Greatest Ski Pants of 2023

How We Tested Ski Pants

Our crew of GearJunkie gear testers includes skiers with high experience from the resort to the backcountry. We’re backcountry skiers, ski racers, ski builders. A handful of our testers dually explore via two planks on splitboards and snowmobiles. We meet for an annual gear testing week to swap notes, too, including a recent ski week at Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Colorado.

GearJunkie Senior Editor Morgan Tilton specializes in the snowsports category and has lived in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains for more than three decades, where she grew up, learned to ski at her home mountain of Telluride Ski Resort, and lives today in Crested Butte. She’s been an outdoor industry journalist including covering snowsports for more than a decade. Throughout her snow studies, she’s earned a Wilderness First Responder certification, four recreational avalanche training courses via the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education, and a Climate Change and Health Program Certificate from the Yale School of Public Health.

Tilton manages nearly two dozen gear testers across the country and also field tests between the desk shuffle. To date in 2023, she has tested ski pants for 13 hours and 8 days of uphilling, backcountry travel, and resort laps. Those dark evenings and long days entailed blizzards, sub-zero temps, harsh wind, heavy and wet snow, plenty of perspiration, and sunshine. Those sums exclude all the days she tested snowboard pants and ski bibs, as well as wearing snow pants during errands, commutes, or laborious shoveling at home.

Albert Kim, one of our lead GearJunkie testers, is based in Southern Utah. He cut his teeth in the snowsports industry working as a ski builder for Wagner Custom Skis in Telluride, Colorado. Despite the desert environment of Southern Utah, he regularly spends time skiing at Brian Head Resort and the surrounding backcountry near an elevation of 10,000 feet. Constantly changing conditions have Kim putting his outerwear through its paces, which demands top-tier protection and durability.

When testing ski pants, we pay careful attention to fit, durability, waterproofing, breathability, and overall value. In recent years, we’ve put dozens of ski pants through the wringer in just about every kind of snow and weather condition.

As new snow pants hit the market, we’ll be sure to give them a thorough assessment in consideration for this list. At any given time, our roundup includes the best ski pants on the market.

Buyers Guide: How to Choose the Perfect Pair of Ski Pants

Ski pants come in a wide variety of styles. While some options on this list are built to prioritize burly weather resistance, others are geared toward breathability and minimal weight.

This buyer’s guide carefully breaks down all the factors that differentiate one pair of ski pants from the next. With the information provided, we hope you’ll be able to easily identify the perfect pair for you.

Types of Ski Pants: Hardshell vs. Softshell

There are two traditional major categories of ski pants: hardshell and softshell. Choosing between these ultimately comes down to personal preference, and one category is not strictly better or worse than the other.

Hardshell ski pants feature a waterproof barrier between you and the surrounding conditions. Just like hardshell jackets, pants in this category often include taped seams and tend to feel thick and hardy to the touch. In a good pair of hardshell pants, you can sit down directly on the snow without worrying about a soggy bottom. If you’re going to be out in snowy weather for extended periods of time or live in a place with high water content in the snowpack, you’ll likely want a completely waterproof layer.

Softshells don’t have that waterproof barrier and as a result, are generally more breathable. The fabric feels lighter and more flexible. A softshell might feel good on an ascent in the backcountry but it won’t offer much insulation or protection from wind, either.

The main downside to hardshell pants is they are not very soft and pliable, which can feel limiting or uncomfortable when you’re making big moves. They’re also crunchier and create more noise. Hardshells are by far the more common choice for resort skiers. On this list, the Rab Men’s Khroma Kinetic Waterproof Pants are a fantastic hardshell option.

Because hardshell pants are generally more popular and more common than softshells, most of the pants we’ve included on this list are hardshell.

However, in recent years, softshell technology has seriously improved. Major companies like Arc’teryx and Black Diamond have been working to create softshell pants that offer plentiful mobility without sacrificing waterproofing.

Lightweight, Chemical-Free Hardshells

Hardshells are also becoming notably more malleable as textiles are being overhauled to be free of PFCs. The movement has been pioneered by GORE-TEX’s launch of the revolutionary ePE membrane that is replacing the brand’s membrane technologies, which are utilized across brands in the outdoor industry.

From a skier’s perspective, the fabrics that are incorporating this new membrane are becoming super lightweight, smoother, more buttery, softer, and quieter. A robust 3-layer textile now feels like a 2-layer softshell fabric.

The ePE membrane, which stands for expanded polyethylene, is free of PFCs of Environmental Concern (PFCEC). The membrane launched in 2-layer outerwear in winter 2022. In winter 2023, the first-ever 3-layer winter outerwear products were introduced with the membrane. Now, Patagonia launched its own iteration of a proprietary PFC-free membrane in 3-layer outerwear, too, alongside incorporating the GORE-TEX ePE membrane in kits. Brands like Norrøna are starting to roll out ePE in 3-layer ski wear alongside Patagonia for 2023-2024.

Pants vs. Bibs

To ski in pants or to ski in a bib? This is a fundamental outerwear question that divides the skiing world into two camps. Ski pants need little explanation, as they’re worn just like any other pair of pants — waist-high and secured with a button.

The primary downside of wearing pants while skiing is that cold and snow can find their way up the back of your jacket or down your pants, especially during a fall. Some of the best standard-style ski pants we’ve included are The North Face Insulated Freedom Ski Pants and the Flylow Chemical Pants.

Enter ski bibs. With a high waistline held up by shoulder suspension straps, bibs eliminate the fatal flaw of ski pants. When skiing deep powder, the joy of knowing you won’t get snow down your pants offers valuable peace of mind. If you’ve never skied in a bib, just know they do take a little getting used to.

Also, bibs tend to be warmer than pants, so they may not be the best choice for those balmy spring days. For more information on bibs, check out our favorite options for men and women.

Skiing Styles: Resort vs. Backcountry

While many ski pants are versatile enough for both resort and backcountry skiing, certain styles and features are better suited for one setting or the other.

For in-bounds skiing, we recommend pants with burly outer materials, reliable waterproofing, and a semi-relaxed fit that allows room for layers underneath. You won’t often be traveling uphill while resort skiing, so it’s generally okay to wear pants that mildly restrict hiking movement. On this list, our favorite pants for resort use are the Rab Men’s Khroma Kinetic Waterproof Pants and The North Face Insulated Freedom Ski Pants.

While skiing or riding in the backcountry, freedom of movement is a basic requirement. For maximum mobility, backcountry ski pants are usually crafted with stretchy materials that will comfortably accommodate a wide range of movement. The articulate knees and pliable materials of the Stio Environ make it an ideal crossover ski pant. It excels in both the front and backcountry.

Breathability is also an elevated priority in the backcountry. Hiking can be strenuous, and large vents can prevent overheating. If you tend to run warm in the backcountry, be sure to look for a pair of ski pants with zippered side vents, which most designs have but not all.

Compared to resort-leaning pants, backcountry styles tend to be more form-fitting and less waterproof. Of course, it’s always important to check the weather and snow conditions and dress accordingly no matter where you’re going to ski.

Warmth and Insulation

Our list of recommendations includes both insulated ski pants and non-insulated shells. Ultimately, the choice between these categories comes down to your personal preference. If you tend to run cold or frequently ski in frigid temps, you may want to seek out a warm insulated option like The North Face Insulated Freedom Pants.

For most skiers, we recommend going with shell-style pants due to their unmatched versatility. Shells can be worn on their own or combined with a variety of underlayers. Depending on the conditions of the day, you may choose to combine your pants with thin baselayers, fleece pants, or both to attain the perfect level of warmth and comfort.

Durability

Ski pants will inevitably take a beating. After many days of skiing through trees, rubbing against boot buckles, and sitting on chair lifts, pants are going to show signs of wear. On this list, the Helly Hansen Elevation Infinity Shell 2.0 Ski Pants stand out for their durability. For backcountry skiing and touring, thinner and lighter pants are common.

If you prefer to own a single pair of ski pants that holds up decently well in all settings without major sacrifices, check out the Flylow Chemical Pants.

Waterproofing

While wearing ski pants, you’ll likely sit on wet surfaces and move through falling rain and snow. For this reason, reliable water resistance is an absolute must. Many of the styles included on this list come with high-end waterproof membranes and outer fabrics.

Within the outerwear industry, GORE-TEX is generally considered top-tier waterproof protection. All well-made waterproof ski pants will come with taped seams, waterproof zippers, and a DWR coating.

In the backcountry, outerwear serves a slightly different purpose, and many options in this category only include waterproof materials in key areas. Because the backcountry involves more hiking and fewer lift rides, breathability and mobility are often considered more important than full waterproofing.

On this list, waterproof/breathable pants like the Outdoor Research Skyward II AscentShell Pants are worth considering for backcountry riders and skiers. They have a 10,000 mm waterproof rating and 20,000 g of breathability, so they aren’t the most waterproof option out there but they do support breathability for the uphill. The best choice for you will depend on what snow climate you plan to explore most.

Breathability and Ventilation

Every skier has a different comfort zone when it comes to temperature regulation and layering. For those who tend to run warm, breathable, and well-ventilated outerwear may be absolutely essential.

In general, ski pants will offer varying degrees of ventilation and breathability depending on their intended use. While running laps on groomers at the resort, most skiers will be comfortable in heavier, less-breathable pants like the Helly Hansen Elevation Infinity Shell 2.0 Ski Pants. If you prefer more temperature control, The North Face Insulated Freedom Pants come with zippered vents to shed excess heat on the go.

When backcountry skiing or touring, grueling uphill treks call for air-permeable outer layers.

Fit

When selecting ski pants, a comfortable fit is all-important. Personal preference is the most important variable here. If you don’t know what kind of fit you’re after, we absolutely recommend trying on pants before buying them.

Most resort skiers go with a standard fit that’s semi-loose but not overly baggy. Conditions at the resort vary from frigid and stormy to sweaty and spring-like throughout the season, and slightly loose-fitting pants allow for versatile layering options underneath. On this list, the Flylow Chemical is a top-notch resort skiing design that conforms to the body, looks stylish, and feels great.

For backcountry skiing and touring, slim-cut pants are common. Stretchy materials combined with a leg-hugging fit are ideal for hiking uphill.

FAQ

Ski pants are purpose-built lower-body skiing outerwear. While specific-use ski pants are not strictly necessary, we always recommend using the proper tool for the job.

An average day of skiing includes inclement weather, rugged terrain, and thousands of mid-ski lunges and micro squats. High-quality ski pants are specifically designed to accommodate these unique circumstances. Other pants just aren’t quite up to the task — especially jeans!

The best ski pants for beginners are comfortable, durable, and budget-friendly. Unlike skis themselves, ski pants don’t exist on a beginner-to-expert spectrum. Though some pairs are more expensive and more feature-packed than others, your choice of pants probably won’t make or break your skiing ability.

With that said, we recommend that beginners, especially at the resort, select a fully waterproof pair of hardshell ski pants. When learning to ski, you can expect to fall often and spend plenty of time sitting on the snow. A dry skier is a happy skier, and a happy skier is more likely to learn and progress.

All of the ski pants that we’ve recommended on this list are made by high-quality, reputable brands. In general, some of the top ski pant brands include Arc’teryx, The North Face, and Flylow.

In almost any conditions, we recommend wearing a thin pair of base-layer bottoms under your ski pants at the very least. When choosing a baselayer, we recommend close-fitting designs with soft and comfortable materials such as merino wool or polyester.

Other layers such as fleece pants can provide additional insulation and warmth on cold days. If you tend to run cold, we recommend insulated styles such as The North Face Insulated Freedom Pants.

Many high-end ski pants come equipped with a built-in RECCO reflector. These compact and passive units can be detected by devices frequently carried by ski patrollers and search and rescue.

A RECCO is often used for rescue missions and do not replace an avalanche beacon that’s required for safe backcountry travel.

When someone gets lost, the RECCO reflector becomes an additional safety measure that may aid in locating them. On this list, the Helly Hansen Switch Cargo Pants are equipped with a RECCO device.