Budget Vs Boujois: Comparing the Prana Zion Stretch Series to the Wrangler Flex Outdoor Pants
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Affiliate Disclaimer: The following article contains affiliate links to Amazon, Walmart, and other retailers. Clicking on these links brings you to a product page. Should you decide to buy something, I get rewarded a small commission. In the end, it’s good for both of us. You get an awesome new pair of outdoor pants, and I get pay this semester’s Clown College tuition.
I compare the Wrangler Flex Outdoor Cargo Pants to the popular Prana Stretch Zion series of pants. One is pricey, the other is budget friendly. I found that hikers, climbers, and outdoorsy folk can find great pair of outdoor pants, at a fraction of the cost of a pair of Stretch Zions.
Read on to learn more about the Wrangler Outdoor Cargo pants to see just how well they measure up to Prana’s Stretch Zions.
Wrangler Men's Outdoor Performance Cargo Pants
| Prana Stretch Zion 
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|---|---|---|
| Price | Check Prices | Check Prices |
| Pros |
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| Cons | ||
| Why You Should Get This Gear... | If you want to wear great climbing and hiking pants, but you don't want to pay extra for a brand name. | You're willing to shell out bit more cash for great build quality, useful features, and range of motion. |
| Where to Purchase (Affiliate Links) | Wrangler Outdoor Cargo Pants on Amazon Wrangler Outdoor Cargo Pants at Walmart | Prana Stretch Zion at REI Coop Prana Stretch Zion on Amazon |
Prana Zion Stretch
- A trusted brand among hikers, climbers, and yoga people.
- Zion Stretch Material is Durable, and Breathable
- Dries Quickly
- Available in Several Styles and Colors
- Just the Right Amount of Pockets
- Cinch waist belt, and leg cuff snaps
For years now, the Prana Stretch Zion series has lorded over the climbing pants market. With an eye for durability, freedom of movement, and utility, the Prana Zions have become a favorite of many climbers, hikers, and outdoor lovers, myself included.
In fact, I’ve collected several pairs of Zion Pants. Thanks to their superior design, I rarely wear anything else. Granted, I haven’t tried out many other brands, but I do vouch for the Pranas Zions as a great pair of pants.
I bought my first pair as a means to enhance my range of motion while rock climbing. Since then, I’ve found them to be a versatile pair of pants, equally adept for hiking, running, and yoga. They breathe well, dry quickly, and do a decent job of shielding against light wind and rain. I’ve used them in all conditions, in all seasons.
Prana Stretch Zion at REI Coop Prana Stretch Zion on Amazon
Wrangler Men’s Outdoor Performance Cargo Pants
- Regular Fit
- Elastic Waistband
- Straight Leg
- 2 Zip Hip Pockets
- Watch Pocket
- 96% Nylon/ 4% Spandex
I first learned about the Wrangler Outdoor Pants while chatting with some friends. We were lamenting the fact that most outdoor pants are pretty expensive. One mentioned his Wrangler Outdoor Pants, and how oh so cheap and lightweight and comfortable they were.
Skeptical, I took to the internet, only to find that they were awarded similar praise on various forums. Always looking to save a buck, I decided to order a pair, try em’ out, and put this comparison together.
Wrangler and Prana, on the surface, are opposite apparel companies. Wranglers are for the Country Music festival goers, while Prana is for Phish Concerts. Cowboys vs Yogis. Plumbers vs. Influencers. The analogies are endless.
If you try out their products, though, they make similar stuff. It’s a lot of marketing, I think.
I’ve worn Wrangler jeans in the past. Despite their low price, they are fairly decent. So when it comes to outdoor apparel, I’m keeping an open mind. Even though I am a Prana devotee, I still love to find cheaper alternatives to brand name products. Spending some time in the aisles of your local Walmart or Target can yield some capable gear, no doubt.
Wrangler Outdoor Cargo Pants on Amazon Wrangler Outdoor Cargo Pants at Walmart
First Impressions and Looks
Upon receiving the Wrangler Outdoor Cargos, my first impression was extremely positive. They’re decent looking pants, with seams, pockets, and zippers in all the right places. Proudly written on the inside of the waist loop is the Wrangler logo in red and white.
The material both looks and feels very similar to the Stretch Zion Material, though perhaps just a tad thicker. Upon trying on the Wranglers, I let out a loud and audible “Oooooohhh”. Not only was I impressed, but I felt an immediate feeling of comfort. I’d be perfectly fine lounging around in these pants, for sure.
Potential Downsides: There is no integrated cinch belt, and there are no snaps to hold rolled up pant legs in place.
My first impression of the Wrangler Outdoor pants has been incredibly positive, but we’ll see if my opinion changes after putting them to some real use.
Call me shallow or conceited or a diva or whatever. I like to buy outdoor technical wear that looks decent. I’m not a fan of garish logos, bright colors, and excessive zippers. I’ve gotta be able to wear it around town, without looking like a clown.
Thankfully, neither the Prana Zions, nor the Wranglers look bad. With muted earth tones, and straight fits, I can walk around in these pants, and feel not like a rabid dirtbag, but a (barely) functioning member of society. It’s easy to mix and match these pants into various outfits. White collar climbers rejoice-you can rock these pants at the office.
Pranas do win out here, though, but just by a thin margin. For my money, the Wranglers have just a few too many pockets. Pranas have just the right amount, whereas the Wranglers get silly with the pockets.
Also, Prana offers more color options and style options. My favorite are the Prana Zion Straights-the most form fitting and stylish of the Zion family.
Winner: Pranas. More Colors, more fitting options.
Prana Stretch Zion at REI Coop Prana Stretch Zion on Amazon
Performance
What good is a cheap pair of pants, if I can’t use them for my favorite hobbies? Thus far, the Wranglers perform about on par with the Prana Zions. Both offer ultimate freedom of motion. No movement is hindered by either pair. I was able to climb well, and had no problem climbing on overhangs, as well as slab style climbs. No complaints here. I’d be pleased taking the Wranglers up a multipitch climb, or to the local bouldering gym.
I don’t do a lot of yoga. It’s super good for you, I know, but I don’t have a lot of time. That said, I still like to incorporate a few stretches into my daily routine, mainly to aid with flexibility. Wearing the Wranglers, I found that I was able to get into some pretty deep stretches, just as I could wearing Prana Zions.
The Wranglers are a capable, lightweight hiking pant. With their ample pockets, you can fit all of the miscellaneous items you need. The fabric of the Wranglers feels slightly thicker than that of the Stretch Zions. This quality has the benefit of being more abrasion resistant, but with the tradeoff of less breathability. During high activity, I warmed up faster than if I was wearing Pranas, for instance.
Searching google, it seems that the Wranglers are popular amongst the hunting crowd as a lightweight hunting pant. I’ve never hunted, but I can see that the Wranglers would hold up well to the rigors of hunting. They will hold together while hiking through mud, carrying game, or climbing into a treestand, I assure you.
Both of these pants will keep you moving in the outdoors, while not impeding with your objectives. It’s hard to pick a winner here. Being more breathable, the Pranas are superior.
Winner: Prana
Prana Stretch Zion at REI Coop Prana Stretch Zion on Amazon
Fit and Sizing
Fit wise, the Wranglers closely resemble the fit of the Prana Brions-that is, loose and straight, but slim enough for casual wear. The Stretch Zion is slightly baggier, while the Zion Straight is much more form fitting. It’s your average cargo pant fit. I purchased my usual pants size (30×32) and found that the Wranglers sizing was right on the money.
There was enough room throughout wear I did not feel constricted. As I will mention time and again, these are exceptionally comfortable pants.
Prana offers many more options for fit and sizing. The standard Stretch Zions are a straight legged, baggy fit. There’s a lot of room around the ankles.
The Prana Brions are still fairly loose, but more slim than the Stretch Zions, while the Zion Straights are much more form fitting. Think tight pants.
If we’re just comparing the Wrangler Outdoors to the Stretch Zions, then the dimensions are fairly similar. Overall, the Wranglers win out, as they are a tad slimmer, and less likely to impede with activities.
Winner: Wranglers
Wrangler Outdoor Cargo Pants on Amazon Wrangler Outdoor Cargo Pants at Walmart
Range of Motion
Range of Motion and freedom of movement is my main selling point for any pair of outdoor pants. I need to be able to move, whether I’m bending down to pick up a dropped skittle (5 second rule!) or scrambling up an alpine ridge. I hate to be constricted by the design of a pair of pants.
Prana’s Stretch Zion specializes in being able to move with you. The Stretch Zion fabric itself has a distinct elasticity to it, and every pair has a gusseted crotch. The result is an unlimited range of motion that will stretch where you need them to.
Of course, this is where Prana shines. Similar pants, made by Eddie Bauer or Outdoor Research, provide similar mobility. To me, Prana Zions are what come to mind when I think of stretchy outdoor pants.
Wearing the Wrangler Outdoor’s is a reminder that you don’t need to spend a lot to have the same freedom of movement. The Wrangler’s will stretch and fold anyway you need them to. At no time did I feel restricted when climbing, stretching, or squatting. The ROM offered by the Wrangler’s is just as good as those on the Prana Zions.
Winner: Tie!
Durability and Build Quality
Truth is, I haven’t owned the Wrangler Outdoors for long. I’ve only put weeks, compared to years of experience wearing Pranas. In that time, though, I’ve climbed (both indoors, and out), hiked, jogged, and watched television in the Wranglers. They’ve held up well, about as well as any pair of Pranas might be expected to. I’m impressed.
A few things are leading me to question the long term durability of the Wranglers, though. Most notably, I’ve noticed some loose threads in the pockets, as well as near the waistband. Some online user reviews mentioned these flaws, so I’m not surprised.
I’ve hiked through thick brush, streams, and climbed on some pretty rough sandstone slabs. The Wranglers show no obvious signs of wear. I’m confident that they’ll hold up.
Wrangler has designed these pants with slightly thicker material, potentially making them more abrasion resistant.
Comparing the two pants side by side, it’s obvious that the build quality of the Wranglers is inferior to the Pranas. The Stitching on the Wranglers is not nearly the same caliber.
As much hype as Pranas get, their durability can be hit or miss. It seems to vary by pair. I’ve owned pairs that have worn holes, popped buttons, and rubbed open against rock. From what I’ve seen, some other climbers feel the same way. I have not yet experienced any structural issues with the Zion Straights, for the record. I caution to say that Prana has upped their build quality.
Winner: The Prana Stretch Zions
Prana Stretch Zion at REI Coop Prana Stretch Zion on Amazon
Comfort
Even if the Wranglers performed poorly by any other metric, I’d still keep a pair around for comfort. The reason? These Wranglers are oh so comfy. They are somehow more pleasant to wear than even my baggiest, most worn in Stretch Zions.
If I’m prepping for a big hike, I foresee myself slipping on the Wrangler Outdoor’s, sitting down on the couch to check the weather, and soon falling asleep. I can blame the Wranglers for making me miss a hike, but letting me enjoy a good nap.
Their material is soft, and an elastic waistband is gentle around your lap. Nowhere do the Wranglers constrict, and there is just enough air flow throughout.
The Prana Stretch Zions are very similar, along with the Prana Brions. The waistband is slightly more tight, however, causing the Wranglers to win this category. Still, the Stretch Zions do have the added benefit of having an integrated cinch belt, and cuff buttons, allowing comfort to be adjusted on the go.
Winner: The Wrangler Outdoor Flex Cargo Pants
Wrangler Outdoor Cargo Pants on Amazon Wrangler Outdoor Cargo Pants at Walmart
Which is the Best Outdoor Pant?
Winner: The Prana Stretch Zions (but only by a little).
I am incredibly impressed by the Wranglers. They look, feel, and perform like Pranas. You could slap a Prana Logo on the Wranglers, and I’d probably be fooled.
Yet, despite all of the praise that I am piling onto the Wranglers, I think that the Pranas still have a slight edge. These two pants may be very similar in many regards, but the Prana Zion series wins out due to quality, and style options. In all the ways that count, these two pants are virtually identical.
The Prana Zions are good pants, but not 4x the price of Wranglers good. Maybe just $20 better, realistically. Still, if form, fit, build quality, and performance is what you value most, then the Pranas will be worth the extra money to you. If you want to save some cash, then go for the Wranglers. You’ll have a great pair of hiking, climbing, and hunting pants either way.
Prana Stretch Zion at REI Coop Prana Stretch Zions on Amazon
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