How to Choose the Right Ski Pants?

No matter if you are zipping down the mountain on fresh powder or gliding over snow-covered terrain, you’ll want to wear the right ski outfit. While having a ski jacket, gloves and hat are important, don't overlook your ski pants.

A good pair of ski pants will help keep you warm and dry on the mountain. Pro Tips breaks down key features to look for in ski pants that can help keep you comfortable on the slopes.

 

 

SKI BIB VS. PANTS 

There are two distinct pants to choose from: regular pants and bibs. The choice will come down to personal preference.

● Regular ski pants fit like a pair of everyday pants. They come with a zip fly or an elastic waistband. One drawback is that you may end up with snow in your pants if you take a spill on the slopes.

● Bibs are like overalls and are secured to your body by a pair of suspenders. They also have extra fabric that extends over your waist and chest. This can provide extra warmth and help keep your pants in place. While bibs can limit snow in your pants, they can also be difficult to remove when nature calls.

 

SKI PANT INSULATION

You’ll want to choose a pair of ski pants that will keep you warm on the slopes. There are various levels of insulation in ski pants. Your choice will often come down to how cold your legs get while skiing.

● Insulated ski pants have synthetic insulation to offer the most warmth of all the options.

● There are also uninsulated pants that feature a small lining for additional warmth. This can be popular with skiers who prefer to layer their lower bodies.

● Unlined ski pants have no insulation and can be a good choice for backcountry skiing.

 

 

WATER PROTECTION

Keeping you dry is key for any winter outerwear, especially ski pants. You’ll have several levels of water protection to choose from. Fully sealed seams and moisture-wicking fabrics can provide high levels of moisture protection.

Most ski pants feature a waterproof rating somewhere between 5,000 and 20,000. The higher the number, the more water-resistant a pair of pants will be.

Don’t forget to check out the seams of your pants. This will help boost the level of water protection for your ski pants.

● Fully taped means there is a waterproof material sealed over the edges of seams.

● Critically taped will feature waterproof material only over seams regularly exposed to moisture.

● Welded ski pants have two fabrics bonded together. These tend to be the lightest and highly waterproof.