Skiing and snowboarding have long been a winter favorite sport. This winter sport gets more and more popular every year, while the snow in some regions is on the decline. This is why is best to choose the best ski pants to keep you warm and stylish!
It’s important to have the right ski pants, one that matches your preferred style of skiing and keeps you warm and safe. With hundreds of options on the market at a vast range of prices, this can be difficult to narrow down. In this article, we figure out the best ski pants out there to make your shopping experience easier.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Spyder Men's Straight | Best Overall |  |
| Arctix Mens Essential Snow Pants | Budget Pick |  |
| Outdoor Research Men's Skyward II Pants | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Spyder Men's Straight
Pros:
- Forgiving waist fits a variety of body types
- Wind and water resistant
I’ve been looking around for a good pair of snow pants in my size (6’0” and about 250 lbs) and finding pants that work well with me can be tough. These snow pants fit me perfectly in the waist, are comfortable and warm, and easy to move around in. They have a high rise above the belly, which is great for all of the times that I need to bend my torso down to get something out of my pack, or wipe my face off when the goggle I am wearing starts to fog up.
I love the tuck-away belt, as I have never had a pair of snow pants that I have been able to adjust around my waist that well. They can be tailored to my body to keep the snow from entering the pants. The material is tough, but comfy and very easy to wear. They certainly are worth the cost, and I will be getting a second pair to keep as a spare.
2. Flylow Baker Ski and Snowboard Bibs
Pros:
- Try out regular and relaxed fit
- Gear loops at the knees
Flylow provides a 2-piece ski bib pant. Flylow Baker Ski Bibs is different from standard ski bibs because Flylow considered how mountain bikers tend to crouch mid-way down a hill while taking a break.
The knee area is redesigned to fit better when mountain bikers choose to crouch side-saddle. The pants are available in regular and relaxed fit.
The flylow Baker Ski Face and Bibs are made from 65% polyester and 35% merino wool. This fabric is soft, warm, and moisture-wicking. Meanwhile, the merino wool is moisture-repellent and odor-free.
3. Arctix Mens Essential Snow Pants
Pros:
- Durable, water- and wind-resistant polyester shell
- Features an integrated belt to keep hem snug
- Adjustable cuffs for an easier fit
- Hem adjusters keep snow away
- Micro fleecy lining
- Heavy-duty YKK zippers
- Rear thigh pocket
Like every other brand on the list, these waterproof pants have an impressive number of features. They are sold in several different sizes and colours to match any taste and style.
They are also at an affordable price, which is surprising considering the high quality.
The pants come with a snap tab that allows you to adjust the size of the waistband, which is a feature that many pants lack but can be quite handy to have.
4. Helly-Hansen Womens Switch Cargo 2.0 Pant
If you are in the market for poc ski pants that are waterproof and breathable, then this is one of the best options that you have. In addition, this is also a slim fitting ski pant.
The Women’s Switch Cargo pants by Helly Hansen has a roomy two-way stretch backer, a waterproof and breathable Helly Tech membrane, and durable fabric on the inside and outside.
The fabric uses Helly Tech, fully waterproof, breathable and windproof. The fabric is made to be lightweight with a lot of stretch. It also allows for a lot of movement. Additionally, it is made of a two-layer fabric, which is nice to have.
5. Columbia Men's Bugaboo IV Pant
Pros:
- The price
- They are soft, comfortable, and surprisingly sturdy.
- The zippers are very good
- The pockets are sized just right, and the cuffs fit over your boots very well
Columbia sells all kinds of products for the mountaineers, but the ones that are getting more popular lately are their Bugaboo Bugaboo ski pants. The reasons are obvious and we’ll be explaining them further on.
The reason why these pants are considered the best ski pants is that they can handle pretty much anything and they are very good-looking.
Their fit is very good. They fit regular sizes, and they fit overweight people as well. The pants are very comfortable and durable. They stand up to cold, water, and they are not toxic.
6. Outdoor Research Men's Skyward II Pants
Pros:
- The temperature rating of -20… F isn’t too optimistic, as this pair of ski pants kept its owner warm to -40… F.
Imagine sitting on your deck on a sunny day and talking to your friends. Now imagine you had to go inside as the winds are blowing and it’s ten degrees fahrenheit outside and you’re wearing just a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. Or imagine snowboarding up a mountain during the coldest of winter days. If you notice, we used the word imagine quite a few times, because you shouldn’t have to imagine yourself in these situations. You need a pair of pants that’ll be able to keep you warm and snug, and not make your life miserable.
That’s exactly what the Outdoor Research Skyward II pants are designed for. These pants will keep you extremely warm in any situation. If you want a good pair of pants, you should go with these ones.
7. Arctix Womens Insulated Snow Pants
Pros:
- Super warm
- Extremely comfy
- Nice style
- Covers all the necessities
- Great price
Warmth and style can be hard to find, but the new Arctix Womens Insulated Snow Pants offer both. These snow pants are made from nylon and polyester, making them soft and lightweight. The shell is also water-resistant, which will help reduce the amount of snow getting to your pants.
It offers plenty of useful extra features, like the fleece-lined waistband and inner cuffs. The pants have a women-specific fit and include adjustable waist tabs. The waist band can also be folded over and snapped for an extra layer of protection as well as an exposed brand patch, a left leg gun pocket, and a right leg cargo pocket. The pants also come with leg zippers, as well as a bottom leg splice that allows you to attach them to Arctix jacket.
Overall, this is a great product with a large number of positive customer reviews. It’s a great option for women of all sizes and is also fairly cheap.
8. Arc'teryx Beta AR Pant Men's
Pros:
- Made with durable and tough fabrics
- Fantastic quality
- Comes in a variety of sizes
- Great for varying weather conditions
- Hood and waist adjustments
- Inexpensive
- Versatile enough to use for climbing
Cons:
- No vents
- A couple people found the fabric to be stiff
- The pants aren’t very warm or very waterproof in a heavy downpour.
The Arc'teryx Beta AR Pant is one of the best ski pants in 2020 on the market because of the rugged quality and tenacious construction.
This pant is made from 100% nylon ripstop. The fabric itself is extremely rugged and is going to be very difficult to tear with anything less than a serious sized hole puncher. The GORE-TEX 3 layer provides just the right amount of waterproof protection without being so thick that it will stiffen the pants or make you overly hot.
You can adjust the hem of your pants so that they are not pulling and binding uncomfortably. The waist is also adjustable for a more customized fit.
9. Flylow Men's Magnum 2.1 Pant
Pros:
- Wear-tested pant with a proven Durable Water Repellent finish
- Reinforced HI-ART Fire Retardant material protects you from exposure to fire and heat, and is Teflon treated to be water repellent
- 3-layer technology, plus Durable Water Repellent finish, blocks moisture from reaching your body. “WICKADRY” mesh lining regulates moisture and airflow between your body and the shell
- 4-way stretch allows freedom of movement with added comfort provided by a soft-brushed inner layer
- Soft nylon lining along with Ski/Snow-Entry gaiters, provides extra warmth and protects against cold snow and ice
- Includes a free hat and goggles bag
The Flylow Men’s Magnum 2.1 pant has proven itself in the field by earning the trust of rock solid individuals. They knew what they were looking for and they found it. With more than 4000 days on the mountain, it’s all about the fabric and Flylow made it right.
Waterproof, windproof fabric from top manufacturer, Obermeyer. 3-layer fabric blocks cold from the bottom up, maintaining your core body temperature.
10. Burton Mens Reserve Bib Pant
Pros:
- Thermal retention
- Toggle-able ventilation
- Rear venting
- DWR coating
- Functional pockets
- Good range of motion
- Tested in extreme cold
Cons:
- Expensive
- Not windproof
- Somewhat bulky
- No DWR treatment on the inside
- No leg zipper
For the best pants for skiing, you could turn to Burton. These pants were designed for extreme cold performance.
The Burton Mens Reserve Bibs are cut to offer both mobility and warmth. They have many of the features you’d expect in a great pair of ski pants, including an update to the zip-off system.
The Burton Mens Reserve Bibs have a removable storm fly that features removable suspenders and a crotch zip. This system is inspired by the military and will add a bit of warmth to your setup and can replace your pants if weather conditions get really foul.
11. The North Face Freedom Insulated Pants
Pros:
- Slim and tapered fit
- There are convenient pockets for all the small equipment
- They’re light and sturdy
- Good quality zippers
- Breathable waterproof protection
- Most feel that the price is a good value
- There is a number of sizing and color options available
Cons:
- Some issues with the zippers
- Heavy and bulky
- Some issues with how the pants fit
- A few issues with the quality of the materials
- A few feel that the size runs small
Featuring a secure, streamlined design, the Freedom Insulated are made for the ski mountain. These ski pants can be paired with the North Face Freedom Insulated Jacket.
This light and tough ski pant features protective stretch fabric, waterproofing, and insulation. This ski pant has a modern cut with articulated knees that provide freedom of movement.
With its waterproof and breathable protection, the North Face Freedom Insulated is ready to tackle the lodge or the mountain. A DWR coating sheds rain and snow while Teflon fabric protector keeps it clean.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the best snow pants?
If you’re serious about your skiing, you’re going to want to invest in a good pair of ski pants. First and foremost, it’s imperative that they’re waterproof. The waterproofing is key because if you end up wet, you’re not going to be very happy.
Another important factor to consider is how warm they will be. Have the temperature outside been plummeting? Are you heading to the high slopes? A good pair of ski pants will insulate you from the damaging cold.
A third consideration is what type of snow pants are best for you. There are so many styles that even the most novice skier may feel a little overwhelmed by it all. Well, here’s what to consider when you’re in a panicky state and unsure about which brand or style is best.
What should I look for in ski pants?
There are a few options when it comes to the waistband of your ski pants. The most common waistband options are hook and eye, velcro, or elastic. The hook and eye closure is great for belt loops or you can wear them without them. You’ll need to have a belt for this option. The velcro closure is great for pulling tight if you’re wearing the pants loose. The elastic band can allow for a bit more wiggle room.
What are the warmest womens ski pants?
When skiing you need to make sure you’ve got pants that will keep you cozy and warm. Skiing is a fun activity, but it can be a little chilly if you’re not properly dressed. Keep in mind the temperature of the climate, the temperature of the snow, and the length of your ski trip. You’ll also want to make sure you’re flexible and active while skiing, so you’ll need pants that won’t restrict your movement and warm you perfectly without over-heating you.
What is the best brand of ski clothing?
There are so many different brands of ski clothing available that it would be impossible to cover all of them. And you probably already have a favorite that you really like. This list will instead highlight the best tested and most popular ski clothing lines.
Roxy- A popular all-around brand, Roxy offers ski pants for women and men that feature slimming ski cuts and retro prints.
Fj’llrøm- Fj’llrøm takes waterproof to the extreme. Their ski pants are renowned as the best made. You won’t be able to smell a thing while out on the slopes in these. And they are designed to go from the slopes to the bar afterwards.
Conclusion
When you are buying ski pants there are some features you want to look out for. Things like the waterproof threshold of the material, the insulation you want, and the material used will affect whether these pants are useful or not. Add to that, the cut of the pants should be such that they fit your body type. Leading us to our best ski pants review.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Spyder Men's Straight | Best Overall | |
| Arctix Mens Essential Snow Pants | Budget Pick | |
| Outdoor Research Men's Skyward II Pants | Upgrade Pick | |