Go There, Go Free, Go Pee: Gnara GoFly Active Bottoms Review

I’m not necessarily shy about peeing outside, but there have been many times when I’ve had to trek a long way off a busy trail for some privacy. Rather than simply squatting behind the nearest tree, I’ve ended up tromping over downed logs and squishy, moss-laden ground to find a spot where no one could see.

But the GoFly zipper tech from Gnara claims to solve that problem — or, at least, to make it easier for women. Thanks to a zipper extending from front to back, women can use the bathroom in (relative) privacy without adding another quarter mile to an already long trail run or hike. It allows you to simply unzip, squat, and pee.

GearJunkie reviewed the Gnara Go There Hiking Pants in 2022. We liked them so much that they made it onto our guide for the Best Hiking Pants for Women.

But in November 2024, Gnara released its Go Free collection, which includes the Gnara Go Free 6” Shorts. The brand also released its collaboration LIVSN x Gnara Ecotrek Overalls. And last year, it updated the fan favorite Gnara Go There Pants.

I wanted to test these new and updated Gnara products to see how they compared to the originals.

In short: Gnara’s GoFly Technology adds a level of function to the brand’s rugged Go There Pants ($168), Go Free shorts ($108), and Ecotrek Overalls ($229). It makes peeing outside so much easier for women on long hikes or trail runs when a bathroom isn’t nearby. These three bottoms all have plenty of pockets, the right amount of stretch, and are made from a durable fabric. For active women who want an easier way to pee outside, Gnara’s pants offer a high-quality solution.

Searching for your next hiking pants? Check out our guide to the best hiking pants for women.

Gnara GoFly Zipper Bottoms Review

Gnara, formerly SheFly, is the women-owned brand behind GoFly Technology. On each of their bottoms, an extra zipper runs from the front of the pants (below the normal zipper fly) between the legs to the back of the pants just below the waistband. This allows wearers to squat and pee, without having your butt hanging out for everyone to see.

The zipper is hidden in a zipper garage, which was most noticeable on the tight running shorts, as the zipper did hang down a little (the zipper was entirely out of sight on the pants and overalls). On the inside of the pants, there is a soft lining over the zipper, so you’ll be chafe-free.

The only bottoms where I could actively tell that there was more fabric in the crotch area were with the skin-tight shorts. It felt similar to wearing a thin pad while menstruating. But I quickly forgot about that feeling once I started running.  

Gnara isn’t just trying to make pants easier to pee in, either. The brand told GearJunkie it aims to solve as many of the problems in women’s apparel as possible. That’s why it also includes usable pockets that are 48% deeper and 16% wider than standard pockets in its women’s clothing. The brand also uses four-way stretch materials so its apparel has a better thigh-to-hip-to-waist ratio and fits women’s body shapes better.

First Impressions

I wear overalls to work multiple times a week. Yet the first time I wore the LIVSN X Gnara Ecotrek overalls, I received so many compliments on the flattering fit and rugged style. These launched online at the end of 2024; according to the brand, they will hit retail stores in August 2025.

Even though these have the Pee Zipper, and aren’t something I need during my day-to-day teaching outside, these will easily be in my rotation of gear I wear to work.

Comfort & Style

I never felt any bulk around the pee zipper, and other people didn’t seem to notice an extra seam in the front or back, either. I paired these with a lightweight, long-sleeved top and chunky boots, but they’d pair just as well with whatever you wear to the crag or the café.

As I often go from inside to outside during my work days, I wear many layers over my overalls; there were definitely days when, instead of delayering, I simply kept my top layers on.

Overalls seem like the perfect style of everyday bottoms for the Gnara GoFly technology. There’s no need to unbutton the shoulders and pull them all the way down. I used the GoFly zipper on a regular toilet and was extremely appreciative of it.  

Pockets

Gnara and Livsn did not hesitate to add pockets to these overalls. The chest has a kangaroo pocket, two pen pockets, a zippered pocket on the outside, a hidden zippered pocket on the inside, and a regular pocket on the outside.

At the hips, you get your two regular hand pockets made from mesh, with integrated handwarmer pockets in each and a hidden, zippered pocket on the left side.

On the back, you get two zippered butt pockets, plus one open drop pocket on the side and a zippered drop pocket on the other side. 

There are a lot of pockets on the Livsn x Gnara overalls, which is definitely an asset if you work outside or don’t like to carry a bag. The four-way stretch of the material means you can also squeeze a lot into them.

Stretch & Durability

I wore these to work and crawled on the ground outside, walked around some fields, worked at a desk, and never once felt uncomfortable.

Movement was easy, and I could sit without any hindrance. I didn’t worry about snags or stains when plopping onto some wet, muddy ground. The fabric is quick-drying and water-resistant. When I wore these outside in the snow, I stayed dry even though large snowflakes were falling from the sky. 

First Impressions

These four-way stretch compression shorts are made from a lighter more spandex-y material than Gnara’s Go There Pants or Ecotrek Overalls. The Gnara site said it’s designed for trail running, yoga, or more casual use. They are high-waisted and have a soft mossy feel in hand.

The Go Free collection launched on Kickstarter in September 2024 and was delivered in November.

Perfect for Trail Running

The shorts, even without the zipper, are ideal running shorts, as they are a great length that prevents chafing. They have a thick waistband for added comfort and have two large pockets on either side.

But with the addition of the GoFly zipper, these will be my go-tos for longer trail runs where a mid-run pee break is a must. 

High-Quality Material

These bottoms are the shorter version of the Go Free ⅞ Leggings, which are often sold out on the Gnara website. Fit and compression are key for this biker-style of shorts and leggings.

The recycled spandex and polyester construction in the shorts combine for a stretchy fit that isn’t too tight but is still supportive during more high-impact activities. The bottoms weren’t digging into my thighs, but the tight fit stayed solid during longer runs. The flatlock stitching means no chafing. The four-way stretch was enough for me to easily squat and pee freely.

First Impressions

As mentioned, GearJunkie reviewed the Gnara Go There pants previously. Our tester, Morgan Tilton, concluded, “The investment for a well-made, long-lasting pair of women’s outdoor pants you can wear doing anything is worthwhile — and these pants elevate the experience in more ways than one.”

But Gnara has updated these pants in the years since. Gnara has honed its sizing (adding ½” to the thigh circumference based on customer feedback), added six more color options, switched to a PFAS-free DWR coating, reinforced seams and zipper stops to the GoFly for more security, and added a simple bartack to the center back waistband to keep the drawcord from coming out in the wash.

I thought it was worth revisiting these pants to see how the updates affected the user experience.

Durability

I tested the durability of these pants over multiple days while working outside with kids. I expect they will hold up for many outside days and hikes to come. The material is spandex and nylon, so they are stretchy enough that I am not worried about seams ripping. The Go There Pants seemed sturdy enough to handle plenty of movement without any risk of tearing.

They also held their shape after a full day of wear and washing. The pants have a durable water-repellent coating, which I tested by pouring some creek water onto my legs. No water seeped through. I don’t know how well they would hold up if you got caught in a sustained downpour. But they should be pretty protective for mild splashes or sprinkles.

Fit & Comfort

Gnara’s Go There pants fit well for hiking and other outdoor work. The cut isn’t too loose or too tight; the knees are articulated so you won’t feel hindered when squatting. The bottoms can be worn loose, snapped up to a capri length, or tightened to a jogger-style with a drawstring.

Options

All of Gnara’s apparel comes in inclusive sizing, with these pants ranging from 00 to 22. I found that they fit true to size. The pants also have nine color options, including mulberry, jade, ochre, and pine green. So you can add a bit more variety to your hiking pants rather than just the standard blacks and browns. 

How I Tested These

Besides reviewing gear, I teach 4- and 5-year-olds in an outdoor preschool setting in Boulder, Colo. That means I am climbing, crawling, wading through a creek, and getting spilled on almost daily.

I wore the overalls and hiking pants to work during a few spring days in March and then ran in the biker shorts. As general outdoor gear, all three bottoms worked well.

With the GoFly technology for more privacy and easier peeing, they become standout outdoor pants. I could see opting for a pair on almost every hike, during camping trips, on trail runs, and wearing layers on top of overalls in winter (more on that below). 

Room for Improvement: Gnara GoFly Bottoms

These Gnara bottoms would work great for winter and shoulder seasons. But for anything hotter than 65 degrees, you’ll feel quite sweaty due to the slightly thicker material. The denier of the fabric used in both the Go There Pants and the Ecotrek Overalls is heavier than a lot of standard hiking pants. The thickness of the Go Free biker shorts is more comparable to that of other shorts I’ve worn to run in.

Gnara’s products are also pretty pricey. Check out the GearJunkie guide to the Best Hiking Pants for Women compare Gnara’s pants, shorts, and overalls to other hiking pants.

Who Are the Gnara GoFly Bottoms For?

These bottoms are for anyone who squats while peeing and wants to be more discreet and have an easier time doing it. All three bottoms I tested — the Go There Pants ($168), Go Free shorts ($108), and Ecotrek Overalls ($229) — offered a very convenient and private way to pee outside while still upholding the function and technicality necessary for outdoor gear. 

These are ideal for any outdoor activity where a toilet is unavailable, like hiking, trail running, camping, and backpacking. But they also make using the bathroom so much easier for anyone with a harness on, like rock climbers.

In fact, Gnara told GearJunkie that it has customers who work as bridge inspectors, national park rangers, boaters, rafters, film set workers, dog walkers, field scientists, and farmers. The functionality of these pants and the zipper design extends beyond recreation.