Skeptical of devices that allow women to pee standing up, gear writer Kassondra Cloos tried something new: Gnara’s split-seam hiking pants.
Over the last decade, I have come across many devices, tips, and tricks to help women compensate for certain anatomical possessions that make it tricky to pee on the side of a trail.
I have not liked any of them.
To be fair, I have not tried them all. It only took a single wayward Freshette experience (like a ‘pee funnel’) in 2015—in the Grand Canyon, in view of my family and many tourists—to become leery of all feminine urinary devices. (It was not a fun experience.)
Then, this summer, I came across Gnara’s Go There Pants, which have a second, concealed zipper that starts below the main fly. Actually, it would probably be more accurate to say that Gnara’s very persistent PR team came across me, and all but insisted I give them a… go.
The trousers also have several other features which make them practical for a day hike or backpacking trip. Each pant leg has two snaps so that you can secure the cuffs in place above the ankle, providing a nice breeze on a hot day. The hems also have drawstrings so that you can cinch them tight against your ankles, and there’s a drawstring in the waist for a more custom fit.
I do have one small beef with the trousers, which is that the side pocket on the right thigh is an awkward size for its most obvious use as a cell phone pocket. I have an iPhone 16 and while it does fit inside the pocket, it’s snug. I’d like to see a bit more roominess there.
All in all, I think the Go There Pants are a clever solution for a problem that has plagued women for far too long. Gnara also sells a pair of shorts equipped with this extra zipper, and has recently debuted leggings and compression shorts that are available for pre-order.
Now, if only they could make ski pants…
