My Wonderpants
This customer story was just too good not to Share…
Good morning…
In 2002, I purchased my first pair of prAna nylon climbing pants. At that time, I used them primarily for climbing, and they kept my legs abrasion-free on the notoriously coarse granite of Joshua Tree and other Southern California crags.
The following year I moved to Bolivia, and the pants went with me. As one of two pairs of pants I packed, they were an almost constant fixture on my lower hemisphere, riding my legs on the Inca trail to Machu Picchu as well as on mountaineering excursions throughout the Bolivian Andes, bushwhacks in the thorny desolation of the Gran Chaco desert, and slogs through the humid bugginess of the Amazon Basin.
Upon my return to the U.S., they were the only pair of pants in my bag for a 30-state trek across North America in which I hiked, camped, climbed and biked my way across the continent. They served me well even when I was rooted, having taken up irreplaceable residence in my outdoor kit for climbing excursions from Utah’s Snow Canyon to the Gunks and beyond.
In 2007 I returned to South America, and my prAna pants joined me for adventures ranging from urban pub crawls to Andean circuits in Argentine and Chilean Patagonia to a wild solo excursion in the rugged Martial Mountains of Tierra del Fuego.
Since my return to the U.S., my pants have stayed with me through similar adventures. I have replaced the Velcro closures on the fly twice and done some minor stitch-work where seams have come apart. Beyond that and a pair of tiny holes from exploding campfire embers, the pants are in fine condition and I am fairly convinced that they are immortal. Alas, while I have purchased (and loved) other prAna pants, I do not know if you continue to make a pair of nylon pants that would duplicate (or even approximate) the bulletproof pair of which I have sung praise on hill and dale.
Can you help me? I have enclosed a photo of the pants. The only identifying information on the label is the word Breathe and the code RN92382. And if they are indeed obsolete, I assure you that this pair is not, and they live on for further adventures. Kudos!
Sincerely,
Tod Imperato
Nearly a decade and the Zions are still looking awesome! How’s that for “Value”? Not only are we going to help Tod find some more “bulletproof” pants but we are going to hook him up with an autographed Chris Sharma poster and some very cool prAna swag! Thanks for supporting us on your global travels…
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[...] This customer story was just too good not to Share… Good morning? In 2002, I purchased my first pair of prAna nylon climbing pants. At that time, I used them primarily for climbing, and they kept my legs abrasion-free on … Continue reading → [...]
June 24th, 2011 at 9:50 amThose pants are the original Zion stretch pants and I loved them too. Sadly Prana attempted to improve them but succeeded in only making them less desirable. Now they are too stretchy and do not have the same feel, durability, or look for that matter. I am with you on how “bulletproof” these pants are and if Prana ever decided to go back to the original concept for the zion stretch I would buy ten pairs ( even though we both know you would only need two or three for color variety). Great post and I hope this id found to be of some benefit in your quest.
Benjamin
June 24th, 2011 at 11:15 am[...] This customer story was just too good not to Share… Good morning? In 2002, I purchased my first pair of prAna nylon climbing pants. At that time, I used them primarily for climbing, and they kept my legs abrasion-free on … Continue reading → [...]
June 24th, 2011 at 12:25 pmI can assure you that Tod’s post is accurate. However, the fact that he is widely known as “Wonderpants” may not be wholly related to any Prana product or products…
June 24th, 2011 at 12:25 pm[...] This customer story was just too good not to Share… Good morning? In 2002, I purchased my first pair of prAna nylon climbing pants. At that time, I used them primarily for climbing, and they kept my legs abrasion-free on … Continue reading → [...]
July 2nd, 2011 at 1:20 amAlas, I too am searching for the women’s version of these pants. Mine have traveled the globe as well, and ten years and a baby later I’m needing another pair (maybe in a slightly larger size in my post-baby state!). Our family is about to go on a month-long adventure in Indonesia (yes, with baby in tow) and I’ve been searching for a lightweight, indestructible pant to replace my old pranas….so sad. I’ve tried on everything there is at REI with no luck. I ordered the Prana Essex pants thinking it would be like the old ones, but the cut and material isn’t the same and they look ridiculous on me. Bring back the good old pranas of the old days!!!
Megan
April 13th, 2012 at 6:49 am