Best Men's Ski Pants of 2024
THE TOP SNOW PANTS AND SKI BIBS FOR DOWNHILL AND BACKCOUNTRY SKIING
A fun day testing snow pants at Jones Pass
October 3, 2023
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If you’re active in the winter, snow pants or bibs are an essential part of your winter kit. They’ll keep you warm and dry on long days at the resort or while taking in the backcountry. They’re designed for the rigors of snow sports and the harsh winter conditions that you’re likely to face, whether you’re out skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice climbing or taking on other winter activities.
To find the best ski pants, we spent months putting hundreds of miles in on many of the top-rated snow pants and ski and snowboard bibs. We tested for criteria like comfort, agility, warmth, breathability and value. We found some inexpensive snow pants were great and that some of the top-dollar pants and bibs were worth the investment as well. Here's the best ski pants and snowboard pants no matter your budget.
Related: Best Women's Ski Pants
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COMPARISON TABLE
| MEN'S SKI PANTS | TREELINE AWARD | BEST FOR | PANT TYPE | SIZES | MATERIALS | POCKETS | BEACON CLIP? | VENTS | RECCO? | ADJUSTABLE WAIST? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Research SkyTour | Best Overall Read why |
All Around and Touring | Hardshell bib | S to XXL | AscentShell 3L hardshell with stretch | 2 zippered thigh, 2 chest | Yes | 2 zippered outer thigh | No | No |
| Outdoor Research Hemispheres 2 Bibs | Best Upgrade Read why |
All Around and Touring | Hardshell bib | S-XXL | Gore-Tex C-Knit 3L and Gore-Tex 2L with stretch | 2 thigh, 2 chest | Yes | Outer thigh vents | No | No |
| Flylow Baker Bib | Best Snowboard Read why |
Snowboarding, tall and short | Hardshell bib | XS Short - XL Tall and XXL | Surface 3-layer hardshell fabric | 2 hip, right thigh and rear, 3 bib | Yes | 2 inner thigh, 2 outer thigh | No | No |
| Helly Hansen Legendary Insulated | Best for Resorts Read why |
Resort and Extreme Cold | Insulated pants | S-XXXXL | 2-Layer Helly Tech membrane | 2 zippered hip, right zippered rear | No | Inner thigh | No | Yes |
| Black Diamond Dawn Patrol | Best Backcountry Read why |
Backcountry | Hybrid shell pants | S-XL | Nylon, polyester, and elastane blend with DWR | 2 thigh, 1 hip | No | Outer thigh | Yes | Integrated belt |
The winners
BEST OVERALL SKI BIBS: OUTDOOR RESEARCH SKYTOUR ASCENTSHELL BIBS
Pant type: Hardshell bib
Sizes: S to XXL
Main Material: AscentShell 3L waterproof-breathable hardshell with stretch
Pockets: 2 zippered thigh pockets, 2 chest pockets, left zippered with beacon attachment and right is a velcro pocket.
Vents: 2 zippered outer thigh vents
Reinforced cuffs: Yes
Recco: No
Adjustable waistband: No
What we liked: Comfort, breathability and ventilation, articulated knee, pockets, value
What we didn't like: Swing hatch hard to access, can’t undo the suspenders, not quite as windproof as some others
When it comes to one pant or bib to rule them all, the Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Bibs were our favorite. We think the bibs are a great value for the features you get. If we were buying one just one pair of bibs, this would be it. That's why the Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell wins our award for overall best ski pants.
OUTDOOR RESEARCH SKYTOUR ASCENTSHELL BIBS
They offered exceptional comfort and stretch, and balanced all our needs and wants well. Whether skinning up trails on warm spring days or riding the slopes on cold, windy days, they offered exceptional value compared to other bibs.
We credit that to the use of Outdoor Research’s AscentShell fabric, which is a waterproof and breathable three-layer hardshell with mechanical stretch. The fabric is burly enough for resort riding, but also pliable, breathable, and stretchy enough to make uphilling in the backcountry a breeze, whether split boarding or on skis. It's also got fully taped seams to prevent leak.
We also enjoyed the generous, waterproof thigh-zippers and the zipper that splits the front of the bib—all of which allowed us to dump an exceptional amount of heat on warmer days, like skinning up Berthoud Pass in May.
While splitting the front of the bib with a zipper limits the size of pockets a little, it does make them easy to slide on and off. The zippered left chest pocket has a clip for a beacon and the right is a velcro stuff pocket for snacks or small items like gloves or hat liners. The two zippered thigh pockets are easy to access and offer plenty of space. The hatch zipper on the right rear, makes it easier to do a #2 in the backcountry without stripping down—but thankfully we didn’t need to use the feature, particularly because it’s not the easiest to use, especially with suspenders we can’t unclip.
Others, like Switchback Travel, which named the SkyTours the best backcountry bib, agree. They note: “Featuring hybrid-mapped construction, the Skytour smartly patterns AscentShell pants with a stretch-woven softshell bib upper. Tack on a gusseted crotch, articulated knees, and a trim, technical fit, and you get a highly mobile yet protective bib, ideal for everything from bootpacking up summit pyramids to spring-skiing on your local volcano.”
We found that the SkyTours also had some nice features on the reinforced cuffs, like the internal gaiter that allows you to thread a boot’s power strap through it to ensure it can’t ride up. They also have snaps that allow you to tighten the cuff around the boot if you prefer a more snug fit.
While the Skytour bib pant is geared more toward the backcountry skier, we think its versatility in all conditions like backcountry skiing or boarding, ice climbing, snowshoeing, and mountaineering, makes it a best choice overall. Someone who will only use snow pants in a resort or on a sled, and not for other high-output winter activities, may want to opt for an insulated pant or bib, like the Helly Hansen Legendary pants.
Though we appreciated the SkyTour’s great fabric, we and others noticed its fabric wasn’t as windproof as some of the other fabrics, like 3L Gore-Tex, are. We also prefer a suspender we can undo to make it easier to get on and off.
BEST UPGRADE BACKCOUNTRY SKI PANT: OUTDOOR RESEARCH HEMISPHERES II
Pant type: Hardshell bib
Sizes: S-XXL
Main Materials: Gore-Tex C-Knit 3L and Gore-Tex 2L Fabric with Stretch Technology
Pockets: 2 thigh pockets (right has a beacon clip), 2 chest pockets (left has a beacon clip)
Vents: Outer thigh vents
Reinforced Cuffs: Yes
Recco: No
Adjustable waistband: No
What we liked: Comfortable, breathability and ventilation, water and windproofing, detachable suspenders
What we didn't like: No short or long offerings, price, not many color options
The Outdoor Research Hemispheres II is another excellent bib, albeit at a premium price. We took the Hemispheres II Bibs out on everything from backcountry and resort skiing to riding the MoonBike (an electric snow bike/mobile) at Vail Pass and ice climbing in Ouray, and they performed admirably in each activity. They’re extremely comfortable, and while they don’t have waist adjusters, you can add a belt if you really want a tighter fit. That's why the Hemispheres II wins our award for best ski pants for skiers and snowboarders willing to spend a little more for the best backcountry ski pants.
OUTDOOR RESEARCH HEMISPHERES II
They’re surprisingly light yet durable, stretchy, and breathable thanks to use of well-placed extra stretchy Gore-Tex panels at the back and inner thighs as well as 70D, 3 layer Gore-Tex panels with some mechanical stretch throughout. Though it doesn't have insulation, they proved an effective barrier against wind chill and wet throughout the season.
Honestly, these bibs made us a convert to bibs. It’s no wonder, the original Hemisphere’s won Powder magazine’s first “Apparel of the Year” award back in 2018 and they’ve only gotten better. But with a suggested retail price of $649 (more than many skis), we know it’s a hefty price that some don’t want to pay.
That price is justifiable through the use of premium materials like Gore-Tex and Kevlar reinforced cuff guards. Other nice touches include suspenders that can be unclipped and a long, easy-to-use right side zip from the top of the bib to the bottom of the thigh vent, both of which make getting in and out super easy. There are also slots in the internal gaiter that allow the power straps on boots to pass through the gaiters to keep them from riding up, like those on the AscentShell.
All of that makes for a bib that we had no problem with while standing atop the frozen Canyon Creek in Ouray’s ice park for hours on a cloudy day, or fully vented while skinning up the 12,300’ Mt. Russell near Winter Park on a 40-degree day.
Still, this is more of a backcountry, active piece of gear for someone who wants performance and durability, more so than the features we require of a piece of gear designed for the resort. Sure, it can handle cold lift days with just a baselayer under, but it’s at a premium price. New for winter 2022/23, there were few reviews of this updated version, but Switchback Travel, who also got their legs in a media sample, agrees, observing that the Hemisphere II is: “A formidable backcountry bib for those who consistently get out in harsh and unpredictable conditions—if you’re willing to make the investment.”
BEST SNOWBOARD BIB: FLYLOW BAKER
Pant type: Hardshell bib
Sizes: XS Short - XL Tall and XXL
Main Material: Surface 3-layer hardshell fabric
Pockets: 2 hip pockets, right thigh and rear pockets, 3 bib pockets—2 zipper pockets, 1 beacon pocket
Vents: 2 inner thigh vents, 2 outer thigh vents
Reinforced cuffs: Yes
Recco: No
Adjustable waistband: No
What we liked: Snowboard/freeride style, tall and short size options, bomber waterproofing
What we didn't like: Weight, suspender buckles, stiffness of fabric
If Carhart didn’t make bibs for winter work, we’d call the Flylow Baker Bibs the Carharts of snowsports bibs. Two of our snowboarding testers loved these heavy-duty, oversized bibs on both Colorado resort days at Keystone and Loveland, and in the backcountry, skinning up Berthoud and Jones Passes, among other locations. They appreciated the burly face fabrics and reinforced knee fabrics, which are great for snowboarders getting back up or crashing into groomed snow on the slopes. That's why the Flylow Baker wins our award for best snowboard pant.
FLYLOW BAKER
The Flylow Baker bib uses a bomber 3-Layer Surface waterproof fabric by Intuitive also has a robust DWR. The fabric was stiffer than almost all of the other pants and bibs we tested. As such they didn’t move as well as some of the lighter, stretchier fabrics, but did well enough for our testers. Our testers also observed that the legs were bigger than on other pairs tested, which stylistically for snowboarders and riders is often a desirable design.
In a cooler-than-usual season of testing in the Rocky Mountains, we didn’t put them through as much real-world water rain/wet snow testing, but other reviewers have also remarked at how well the waterproofing works. For instance, Outdoor Gear Lab notes: “The new stuff didn't wear off during our test period, even when we manually scrubbed the pants under a shower deluge, and kept water beading off the exterior fabric throughout our test period. These pants will keep the weather out, period.”
The bibs are also bluesign certified, meaning they use materials that are more environmentally friendly than some other options.
While these bibs are more geared toward the resort rider, they also have inner and outer thigh zip vents, allowing the wearer to dump heat when skinning or on warmer days. The vents worked well enough to justify using them in the backcountry. Though we didn’t have a Flylow jacket to pair them with, we also liked that the bibs could snap into a Flylow jacket’s powder skirt.
Flylow manages to pack 7! Pockets—the most among pants or bibs we tested—into these bibs, including a mesh beacon pocket and two zippered bib pockets for keeping snacks, liners and other things warm. They also have hip pockets on both sides, and the right leg has both a thigh and butt pocket, for all your storage needs.
There are a lot of great things to say and enjoy in these bibs, which offer a great value at their retail price of $430. They also offered the most inclusive range of sizes, from XS and XS Short versions to XXL and XL Tall versions.
On the flip side, some have observed that the clips on the suspenders are bulkier than on other models and we noticed that the weight of the bibs, just over two pounds, dug into our shoulders more so than other models tested. On a day at the resort, that’s not a big deal, but in the backcountry with a pack on it could tire your shoulders out more.
BEST SKI PANT FOR RESORTS: HELLY HANSEN LEGENDARY INSULATED PANTS
Pant Type: Insulated pants
Sizes: S-XXXXL
Main Material: 2-Layer Helly Tech membrane Polyester, Polyamide liner
Pockets: 2 zippered hip pockets, right zippered rear pocket
Vents: Inner thigh vents
Reinforced cuffs: Yes
Recco: No
Adjustable waistband: Yes
What we liked: Good range of sizes and colors, great fit, classic style
What we didn't like: Waist adjusters didn’t keep pants up, shiny fabric, not very breathable
If you know you’re only going to ride or ski at the resorts—especially in colder areas, or if you run cold–the Helly Hansen Legendary Insulated Ski Pants are a great option. They’re a classic, clean-looking snow pant that has just enough tech in it and is comfortable to wear and comfortable on the wallet. The hardshell, Primaloft insulated pants have some mechanical stretch, making them more comfortable on cold, wet days on the lift and the slopes than pants without stretch, and the thigh vents are decent at dumping heat on the slopes, for instance. That's why the Legendary wins our award for best ski pants for the resort.
HELLY HANSEN LEGENDARY INSULATED PANTS
Gear Junkie agrees, observing: “Compared to many options on this list, the Legendary Ski Pants ($200) from Helly Hansen stand out for their simple, classic design,” and that they’re great “for skiers looking for a clean, understated look that also performs well.”
One of the best things about the Helly Hansen is they don’t wear like thick, insulated winter pants. That’s because rather than insulate the full pants, Helly Hansen strategically places Primaloft insulation in the seat, thighs, and knees—spots where skiers and snowboarders are most likely to get cold. This also helps make them feel less bulky than some other insulated pants and makes them easier to move in.
The 2-layer Helly Tech membrane and seam-sealing ensures the pants are waterproof and won’t wet out while sitting on a wet lift seat. However, 2-layer and insulated pants just aren’t as breathable as many of the other shells we tested. The inner thigh vents are meager compared to other pants tested and also have mesh inside so they can’t open as much as other pants and bibs we tested. But since they’re not designed for high energy exertions like skinning in the backcountry it’s ok. Suffice it to say these (and other unsulated pants) aren’t recommended for warm days riding on corn snow or any backcountry or high-output activities where you’re sweating a lot.
The Legendary pants also have other features we like and expect in a good pair of snow pants whether on the slopes or in the backcountry. These include an inner gaiter, slightly articulated knees, and reinforced cuffs. We liked the fit and the velcro waist adjusters, but when wearing them with a baselayer on a cold day at Loveland Ski Area, we definitely noticed the slinky fabric on the inside of the pants wanted to slip down over the day, even with the waist adjusters as tight as we could get them. As such, we’d recommend using them with a belt. I usually use my Grip 6 belt, which is what I use everyday.
BEST BACKCOUNTRY PANTS: BLACK DIAMOND DAWN PATROL
Pant type: Hybrid shell pants
Sizes: S-XL
Main Material: Nylon, polyester, and elastane blend with DWR coating
Pockets: 2 thigh, 1 hip
Vents: Outer thigh vents
Reinforced cuffs: Yes
Recco: Yes
Adjustable waistband: Integrated belt
What we liked: Stretch, comfort, breathability
What we didn't like: Lack of colors and size options, not as weatherproof
We charged uphill in these pants on multiple days at Berthoud and Jones passes and loved their mission-specific backcountry style. Rather than just simply a hard shell or softshell pant, the Black Diamond Dawn Patrol takes advantage of both. It uses a super stretchy soft waterproof material on the waist, thigh, and back of the knees, and a waterproof hardshell fabric over the front of the knees and from the calf down.
BLACK DIAMOND DAWN PATROL
The pants are streamlined and blend the two different fabrics (super stretchy soft waterproof material and waterproof hardshell) with just the slightest difference in colors. Once you’re wearing them, you only notice the comfort and breathability as you climb and the pants have generous outer thigh vents for skinning on the warmest corn snow days.
This breathability and the use of soft shell fabrics comes at a cost. On cold, windy days the soft shell fabrics just aren’t as windproof or as fully waterproof as a hard shell fabric is. As such, we wouldn’t recommend these pants if you’re primarily riding in wetter conditions or on the resort. GearJunkie agrees with that assessment: these are backcountry pants. “Instead of attempting to create a versatile do-it-all pair of ski pants without clear strengths, Black Diamond went all out with only the backcountry in mind. The end result is comfortable, durable, and impressively stretchy,” GearJunkie notes.
Black Diamond outfitted the pants with three pockets, two thigh pockets (the right has a padded pocket and removable beacon leash and a hip pocket on the thigh). We also appreciated that they have a fully integrated internal belt as opposed to just waist adjusters. This allowed us to cinch the waist down so it didn’t slip when worn over base layers whilst riding in the backcountry at Berthoud Pass.
Though our test sample didn’t come with suspenders, there are three attachment points inside the pants for suspenders, which would also help keep them up. The pants also feature a RECCO reflector in case the worst happens while in the backcountry and the reinforced cuffs have an internal gaiter and can be adjusted tighter to your boots.
MOST DURABLE: NORRONA LYNGEn Gore-Tex Pro
Pant type: Hardshell pants
Sizes: S-XL
Main Material: 3-layer 70D Gore-Tex Pro
Pockets: 2 thigh pockets, 1 small hip pocket on right
Vents: Outer thigh vents
Reinforced cuffs: Kevlar reinforced
Recco: No
Adjustable waistband: Yes
What we liked: Durable fabric, best adjustability.
What we didn't like: Noisy, no beacon pocket, small hip pocket
It’s a little ironic that Norrona, a brand from Norway, says the Lyngen pants are its lightest pants for ski touring, as they are the burliest pants we tested (the Flylow Baker bibs were heavier). That’s thanks to the 3-layer 70D Gore-Tex Pro shell fabric with a 100 percent recycled face fabric, which feels like it could rebuff the spike of an ice crampon.
NORRONA LYNGEN GORE-TEX PRO
These pants are also the most adjustable pants we tested. Beyond a good waist adjuster secured with hook and loop straps, this hardshell pant features multiple options to tighten not just the Kevlar reinforced boot cuff, but also the internal gaiter. They also have snaps about halfway up the calf that allow you to cinch the legs in as well, if you’d like. At the base of the boot cuff, they also have a zipper that makes it easier to get them over your boots before zipping the cuffs down, somewhat unique among pants and bibs we tested.
They also feature the best integration options with other Norrona ski gear. For instance, below the waist is a series of snaps that allow the wearer to snap their pants to their jacket’s powder skirt and the top of the waist has half a zipper that mates to another zipper on Norrona’s zip-in vest, bib, or a powder skirt.
We wore these at Rollins Pass skinning in about six miles to our objective slopes and found they breathed decently well thanks to the fabric and at least partially to the outer thigh vents.
Backpacker also likes these pants, noting: “A stellar durability to weight ratio made these ultra packable waterproof and windproof gems our go-to pair for all-day ski touring.” We think that’s a great use for them, but these are the pants we’d turn to for ice climbing and mountaineering more than other outdoor activities.
The Norona Lyngen were among the stiffest and definitely the loudest pants we tested—not in color or style—but in terms of crinkly noises while skinning and skiing. They’re loud enough that it was noticeable on the trail, like an old-school, yellow slicker rain jacket.
Given the premium fabrics and added touches like the cinches, it shouldn’t be a surprise that these have a high price. However, given the premium price, we were surprised they didn’t have a dedicated beacon pocket or RECCO reflector.
BEST BUDGET SKI RESORT: THE NORTH FACE FREEDOM
Pant type: Hardshell insulated pants (non-insulated shell also available), Bibs also available
Sizes: XXS to XXL (available in short, regular, long inseam)
Material: 2L DryVent waterproof shell, 60 g synthetic insulation
Pockets: 2 zippered hip pockets, 1 velcro thigh cargo pocket
Vents: Inner thigh vents
Adjustable waistband: Yes
Reinforced cuffs: Yes
RECCO: No
Adjustable waistband: Yes
What we liked: Value, variety of sizes and styles, comfort
What we didn't like: Not very breathable, vents are small and have mesh lining
If you need a basic, but full-featured pair of snow pants for the resort, The North Face Freedom pants offer a great value, making them our budget pick. While their retail price is $200, you’ll often find these pants for $150 or less. That’s great because they have the most important features of more expensive snow pants, including internal gaiters, reinforced cuffs, thigh vents, and waist adjusters.
THE NORTH FACE FREEDOM
They also feature The North Face’s 2-layer DrayVent waterproof fabric, which keeps riders dry on wet days or while sitting on wet lifts or snowmobile seats. The pants also did a good job insulating us from cutting winds on the lift and during near whiteouts at Loveland Ski Area. It uses 60 g Heatseeker Eco synthetic insulation made with hollow-core fibers.
We had plenty of space to store our smartphone, camera and snacks in the fleece lined hip pockets and the velcro thigh pocket offered a little more space for storing glove liners and other items. The velcro made the pocket easy to access even with gloves on but we do worry that in a crash it could open up.
Like most insulated pants and 2-layer pants, these don’t breathe nearly as well as a 3 layer shell, which is great for cold days, but as soon as the mercury stirs, they start to get pretty warm. While they do have inner thigh vents, like Helly Hansen’s Legendary pants, they don’t offer much ventilation, which is why we wouldn’t recommend them for any high-energy backcountry endeavors. They’re also among a few pants offered in multiple inseam lengths—short, regular and long as well as XXS and XXL versions.
OTHER PANTS WE TESTED
ARC’TERYX SABRE BIB
Pant type: Hardshell
Sizes: S-XXL (Short, regular and tall)
Material: N80p-X 3L Gore-Tex with Cordura Nylon
Pockets: 2 thigh pockets, one bib pocket with a beacon loop
Vents: Outer thigh vents
Adjustable waistband: No
Reinforced cuffs: Yes
RECCO: Yes
We tested the Arc’teryx Sabre Bib in a size medium while ice climbing, skiing, and snowboarding. Across three different testers between 5’8” and 5’11” and of various weights, none found the bibs fit that well, with most complaining they were too tight in the chest and or stomach. Retailing for $700 they are also the most expensive bibs we tested.
ARC’TERYX SABRE BIB
We liked the features, including the burly Gore-Tex inner gaiters that are compatible with power straps, as well as the long outer thigh vents. But we found the detachable suspenders were difficult to undo compared to others. In the end we found that other high-end bibs like the Outdoor Research Hemispheres II bibs offered more features and slightly better price.
Pant type: Hardshell
Sizes: S-XL
Material: 70D 3L FUTURELIGHT 93% nylon, 7% elastane
Pockets: 2 thigh pockets with beacon loops, 1 bib pocket
Vents: Outer thigh vents
Adjustable waistband: No
Reinforced cuffs: Yes
RECCO: No
While The North Face Freedom Pants we tested were mediums and felt true to size, the L5 FutureLight Bibs were decidedly not. Though we tested both the Freedom and Futurelight in a size medium, our 5’8” and 5’10” testers both had problems with the legs and suspenders being too short, resulting in an uncomfortable fit in the crotch. They also didn’t fit a shorter 5’6” tester well. On this bib, we found that the front of the bib was lower than on other models, which also made it a little more awkward to wear. They also appear to be discontinued.
THE NORTH FACE L5 FUTURELIGHT BIBS
We did like that the thigh pockets had loops for avalanche transceivers (one in each high pocket). We also appreciated the multiple cuff adjusting options, making it easy to make the cuffs tighter for ice climbing.
Pant type: Hardshell
Sizes: XS-XXL
Material: High & Dry 70D 3L 4-Way stretch nylon shell fabric in seat & knees - Secondary fabric: PFA-Free High & Dry 30k/30k 40D 3L 2 Way stretch ripstop in thighs and calves - 20D 100% Recycled jersey backer
Pockets: 2 thigh pockets, right has a avalanche transceiver loop
Vents: Outer thigh vents
Adjustable waistband: Integrated belt
Reinforced cuffs: Yes
RECCO: No
These pants checked off a lot on our list, they were comfortable, stretchy, and felt durable. However, we received these pretty late in the season and only had two days in them. We liked the softness of the fabric and look forward to testing them more in the future. We also liked that the cuffs zipped open making it easier to get boots on and off. We also liked that the cuffs are adjustable to different tightnesses. The internal gaiters are also adjustable and have a hook to secure to snowboard or mountaineering boot laces.
ARTILECT KINETIC
The company claims its waterproofness and breathability is even higher than that of most of its competitors. It also claims that its fabric is heat re-radiating, something else we’ll have to test in the coming winter. We think these will be an excellent pair of mountaineering and ice climbing pants in the future.
Pant type: Hardshell
Sizes: S-XXL
Material: AscentShell 3L waterproof-breathable hardshell with stretch
Pockets: 2 zippered hip pockets (right is a beacon pocket), 2 zippered thigh pockets
Vents: 2 zippered outer thigh vents
Adjustable waistband: Yes, velcro waist adjusters
Reinforced cuffs: Yes
Recco: No
We got out in the Outdoor Research Skyward II late in the season and really liked them. They are well awarded backcountry pants—they’re a “Best Buy” choice of Outdoor Gear Lab, and Switchback Travel named them the Best Backcountry Ski Pant. Our own writer, Stasia Stockwell, also gives the Skyward II high marks in our Best Women's Ski Pants guide.
OUTDOOR RESEARCH SKYWARD II ASCENTSHELL
We liked that the Skyward II has a plethora of pockets and the same waterproof, stretchy fabric used in our favorite bibs, the Outdoor Research Skytour bibs. However, at this point, we liked the Black Diamond Dawn Patrol as backcountry pants a little more. We plan to spend more time skiing in different conditions in the Skyward II and see if they perform better than the Dawn Patrol in earlier winter weather.
Pant type: Hardshell bib, also available as pants
Sizes:
Material: 100% recycled 3L polyester 40D 4-way stretch face fabric with 100% recycled 20D polyester backer.
Pockets: 2 zippered thigh pockets (right is a beacon pocket), zippered chest pocket
Vents: Outer thigh vents
Adjustable waistband: Yes
Reinforced cuffs: Yes
RECCO: Yes
The Jones Shralpinist bibs are a great bib and we considered them as a best pick for backcountry snowboarding, but in the end, our snowboarding testers liked the Flylow Baker Bibs more.
JONES SHRALPINIST
Like Ski Magazine, we were impressed with their stretchiness and waterproofing as well as style. Ski Magazine observes: “The bibs didn’t wet out while skiing in New England liquid sunshine.” They’re larger in the legs than many of the backcountry ski pants and bibs we tested but not quite as large as the Baker bibs. Jones makes a similar Shralpinist snowboard jacket, too.
HOW TO CHOOSE SKI OR SNOWBOARD PANTS
These are questions and ideas to ask yourself to help you choose the best bibs, ski pants (or ski trousers, if you're British), or snowboard pants for you.
BACKCOUNTRY VS RESORT RIDING
Skin it to win it! Testing pants and bibs at Jones Pass.
If you know you’ll be riding in the backcountry or doing other high activity winter sports like snowshoeing, ice climbing, and mountaineering, you’ll want a bibs or a ski pant geared toward backcountry uses. These are shell pants or bibs and aren’t insulated. However, they’re big enough to layer insulation underneath, whether that’s a base layer or a thicker insulating layer like running tights. As such you can still wear them at the resort to ski or board.
If you’re only going to wear them for skiing or boarding at resorts, or want to use them for snowmobiling or lower impact activities, you can still opt for a shell pant. You might also consider insulated pants, especially if you run cold or are in a cold area like Minnesota or the Canadian Rockies.
Ask yourself: HOW OFTEN WILL YOU USE YOUR SKI PANTS, really?
Choosing a pair of ski pants or snowboard pants is dependent on a lot of things: your activities, where you live and how dedicated you are to snowsports.
What's important is you choose the best ski pants for the type of trip you do. By narrowing in on the use, it's a great way to get the features you need without paying for tech you don't.
For example, the author and testers each got at least 25 days of skiing, snowboarding and other winter sport activities in. The author of Treeline Review’s Best Women's Ski Pants, Stasia Stockwell, lives in the mountains and got over 100 days of skiing in 2023, thanks to a great snow year. Some people may use snow pants once a year for an annual ski trip where they get out in the snow for three to seven days. There's differences in the durability, breathability, and cost of the pants for different skiers, so knowing what you need is
For those who are skiing or snowboarding a few days a year, a pair of pants like The North Face Freedom or Helly Hansen Legendary are ideal. They’re not too expensive, have good features, and are warmer than most shells.
For those who are going out in all conditions, doing a lot of days in and out of bounds or riding extreme terrain, they will likely want a more technical pant with a higher denier (D) or more abrasion resistant fabric with good venting for those warmer days.
For those who are backcountry skiers or boarders, an avalanche transceiver pocket with a clip is a great feature.
WHAT CONDITIONS WILL YOU BE SKIING IN?
Hopefully great conditions! But this really depends on where you’re skiing and the winter conditions.
For those in the Rocky Mountains, you’re likely to face drier conditions but may face more wind and dry cold.
For those on the east coast or throughout the west, they may face wetter conditions and want a pant or bib that has more of a focus on waterproofing.
For those in the midwest and up north people are likely to face harsh winds and low temperatures and should look into insulated pants or thicker, warmer baselayers for the nastiest cold days.
HOW TO LAYER SKI PANTS
Where, when, and how you’re riding determines how or even if you’ll layer underneath your bibs or skiing pants. If you’re wearing insulated pants, you likely only want a lightweight base layer—particularly in cold conditions. In warmer conditions—early fall or early spring riding–you may not even need a base layer.
If you’re wearing a hardshell without insulation, you’ll want to layer according to the conditions you’re riding in. If you’re at the resort and it’s cold, you may want to wear winter running tights underneath or even an insulating pant underneath.
If you’re riding in the backcountry and going uphill, even on cold days you’ll likely want a lighter base layer due to the amount of heat you’re generating while climbing.
BASE LAYER
Base layers are one of the most important pieces of gear that can make or break a day. Depending on your use, you may want a thinner base layer for warmer days or thicker base layer for colder days. On the coldest days—especially at the resort–you may resort to using winter running tights as a base layer.
Base layers are made of many fabrics, but the top three are silks, synthetics, and wools. Year over year, we still find that wools, like merino, are usually our favorite type of base layers as they naturally move sweat away from the body, retain warmth when wet, and provide great insulation.
INSULATING LAYER
If you know you’re going to need a real insulating layer under your hardshell pants or bibs, we recommend looking for a synthetic pant as an insulating layer. Down pants are great for warmth, but if they sweat out, the down won’t insulate and may clump.
BUYING ADVICE / WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN SKI PANTS
WHAT MAKES A GOOD SNOW PANT OR SKI BIB?
Both have their merits. When the author started testing pants and bibs he thought he’d prefer pants. After spending time in both styles he found he liked bibs better. But it’s up to the wearer to choose which they prefer. Here’s what we found:
It’s easier to put snow pants on and take them off and it’s easier to use the bathroom. However, when wearing multiple layers underneath them they’re more likely to slip down off the hip—even with waist adjusters, which most pants tested had. As such you may want to consider wearing a belt with them.
Bibs excel at warmth and snow protection. It’s really hard for snow to get up under the jacket and into the bibs. Bibs are also easier to keep up once you have them on. However, bibs are slightly heavier and the suspenders on some heavier models, like the Flylow Baker Bibs, felt like they could dig in or cause the wearer to hunch over slightly. While it’s easy enough for some folks to pee while wearing bibs, using a toilet requires some extra finagling. That’s just one of the reasons you might want bibs with detachable suspenders—some don’t have them.
PRICE RANGE
More so than most categories, the price range of good ski pants and snow bibs has a large price range. Insulated pants like The North Face’s Freedom pants have a suggested retail price of $200, high-end bibs like Arc'teryx Sabre Bib Pants fetch an eye-watering retail price of $700. Bibs, which use more fabric and fabric types are generally more expensive than pants.
DURABILITY
When you’re paying $200 or more for a pair of pants, durability is of the utmost priority. To increase the durability of snow pants they’re often reinforced in high abrasion areas, like the inside cuffs of the legs holes where they’re likely to come into contact with sharp ski edges, snowboard edges, crampons, or other sharp things. Snowboard and free ski pants and bibs may also have reinforced fabric on the knees. Durability is also usually better for the environment, but we discuss that below.
INSULATION…OR NOT
Believe it or not, even on days on the lift when wind chills were below 0, we were fine in uninsulated pants and bibs with just a wool base layer under them. That said, for those who run cold and those who primarily ride the lifts or enjoy snowmobiling and other activities where you’re not producing a lot of heat and sweat, consider insulated pants. They usually use a synthetic insulation like PrimaLoft or a fleece that allows for compression and some breathability.
Uninsulated bibs and pants performed great both in the backcountry and on the lifts. The materials and fabrics used on almost all of the pairs we tested did a great job at blocking the wind and snow. They’re also more breathable than insulated pants, making them better for high-output activities like backcountry skiing, winter or ski mountaineering, and snowshoeing.
WATER-RESISTANCE/WATERPROOFNESS AND BREATHABILITY
All of the pants tested had at least a DWR (durable water resistance) treatment of some sort. Most were waterproof, hardshell pants, but some, like Black Diamond’s Dawn Patrol, have a hybrid approach with hard-shell waterproof fabric on parts that are most likely to get wet,--ike the legs–and more breathable, soft-shell fabrics on the front of the thighs.
Snow pants have to balance waterproofness with breathability. No one wants to feel like they’re sweating inside a trash bag all day. Most snow pants use either a 2-layer or 3-layer waterproof treatment. The 2-layer systems consist of a face fabric and an inner liner. They are waterproof but not as breathable as 3-layer systems. As such, they’re better for people riding at resorts or using snowmobiles and other winter activities that don’t require as much high energy output as those who are skinning up, snowshoeing or mountaineering. Three-layer systems include a face fabric with a DWR, a waterproof layer, and an inner layer that helps move moisture away.
The best known brands of breathable waterproofing technology come from Gore-Tex and eVent. This technology adds to the cost of many high-end bibs. However, many companies in the outdoor space have developed their own waterproofing technologies and use them on less expensive models. In 2023, we’re starting to see more companies move to waterproofing layers and chemicals that don’t use polyfluorinated chemicals (PFAS) “forever chemicals” ahead of state and federal bans.
If you’re interested in learning more about waterproofing and breathability, Evo has a good explainer here: How Waterproof & Breathability Ratings Work. You can also see some more info on PFAS waterproofing in our Best Rain jackets guide.
FABRICS
Not a gratuitous crotch shot! To make snow pants more comfortable and easy to move in, manufacturers blend fabrics together, like this stretch panel on the OR Hemisphere II bibs.
Fabrics used in snow pants and bibs are usually polyesters or nylons and fall into one of three types: hardshell, softshell, and hybrid, which use both hard-shell and softshell fabrics.
Hardshell pants often use stiffer, more durable fabric than the others—though some of the higher end hardshell pants offer remarkable stretch, like the Outdoor Research Hemispheres II bibs. Some are louder, which can be distracting for some.
Softshell pants and hybrid fabric mixes tend to be more flexible and offer a greater range of motion. They’re more used in pants and bibs intended for backcountry skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing than for resort riding.
POCKETS
Bibs, like the OR Hemisphere II offer an extra area to stow snacks and valuables to keep them warmer close to the chest.
The majority of pockets on snow pants are hip or thigh pockets. Snow bibs may also have pockets on the front of the bib. We found the best pockets had waterproof or water-resistant zippers and tended to zip upward and inward toward the thighs when closed.
The beacon pockets in the OR Hemisphere II bibs and others have a clip ensuring the avalanche transceiver won’t fall and disappear in the snow during a rescue.
Backcountry and big terrain skiers should always carry a beacon and some backcountry pants and bibs like the Outdoor Research Hemisphere II bibs have one or two pockets with a place to attach an avalanche transceiver’s tether. In the case of the Hemisphere bibs, it has two avalanche beacon pockets, one on the thigh and one on the bib. There are reasons for and against using a transceiver pocket rather than a chest harness and it’s recommended that you check with avalanche professionals to learn more about why you should or should not use such a pocket.
VENTILATION
We found outer thigh vents, like these on the Norrona Lyngen pants are the most effective at dumping heat.
When you're going uphill or riding on a particularly warm day, you’ll find vents are essential means of dumping heat and keeping you from sweating out. All the pants we tested had zippered vents on the inner or outer thigh, some larger than others.
GAITERS AND PANT CUFFS
Here you can see the inner gaiter on the OR Hemisphere II bibs as well as the reinforced outer cuff.
Gaiters on snow pants are internal cuffs with elastic that go over the top of your ski boot. Some, like those on the Outdoor Research AscentShell bibs, have a slot to thread a power strap on a boot through to make sure the gaiters don't ride up, though we didn't have any problems with that in our testing.
Pant cuffs on snow pants often have reinforced fabrics that can withstand slashing against the steel edge of skis and snowboards and the hard plastics and rubbers of ski and snowboard boots. All the models tested had some reinforcement.
RECCO
RECCO reflectors are a piece of equipment, like an avalanche transceiver, that you don’t want to need to use. Essentially it’s a reflector that’s embedded in your apparel or helmet that RECCO detectors can home in on. They’re used in search and rescue and body recovery operations, so the only time you’ll use them is when something has gone quite wrong. Still, it’s a nice feature to have built into your snow pants.
PAIRING WITH OTHER CLOTHES
This is primarily for pants, but some bibs also have features that allow them to connect with a jacket or powder skirt, like the Norrona lofoten pants, which allow you to zip into a jacket or add-on suspenders. This helps ensure that no snow can get it. However, it also means that you have to purchase a top, suspenders, or powder skirt from the same company that will work with your bottoms. However, the more you make your snow outfit into a snow suit means it's harder to get out of.
FIT/SIZING
This is really up to the wearer with some caveats. Unless you’re wearing a skin-tight racing suit, you’ll likely want a loose enough fit to wear a base layer or even running tights underneath your snow pants. Also, it seems like snowboard gear is generally slightly larger and bulkier than most ski gear, which is a long running stylistic trend with snowboarders. But again it’s up to the wearer on that one.
The majority of companies offer a somewhat standardized men’s sizing in S-XL. Flylow offers more inclusive sizing with bibs in tall and short versions as well as in XXL. We found most medium and large sizes fit the testers as expected. The Arcteryx Sabre bibs were much tighter than other models and The North Face Futurelight bibs we tested were small for a medium compared to others.
DURABILITY VS ENVIRONMENT
When you’re shelling out $200 to $700 for a pair of snow pants or bibs, you’re darn right durability is an issue you should care about. They have to withstand everything you can throw at them—the steel bits and bobs on your skis or snowboards or spikes on your ice and mountain climbing equipment. They also have to endure all you’re putting them through: snow, rain, ice, wet, icy cold lift seats and benches, any trees or crashes you get into, maybe even a washing!—we could continue.
In the past this required a lot of heavier duty materials and chemical treatments, including those like PFAs. These days companies like Patagonia, Helly Henson, Outdoor Research, Norrona and more are looking to reduce their impact and are opting for more recycled and bluesign materials and treatments (we discuss bluesign and treatments above).
As mentioned earlier, more companies are coming on board with these approaches as states and the federal government are placing bans on certain PFAs. Thus far we’ve seen the incorporation of these materials as successful, without impacting the longevity of products, but companies first started moving away from them around 2015.
Given that these are still relatively new treatments and material uses, there’s still not enough time to show that a recycled, bluesign-approved, PFAS-free waterproof piece of clothing will last as long or prove as durable as something previously made. However, most signs are good that they will last as long.
Another way you can think about sustainability in ski pants is in the insulation. Synthetic insulation is sometimes made out of recycled materials. See our article on Down vs Synthetic Insulation for more on this topic.
The best way to make a piece of gear environmentally friendly is to make it last. Take proper care of it, follow washing and waterproof treating recommendations from the company, and opt to repair minor defects, like a small hole with a stick on fabric patch or by sending the gear back to the company for repair or to a reputable gear repair shop—as long as the pants didn’t suffer a catastrophic failure. Either way, a good pair of snow pants should last for at least 4-5 years—unless you’re an absolute snow beast who’s not afraid to send everything or crash trying. And, if you are, we salute you!
ADJUSTABLE WAIST BAND OR BELT
You’ll find hip adjusters or belts on snow pants, not so much on bibs. The majority of waistband adjusters we saw used velcro or hook-and-loop-on straps that incorporated some elastic at some point in the band. They worked relatively well, but when wearing base layers, some slipped down even when we pulled them tight. We favor a full belt that you can really tighten down if needed. The integrated belts on some models did a better job of keeping the pants up.
DROP SEAT
Drop seats aren’t used in mens snow pants and bibs as much as in women’s bibs.
Waterproofing
Most of the mens ski pants and snow pants don’t seem to spec out the individual waterproofing and breathability levels. But if you're interested, our writer Stasia Stockwell delves into the waterproofing on women's ski pants. Evo also does a great job explaining how waterproofing is measured, too.
FAQ
DO YOU WEAR ANYTHING UNDER SKI PANTS?
Usually you’ll wear a base layer under your ski pants. If you’re wearing a shell at the resort you may opt for an insulating pant under your ski pants or bibs.
IS IT BETTER TO HAVE TIGHT OR LOOSE SKI PANTS?
Really up to the wearer. The main thing is you want a pant that stays up. Ski pants are sized to be larger than regular pants to accommodate for layers underneath.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SNOW PANTS AND SKI PANTS?
We use the terms somewhat interchangeably, but you could say all ski pants are snow pants, whereas not all snow pants are suitable for skiing or snowboarding. For instance, if you’re buying a cheap pair of snow pants they may just be designed for cold weather and not the rigors of skiing or snowboarding. But these days, there's a lot more overlap for snowmobile snow pants and ski pants these days. The features you need on the two aren't always the same, though. For snowmobiling pants, you'd want inner gaiters to protect from any snow getting in during a fall or when you get off the sled. Likewise, the reinforced cuffs are great to have all the metal and hard and sharp surfaces on the snowmobile.
SHOULD SNOW PANTS BE SIZED BIGGER?
Ski and snowboarding pants are designed to layer underneath. As such they’ll usually be a little bigger than normal pants of the same size and you shouldn’t have to size up.
SHOULD I BE ABLE TO SQUAT IN SKI PANTS?
Absolutely! Ski or snowboard pants or bibs need to be flexible enough to allow the wearer to hike, climb, jump, spin, squat, and do just about whatever move they need to do.
HOW WATERPROOF SHOULD SNOW PANTS BE?
They should be highly waterproof, yet breathable. Without breathability wearing snow pants would be like wearing a trash bag. We recommend 2 to 3-layer waterproofing on snow pants. And for those going backcountry skiing, we definitely recommend 3-layer waterproofing over 2 or 2.5-layer waterproofing for the added breathability.
DO SNOW PANTS NEED TO BE WASHED?
Yes, but not like daily-wear pants. Like a jacket or coat, you’ll want to wear them many multiple times before washing them. Washing them too much could cause the waterproofing to wear out prematurely. Washing them too little could also impact the waterproofing by clogging the waterproof membranes. We recommend using an active sports detergent designed to help refresh the waterproofing and breathability of sports gear. We also recommend following the manufacturer’s guidelines for treating them with additional waterproofing as needed.
HOW WE RESEARCHED AND TESTED
We tested these models across five testers of various sizes and skill levels, including skiers and snowboarders—some who spent more time in the backcountry and others who spent most of their time on the slopes. Some we had a chance to evaluate on shorter snowmobile and snow bike rides as well.
At the top level we considered 80 models of snow pants and ski bibs. We read through 14 sites and magazine articles on the best snow pants and bibs, checking out reviews at Powder magazine, Gear Junkie, Switchback Travel, Ski Magazine, Outdoor Gear Lab, and other sources. We also checked out hundreds of reviews on Google, Amazon and others, using Fakespot to verify that the customer comments were real and not faked.
From there we curated a list of 20 potential contenders and ultimately dipped into the trees across Colorado’s Front Range and tested 14 of the most recommended and awarded snow pants and snow bibs for men, putting hundreds of miles and countless vertical feet in them.
We considered each of them on their fit, comfort, style, materials, and best uses, then compared and contrasted them against each other and chose our top winners for each of the categories snow sports enthusiasts are most interested in.
With an average investment of roughly $350 we wanted to focus on ski pants and bibs that served multiple purposes—resort and backcountry snowboarding or skiing, snowshoeing, mountaineering, ice climbing, etc.
While no ski pant or bib was an overall quiver killer, we feel confident in making an overall favorite choice and made other recommendations based on more specific uses.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR / WHY YOU SHOULD TRUST US
As an outdoors writer covering adventure and gear, I write regularly about the outdoors and enjoy outdoor activities all year round, including skiing on the slopes and backcountry, snowshoeing, and ice climbing. I’ve authored numerous gear guides for Treeline Review, write for Popular Mechanics, Bicycling Magazine, Popular Science, Backpacker, and other outdoor publications/organizations.
These days, I spend most of my time skiing, ice climbing, mountain biking, backpacking, hiking, climbing, and crisscrossing Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region. I enjoy using all my knowledge of gear and skills to learn about new equipment and how it will benefit me–yes, I’m selfish–as well as Treeline’s readers.
I have authored multiple outdoor guidebooks. My most recent Falcon Guide, "Colorado’s Best Front Range Adventures: The Greatest Hiking, Climbing, Paddling and More From Denver to Colorado Springs and Fort Collins," arrived in Spring 2021. In it, I cover the best hiking, biking, climbing, and rafting in the region. I’m also the author of Falcon Guide’s “Climbing Colorado's Fourteeners: From the Easiest Hikes to the Most Challenging Climbs” and edited Justin Lichter’s excellent guide to thru-hiking titled “Trail Tested: A Thru-Hiker's Guide To Ultralight Hiking And Backpacking.” All of this experience has helped me become a first-rate gearhead and product tester.
Overall, I have 20-plus years of exploring, skiing, climbing, mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, guiding, and playing in the wild. I worked with National Geographic and their mapping division in developing their Colorado 14ers Map Pack Bundle. I’ve written about hiking and climbing for Elevation Outdoors, including stories about Colorado 14ers and outdoor apps to boost adventures.
I’ve written about countless outdoor companies, outdoor sports, and tested gear with publications including CompanyWeek, Outdoor USA Magazine (print), Elevation Outdoors, 5280, and more.
For this review, we employed our dual evaluation strategy of physical testing combined with evaluating professional and verified customer reviews. We tested multiple backpacks for review, stared at buddy’s backs (still getting over the covid-20!) and their packs, and spent a lot of time researching and evaluating all the best backpacks we could get on our backs.
At Treeline Review, we strive to offer unbiased reviews to help you find the best product for the price. Treeline Review doesn’t accept sponsored content, native advertising, or paid reviews. I am not sponsored by any companies, nor are any of my family members sponsored by, employees of, or ambassadors of any of the companies in this review.
The author previously wrote about the best men’s snow pants for Popular Mechanics, where he has also covered other winter outerwear.
The author, nor anyone in his family is not sponsored, an ambassador, or an employee of any of the companies here. Our reviews are unbiased and we do this to help you find the best product for the price. Treeline Review doesn’t accept sponsored content, native advertising, or paid reviews.
