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Aug 24, 2023

Gnara Go There Pants review

Years ago, I climbed Colorado’s Pikes Peak via the Barr Trail, a 13-mile route that ascends nearly 7,400 feet toward the top of the 14,115-foot mountain. It’s a big day, and I was feeling powerful as

Years ago, I climbed Colorado’s Pikes Peak via the Barr Trail, a 13-mile route that ascends nearly 7,400 feet toward the top of the 14,115-foot mountain. It’s a big day, and I was feeling powerful as I neared the rocky summit with my two male hiking partners. But as we reached the mountain’s high point, I felt the urine building inside me. I’d hydrated like a champion, but now I was close to peeing my pants.

Desperately, I looked around for a spot to squat. There aren’t any trees at that elevation, so all I saw were talus (rock) fields covered with a conga line of hikers coming up after us. Unlike quieter mountains in the Centennial State, Pikes Peak also happens to be the home of the Pikes Peak Highway, a toll road that empties out onto the summit next to the visitor center. But alas, an entire tour bus had beat me to the bathrooms and the line was 20 women deep.

I had two options: squat in the rocks while averting my eyes from the hikers slowly trudging uphill or in the parking lot behind a stranger’s car tire. I went with the rocks, turning my backside toward the trail in an effort to salvage some of my pride. At least I couldn’t see the faces of the folks staring at my bare butt.

This wasn’t the first or last time something like this has happened to me — and it’s a common experience among outdoor women. Backcountry female hygiene has long been important to me (starting with my Kula Cloth, of course), so I was stoked to check out the Gnara Go There Pants, equipped with the patented GoFly zipper technology. This first-of-its-kind crotch zipper allows women to pee without removing their hiking pants.

Backcountry squatting without fear of mosquito bites on my butt or embarrassing moments? Sign me up. Here’s what I learned during testing.

With a clamshell-style crotch zipper for peeing, durable fabric, cute fit and a multitude of sizing options, Gnara’s Go There Pants are a much-needed addition to the women’s hiking market.

It’s no surprise that when Gnara (formerly SheFly) first launched in 2018, it hit the scene to lots of fanfare. In addition to my Pikes Peak experience, I can vividly recall squatting on a Mount Rainier snowfield while my three male climbing partners politely closed their eyes, or that time when an Indigenous Bolivian woman kindly used her traditional skirt to shield me as I urinated alongside our bus to La Paz. These aren’t unique experiences; peeing outside has long been a thing for women everywhere.

But after spending the last month wearing the Go There Pants on camping and hiking adventures throughout Colorado, I’m happy to report that Gnara has found a solution. On a recent 10-day road trip, I even learned that roadside peeing just got a lot easier in these pants. Are they perfect? Not yet. But the Go There Pants now have a permanent spot in my gear closet.

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I’m 41 years old, so it was a mind trip to retrain my brain on how to go pee in the woods. Thankfully, the GoFly zipper is simple and straightforward. It starts just below the regular pants zipper and extends between your legs, eventually ending beneath the back waistband. When you have to pee, unzip the crotch zipper and use a hand to pull your underwear and extra fabric aside. Then let it flow. To be fair, it takes a little practice. I’ll admit that I peed on myself once, but that was only because it was a windy day and an errant gust caught me midstream. But otherwise, it’s business as usual.

Speaking of business, it needs to be said: Bears poop in the woods, and so do we. While I haven’t yet attempted this endeavor while wearing the Go There Pants, the zipper certainly extends far enough to make it possible. You may need to do some finangling with your underwear to ensure adequate clearance, but otherwise, the GoFly zipper can certainly be used for more than urine.

Aside from the privacy it affords, the GoFly zipper also makes it easier to pee in a variety of positions aside from a squat. I’m four months post-op from ACL surgery, so I haven’t yet gained back all my flexion in my left knee. As a result, I tried urinating while half-squatting (above 90 degrees) and while standing; both were successful. During one evening fly-fishing session along North Clear Creek, I even unzipped my crotch and propped a leg up on a rock, à la Captain Morgan. Once again, it worked amazingly well, and I was thrilled that the fish-feeding insects stayed on the water and away from my bare cheeks.

I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t love hiking pants for women since they rarely manage to combine aesthetics with functionality. But I was pleasantly surprised by the fit on the Go There Pants. Based on user feedback, Gnara redesigned the pants with a half-inch longer inseam and a slightly trimmer cut. I didn’t test the pants prior to these changes, but I really like the look of them now.

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The higher waistband hits just below your belly button, and the legs are trim through the thighs, but not tight — I never once felt like a stuffed sausage, and I consider myself a quad-dominant individual. But the highlight for me was the optional cinched cuffs around the ankles. Naturally, the Go There pants are a straight-leg pant, which is fine and easily fits over the top of boots. But I prefer a jogger-style pant, and I loved that I could cinch these into makeshift joggers for all my hikes. Not your style? You can also roll up the cuffs and secure them with the included calf straps to turn the pants into capris.

It’s also important to note that Gnara has a huge range of numerical sizing options — no small/medium/large here. Instead, they offer sizes from 00-22, ensuring the Go There Pants fit a variety of bodies.

If you’re a four-season hiker, it’s time to party, because these pants can go with you all year long. Constructed with nylon and spandex, the Go There Pants are super durable. After scrambling up a steep scree slope, slipping and jamming my right knee to gain purchase, I was shocked to see … nothing. Other than a few dirt marks, my escapades hadn’t caused any snagging, pilling or tearing.

The pants are also coated in DWR, which is a chemical treatment that adds water resistance. I haven’t worn them in a rainstorm yet, but our daughter did level me with a water squirter and I escaped unscathed. The moisture absorbed a bit where she supremely doused me, but it never completely sank through the fabric. To me, that’s about as good as you can get without using a waterproof shell material.

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When you’re talking about a first-of-its-kind product like the Go There Pants, it’s tough to get it completely right on the first try. That said, I think Gnara is pretty darn close.

The burly materials and weather resistance come with a weight penalty. Not only are the thicker fabrics heavy but they don’t breathe especially well. This makes them a great bet for shoulder season and winter hikes when the mercury drops, but they get downright toasty when the sunshine is soaring. Thankfully, Gnara recently launched the Go There Shorts to solve this problem. I’ve been testing the shorts alongside the pants, and they are the exact same, just with less fabric. If you know you’re going to be hiking in warmer climates, consider the shorts.

Plenty of folks hike commando, so I gave it a try to see how the crotch zipper felt against my nether regions. End result: It was a mixed bag. It definitely didn’t hurt or scratch so those who hike sans underwear shouldn’t worry about pain or discomfort from the zipper. However, I always felt the zipper against my undercarriage in a low-key way that always reminded me of its presence. Would I do it again? Sure, but it’s something to keep in mind.

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At $168, the Go There Pants certainly aren’t the most affordable hiking pants on the market. However, the cost comes from the durable fabrics and extra materials involved for the multiple zippers. I appreciate what Gnara is doing for women’s outdoor apparel and believe the Go There Pants will last for years, so I’d argue they’re worth the cost. But they may not be in the budget.

Gnara is almost flying solo when it comes to this category. I’ve only been able to find one competitor with a similar product: the Zip Hers Trailblazer Pro pants. They’re less expensive but have a looser fit, fewer color options and less sizing variety.

Gnara’s Go There Pants make it easier for women to avoid bugs, stay warm and enjoy a little privacy while peeing outside. They’re a bit spendy for a single pair of hiking pants, but they will last for years and you’ll love the unique crotch zipper and rugged materials the next time you find yourself without a toilet on an outdoor adventure.

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