A good pair of snowboard pants keep the warmth in and the snow out. Here are our favorites. Photo: Benjamin Hayward//Unsplash
When it comes to long days on the slopes, a good pair of pants can truly make your experience. More specifically, a bad pair of pants can easily ruin the experience as spending the day wet and cold from the waist down is a surefire way to have a bad time on the mountain. To set yourself up for a successful day, it’s crucial to invest in a good pair of pants that will keep you warm and dry, preferably for years to come. I took into consideration what makes a solid pair of snowboarding pants and hit the slopes to see if they are all they were chalked up to be. Here are six of my favorites.
What Are The Best Snowboard Pants for Women?
Arc’teryx Incendia Bib ($625)
Patagonia Untracked Pants ($499)
Marmot JM Pro Pants ($350)
Burton AK 3L GORE-TEX Kimmy Bibs ($620)
Billabong Nela Insulated Snow Pants ($169.95)
Oakley Jasmine Insulated Pant ($160)
What Makes A Good Pair Of Snowboard Pants?
There’s a wide variety of pants available on the market, with a huge range in prices, so it’s important to know what you’re looking for. When shopping for a new pair of snowboarding pants, I take into consideration warmth, comfort, durability, and style.
Warmth
Warmth is the most important factor. If you aren’t warm, you aren’t going to have a good day on the mountain. A good pair of pants will keep you warm and dry, all day long. However, too warm isn’t going to cut it either. Snowboard pants especially if you’re planning on getting out into the backcountry. For backcountry-enthusiasts, some good ventilation goes a long ways.
Comfort
If you’re anything like me, when you hit the slopes, you hit them hard, and spend all day on the mountain. If I’m going to be wearing these snow pants all day long, I want them to be comfortable. In searching for a comfy pair of pants, I look for things like nice material as well as an adjustable waist so I can get that “just right” fit. The right lining also matters, in striking that “just right” level of warmth.
Durability
A good pair of snowboard pants doesn’t come cheap and as such, I want a pair that’s going to last multiple seasons. When buying a new pair of pants, I make sure they’re made from a good, durable material that can withstand wipeouts and boot snags.
Style
It may be irrelevant to performance, but I think most of us can agree that we want to look good while we’re out there shredding. Whether you prefer neutrals or bright, fun colors, you want your pants to make you feel good about yourself.
Different Types of Snowboard Pants
Not all snowboard pants are made the same, so depending on what you’re hoping to achieve with them, you’ll have some decisions to make. All snowboard pants are either just a shell, or have some kind of insulation. Shells have no lining, allowing you to layer your own base and/or mid layers underneath. If you are going into the backcountry, or want a pair of pants that can do winter and spring boarding, shells are the way to go with the proper layering underneath. However, if you run cold or are snowboarding in consistently low temperatures, you may want a pair of insulated snowboard pants.
Another distinction is between true pants and bibs. Snow pants are the classic option, but lots of snowboarders have been turning to bibs as a way to keep the snow and cold out. However, that comes with added warmth and weight as a result of the extra material, going to the bathroom gets more complicated, and the fit can be tough to dial in.
On any good pair of snowboard pants, some other features to look for are plenty of well-sized pockets, ventilation (especially crucial if you plan on going into the backcountry), reinforced cuffs, and solid waterproofing features like Gore-Tex, seam taping, and DWR finishes.
Arc’teryx Incendia Bib ($625)
Style: 4/5
Comfort: 5/5
Warmth: 5/5
Durability: 5/5
Total: 4.75/5
Perfect for chilly days, the Incendia Bib is specifically designed for women who play in the snow. Made from GORE-TEX, the bib is waterproof and windproof but still allows moisture to escape, which helps regulate temperature. Available in two neutral colorways, the pants feature high-bib coverage, three zippered pockets, PowderCuffs to seal out snow, and side zippers for ventilation and easy on/off access. Unlike a lot of bibs out there, the cut is trim and streamlined, giving them a fun, feminine look.
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Patagonia Untracked Pants ($499)
Style: 5/5
Comfort: 5/5
Warmth: 3/5
Durability: 5/5
Total: 4.5/5
Style meets comfort in Patagonia’s Untracked Pants. Fair Trade Certified sewn, the pants are made from a three-layer 92 percent recycled nylon GORE-TEX that is soft yet durable. Thoughtful features include watertight zippers, four zip-closing pockets, a multifunctional waist design, easy-access thigh vents, gaiters to seal out snow, and belt loops. We appreciate the extra thick material at the bottom of the pants, which help prevent boot snags and early fraying. They don’t have much in the way of a liner, so you’ll want to throw on a pair of long underwear on those extra cold days. Available in three different color options, the pants are well made, fit well, are ultra-waterproof, and have style points to boot.
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Marmot JM Pro Pants ($350)
Style: 4/5
Comfort: 5/5
Warmth: 5/5
Durability: 5/5
Total: 4.75/5
Marmot wasn’t messing around when they designed the JM Pro Pants. Created to be ultra-durable and waterproof, the JM Pro pants are made from a three-layer GORE-TEX fabric that works to keep you dry and reduce condensation. The seams are 100 percent taped to ensure they’re leakproof and the pants are coated with an environmentally friendly PFC-Free Durable Water-Repellent finish. The JM Pro has everything you could want in a good pair of pants and more: articulated knees, lower leg hem zippers, internal gaiters, an adjustable waist, zippered thigh pockets, and a RECCO Avalanche Rescue Reflector. All around, I’m a big fan of these pants – I only wish they came in more colors.
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Burton AK 3L GORE-TEX Kimmy Bibs ($620)
Style: 4/5
Comfort: 5/5
Warmth: 3/5
Durability: 5/5
Total: 4.25/5
Created in collaboration with backcountry boarder Kimmy Fasani, these bibs come loaded with everything you could need for a day in the backcountry, or the resort. 3 layers of GORE-TEX keep the snow and moisture at bay, along with fully taped seams and water-resistant zippers. A women’s-specific fit is a matter of course, and the bibs are designed to follow your body’s motions while touring or riding through powder. Plenty of pockets make stashing essentials like your phone and avalanche beacon a breeze, and an integrated Recco reflector adds another layer of protection while out of bounds. With the backcountry in mind, these pants don’t feature any insulation, so be sure to layer up underneath.
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Billabong Nela Insulated Snow Pants ($169.95)
Style: 5/5
Comfort: 5/5
Warmth: 4/5
Durability: 4/5
Total: 4.5/5
Available in four fun color options, the Nela Insulated Snow Pants are made from a combination of 55 percent polyester and 45 percent recycled polyester. The pants are insulated with 40G Polyfill, are lined with taffeta and mesh inseam venting, and have stretchy, waterproof gaiters. A tailored fit and a collection of pockets make these pants not only highly functional but fashionable as well. Additionally, the pants include stretch waterproof boot gaiters with lace hooks, a heel lift system, a bottom side opening, and back hem reinforcements. Outfitted with an adjustable waist, you can easily make these pants fit to a tee, making them super comfy and warm.
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Oakley Jasmine Insulated Pant ($160)
Style: 3/5
Comfort: 5/5
Warmth: 5/5
Durability: 4/5
Total: 4.25/5
While Oakley may be famous for its eyewear, they know a thing or two about making a good pair of snowboard pants. Available in two different colors, the Jasmine Insulated Pant is made from a recycled polyester that’s derived from post-consumer plastic bottles. To ensure the best fit possible, the pants have an adjustable waistband with belt loops and articulated knee construction. Additionally, the pants include interior boot gaiters, zippered front pockets, and inner thigh vents. While the pants are warm and functional, the design is a little masculine for my taste. In the future, I hope Oakley will add a few more pockets to their pants and offer some more feminine color options.
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Editor’s Note: For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
