use, the first place we expect to see failure is the inside of the legs and the cuffs. We frequently found ourselves stepping on them and brushing muddy shoes against them due to their wider width.
Features
The Brion II is light on features, making it a streamlined and trim pair of pants. A traditional five-pocket style gives you somewhere to stow your wallet and phone but lacks the cargo capacity of pants more dedicated to backcountry use. Rated SPF 50, it can protect you from the sun for long days outside. Lacking features, these may not be the best pants for backcountry use, but they are great for their versatility, which stretches from town to the bouldering gym to the trail.
Should You Buy the prAna Brion II Pant?
The prAna Brion II is an excellent choice for those seeking versatile, durable pants that blur the line between town and trail. Extremely flexible and stretchy, they allow for unencumbered movement, making them great for climbing, hiking, or an active day biking around town. Lacking some of the technical features of a more backcountry-oriented pant, the Brion II is most suited for front-country adventures. Its slim fit gives it a modern look but may not fit broader thighs as well. Sleek, and trim, the Brion II is stylish like a pair of casual pants, but flexible like yoga wear. We recommend them most to those who prioritize comfort and functionality.
What Other Hiking Pants Should You Consider?
Check out our full gear guide for the lineup of best hiking pants.
prAna Stretch Zion II Review – Another highly flexible option from prAna, the Stretch Zion II has more features like snaps for rolling up the legs and a cargo pocket.
Janji Transit Tech Pants Review – If lightweight and breathable is what you’re after, then the Transit Tech Pants are one of the lightest and airiest pants in our lineup.
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Review – While also lightweight and flexible, the Ferrosi offers more features making it a better option for the backcountry.
