Royal Robbins Men's Alpine Mtn Pro Pant Review

Comfortable and durable with 4-way stretch – Super Comfortable trail pants rich with features.

When I first put on the Alpine Mtn Pro Pant, I thought that was it. I'm done. I have found the perfect pant. They are extremely comfortable with a fantastic fit, and feature a cinch ankle closure that so many outdoor men's pants neglect. These will be one of my favorite pants that will get a ton of use, just not on my more active adventure days. Keep reading to find out why.

UPF: UPF 50+ | Inseam length: 32 in | Weight: 13.3 oz | Fit: Active fit ||| Material: 88% polyester, 12% elastane

Overall Verdict

Oh man did I love these at first. They actually made me reconsider Royal Robbins as an adventure brand when I first started wearing them. I had always considered them an outdoor lifestyle brand, but not anything that I would wear during active adventures. I would rock their gear at camp. But quickly I realized that they were missing some of my major points and therefore they are delegated to stay in Camp. That is in no way put-down, though, as they are one of my favorite pants for that occasion.

Pros: Super Comfortable, very versatile. Great Style & Fit. Ankle Cinch. Great Stretch and Mobility.

Cons: Do not breathe well. Not Great for warm weather. Fabric Stretches too much.

(I am 5'8" and 160lbs wearing a 30" Waist with a 30" Inseam). If you're an Amazon shopper, you're in luck because they do sell them.

Great Stretch & Mobility although they tend to stretch too much after some activity.

Comfort & Mobility

Their stretch and articulation provide freedom to stride and climb, and their durability withstands miles of scrambling and bushwhacking. Meaning, that these things move with you no matter how aggressive you get. They are the opposite of restrictive which is their biggest strength, but also a downfall. Why? because they stretch pretty quickly and then lose a lot of their structure. I personally like slimmer-fit pants and tend to feel like I am swimming in more "regular" fit pants. Within an hour, these pants go from a relatively slim fit, straight into a loose regular fit.

Breathability

This is a downside to these pants, and for someone who runs hot like me, almost a dealbreaker. But please listen, I will say this about almost every single pant I wear. I run super hot. What can I say? I will say these do breathe better than most, but I feel like they tend to hold the heat in once it builds up more than I would like.

I do love that they have thought about ventilation features and have added in the ankle cinch. This is something that most other outdoor pants lack.

Versatility

From everyday casual wear to the office, these pants will fit right in. I have worn these in a professional setting and didn't look out of place at all. I love to wear these at camp, at a picnic or BBQ, or after a long adventurous day. With the ankle cinch, they pair best with some Chacos.

Water Resistance

The Alpine Mtn Pro Pant is water-resistant. They will shed a LIGHT rain, but that is really it. These will wet out relatively quickly. Once they do, you can expect them to become quite baggy and heavy. I found them also to be pretty slow to dry out or wick moisture.

Features of The Alpine Mtn Pro Pant

The Alpine Pro Pant has some unique features. My favorite feature is the ankle cinch which allows for some ankle breathing and also a different style look depending on how high you cuff them. They also feature a zip pocket just above the left knee which I find completely unusable. It is a strange placement that places whatever you put in that pocket on the knee as it bends. I could see it being used for soft items only - think face mask or lens wipes.

My favorite feature of these pants is the ankle cinch.

Value

The Alpine Pro pants aren't cheap. Royal Robbins is an elevated brand. They use premiere fabrics that cost more in the manufacturing process and therefore the price tag ends up being higher. They retail at $95 and in my experience, don't go on sale very often. I have only had them for about 4 months so I can't speak to the longevity of these, but if they are anything like other Royal Robbins pants, they will last for a long time.

Royal Robbins Alpine Mtn Pro Pant Conclusion

I do love these, just not for technical adventures. Because of their fit and stretchability, these will be one of my go-to pairs of pants for everyday wear - even in the business casual work environment. I absolutely love the ankle cinch feature and the initial fit but I am not a fan of how quickly they loosen up and retain heat.

If you're looking for a great looking, super comfortable and pretty durable pair of pants, these are spot on. If you need more of a technical pant, I would look elsewhere, like the Outdoor Research Ferrosi.

Want Remember This for Later?

Pin This to Your Favorite Board!

Prana Brion Pant Review for Men

The Prana Brion Pant is almost the best all-around pant for the adventurous man.

They are extremely comfortable, highly durable, and feature a simple, crossover design that makes them super versatile. These will look and feel perfect climbing at the local crag and still be stylish back at the pub you hit up afterward.

Overall Verdict

These are solid pants that deserve their place amongst the best of the best. Due to their versatility, I have owned a few pairs of these in multiple colors. Admittedly though, I don't wear these as much for adventures as I do for casual outings due to their biggest downfall for me: breathability. Keep in mind, I live in the desert, so heat is kind of inevitable. More on that below.

Pros: Super Comfortable, extremely versatile & durable. Great Style & Fit

Cons: Do not breathe well. Not Great for warm weather.

(I am 5'8" and 160lbs wearing a 30" Waist with a 30" Inseam). I'm a sucker for a sale, so I would recommend keeping an eye on these at Backcountry.com. They go on sale all the time. If you're more of an Amazon shopper, you're in luck because they do sell them.

The Prana Brion Pant has great mobility with a fit bordering on Slim Fit.

Comfort & Mobility

Arguably the most comfortable outdoor pant on the market. The Brion is made from a comfortable and durable stretch fabric blend (97% nylon, 3% spandex), but it wears and feels like cotton. The stretch allows you to move freely without any constriction or pinch points.

As with most pants, these will loosen up as you wear them, especially on multiday trips when some sweating or any moisture is in play. The waist will hold, but the legs will flare out. This could be great for larger individuals, but for someone with a slimmer frame, it may feel like you are swimming a bit.

The Brion is made from a comfortable and durable stretch fabric blend (97% nylon, 3% spandex) which means when you move, they roll right along with you.

Breathability

This is the only major downside to these pants, and for someone who runs hot like me, almost a dealbreaker. They lack ventilation features that other outdoor pants have such as venting or roll-up cuff snaps. The fabric itself is a bit heavier and tends to trap the heat making the Prana Brion a great pant for cooler weather, but not so good for warm weather adventures.

Versatility

From everyday casual wear to the office, these pants will fit right in. I have worn these in a professional setting for years and didn't look out of place at all. This is the strongest asset to these - wherever you go, they will blend in and perform well (unless it's really hot). With the simple cuts, slimmer fit, and minimal pockets, the Prana Brion is one of the most versatile pants for the outdoor enthusiast who has an affinity for post-adventure beers at the local brewery.

Water Resistance

The Prana Brion are finished with a durable water repellent (DWR) coating which is meant to help shed water droplets before they soak into the fabric. I found that this coating does a fantastic job at minimal sprays or drops when the pants are new. After a few washes, the coating starts to break down, but even after a couple of years, these pants retain a bit of DWR protection. However, it's important to reiterate that I am speaking about light mists and minimal water. These pants will wet out and become quite heavy with any decent amount of water, so these are not the best in rainy conditions.

The Prana Brion Pant has simple design features such as wast belt loops, 5 pockets and a gusseted crotch.

Features of The Prana Brion Pant

The Prana Brion is as basic as it gets when it comes to features. Aside from the gusseted crotch, belt waist loops, and 5 pockets, these are a simple design. I believe this was very intentional in order to appeal to a wider demographic.

Value

The Brion finds itself in the middle of the market with its price point. They are not necessarily cheap, but hefty enough to make your wallet a bit lighter than you would like. You can keep your peace of mind knowing that these pants do last a very long time. Some of mine are over 6 years old and look brand new (including these used in the photos).

Prana Brion Pant Conclusion

I love these pants, but I am not in love with them. WTF does that mean? They tick almost all of my important boxes (Fit, Versatility, Style, Value, Comfort), but with the poor ventilation and breathability, they don't take the cake for me. If Prana incorporated some breathing ports or a cuff system to let some airflow around the ankles, these would get closer to the adventure clothing checklist, but for now, they stay in my Let's-Get-Some-After-Trail-Beers while rocking my Brions!

Want Remember This for Later?

Pin This to Your Favorite Board!

Prana Brion Photo Gallery