I’ll let you in on a little secret: If I had to choose between buying a ski jacket and ski pants, I’d pick the pants, hands down. While a good sweater or many other types of insulation can cut it for the upper body in a pinch, you do not want to skimp on pants when skiing or snowboarding because they provide critical protection against snow, wind, and even the cold of a chairlift.
My fellow GearJunkie editor Will Brendza and I tested six of the best ski pants last winter, head-to-head over the season. What follows are our top recommendations for shell pants and insulated pants for men, plus a bonus round-up of our favorite ski bibs. Brendza and I tested each of these pants for weather resistance, comfort, pocket utility, and fit to find those that stand above the rest.
Some of these, like the Mountain Hardwear Mythogen Bibs, are geared for backcountry and big mountain skiing. Others, like the Ortovox Ravine Plus ski pants, are designed for more resort use. Whether you’re ripping the backcountry or shredding lines in-bounds, these are our leading ski pants for men.
— Sean McCoy
Scope out more of our favorite time-tested ski pants for men and women in the Best Ski Pants buyer’s guide.
Best Ski Pants for Men
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Breathable and protective -
Super tough -
Great price -
Well ventilated
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Could use a thigh pocket -
Restrictive for ski touring
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Durable material -
Simple, straightforward design -
Unrestricted movement, comfortable fit -
Fully water and windproof
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Very comfortable waistband -
Lightly insulated with merino wool -
Stylish design
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Non-waterproof zippers were a little sticky
Bonus: Our Favorite Ski Bibs for Men
While ski pants are considered a winter staple for cold, snowy weather, and can be worn on or off the slopes, some riders prefer the extended coverage that comes with ski bibs. Here are a few of our favorite pairs.
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Unrestrictive -
Weatherproof -
Dialed design -
Perfect pocket placement
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Limited venting -
Expensive
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Lots of pockets -
Unique drop seat makes bathroom stops easy -
Integrated waist belt -
Breathable stretchy top, waterproof GORE-TEX bottom
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On the baggy/freeride fit side -
No belt loops -
Expensive
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Lightweight and comfortable -
Breathable and well-ventilated -
Easy, wide shoulder straps -
Super-durable kickguards
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No belt loops -
Sizes large
Frequently Asked Questions
Ski pants are, unfortunately, a pretty significant investment. But on the bright side, most skiers can expect them to last for several seasons. On the lower end of the scale, models like the REI Co-op Powderbound Insulated Snow Pants retail for about $160, a real value in today’s market. On the higher end of the scale, you can expect to pay $365 for our top choice of ski pants, the Flylow Chemical Pants. For other top-shelf models, like Patagonia’s Storm Shift Pants, expect to pay around $400. Again, these higher-priced pants will generally last many years, so be picky about your fit and style on day one and ride happily for seasons to come.
You want your ski pants to fit comfortably in the waist, much as you would any other pair of pants. But remember, these aren’t any pants! Ski pants should provide you with great freedom of movement, as your knees bend deeply and your body moves through the athletic motions of skiing. So you need to be unrestricted. Consider this when trying on ski pants. From the bottom, your pants need to be wide enough to easily cover your ski boots. The thighs and calves should not bind when you lift or lower your leg. The waist should be comfortable yet secure. If in doubt, size up slightly, as you can always wear a belt to adjust the fit. But you definitely want room to layer underneath the pants, as you will often wear a base layer as well.
Most of the time, you’ll wear a men’s base layer under your ski pants. In simpler terms, that means long underwear. Most of our testers wear light to mid-weight long johns for average days of skiing, whether in a resort or even the backcountry. Lighter merino wool or polyester long underwear will provide insulation against the cold, and feel more comfortable against the skin than the rougher material of protective ski pants. However, on very warm days, you may want to consider not wearing long underwear and instead wear regular underwear. Just keep in mind that it may feel cold on the chairlift as you rise in elevation to cooler temps, even in relatively warm spring conditions.
This is a hotly contested topic among skiers, but as a general rule, more experienced skiers tend to opt for non-insulated ski pants and layer them with base layers. That’s because you can customize your warmth level much more accurately using layers instead of wearing one heavy, insulated layer. Insulated ski pants do have a place, though, and that is in bitterly cold conditions.
Hot button issue here! But for many skiers, the answer is no. We generally recommend that backcountry skiers carry an avalanche beacon in a harness that comes with the beacon. If you are one of the many skiers who carry it in a pocket, be sure to use a pocket that contains a lanyard for security. Additionally, avoid carrying your phone, ski passes, or other electronics in your pants near the beacon. Better, just use the harness! It’ll always be in the same place, and you’ll never be confused by pocket placement in an emergency.
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