The Greatest Snowboard Pants of 2023-2024

Conserving your ft and torso toasty is vital to a contented driving day, however don’t sleep on the significance of pants. Certain, snowboard pants are a style assertion, however they’ll additionally present key consolation and heat on a frozen chairlift, or breathability whereas climbing a distant mountainside.

One of the best designs match good with out falling down or being restrictive. In athletic pairs, the knees are articulated and the legs are tapered. The hems must be huge sufficient to seamlessly pair with the cumbersome neck of snowboard boots, particularly for boot changes noon.

Relying on the local weather, extra components the place you experience, and the efficiency qualities you want, there’s a variety of snowboard pants for the frontcountry and backcountry that may test these containers.

We’ve divided this record into classes that will help you discover the very best snowboard pants for you. The boys’s merchandise are within the higher half of the information and the ladies’s snowboard pants are separated within the second half. For extra assist choosing the proper pants, we’ve included a full shopping for information together with a useful FAQ and comparability desk.

Scroll by means of to see all of our advisable buys for the very best snowboard pants for men and women of 2023-2024.

Editor’s Word: We up to date our Snowboard Pants purchaser’s information on November 21, 2023, with a number of freshly examined, new silhouettes.

The Greatest Snowboard Pants of 2023-2024

Greatest Ladies’s Snowboard Pants

Snowboard Pants Comparability Chart

Scroll proper to view the entire columns: Value, Match, Materials, Waterproof Ranking, Breathability, Insulation.

How We Examined Snowboard Pants

Our GearJunkie snowboard gear testers embody a variety of expertise ranges from intermediate to professional, each women and men. We even have backcountry splitboarders (with AIARE 2 certification), backcountry snowmobilers, and licensed instructors on employees. We meet for an annual gear testing week to swap notes, together with a current experience week at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, which is understood for its extraordinarily steep terrain.

Main the gear testing, Senior Editor Morgan Tilton focuses on snowsports. She’s been snowboarding since 2002, when she switched from snowboarding on two planks to at least one, which she’d been doing since age 4 at Telluride Ski Resort. Whereas she grew up competing in slopestyle competitions, immediately Morgan lives within the Elk Mountains, the place she snowboards in-bounds, splitboard excursions and mountaineers, heads out on sled-accessed adventures, and pow surfs in between. She’s traveled to some unimaginable locations along with her snowboard, together with Vancouver Island. Whereas she manages the take a look at pool, she has additionally examined snowboard pants for 73 hours thus far in 2023.

Editor Austin Beck-Doss has been snowboarding since 2005, and our contributing photographer Eric Phillips is a previously licensed Stage II PSIA-AASI teacher.

We’ve examined snowboard pants in a variety of circumstances from California to the Colorado Rockies and high-alpine environments. Our attire has protected us in ice-cold wind, on lengthy raise rides, on lengthy backcountry excursions, and whereas romping by means of deep powder.

Whereas testing snowboard pants, we contemplate match, sturdiness, performance, match, ease of motion, and general worth. We additionally take into accounts essentially the most novel, style-specific, widespread, extremely rated, and legacy merchandise throughout a variety of value factors. We’re assured these are the very best snowboard pants in the marketplace immediately.

How Snowboard Pants Differ From Ski Pants

Whereas ski pants and snowboard pants are related, there are some key differentiators throughout the performance of snowboard pants and the fashion. Whereas some riders discover snowboard-specific pants include sure benefits, others are completely pleased utilizing generalized snow pants that work for each snowboarding and snowboarding.

The important thing: Make certain the snow pant cuff is huge sufficient or expandable to suit over snowboard boots, which fluctuate in measurement. Some boots have a wider circumference than others attributable to measurement, inserts, an built-in BOA, dense materials, or being a bigger measurement. Many ski pants have a cuff that’s too slender to shortly and simply slide over snowboard boots, whereas others are unable to suit over snowboard boots in any respect. Cuffs on snowboard pants are sometimes adjustable and may broaden by way of sturdy snaps or zippers or stretchy materials.

Snowboard-specific pants additionally normally match on the baggier facet to permit for loads of flexibility in a crouched place and for a large stance. Snowboarding entails loads of dynamic lower-body motion — particularly within the terrain park. If most flexibility is a priority, we advocate looking for out a barely saggy snowboard-specific pant.

As a result of snowboarders are likely to spend extra time sitting down on the snow than skiers, some snowboard pants additionally include cloth reinforcement within the rear.

Snowboard Bibs and Snowboard Pants

The selection between snowboard pants and bibs comes right down to a mix of private choice and performance. Bibs are suspended by shoulder straps and are typically more practical at conserving snow out. Pants are held up by the waistband and supply much less insulation as a result of there’s much less materials.

On deep powder days, a bib generally is a game-changing addition to your package. Because of this, we particularly advocate bibs to those that commonly experience in areas with numerous snowfall. Backcountry riders additionally are likely to get pleasure from the additional protection and safety offered by bibs.

Bibs at all times make going to the lavatory a lot simpler. Many bibs include a drop seat, which is actually a flap that opens within the again. Drop seats are useful when you must squat and go within the backcountry in addition to if you wish to keep layered up in an indoor toilet on the ski lodge.

Resort Using and Backcountry Using

In case you plan to commonly snowboard within the backcountry, you’ll need pants or bibs which can be as much as the duty. Using within the backcountry means mountaineering uphill, and there are a couple of key options that may make the expertise way more fulfilling.

First, backcountry riders want breathable outerwear. When mountaineering, you’ll generate warmth, which may shortly result in perspiration. Sweating within the backcountry isn’t superb, because the moisture shortly turns into chilly and uncomfortable as quickly because the hike is over.

Because of this, we advocate looking for breathable supplies and well-designed vents. For backcountry snowboarding, insulated pants are typically not advisable.

Moreover, backcountry snowboard pants ought to have strengthened cloth across the inside ankle and calf. Whereas skinning or climbing uphill, the inside pant might be uncovered to the sharp fringe of the opposing split-ski or crampons, which may result in tears in case your pants haven’t been correctly designed for the job. Using a backcountry snowmobile for entry may also result in beat-up cuffs, particularly in the event that they aren’t strengthened.

In case you do loads of in-bounds boot packing or uphill mountaineering, contemplate a pair with strengthened cloth across the inside ankle, too. Boot packing on the resort may also result in inside scuffs out of your snowboard boots. Even once we’re skating by means of the raise line on the resort or connecting runs by way of flat meadows or groomed corduroy, it’s simple to beat up the inside pant legs with a board’s metallic edge.

Resort driving is usually much less demanding in your outerwear. As a result of the bogs and lodge are at all times comparatively shut by, you don’t have to fret as a lot about toilet breaks or temperature management.

Most resort riders favor a comparatively easy pair of conventional snowboard pants.

Supplies and Sturdiness

Snowboard pants must be sturdy sufficient to carry as much as the calls for of shredding by means of the timber and ripping deep carves. On this record, we’ve advisable many high-quality pairs of snowboard pants, however some are extra sturdy than others.

Most ski pants are primarily fabricated from nylon, polyester, or a mix of each. Many types are strengthened in key put on areas to forestall untimely materials failure.

If sturdiness is a main concern, make sure to discover a pair of pants with two-layer or three-layer cloth development. Burly zippers and absolutely taped seams are additionally a plus.

Insulation and Heat

Most snowboard pants in the marketplace will not be insulated. The first job of snowboard pants is to maintain you dry and defend your physique from the encompassing climate. As a result of most snowboard pants are within the shell class, most riders put on varied base layers beneath to maintain their legs heat and cozy. Base layers vary in thickness and the quantity of heat they supply, due to a wide range of fibers.

Nonetheless, for those who are likely to run chilly or commonly experience in additional chilly circumstances, you could wish to buy snowboard pants with built-in insulation. Some types include insulation strategically situated solely in key cold-prone areas.

On this record, we have now included insulated and uninsulated snowboard pants.

Beneath are the insulated pants in our information:

Usually, 60g of artificial insulation is finest for chilly to extraordinarily chilly circumstances or round 15 levels to -15 levels.

Waterproofing and Breathability

Whereas sporting snowboard pants, you’ll doubtless sit on moist surfaces and experience by means of falling snow or rain, relying on the local weather. Dependable water resistance is an absolute should. Most of the types included on this record include high-end waterproof membranes and outer materials.

Inside the outerwear business, GORE-TEX is usually thought-about top-tier waterproof safety. One of the best well-made waterproof snowboard pants will include taped seams, waterproof zippers, and a DWR coating.

Each snowboarder has a unique consolation zone in relation to temperature regulation and layering. For individuals who are likely to run heat, breathable and well-ventilated outerwear could also be completely important.

Usually, snowboard pants will supply various levels of air flow and breathability relying on their design. When backcountry driving or bootpacking, grueling uphill treks name for air-permeable outer layers.

Sometimes as waterproof scores enhance, the respiration of the material declines attributable to a stronger waterproof barrier moisture from the within must get by means of to breathe. You may get excessive waterproof and excessive breathability materials just like the Jones Shralpanist Males’s Bibs and Shralpanist Ladies’s Bibs.

Waterproof Ranges:

•  0 – 10,000 mm:  Preferrred for dry – principally dry climates just like the midwest
• 10,000 m – 20,000 mm: superb for moist climates just like the mountain west
• 20,000 mm – 30,000 mm: superb for very moist climates just like the pacific northwest

Sustainable Options

With every passing season, the snowsports outerwear business incorporates increasingly more sustainable manufacturing practices and recycled supplies. If sustainable options are a precedence for you, make sure to test every producer’s specs for materials sources, sustainable manufacturing certifications, and so forth.

Jones Snowboards undoubtedly units the gold customary for sustainability with the model’s lately launched attire line for men and women. The entire Jones Outerwear supplies are OEKO-TEX and/or Bluesign-certified. The bulk are 100% recycled, they usually make the most of PFC-free DWR (besides the GORE-TEX Professional cloth).

Bluesign is a top-tier certification for textile merchandise which can be secure for the surroundings, employees, and clients. We’ve included a number of Bluesign-certified pants and bibs on this record.

Key Options

Air flow

Several types of cloth have various ranges of breathability in snowboard pants. You possibly can learn the breathability and waterproof scores to get an thought of how simply the material breathes. The extra waterproof a material is, typically the much less breathable it’s. If a pant is insulated, count on it to really feel hotter.

Whatever the insulation, breathability, and waterproofness of a pant, it’s usually an incredible thought to spend money on a pair with air flow for those who plan to experience within the hotter spring months. Using on powder days or within the timber may also shortly construct physique warmth, even on midwinter days.

Air flow can be nice for those who typically experience in a milder local weather, don’t take cooldown breaks from high to backside, or have a tendency to construct warmth whereas driving. In case you plan to uphill on the resort or for those who discover boot-accessed hike-to terrain or backcountry splitboard, air flow is necessary.

Air flow normally contains zippered openings alongside the inside thigh. Bibs usually make the most of the drop-seat zipper as a air flow zipper on the outside legs. It’s good when pants have an inside mesh liner to supply some safety from snow drift (and privateness) whilst you experience or sit on the raise airing out your decrease half. Full snowsuits normally even have air flow under the arms.

Pockets

In case you favor to hold gadgets in your pants versus your jacket, be conscious of the pockets within the snowboard pants you select. Some are only for appears, whereas others are extraordinarily purposeful.

The choices vary from hand pockets — typically zippered and different occasions with no closure in any respect — to varied cargo pockets on the thighs and typically pockets on the bottom. We discover essentially the most purposeful pockets are both deep hand pockets which can be zippered and spacious or large, well-positioned thigh pockets.

In case you’re in search of bibs for backcountry exploration, it’s good for these designs to have a thigh or chest pocket that accommodates a beacon. For some, carrying a beacon towards the torso can really feel extra snug and purposeful than toting a beacon in a thigh pocket.

In distinction, it’s simpler to seize a cellphone out of a leg pocket whereas driving or skinning within the backcountry than to unzip a jacket to entry a bib’s chest pocket. The caveat — a chest pocket is usually hotter and can assist protect the battery life.

Constructed-In Gaiters

Snowboard pants have built-in gaiters that open huge and stretch down over boots to the ankle. That is one differentiator between pants that work nicely for ski boots versus snowboard boots as a result of ski boots have a narrower neck.

In a singular innovation, the 686 has a BOA-compatible gaiter, which is a window the place the front-facing BOA — a dial that turns to tighten the cable laces in a boot — might be accessed and stays operable with the gaiter pulled down. In fact, that setup isn’t as efficient with twin BOA methods. Discover the right Snowboard Boots to match your pants!

Bolstered Cuffs

Bolstered cuffs are a key element. After we’re on the resort and skating by means of the raise line or connecting runs by way of flat meadows or groomed corduroy, it’s simple to beat up the inside pant legs with our board’s metallic edge.

After we’re uphilling, kick turns can slice that cloth. Throughout splitboard mountaineering goals, our crampons simply snatch the opposite pant leg. For post-ride après, strolling round with out rolling up our hems wears and tears the material, too.

Some snowboard pant designs have extra robust materials wrapped across the inside portion of the hem, which additionally reaches up towards the calf. The textile coat will increase the pant leg’s sturdiness and general lifespan. As soon as the outer cloth splits, the pant’s waterproof membrane can get uncovered and begin to shred, so it’s not the simplest repair even when you have a stitching package.

Jacket-to-Pant Interface

A handful of manufacturers characteristic a system that enables the corporate’s jackets and pants to connect with each other with the intention to stop snow or wind drift on the raise. These types additionally present good safety once we’re bending over to strap our boots into our bindings or once we take a tumble on a rowdy powder day.

Volcom has a superior and proprietary system with a burly zipper that connects the jacket to the pant. It’s sturdy, snug, and straightforward to make use of. Different manufacturers, like 686, have cloth strips on the jacket that stretch by means of loops on the pants and snap closed, which helps keep some connection and prevents a full-on hole within the occasion of a tumble. Try Greatest Snowboard Jackets to search out your good snowboard package.

RECCO

RECCO is an built-in light-weight reflector that’s usually added to snowsports attire. It’s a passive, searchable know-how that rescuers can use to assist find a misplaced particular person.

Organized rescuers use handheld detectors to assist discover the reflector, which may complement a search throughout an avalanche burial. From the air, helicopter detectors may also seek for a RECCO reflector.

Match and Operate

Nicely-designed snowboard pants are properly fitted and articulated for perform, which additionally parlays into fashion. To be paired with snowboard boots, the hems must be modifiable and splay at varied levels.

The gaiters must accommodate the broad width of a snowboard boot, particularly if the closure contains a BOA system versus conventional laces, that are extra streamlined.

Usually, the pants are tailor-made within the higher portion and bell out towards the pant leg hem. The knees are articulated for ergonomics and luxury whereas cleansing out binding plates and strapping out and in or whereas jibbing across the resort or park.

For some manufacturers, snowboard pants for males are a bit much less form-fitting or athletic-shaped and are baggier in comparison with designs made for ladies.

In case you suppose a pair of tailor-made women’ snowboard pants or roomy lads’ snowboard pants would suit your driving fashion, get ‘em no matter the way you establish.

Value

The costs in our snowboard pants information vary from budget-friendly decisions to high of the road expedition gear.

The North Face Ladies’s Apex STH Pants ($195) and The North Face Insulated Freedom Pants ($169) are essentially the most finances pleasant in our information. Decrease-cost choices are sometimes not as sturdy, nor will they be as stout towards resounding, repeated climate like biting wind, snow, rain, hail, or sleet. However for delicate climates or reasonable circumstances, finances choices can work superb for a handful of seasonal outings on the hill. The finances value rung contains the Burton Cargo Snow Pants ($185), Burton Gloria Stretch 2L ($195), and Roxy Rising Excessive Pants ($199).

Usually, the upper the value, the better the waterproofing, breathability, and cloth reinforcement. You additionally may discover extra pockets, zippered pockets, high-quality zippers, or extra cloth typically. The mid-tier ranges from $200-$300 and options the Mountain Hardwear Cloud Financial institution GORE-TEX Insulated Pant ($350), 686 Smarty 3-In-1 Cargo Pant ($230), Dakine A-1 Pant ($240), Volcom Aston GORE-TEX Pants ($310), and Volcom L Pants ($320).

On the high of the shelf, you’ll discover essentially the most premium materials, development, and match. That’ll embody Flylow Baker Bib ($430), Trew Gear Ladies’s Chariot Bib Primo ($400), Trew Gear Males’s TREWth PRIMO Bib ($499), Airblaster Sassy Beast Swimsuit ($450), and the Dakine Sender Stretch 3L Pant ($475). Rounding out the highest tier of choices which have the very best specs are the Trew Gear Trewth Bibs ($499), Jones Snowboards Shralpinist Stretch Recycled Bibs ($500), and FW Manifest Tour 3L Bibs ($500). The most costly is the Norrøna Ladies’s Tamok Shell Bib ($599).

FAQ

The entire snowboard pants and bibs we’ve included on this record are high-quality merchandise. However Volcom, Trew Gear, Airblaster, Burton, and Jones Snowboards are a handful of well-established manufacturers which can be identified for his or her top-notch outerwear. Many different manufacturers make excellent merchandise, too.

Snowboarders may discover ski pants that aren’t marketed towards snowboarders that work tremendous nicely for his or her driving fashion and the local weather and circumstances the place they experience.

That mentioned, snowboard pants are designed to suit over snowboard boots with cuffs that broaden or have a large sufficient circumference to slip over the broader neck of a snowboard boot, which is bigger than a ski boot. The identical goes for the boot gaiters, that are designed to work with snowboard boots.

Snowboard pants are likely to have a baggier match in comparison with streamlined ski pants.

On this record, nearly all of our high picks are snowboard-specific pants which can be optimum for snowboarding. Some pants work for each snowboarding and snowboarding.

In case you are likely to run chilly or commonly experience in frigid circumstances, you might have considered trying a pair of insulated snow pants. Nonetheless, it’s essential to notice that insulated pants can grow to be uncomfortable when the climate turns heat.

Most riders favor uninsulated pants for his or her superior versatility. In chilly circumstances, layers can at all times be added for additional heat.

Insulated pants will not be advisable for those who plan in addition pack usually on the resort or snowboard within the backcountry.

The pants versus bibs resolution in the end comes down to private choice. Neither is strictly higher, although each have a couple of key benefits and drawbacks.

Bibs are nice for conserving snow out whereas browsing by means of chest-deep powder and the preferred designs nowadays have nailed the drop seat, so going to the lavatory is simple for guys and gals within the backcountry or on the lodge. Whereas bibs can supply safety together with towards the decrease again from wind, many bibs are made with breathable supplies, so that they aren’t too stuffy or scorching whereas they provide a barrier.

Pants are easy, although they’ll’t preserve the weather out in addition to a bib can. In case you favor to put on a midlayer beneath a shell jacket or need the short ease of eradicating your midlayer noon when it warms up, it may be extra snug and extra handy to put on snowboard pants versus bibs.

The straightforward reply is sure. For optimum consolation whereas snowboarding, it is best to put on waterproof outerwear, which is able to stop your pants from soaking by means of if you sit down, for those who take a tumble, on powder days, and when it snows whilst you’re on a raise experience or standing in line.

Backcountry snowboarding entails loads of uphill strolling and driving by means of deep, untracked snow. For these causes, backcountry snowboarding requires reliably waterproof pants which can be additionally sturdy, breathable, and comparatively stretchy.

Just a few of our favourite backcountry snowboard pants and bibs embody the Jones Snowboards Shralpinist Stretch Recycled Pants ($450) and the Flylow Baker Bib ($430).

The straightforward reply is sure. We extremely advocate sporting a baselayer underneath your snowboard pants. You possibly can take a look at our Greatest Mens Baselayer Information or our Greatest Womens Baselayer Information to search out the correct one for you. You possibly can simply put on regular underwear (not advisable) underneath the pants however keep in mind you’ll have some naked pores and skin uncovered when you unzip your leg vents.