Technical climbing pants are important primarily for alpine, big wall and multipitch climbers. As with non-technical pants, technical pants might have: knee darts for articulation and a gusseted crotch; reinforced knee and seat; flexible material; a good, comfortable fit; a low bulk waist and they should work with a harness. Climbers might also want to consider a snap button and webbing belt, both of which make it easier to go to the bathroom while en route, with a harness on, and are more comfortable and less bulky under a harness belt.
However, expect more from a technical pant. Technical pants are typically made of nylon, polyester or other synthetic materials (as opposed to cotton that is typically used in non-technical pants). They should be stretchy, very durable, abrasion resistant, windproof and water-resistant. Nice pants will also have deep or zippered pockets, drawcords or some other system for cinching down the pant cuffs during bad weather and even stretch panels at the sides and back of the pant.
What to Look for
Look for the lightweight stretch-woven fabrics, which both sheds moisture and is incredibly abrasion resistant. Combining Nylon and Lycra, and also sometimes Cordura (for added durability), these soft-shell fabrics are water resistant without relying on a chemical treatment that can wash out or wear way and they breathe well.
In this author's opinion, Schoeller fabric is the best on the market, but there are other durable, water resistant and windproof materials available, including: Climawool Lite, which has a woven shell of Nylon and Lycra and a napped merino wool interior; Terrastretch fabric, which blends Cordura and Lycra and is treated with a hydrophilic finish to promote wicking and Inertia fabric, which leaves out the Lycra, reducing the weight of the fabric while still retaining its windproof nature. It also absorbs less water, but is less stretchy.
Depending on where you climb--the high peaks versus lower-land crags--you might want to get a pair that is lined.
Common Pitfalls
The downside to the Schoeller stretch-woven material is that it absorbs more water when saturated than non-woven shell fabrics. And all of these materials are pricey. However, the flexibility and other accouterments make these ideal for climbing in most environments.
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