Winter gear shouldn’t stand between you and the snow — no matter your shape or size. A handful of outdoor brands are pioneering plus-size outerwear, so our plus-size testers vetted the designs while downhill skiing, backcountry ski touring, and snowboarding across the Western U.S.
Plus-size apparel designer and skier Raquel Vélez scribed meticulous notes in California. While testing in Utah, plus-size boot-fitter Tania Awalegaonkar covered snow miles in the backcountry and at the resort.
Albeit rare, you’ll find non-insulated and technical kits like the lightweight Outdoor Research Plus Size Carbide Jacket or the TREW Gear Plus-Size Stella Jacket Primo, which is heavier but highly waterproof at 20K and loaded with pockets. Many other options are insulated like the Outdoor Research Plus-Size Women’s Snowcrew Jacket. The most extensive fit options are available in the TREW Gear Plus-Size Women’s Chariot Bibs PRIMO, which has 1X-4X plus short, regular, and tall inseam lengths.
Editor’s Note: We updated our Women’s Plus-Size Ski and Snow Gear guide on September 23, 2025, with the field-tested and award-winning Outdoor Research Plus-Size Carbide Jacket and Bibs, REI Co-op Plus-Size Lightweight Long-Sleeve Crew Base Layer Top and Base Layer Tights, TREW Gear Plus-Size Stella Jacket Primo and Chariot Bibs PRIMO, and the Outdoor Research Plus-Size Snowcrew Jacket. New sections were added including Our Expert Testers, Testing Grounds, and Testing Process.
The Best Plus-Size Ski and Snow Gear for Women of 2025
Best Overall Plus-Size Ski Jacket for Women
9/10 Rating
Best Budget Plus-Size Ski Bibs for Women
9/10 Rating
Most Waterproof Plus-Size Ski Jacket for Women
9/10 Rating
Best Plus-Size Ski Bibs for Women
9.1/10 Rating
Best Plus-Size Base Layer Top for Women
8.5/10 Rating
Best Plus-Size Base Layer Bottom for Women
8.5/10 Rating
Best Plus-Size Insulated Ski Jacket for Women
9/10 Rating
See more picks
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Very deep pockets -
High-quality construction -
Easy to zip or unzip with gloves
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Not great for pear-shaped bodies — big in shoulders but snug in hips -
Limited color options in plus sizes (1X-4X) compared to mainstream/straight sizes (XS-XL)
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Lightweight, solid construction -
Stretch fabric allows ease of movement -
Pockets are super deep — great for snacks
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Does not come in Tall; limited colors available in Short -
Not great for pear-shaped folks (size up if planning to wear more than lightweight base layers)
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20K of waterproofing -
Material feels durable yet flexible for movement -
Ample pockets for storage -
Eco-friendly
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Not very packable for backcountry -
Adjustment for helmet and hems slightly difficult to loosen -
Expensive -
Minimal colorways
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Material is durable yet flexible -
Eco-friendly -
Lots of pockets
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Slightly heavy for longer ski tours -
Adjustable buckles and straps can be difficult on suspenders (strap dangles on inside of bibs) -
Expensive
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The price is right -
Lightweight and comfortable — easy to lounge in and wear under ski jackets or bibs -
Easy to wash
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Only goes to 3X -
Fit isn’t very flattering -
Synthetic fabric plus sweat leads to stinky pits (even after moderate activity)
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Economic price tag -
Don’t dig into the belly -
They don’t slide down, even with significant movement
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Full-length inseam makes it tricky to wear with ski boots -
Tapered leg cuts into thick calves when pulled up above boots -
Very thin elastic at the waistband
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Soft and pliable fabric -
More economical choice -
Eco-friendly -
Flattering fit
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Hourglass fit may not work best for some people -
Less waterproofing than other options
Other Plus-Size Ski and Snow Gear for Women
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All plus-sizes include short, regular, and tall options -
Super waterproof option -
56% recycled fabric and 100% recycled liner
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Not the stretchiest fabric choice
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Omni-heat thermal reflectivity -
Five total pockets -
Wear synthetic insulation layer solo, or shell solo, or pair the two
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Best for moderate rain and snow versus heavy snow
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Great layering piece for beneath a winter jacket
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Extended sizes stop at 3X
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Reaches below hip -
Five pockets total for plenty of storage -
Two-way zipper with storm flap -
Great price
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Not the most stylish lifestyle option -
Size range does not go up to 5X
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Thermal reflective fabric adds insulation alongside the synthetic insulation
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Not the most waterproof choice for heavy, wet snowfall
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Insulated with 150 grams in the body and sleeves plus 40 grams in the hood
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Not all colors are offered in extended size run
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Internal leg vents -
Scuff guards -
Fleece-lined waistband
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Vents are small — but at least they’re there
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Insulated -
Several pockets
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Down fill is very compressible and super warm
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Natural down fill can be vulnerable to super wet weather
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Three pockets -
Articulated knees
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Not the most waterproof or most insulated choice -
Limited color options
Plus-Size Ski and Snow Gear for Women Comparison Chart
Scroll right to view all of the columns: Price, Waterproof, Insulated, Plus Sizes.
| Plus-Size Women’s Snow Gear | Price | Waterproofness/Breathability Rating | Insulated | Plus Sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Research Plus-Size Carbide Jacket | $329 | 3-layer Pertex Shield waterproof/breathable fabric | No | 1X, 2X, 3X,X4 |
| Outdoor Research Plus-Size Carbide Bibs | $329 | 3-layer Pertex Shield waterproof/breathable fabric | No | 1X, 2X, 3X,X4 |
| TREW Plus-Size Stella Jacket Primo | $499 | 20K/20K | No | 1X, 2X, 3X,X4 |
| TREW Plus-Size Chariot Bib Primo | $519 | 20K/20K | No | 1X, 2X, 3X,X4 |
| REI Co-op Plus-Size Lightweight Long-Sleeve Crew Base Layer Top | $40 | No | No | 1X, 2X, 3X |
| REI Co-op Plus-Size Lightweight Base Layer Bottoms | $40 | No | No | 1X, 2X, 3X |
| Outdoor Research Plus-Size Snowcrew Jacket | $349 | Ventia 2-layer waterproof/breathable membrane | Yes (80-100 g/m2 VerticalX Eco synthetic insulation, 85% recycled polyester) | 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X |
| Outdoor Research Snowcrew Pants | $229 | Ventia 2-layer waterproof/breathable membrane | Yes (VerticalX Eco synthetic insulation, 85% recycled polyester) | 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X |
| Columbia Whirlibird V Jacket | $230 | 10K/10K | Yes (Thermarator synthetic fill plus Omni-Heat reflective liner) | 1X, 2X, 3X |
| The North Face Fleece Osito Jacket | $100 | No | No (made from high-pile, silken raschel fleece) | 1X, 2X, 3X |
| L.L.Bean Rugged Ridge Parka | $220 | Yes, 2-layer TEK waterproof/breathable shell fabric | Yes (170g in body, 133g in hood/sleeves) | 1X, 2X, 3X |
| Columbia Bugaboo Omni Heat Pants | $120 | 10K/10K | Yes (60g Microtemp XF plus Omni-Heat reflective liner) | 1X, 2X, 3X |
| Obermeyer Tuscany II Jacket | $319 | 10K/10K | Yes (150g PrimaLoft Black Coin body/sleeves, 40g in hood) | 18-22 |
| Obermeyer Bliss Pants | $229 | 15K/15K | Yes (40g of 3M Thinsulate Platinum Flex synthetic insulation) | 18-22 |
| L.L.Bean Wildcat Waterproof Insulated Snow Pants | $200 | 10K/10K | Yes (60g PrimaLoft Silver) | 1X, 2X, 3X |
| The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket | $330 | Non-PFC DWR treatment on surface | Yes — 700-fill RDS-certified goose down | 1X, 2X, 3X |
| REI Powderbound Snow Pants | $159 | Peak 2-layer waterproof/breathable laminate | Yes (40g synthetic insulation) | 1X, 2X, 3X |
How We Tested the Best Plus-Size Ski and Snow Gear for Women
GearJunkie teamed up with expert plus-size snow athletes to field test plus-size apparel while downhill skiing, backcountry skiing, and snowboarding.
Our in-house team of journalists and editors also interviewed experts and conducted research to find additional options for the best plus-size ski and snow gear for women.
Our Expert Testers
Plus-size tester and apparel developer Raquel Vélez has been adventuring for over a decade. She started with skiing in 2014, and from 2020-2024, she was the founder and CEO of outdoor apparel brand Alpine Parrot, a first-of-its-kind company focused exclusively on bigger bodies. Vélez designed award-winning outerwear, becoming an expert in the construction, fit, and utility of adventure apparel that bigger bodies need. She was named an Outside Magazine Outsider of the Year in 2021.
Plus-size outdoor industry expert Tania Awalegaonkar has been a snowboarder since age 8, and she became a snowboard instructor at her local hill at Wintergreen, VA. She was further catapulted into the world of snowboarding after landing a job at High Cascade snowboard camp in Mount Hood, OR. This led to her experiences in boot fitting, selling snowboards, and ultimately working with brands to help improve accessibility for marginalized individuals involved in snowsports. Her interests in snowboarding vary widely from freeriding and park to the backcountry.
Our Testing Grounds
Vélez lives in San Francisco and regularly takes her adventure van up to Lake Tahoe to test gear. This first round of testing was in early-season conditions, which felt a lot like spring skiing at Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort. Blue skies and machine-made snow yielded plenty of perfect-weather conditions for testing.
Awalegaonkar tested products in Utah’s Wasatch Mountain range. Known for its champagne powder and heavy winters, she was able to get a great grasp of how the kits performed while snowboarding both in-resort and splitboarding in the backcountry.
Our Testing Process
We were particularly observant of the difference in fit, sizing, and ease of movement between the products tested.
Based in California, Vélez skied on early-season resort snow, lapping blue groomers. Conditions were relatively warm, and field notes were taken à la minute. Comparisons were made on the slopes and in the van to enhance side-by-side reviews of each garment and its construction, features, and fit.
Located in Utah, Awalegaonkar tested these products for nearly a week, with 5-6 hours of riding each day. The apparel was tested on bluebird resort days, warmer and colder backcountry days, and in a gnarly storm.
We made sure to compare each product’s functionality, including the drop seat, durability, waterproofing, fit, pockets, zippers, entrance, and adjustability of the suspenders, hood, and hems.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose Plus-Size Ski and Snow Gear for Women
Fit & Sizing
When it comes to apparel, plus size means anything beyond the standard or extended size range. Plus sizes might include 1X to 3X and can go up to 5X, but most snowsports stop at 4X because it’s been challenging for brands to find fit testers for 5X.
Inclusive sizing is another term outdoor brands are using more and more. Inclusive sizing refers not just to plus sizes but a wider range of sizes for every body type, including short, long, petite, tall, maternity, extended sizes, and plus sizes (for all genders).
Size-wise, each manufacturer has its own charts. Be sure to take your personal measurements and match them up. Everyone’s body is unique, so check the exchange and return policy before you buy.
Plus Sizes
In the U.S., the general start for plus sizing is size 14 and over.
Plus sizes are built from an entirely separate size block, which has different ratios than the size block used for straight sizes. This size run is designed to accommodate a fuller bicep, waist, and bust. The sections — like the torso or arms — don’t get longer or taller as they go up in size. Plus sizes are labeled 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, etc. The L.L.Bean Rugged Ridge Parka goes up to 3X, for instance.
After building prototypes, the brand checks that each size matches a fit model in that size: That step is the same for extended and straight sizes.
Straight & Extended Sizes
Straight sizes refer to sizes small to large, which are constructed from a specific size block. You’ll often see straight sizes numerically listed from 6 to 14. As the sizes go up, the length changes, but the ratio remains the same.
Extended sizes are the applications of XS, XXS, XL, and XXL (as well as 0-2, 16-20) that go beyond the small-to-large spectrum.
Apparel designers take the pattern of a straight-size block — typically the medium, in the middle of the lineup — and adjust the dimensions for smaller or larger bodies. Each silhouette will be proportional and similar in shape to the next size up or down. This means that the waist-to-hip ratio is the same for a particular jacket in all sizes, from XS to XL.
Finding the Right Fit
Just like standard sizing, plus sizing varies by brand. We always recommend checking the size charts and measuring your hip, chest, and inseam if need be (for ski pants). You’ll want a ski jacket to have some room for a baselayer or light midlayer, but not be too loose (or too constricting, for that matter).
On this list, we found the Obermeyer Tuscany II Jacket to be the most accurate in terms of fit for a plus-size ski jacket, and the L.L.Bean Wildcat Insulated Pant or Columbia Bugaboo Snow Pant the most accurate in terms of fit for plus-size ski pants.
Price & Value
Budget
If you’re searching for a midlayer to pull on beneath an uninsulated shell, that’ll be the price-effective piece on our list, like The North Face Women’s Plus Osito Jacket ($100). However, insulated and basic waterproof options such as the Columbia Bugaboo Omni Heat Pants ($120) still offer up a great deal at the cost of top-tier durability and more refined pockets or premium-level waterproofness.
Mid-Tier
Designs in the next zone are more modifiable and stylish while being functional, including the Obermeyer Tuscany II Jacket ($279), which incorporates Repreve material — recycled plastic — for sustainability, as well as insulation.
Premium
Reaching for the top shelf, pieces like the Outdoor Research Snowcrew Jacket ($349) are built with the best materials for backcountry travel on skis, splitboard, or snowshoes. This apparel has the highest degree of breathability and waterproofness, underarm zips or leg vents, a functional collection of pockets, and an athletic style. Often you’ll find integrated wrist gaiters or storm cuffs, as well as a softly lined collar and hood that fits over a helmet or that is removable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many brands make plus-size clothes, but the market for plus-size ski apparel — and plus-size technical ski apparel — is much narrower.
Brands like Columbia, L.L.Bean, Obermeyer, Outdoor Research, The North Face, and Eddie Bauer all already offer or have started to offer plus-size ski gear.
Alpine Parrot empowers plus-size women to stake a claim to the outdoors, with the simple act of providing pants made for outdoor adventures in size 14 and up.
Whether you’re looking for a warm, stylish coat to commute in a snowstorm, spectate a hockey game, or enjoy après-ski, we’ve got you covered with the best women’s winter jackets.
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