Struggling to find a pair of jeans that would fit you perfectly?
Then it’s probably the right time to try Prana Bridger Jeans. Prana is a sustainable American brand focused on a healthy lifestyle. Our Prana Bridger Jeans review will help you decide whether they’re a good fit for you.
Some people genuinely enjoy the process of searching, trying on, and buying new clothes and they don’t really mind having dozens of outfits for each different occasion and activity. On the contrary, I’ve always dreamed about having a single ultimate outfit that would fit me like a second skin and could be worn pretty much anywhere.
Premium lifestyle clothing from prAna. Sustainable clothes for yoga, travel, & outdoor adventure enthusiasts. Save money and protect the environment - it’s a double win! Explore prAna's collections.
Prana (you might also know it under its stylized name “prAna”) seems to understand my type of customer perfectly – their Bridger Jeans tick most of the boxes while boasting some other advantages too. Nevertheless, they also have some specifics and downsides you might want to know about before purchasing. This review should hopefully clarify any queries you might have.
First, let’s start with a brief summary of Prana Bridger Jeans‘ most important features and parameters.
Table of Contents
Features of Prana Bridger Jeans:
Here are some of the most distinctive features of these jeans:
- Lightweight high-performance denim jean
- Made of top-quality organic cotton
- Stretchy material that fits and adapts perfectly
- Thin yet durable
- 14 color variations for every taste
- These pants are nor water resistant
- They don’t provide any UV protection
- They are not convertible into shorts
Specifications of Prana Bridger Jeans:
- Style: 5-pocket
- Belt loops: Yes
- Fit: Slim (slim fit)
- Available lengths: 30 in (11.8 cm), 32 in (12.6 cm), 34 in (13.4 cm) and 36 in (14.2 cm)
- Available waist widths: 28-42 inches
- Product dimensions: 4.38 x 10.63 x 3.25 in
- Product weight: 14.4 ounces
- Air drying time: < 8 hours
Advantages of Prana Bridger Jeans
Exceptionally versatile, stylish and functional. That's my overall take on the Bridger Jeans. Wear them hiking, around town, or to work. Worth the money, for sure.
When you’re looking for perfect outdoor pants, you’re searching for a specific set of qualities that would help you feel as comfortable, flexible, and free during your adventures as possible. Requirements and expectations can differ greatly based on your personal preferences and the specifics of your usual activities, but some qualities are really universal.
Prana Bridger Jeans might not be perfect, but their list of strengths and abilities is really impressive. Here are some of their jean advantages you might find convincing too:
Perfect fit jean
Jeans often look much better on a hanger than they actually feel when you’re wearing them. While you might be willing to undergo some amount of discomfort when you’re heading to work or a social gathering, wearing outdoor trousers that don’t fit perfectly whilst trekking through the bush or great outdoors is a bit of a nightmare.
Fortunately, that’s not the case with Prana Bridger Jean. Prana offers so many sizes (length and waist width combinations) that choosing your perfect pair is really easy, plus 85% of customers who bought the pants via Amazon state they are true to size. Thanks to its material – a blend of organic cotton, polyester, and elastic threads – this pair of jeans will fit you like you were born in them.
No pressure points, no sliding off the hips when you crouch, etc. They don’t limit your flexibility and let you move freely when you hike in the rugged terrain, but they will make you feel equally comfortable behind your desk in the office too.
Jean Versatility
Prana Bridger Jeans are not your standard outdoor pants that would give away their main purpose on the first sight. These pants are durable and stretchy, ideal for your adventures in nature. But at the same time, they are sleek and neat enough to accompany you to your job, fitting into the standard “smart casual” dress code very well.
For me, this is one of the biggest Prana jeans advantages – especially in combination with the vast variety of available styles (there are 14 good looking colors to choose from). If you like how these jeans fit and feel, you can simply buy 5-6 pairs of them and wear them all the time.
Fast drying (for jeans)
One of the biggest advantages of quality outdoor pants (especially if you’re embarking on a longer trip) is quick-drying material. While Prana Bridger Jeans might not be as fast drying as some of the other pants on the market, in comparison with the traditional denim jeans, they dry really fast.
Unless you find yourself in some extremely wet environment, you should be able to have your Prana jeans completely dry (from 100 to 0) in no longer than 8 hours, which makes them pretty suitable for overnight camping.
(Mostly) natural materials
Most of the functional pants on the market are made of various technical materials. Although they usually have many practical benefits, sometimes they can feel a bit too unnatural on your skin (especially in combination with sweat).
If you prefer natural fabrics, your choices are quite limited. However, Prana Bridger Jeans are made of 75% cotton, 23% polyester, and 2% spandex (added for elasticity and perfect fit). Although this doesn’t make them 100% natural, they feel pretty close to it while maintaining their perfect fit, stretchiness, and other useful functions that make them great for outdoor adventures.
Moreover, Prana is also known to support fair trade and sustainability.
Price
When you think about all of the features and advantages above, you’d probably expect Prana Bridger Jeans to cost quite a fortune. However, their price is very reasonable and affordable even for those on a budget. Check the latest price quote here.
Exceptionally versatile, stylish and functional. That's my overall take on the Bridger Jeans. Wear them hiking, around town, or to work. Worth the money, for sure.
Disadvantages of Prana Bridger Jeans
Unfortunately, Prana Bridger Jeans have some flies in the ointment too:
Shrinking after washing
If you’re buying a size that fits you really tightly, beware that these pants tend to shrink just a little after every machine washing. As a result, they might seem a little too narrow or short when you first wear them, although the fabric usually loosens up to its standard state quite shortly.
To avoid this inconvenient effect, make sure you are not setting your washing machine at a high temperature. These pants are intended for cold washing. Also, it’s best to avoid using a dryer – let your Prana jeans dry in fresh air and they should be always fine.
Sagginess after extensive use
Besides the shrinking mentioned above, Prana Bridger Jeans can also start to feel a bit saggy if you use them intensely for an extended period of time. Although they’re most likely still going to fit perfectly in the waist, they can feel somewhat baggy on your butt or tights. Some customers probably won’t worry about that at all, but others might find it uncomfortable and bothering.
Fading colors
Some of the 14 available colors of these jeans are reportedly prone to fade after repeated washing. This might not be an issue for you if you use these pants mostly for outdoor adventures (worn effect can be also considered desirable), but those who like to wear them in their everyday life (e.g. to work or school) might be a bit disappointed.
Not water-resistant/UV-resistant
Having at least partially water-resistant outdoor pants can be a great advantage in situations when you’re facing wet vegetation or unstable weather. Unfortunately, Prana Bridger Jeans are not water-resistant at all – moreover, organic cotton will most likely soak the moisture in and make the pants feel heavier.
Similarly, don’t expect your Prana Bridger Jeans to provide you with any UV-protection, so they might not be your perfect summer pants.
Thinner than they look
Some customers might be a bit disappointed to learn how thin these pants are. While they look like standard jeans, they really are much lighter and thinner. Of course, this mustn’t be necessarily understood as a disadvantage, especially if you’re spending most of your time in a warmer environment and like to feel light and airy.
On the other hand, the durability of Prana’s jeans can be a bit questionable when it comes to high-friction activities such as mountain biking, boulders scrambling, etc. Moreover, sewing a patch on stretchy and thin material is quite difficult too.
Prana Bridger Jeans alternatives you might like
Not entirely convinced about Prana Bridger Jeans? Here are some similar alternatives that might suit you better:
Prana Stretch Zion Pants
Prana Stretch Zion Pants are another multi-functional pants from Prana. They look good enough to be worn in your everyday life, but their functional features make them perfect for hiking, climbing, biking, and other outdoor activities too.
Unlike Prana’s Bridger Jeans, Zion pants offer UPF 50+ protection. They also repel water (thanks to the DWR coating) and dry out very fast. Some of Zion pant’s other advantages include practical roll-up legs and a cinch belt system for useful tools and accessories.
Greet your adventure head on. Because from the road to the crag to post-climbing beers, our bestselling men's Stretch Zion Pant helps you flow through the day with ease.
Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible Pants
Convertible outdoor pants are truly great – you can wear them in every weather and season and they eliminate the necessity to carry around both shorts and long pants when you’re expecting greater shifts in temperature.
Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible Pants have some other benefits too: they are extremely durable, they’re made of all-weather-resistant materials with UPF 50 protection, and they also look really cool. If you’d like to learn more about these pants, check out our full review here.
Take the Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible Pant along for summer backcountry trips, fall day hikes, and year-round expeditions.
FAQs
Are Prana Bridger Jeans water-resistant?
No. Prana Bridger Jeans are made of cotton, polyester, and spandex, and while they do dry out relatively fast (mostly thanks to their thinness), they are not water-repelling.
What colors are Prana Bridger Jeans available in?
Prana Bridger Jeans come in 14 styles with natural tones of gray, blue, brown, green, and red. Available colors include denim, mud, chalkboard, nautical, raisin, blackout, cargo green, and some others.
Can Prana Bridger Jeans be worn in the summer?
Yes, Prana Bridger Jeans are relatively thin and airy, so as long as you are comfortable with wearing long-legged pants in the summer, you should be fine. On the other hand, keep in mind that these pants do not provide you with any UV protection, so you might want to reconsider wearing them on trips that include long exposure to direct sun.
Conclusion – Should You Get a Pair of Prana Bridger Jeans?
Prana Bridger Jeans are wonderfully universal pants that can accompany you almost anywhere. I really love the way they look, and even more how neatly they fit.
I also really enjoy the idea that I can wear the same pants to work and later head straight for a walk or smaller hike without having to change. I also found these pants perfect for commuting to work on a bike – very comfortable.
Exceptionally versatile, stylish and functional. That's my overall take on the Bridger Jeans. Wear them hiking, around town, or to work. Worth the money, for sure.
On the other hand, if you’re really looking for die-hard outdoor pants that can endure (almost) anything, protect you from all sorts of elements, and look as new even after many months of intensive use and washing, I’d probably look for some other model – for example, Prana’s Stretch Zion pants that boast more functional features while also looking very good.
I hope this review helps you decide whether Prana Bridger Jeans are really your best option. If you need some more inspiration, check out our recent Patagonia Quandary Pants or Kuhl Revolvr Pants reviews too.
Premium lifestyle clothing from prAna. Sustainable clothes for yoga, travel, & outdoor adventure enthusiasts. Save money and protect the environment - it’s a double win! Explore prAna's collections.
Jodie Chiffey loves the outdoors. If you aren’t sure where to find her, check the nearest dirt trail. She loves being outdoors and spends a good deal of time reviewing products like clothing, footwear, and other outdoor gear.
Jodie is a full-time blogger who reviews a lot of the products for us. She writes many of our backpacking gear reviews, outdoor skills advice, and information, and helps visitors find the best destinations for backpacking, camping, hiking, and a lot more.
If Jodie’s friends have a travel or outdoors question, they know who to ask and that’s why we featured on our website. Now you can get the same great advice her friends enjoy, so you know where to go and what gear to take with you.