GearLab is reader-supported. She has a degree in English and journalism, and has a background in both newspaper and magazine writing. A product can earn up to 100 points for meeting various sustainable practices from the percentage of recycled material to the clean energy used in production and packaging waste created in the shipping process. If a score is NA, the company did not respond to our examination outreach and follow-up. We were impressed that such a stretchy material could also fight off the elements so well. Do you frequent the backcountry or resorts? And weve also provided a breakdown on how to choose the one that will best fit your skiing, riding, and other winter needs. Note -- this photo is of a past colorway, though the construction is the same. If youre still starting out in a snowsport, or only make it to the mountain a couple of times a year, consider a more budget-friendly pant. Ski pants or shells are just a protective, waterproofed, fabric. She aims to provide all of the necessary information to get the right product in your hands so that you can have the best days out there, ever. We've got reviews on ski clothings like ski jackets, gloves, and base layers. Our only con? This pant was designed with style in mind, looking casual and similar to regular everyday overalls. And we also really like the boot-adjusting power strap. And if you run cold and wear more or thicker layers, consider an insulated pant or going up a size. Trek, bike, and paddle with GearJunkie and USARA this season as we explore and compete in wilderness events around America. They are hands-down some of the most durable pants out there, and reviewers love the fit, especially for those of us with curves. The Skyward II Pant comes with all but the bib-specific features of the Hemispheres. Compared to many options on this list, theLegendary Ski Pants($200) from Helly Hansen stand out for their simple, classic design. Check out some of the bestselling gear at Backcountry this week and save on gear for your next adventure. With bomber construction and high-performing weather resistance, fleece lining for comfort, and just a bit of warmth, as well as pocket space for your essentials, this pant is ready for whatever you may throw at it. And throughout it all, notes were taken on their various attributes such as warmth, ventilation, comfort, features, and style. The pant also has mesh-lined side vents and a powder skirt attachment loop. Its a slot added in the gaiters so you dont have to remove them to tighten your boots. The comfort combined with basic features like interior gaiters will keep you happy at the mountain all day long. So here are a few tips to get you started. To test the ventilation of different pants, we measured the vents on each pair and tried them out in practice. Adjustable waistbands are a favorite feature among our testers, and the Snowbelle nails it. You pay for what you get. They also have articulated construction at the seat and knees for comfort during higher levels of activity. Backcountry Hayden GORE-TEX INFINIUM Pant, waterproof, windproof breathable membrane, Faction Skis Seeks Female Freeski Talent for Next Faction X Team, First Look: Markers New ISI (Intuitive Step In) Touring Binding Technology Makes Clicking In Easier. The Patagonia Snowbelle Insulated Pant ranked the highest in this category, with its 100% polyester taffeta insulation providing warmth even in freezing conditions. (PrimaLoft insulation is the standard in many ski pants.). Check out all the pants on this list and find the one or two best for you, and then check to see if its on sale. Skiers love the pants waterproofing that keeps them dry even on the wettest powder days. Putting these pants on felt like putting on a cloud, and they remained comfortable throughout the day of skiing. Outdoor Research Skyward II AscentShell - Women's, Outdoor Research Hemispheres Bib - Women's, Patagonia Insulated Snowbelle Pant - Women's, REI Co-op Powderbound Insulated Bib - Women's, Black Diamond Recon Stretch Pant - Women's, Backcountry Cottonwoods Gore-Tex Bib - Women's, Norrona Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro Pants - Women's, The North Face Freedom Insulated - Women's, Columbia Bugaboo Omni-Heat Pants - Women's, different metrics may matter more or less to you, the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Spacious pockets, color and size options, weatherproof, versatility, ventilation, built to last, Comfortable, high-performing, pocket space, 'core' look, Roomy pockets, great weather resistance, comfortable, good value, Drop seat feature, beacon pocket, comfort and stretch, pocket space, waterproofing, Comfortable, warm, RECCO, great price, ideal for novice to intermediate skiers, Zipper construction, limited style and color options, Not great for backcountry use, waterproofing, A do-anything ski pant that is as ready for your next adventure as you are, A comfortable and high-functioning bib for sidecountry missions and resort laps, A comfortable, protective, high-performing shell pant at a surprisingly reasonable price point, Backcountry enthusiasts, look no further than these uninsulated, well-ventilated, fully featured, and super mobile bibs, This pant offers resort style with comfort and warmth at an approachable price point, 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered kangaroo, 1 thigh, A reliable and comfortable pant that is ready for anything, Ready for anything, these bibs combine form and function, For those looking for a high-performing shell, this pant offers technical features in a reasonably priced package, An ideal bib for backcountry enthusiasts, fully loaded with features, Insulated and simple, this pant performs the best in its price point for novice to intermediate resort skiers, Comfortable and lightweight, these are your backcountry friend, A stylish bib that is very weather resistant, but lacks a convenient drop seat option, These pants are for those who are preparing to take on harsh conditions, A technical bib that is simple yet effective for ski touring, For those who prefer the fit and protection of a bib, this option is warm and functional at an affordable price, Thanks to its warmth, style, and overall function, these ski pants offer great value, These bibs win all of the style points, getting attention in the lift line and town, but don't fully satisfy on-snow, Offered at a low price tag, this pant is great for someone who isn't ready to commit to a more expensive pant. The price is high for a pant without many techy features, but we appreciate the minimal, less frivolous approach to ski pants. Thigh pockets are especially great if you dont like pocket items (like a cellphone or beacon) bunching up near your hips. We evaluated each ski pant based on six performance metrics to score each one comparatively. One con: These are pretty pricey for an insulated, resort-style pant. Scoring high in the fit and comfort category were the Outdoor Research Skyward II Pant, the Arc'teryx Sentinel AR, the Flylow Foxy Bib, and the Patagonia Snowbelle Insulated Pant, though all for different reasons. We go "Off the Map" to find new roads and epic adventures. If you run cold, you can pay a bit more than the original Powder Bowl pant($299) to get 60 g of insulation designed to keep you warm even when wet. Every pant has different features, but I have two must-haves for snow pants. If you are looking to make a more long-term investment, we recommend the Arc'teryx Sentinel AR Pant. To ensure each pant received a thorough inspection, specific tests were also conducted. For insulated ski pants, these still manage to feel lightweight and breathable (thanks to venting). It looks good, is very comfortable and allows great mobility, has zippered pockets, keeps you warm on frigid chairlifts, and even has RECCO location technology. For skiers looking for a clean, understated look that also performs well, look no further than these stellar resort skiing pants. We've tested the best hiking gear, packs, and footwear to outfit you for any adventure you choose. That being said, these are definitely an investment pant that will better serve the more advanced and more frequent skier. This is complemented by two-way zippers, which allow for a customizable vent size. These pants are a great choice if youre a frequent resort skier or rider who occasionally hits up the backcountry. From next-gen tech to ingenious innovation, our weekly peek at emerging products examines the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design. The pants use The North Faces in-house insulation and a mesh-backed venting system on the inner thighs. Snow pants arent hard to find, especially if you live in a colder climate. If she's not writing, you can most likely find her at the top of a fourteener, or in a local bakery. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. This hybrid pant offers the breathability of softshell pants. For backcountry skiing and riding the lifts on warmer days, Outdoor Researchs womens Skyward II ($299) won our top pick. Even on colder days, these non-insulated pants still kept us cozy when paired with a baselayer. The catch? Ventilation openings on the inside of the leg provide less airflow than on the outside of the leg, and those vents covered with a mesh lining inhibit airflow as well. Coming with a removable belt, an avalanche beacon-specific pocket, RECCO technology, gussets, and leg gaiters, these pants are filled with features for those looking for an out-of-bounds adventure. As far as women's ski pants go, we haven't found anything that checks all the boxes as well as this model. Price and other details may vary based on product size and color. Those mesh linings keep snow from entering in deep powder or a tumble, but most of our testers found they preferred the free and open vents. Time is fleeting. And, fit will also depend on your frame if you are taller or shorter than average, or wear plus sizes, look for pants that offer accommodations or sizes for those builds. Sitting in the sweet spot between built-for-performance and budget-friendly, the Catalyst 2L pants have become one of our rotating staples over the past winter, along with the matching 2L Catalyst jacket. Finally, and notably, the REI Co-op Powderbound Insulated Bib held up well for its price point with no leakage and minimal water absorption on the outer fabric. There were spring-like days, powder days, and days where the snow fell more like rain. To accomplish this lofty goal, Sarah and a team of skiing and snowboarding friends spent hours researching the top pants and bibs on the market, finally narrowing down the selection to the top 10 featured here. Customer reviews call out the overall good quality of these pants for the price and good fit. This pant earns its high marks for a handful of reasons. Next to each pant, youll notice a score called CSS, or Comprehensive Sustainability Score. Do you only ski or snowboard on vacation? Our team of experts is bringing you best camping gear reviews and buying guides. This pant is best for someone who tends to get cold at the resortthey're insulated to keep you toasty, but wouldn't be ideal for backcountry touring or hitting double blacks regularly. Check Price at REICheck Price at Backcountry. This pant is an easy choice when looking for a backcountry adventure option, and the fact that it is reasonably priced for all that it offers, especially when compared to comparable options, is the icing on the cake. The Arc'teryx Sentinel AR is lined with a thin, fleece-like fabric that adds just a touch of warmth to this shell pant. If you prefer bibs to pants, check out the higher-priced but similarly high-performing Outdoor Research Hemisphere Bib. Weve researched, tested, and rounded up our choices for the best snow pants in all the top categories. However, there are lots of other similar apparel membranes out there. With that in mind, it's worth noting that insulated pants will inherently score higher in this category, and shells will score lower. GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. All trademarks property of their respective owners (Jackets have degrees of waterproofing, from 5,000mm to 10,000mm to 25,000mm water column ratings.) The Marmot Slopestars ($175) have been a classic choice of mine over the years: They fit well and are durable. Copyright 2022 GearJunkie, All Rights Reserved, Angler Breaks 75-Year-Old CO Brook Trout Record. The Patagonia Snowdrifter Bib also ranked highly, with large outer vents that can also be adjusted by dual zippers, similar to the long and sufficient vents on the Sentinel AR and the Outdoor Research Skyward II Pant. But, here's the catch. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Ventilation zips with water-repellent zippers extend from knee to hip to dump heat at any moment. Our favorite testing days for ski pants -- knee-deep pow. The results were pretty straightforward. They need to have internal gaiters that secure well over boots (gaiters with boot adjustment access is a plus) and useful pockets. Whether you frequent the back bowls or long days off-piste, this is a solid choice and quality pant. The straps remained in place throughout rigorous testing and did not need constant adjusting, as other bibs sometimes did. Customers rave about this pants pocket placement, durability in the cuffs, and top-notch breathability, although a few customer reviews mentioned a poor fit, especially around the waist. At such a reasonable price point, this pant doesn't include many of the bells and whistles that more expensive, technical models do. Seeking the best women's ski pants? The biggest con is that they have no leg vents. The North Faces Freedom snow pants ($169) are definitely a crowd-pleaser and for good reason. While this metric is inherently subjective, multiple women tried on each pair of pants, comparing how they fit different body types, how the pants moved on and off the hill, and noting how often they needed adjusting. With dozens of 5-star ratings at REI, the Snowbelle pants have earned a spot in many female skiers closets. The Norrona Lofoten Pant comes with a zip-on attachment that allows them to work as a bib, but it lacks the drop seat that is now featured on many bib designs. Check Price at BackcountryCheck Price at Amazon. And touches like the reinforced kick patches and a full-length zipper for easy access when you need the bathroom make them really well-suited for backcountry travel. The Outdoor Research Skyward II is filled to the brim with thoughtful features that backcountry skiers or riders are sure to appreciate. On the other end of the spectrum, the Burton Avalon Bib scored fairly low. Made from 80% post-consumer recycled material, these pants ($319) are just as durable and performance-oriented as they are sustainable. If you need other ski gear, fear not we've tested it all (including backcountry-specific ski gear). Our shower test didn't phase them at all, as the water simple beaded up and ran off the outer fabric, and didn't seep through the waterproof zippers. This pair hits the sweet spot of performance that most beginner to intermediate skiers want. Check Price at evoCheck Price at Arcteryx. Articulated knees and hips left room to move, and the adjustable shoulder straps allowed a customizable fit. For a long time, GORE-TEX has been thegold standard in waterproofing. A RECCO reflector doesnt transmit any signals or need any batteries, but its great to have in an emergency. Additionally, with just average waterproofing, this model may not be your best choice if you ski in wetter areas like the Pacific Northwest. Read through our favorite expert-compiled gear for thru-hiking, backpacking, ultralight backpacking and more. That one-inch-wide chapstick pocket just doesnt cut it. The majority of reviews for these pants on Outdoor Researchs website and Backcountry are positive. They are lightweight at under a pound and have internal gaiters, fully taped seams, and an adjustable waist to help with sizing. Unless it's a particularly warm day, we generally zip up any vents when heading downhill. Calling a wrap on a fun day of skiing in the stylin' Avalon Bib from Burton. Ski pants are sometime left as an afterthought when We have done the work for you, swapping pants until we On the hunt for a new women's ski jacket? Warmth is up to the layering ability of the user for these shells, which many skiers and snowboarders prefer. The Bugaboo Omni-Heat pants have a 4.4-star rating on REI and a 5-star rating on Amazon. But Dynafit added waterproof fabric in the knees, thighs, legs, and butt places most likely to let water in during wet conditions. Then we tried them all on and tested them in a variety of conditions from the uphill to the downhill, from powder to bluebird days. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. From useful pockets to leg vents and waterproofing, we outline the best features of each pant. Not so tight that they restrict movement, but not so loose that theres extra space between the pants and your body (youll lose heat and get cold more easily). These pants got a lot of positive reviews online: Theyre super lightweight, and customers love the feminine style, soft fabric, and durability. Below, we break the article into sections: One of Helly Hansens staple ski pants, the Switch Cargo ($225) is a low-rise, hardshell snow pant complete with PrimaLoft insulation. Regularly spending more than 100 days a season on snow and a self-proclaimed "gear nerd," there are few things she enjoys more than shop talk and helping others find the right gear for their needs. While testing ski pants, we looked for quality, performance, and extra features. Shower testing the weather resistance of the OR Hemispheres. Following close behind were the technical, high-end pants, including the Arc'teryx Sentinel AR, the Outdoor Research Hemispheres Bib, the Outdoor Research Skyward II Pant, and the Patagonia Snowdrifter Bib. Out testing and shredding in the comfy and well-fitting Foxy Bib. The GearJunkie gear guide to mountain, road, and gravel bikes, bike accessories, apparel, and more. They also notably have a drop seat for necessary breaks in the backcountry (or making resort bathroom breaks easier), an easily overlooked but much-appreciated feature. Do you prefer a relaxed or more athletic fit? Using GORE-TEX INFINIUM technology, these Backcountry Hayden ski pants ($300) are light, stretchy, and easily move with you so you can conquer even the toughest terrain. With pants, its also super important to check the size and length and see if they offer short, tall, or petite sizing for women who run short or tall. Lots of brands add venting to pants so you can release some heat when, say, boot-packing uphill. Read review: REI Co-op Powderbound Insulated Bib - Women's. Our best overall pant, best budget pant, and best resort pant all have insulation. For a small increase in price, the Patagonia Snowbelle provides a slight upgrade with a stylish design and warm insulation for resort skiing. Spending hundreds of hours on the slopes, our lady testers had sweet powder turns, faced biting cold weather, and grunted through slushy, wet conditions. No matter what kind of day you plan on having on the mountain, staying dry is a key factor in your overall comfort and happiness. The vents on the Snowbelle are relatively long, but their location on the inner thigh and mesh backing inhibit ventilation. A thoughtfully placed pocket, an added buckle, a key clip, RECCO technology these are all features that can make a difference in your overall experience when wearing a pair of pants or bibs.