Anvil Pants are cragging trousers designed to prioritise comfort and freedom of movement for climbing. With their mid-weight, stretchy organic cotton blend and tailored climbing fit, I've enjoyed climbing in these trousers throughout the rock season, and now it's nearly winter they'll happily transfer indoors. They are versatile and casual enough to wear everyday around town and to top it off they have a very fair price tag.

In use

I wore the Anvil Pants for a variety of activities over the summer, including short hillwalks, indoor bouldering, and even some mountain trad. However, they are really designed for cragging and a day of bouldering - and for this I've been impressed. The stretchy organic cotton/elastane blend provides excellent comfort and freedom of movement, making them perfect for climbing. Resting at the base of the crag or even lounging at home, these are just great comfortable trousers.

Weighing in at a respectable 320g (size M), they strike a good balance between lightness and durability, holding up well to the regular abrasion of outdoor climbing. The light fabric means they don't overly absorb rain or sweat and weigh you down, although best to avoid wearing these outside if you predict any prolonged rain, since this is not the strong point of any cotton garment. If you're out in sweaty conditions, there is a shorts version of these pants with a similar feature set.

Fit

Mountain Equipment provide both a men's and women's fit, in three different leg lengths. Having long legs and a slim waist, I often find trousers that fit me a real pain to find. Small, Medium and Large often don't fit the bill, and if I've got the right length I may find there's a baggy waist or vice versa. So one of the best selling points for me here is the range of size and length options available, something that not all manufacturers offer. The tailored climbing fit and gusseted crotch provide excellent mobility for high steps or deep heel hooks. The fit strikes a balance between snug and relaxed, allowing easy movement without feeling restrictive, especially around the hips and thighs. Big thumbs up on fit.

Features

In general I like the feature set bar maybe one small niggle.

The zipped thigh pocket is a secure spot for essentials like a phone, while two hand pockets and a rear pocket provide ample storage and are designed to be accessible with a harness and to stop items easily falling out whilst climbing. The adjustable waistbelt fastener is a really great well-designed touch that gives a nice secure fit whilst remaining low profile and kept out of the way inside the trousers. My one (very small) complaint is that the ankle drawcords are a little annoying to use, being quite deep within the trouser leg and slightly fiddly because of this.

Ethics and environment

Use of organic cotton is a big plus - we all know how bad standard cotton can be. In addition, ME are members of Fair Wear, and committed to ensuring high standards of working conditions.

Verdict

The Anvil Pants are a versatile choice for climbers looking for performance-oriented cotton trousers, that look good and work well both on and off the crag. The design, fit, and thoughtful features make this a reliable choice for both casual bouldering and a day cragging. At just £60, there really isn't much to be complaining about here.