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Best Snowboard Pants | Buyers Guide | Ridestore Magazine

So, you’re after some snowboard pants, eh? Us too. Nothing gets our binding screws all aquiver like an ace pair of snowboard pants. But how do you sort the good from the great and make sure you’re getting the right pair for you? It’s a tough job with things like cut, style, waterproofing, material, features, storage, and fly closure to consider. Yeah, fly closure is a big deal. When you gotta go, you gotta go, right?

We distilled choosing a pair of snowboard pants down to an art, and have spent weeks scouring the internet for every shred of information we could find about the latest and greatest from your favourite snow brands. And the result is this. The best snowboard pants for men and the best snowboard pants for women, laid out and argued for your benefit. You’ll find our top choices, as well as where they’ll do best listed below. So relax, think about the pow days to come, and grab yourself a truly awesome pair of pants for this season.

How we rate the best snowboard pants

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the best pants, it’s crucial that we let you in on the criteria we used to rate the best ones. Now, you are aware that all models are made differently, right? But just how different are they? And which features are a must-have when picking the best models?

How we rate the best snowboard pants

Waterproofing

Snow is frozen water. So it makes sense that snowboard pants would be made waterproof. However, waterproofing in these pants is not as straight forward like it is with tech gadgets and other clothes like raincoats. While high-quality pants are water resistant even when subjected to high pressures, the fabric eventually gives in and starts to leak. So in a sense, snowboard pants are not unconditionally waterproof. Why?

Well, waterproof materials are designed to prevent entry and exit of liquids. So while you could snowboard with a thick raincoat made from rubber, at the end of your snowboarding session, you’ll be soaking wet from your own sweat. Sounds nasty, right? The trick is to strike a perfect balance between letting perspiration pass through and protecting your legs from the weather elements.

The best fabrics are Dry.Q, FlashDry, and eVent. When checking on waterproofing ability, check the rating stamped on the pant. The waterproofing rating is offered in mm. The higher the number, the higher the water resistance.

Most models range between 0 and 20,000mm. So, say you come across a pair with a waterproof rating of about 15,000mm. If you place a 1×1 square tube over the fabric, you can fill it up to about 15,000mm before it starts to leak.

Past this, things get complicated and very scientific. So we won’t bore you with the unnecessary waterproof tech jargon. All you need to know to buy a great pair of pants is that a higher rating means the fabric is less likely to leak.

We recommend getting snowboard pants with a waterproof rating of about 5,000mm. But if you frequent the mountain slopes and snowboard hard, then anything above 10,000mm is excellent.

waterproofing of the pants

Breathability

Now, you are probably thinking that a high waterproofing rating equals low breathability. Well, while that might be true with other materials like rubber, it’s not the case with the materials used to make snowboard pants. And actually, the two concepts are different and distinct

Breathability rating (BR) is measured in grams. A high rating means you are less likely to get soaked in your sweat. A high BR rating translates to more water vapor passing through the fabric from the inside. We’ll put it into perspective to help you understand it better.

When you pick a model with a 20,000 gram BR rating, it means that the fabric will allow evaporation of 20,000 grams of sweat in 24 hours. This is the reason why manufacturers are working around the clock crafting materials with high BR and WR rating. They are looking to strike a balance between waterproofing and breathability. How awesome are they?

Snowboard pants & Features

This is where we get the clever stuff. Different manufacturers are trying different things. After all, they are all in the race for being the industry leaders. For consumers, this is a great thing as you’ll always find what you are looking for.

Some of the features include:

Venting – some snowboarding pants have zippered vents. The vents are opened to dump heat and improve air circulation when you start feeling too hot. Most vents are placed on the inner thigh. To prevent stray snow from gaining access to unwanted areas, they are protected by a functional mesh lining.

Jacket-pant connection – some brands have an elaborate system that will allow you to connect your jacket to the pants (if they are compatible). How cool is this? This further increases protection from stray snow that could otherwise work its way down your snowboard pants or up the jacket.

pants features

Pockets

These are pretty obvious. But even so, it’s important to consider them. For instance, if you snowboard with a backpack, then you don’t need the extra pockets. But if you are going to be exploring all day and don’t want a bag to weigh you down, then cargo pockets would be beneficial to carry essentials and snacks.

With all that said, it’s important to remember that the number of features included affects the price of the pants. For this reason, always check to ensure you don’t pay for features you’ll never use. But aside from that, you can pick out any pants that you fancy.

Snowboarding style

Now, let’s be honest. A pair of snowboard pants may have the best WR/BR rating, great features and all. But if it doesn’t look good or suit your style, it’ll probably end up in the back of your closet never to be worn. So instead of investing in a pair of perfect and expensive snowboard pants that you’ll never wear, get one that suits your style.

At the very least, you should like the design, fit and color.

Snowboard pants for men

1

Dope Iconic

Dope inconic snowboard pants
Waterproofing
4
Breathability
4
Additional Features
4
Value For Money
5

Iconic by name, Iconic by nature. The Iconic snowpants get a few little tweaks this season and maintain dominion over the Dope range, as well as the snow pants world.

With a classic cargo style design and plenty of baginess, the Dope Iconic deliver the quintessential classic snowboard pant experience. Only now, they’ve got the sort of technical DNA that will allow you to venture out of the park, and all over the mountain.

With a super solid 15k/15k split in waterproofing and breathability, and a lightweight but effective 40gsm insulation weight, these land perfectly between a technical shell and an easy-going resort pant. Add in oodles of thoughtful design, plenty of storage, and that unique Dope style that you won’t find anywhere else, and you’ve got a classic pant that look and feel amazing in both waist-deep powder and on the groomers.

Read our Review
2

Montec Fawk

montec fawk snowboard pants
Waterproofing
5
Breathability
5
Additional Features
5
Value For Money
5

The Montec Fawk are a staple in the Montec lineup, and are one of the best all-around bibs you can find anywhere. When you take into account the necessities of a stand-out bib — all day comfort, elemental protection, and that baggy bib style, the Fawk delivers in spades.

With an awesome baggy look and lots of design touches to make your life easier, these check all our boxes. Up top you’ve got comfy elasticated straps for the perfect fit, as well as an adjustable waist-cinch for added powder protection. And with waterproof storage options and all the features you need for a long day on the mountain, you certainly won’t be left wanting.

But what about the tech specs? Well, those live up to expectations, too. With a hefty 20k/20k split, you can go from park to pow without any trouble and venture far beyond the reaches of the resort. And with 40gsm of insulation, these things won’t balk at a cold day, either. Warmth, waterproofness, and style, bibs don’t get much better than this.

Read our Review
3

Dope Blizzard

Dope Blizzard snowboard pants
Waterproofing
4
Breathability
4
Additional Features
3
Value For Money
5

The Blizzard pants from Dope are, quite frankly, some of the best snowboard pants available. We say this not because we’re biased, but because they are! Built with Dope’s now DryTech STRETCH 15k membrane, an uprated woven outer for added durability, and an eco-friendly DWR coating, they’re everything you need for a day of screwing around on the mountain!

With an elasticated waist and built in belt, you can go oversized with them without the risk of them falling down (further than you want, anyway!). Combine this with the elasticated hem and boot gaiter combo, and despite looking like a park pant, they have all the ingredients to rip around the entire mountain.

Comfort was the goal when these pants were being developed, but the result is so much more. It’s hard to really capture these pants in words, so all we’ll say is that if you want a pair of pants that you’ll forget your wearing, then this is them!

Read our Review
4

Montec Arch

Montec Arch Snowboard Pants Blue
Waterproofing
5
Breathability
5
Additional Features
4
Value For Money
5

The Montec Arch pants received some slick updates for the new season, and stormed back into the lineup as Montec’s backcountry and powder focused pant that has no problem venturing into the park and onto the pistes, too.

With an oversized cut, complete with fully waterproof side access zip and extended coverage bib design (just to ensure powder can’t get in while you’re tomahawking down the mountain), they’re ready for even the deepest snow. Dryness is ensured by the Montec ShieldTec 20k waterproof membrane, and the eco-friendly DWR treatment helps keep the powder falling off you to, meaning warmth and breathability are preserved, even in tough conditions.

Overall, this lined shell bib offers up plenty of high tech features, including fully waterproofed pockets, zipped vents, a one-touch adjustable bib system, integrated belt, boot gaiters, zipped hems, and so much more. Is this the ultimate bib? You be the judge.

Read our Review
5

Dope Antek

Dope Antek
Waterproofing
4
Breathability
4
Additional Features
4
Value For Money
5

Ah, would this list be complete with a park-focused pant? We don’t think so, which is why we included the Antek. Wouldn’t it be great if you could find a pair of pants that felt like sweatpants? Well, that’s what you get with the Antek. Made for park laps, but packing stats you can take all over the mountain, the Antek are a true winner in our books.

Up top you’ve got supreme comfort in the form of an elasticated waistband with an integrated belt. A little lower down, you get big side pockets for lots of storage, a set of front-set cargo pockets to stuff your gear into, and then two huge outer-thigh vents for spring sessions in the slush.

At the bottom you get an elasticated hem with rear-gusset for a truly unique style, all of which is bolstered by the 15k/15k split in waterproofing and breathability. As such, these may be a park-ready pair of pants, but you’ll have no trouble taking them further up the mountain. They’re more than equipped to deal with anything the resort can throw at you.

Read our Review

Snowboard pants for women

1

Dope Con

Dope Con Snowboard Pants
Waterproofing
4
Breathability
4
Additional Features
4
Value For Money
5

The Dope Con pants slide into the number one spot because they combine the best of both worlds. They’re a slightly snug, slightly stretchy, lightweight insulated pant with oodles of style and bundles of tech. They check all the boxes, hug in all the right places, and give you total shredding freedom.

Made with a stretchy fabric, they are super comfortable without being overly baggy, which means their ideal for more body-shapes, and provide a slim yet flared silhouette that just goes with every style. But, unlike most ‘skinny’ pants, they also have a 40gsm insulation weight so they’re perfect for colder weather.

They don’t skimp on specs either, and have a 15k/15k split in waterproofing and breathability, as well as an awesome eco-friendly DWR coating, which makes them perfect for everything from powdery adventures to spring park laps. Ride uninhibited and tackle the whole mountain in what might just be the perfect pair of pants.

Read our Review
2

Montec Fawk W

Montec Fawk W
Waterproofing
5
Breathability
5
Additional Features
5
Value For Money
5

The Montec Fawk Bib is about as versatile as bibs come. They’ve got awesome tech specs, and the perfect amount of space inside to make them comfortable all day long. But as well as the specs and the fit, its design means that they are ideal for both the resort and the backcountry.

With oodles of storage, as well as elasticated and comfortable suspenders, four big storage pockets on the hips and thighs, a cinchable waist for powder protection, and a waterproof media pocket on the chest, this bib is never out of place. You can wear it just over a hoodie for cruising the resort or pair it with a shell for the backcountry. It just works everywhere.

And that’s down in part to its tech specs, too. A hefty 20k/20k split for waterproofing and breathability means that these can weather any storm, and with 40gsm of compact insulation, cold weather adventures are a walk in the park.

Read our Review
3

Dope Iconic W

dope iconic W snowboard pants faded green
Waterproofing
4
Breathability
4
Additional Features
4
Value For Money
5

Would this list be complete without the Dope Iconic pants? We don’t think so. Whether fashion outside the resort has moved away from baggy, the need for low-hanging, spacious, bunched up cargo pants will never die on the slopes. And the Iconic embraces that timeless style.

The Iconic stands out with its contrast drawstring styling and oversized cargo look, and has a perfect cut to provide an awesome silhouette, as well as suspender compatibility to stop your pants from falling all the way down.

But they’re not just a pretty face. With a 15/15k split in waterproofing and breathability, as well as 40gsm of compact insulation, they may look like a laid back resort cruiser, but they’re actually more than capable of going all over the mountain. Which we think more than earns them a spot on this list.

Read our Review
4

Montec Kirin W

Montec Kirin W
Waterproofing
5
Breathability
5
Additional Features
5
Value For Money
5

The Kirin are inspired by the Fawk bib and feature the same DNA that has proved a most popular choice in the Montec line-up. Built with a slightly baggy, classic-pant design, the Kirin pants offer up lots of external storage for maximum versatility, along with bombproof reliability during those long days on the mountain.

Montec’s ShieldTec 20k membrane is at the heart of these pants, and thanks to the eco-friendly DWR treatment, they’re not afraid to get out there even when the snow is blowing. A layer of lightweight insulation complements the design, and suspender compatibility, zipped vents, and boot gaiters are just some of the awesome features you’ll become accustomed to if you make the switch.

Overall, classic pants are pretty much a tried and true recipe. But that doesn’t mean you can’t strive for perfection. And if you’re looking to throw a little extra pepper into your riding this season, the Kirin are a rock solid choice.

Read our Review
5

Dope Tigress

Dope Tigress
Waterproofing
4
Breathability
4
Additional Features
3
Value For Money
5

You know we were saying that baggy never goes out of style? Well, that doesn’t mean we haven’t embraced skinny. And there’s no better pant to lead that charge into modern snowboard styling than the Tigress. When it comes to shedding excess fabric and insulation, the Tigress are on the prowl.

With a skinny-yet-flared profile to provide that figure-hugging look in all the right places without unsightly boot-bulge, the Tigress are a truly unique offering. Constructed with a stretch fabric, they’re comfortable all day long, but don’t skimp on tech either.

With 15k/15k in waterproofing and breathability, and plenty of quirky design touches to make them functional all over the mountain, they pack in a lot of convenience to go with their style. Waterproof zippered pockets provide a minimalist and clean look without the flaps, and an elasticated velcro waist adjustment ensures perfect fit for all sizes. Meow.

Read our Review

How to choose the best snowboarding pants

Now that we have gone through some of the best snowboard pants on the market, here are some tips to help you choose the right ones for you:

Durability

It would be regrettable if you bought a pair of snowboard jeans only for them to fall apart after a few weeks of use. And believe it or not, this happens to a lot of people. 

Check the material

To avoid being part of this statistic, you should always check on the material used to make them.

Warranty

Moreover, you should consider the build and construction of the pants as well as the warranty. The type of warranty offered can shed some light on their durability.

Don't forget to check the reviews

Another great way to determine the quality of snowboard pants (especially when purchasing online) is going through consumer reviews before making a purchase.

How to choose the best snowboarding pants

Warmth and insulation

Most newbies think that since they’ll be gliding on snow, then the jacket and pants need to be warm. Well, that’s not entirely true. How warm the pants should vary from one person to the other. This is why some pants have microfleece lining for extra insulation and others don’t. You see, when snowboarding, the most significant part to keep warm is your core.

However, if you are the kind who freezes fast, then you should wear mid and base layer thermal leggings.

Zips and vents

Almost all snowboard pants come with vents on the inner thighs. These vents are designed to increase air circulation and to regulate temperature during the warmer days and when you are going extra hard and generating a lot of body heat. They complement the breathability of the pants.

For smooth operation, these vents are zipped. Additionally, they are lined with a mesh to prevent specks of snow from finding their way into your pants.

Pants designed for technical backcountry snowboarding have vents on the outside of the thighs along the length of the pants. They are longer and promote maximum ventilation.

Waterproofing

First, we need you to understand that when companies speak about ‘waterproof’ what they truly mean is ‘water resistant’. That said, you cannot afford to compromise on this. Why? Well, regardless of your snowboarding style, ability and crew, there is a high chance you’ll spend some significant amount of time seated in the snow or worse still, crashing through the snow.

You might not know it now, but there’s nothing as bad as snowboarding with a wet butt when it’s not even raining. And even if it is raining, waterproof pants will help keep you dry through the rain to a certain degree.

Some important features that we skipped earlier on were critical seams vs. fully taped seams. These features, along with the material used will determine the level of waterproofing. Pants with fully taped seams will have every seam reinforced to promote water resistance. The process is intensive, and as such, these pants are expensive. Critical seams, on the other hand, mean that only seams located in parts that will suffer significant wear and tear are reinforced.

waterproofing

Types of snowboard pants

Here are some of the main types of snowboard pants that you can choose from, depending on the mountain you frequent and your style:

Uninsulated snowboard pants

These are also known as shell pants. They are usually windproof and waterproof. These types of pants are made from thick nylon since nylon is durable and abrasion resistant. These pants can further be divided into three-layer and two-layer pants.

The two-layer pants have a breathable liner and a water-resistant outer material while three-layer pants feature a membrane between these two layers.

Insulated pants

Most newbies often assume that these are the best pants to purchase. But they are wrong. Here’s why. When snowboarding, unless you freeze fast, you’ll almost never feel the cold on your legs. As such, these pants are only necessary during frigid weather.

Insulated pants have different warmth ratings and thicknesses. These range from polar-explorer to bare minimum insulations. It’s often a challenge to manage temperature levels when snowboarding. And unfortunately, this can get uncomfortable fast.

Softshell snowboard pants

Though these are not a category on their own, it is important to point them out. Softshell pants are made from less durable and lighter material. They also have lower waterproof ratings. For this reason, if you are a beginner and will be crashing a lot, you should prepare yourself to get wet fast.

But there is an upside to these pants. They offer excellent breathability and flexibility in comparison to thicker snowboard pants.

types of snowboard pants

Pants with suspenders

We know you think these will make you look like an old grandpa descending a mountain – but no. Actually, snowboarders have fallen in love with these pants for their protection and style. These pants stay up even after you’ve crashed many times. Also, they don’t allow snow to get into your pants since they have no waistline.

But while they are loved and popular, before you buy one, you should ensure that it’s the right size. If not, and this goes for the men, the straps will pull up your pants and make your ‘twins’ super uncomfortable.

Boot gaiters

These are a must-have. All snowboard pants have boot gaiters. In case you are wondering what those are, they are the elastic cuffs located on each leg. They are designed to stretch over your snowboard boots to prevent snow from finding its way into your boots.

Pockets

Most women’s snowboard pants feature small pockets. Sure, they reduce bulkiness, but in the grand scheme of things, they are not ideal for storage. Pants with thigh or cargo pockets are more convenient for essential items you’ll use while on the mountain.

Jackets to pants connection

Some snowboard pants feature a system that connects the pants to the jacket. However, to use these systems, the jacket and pants must be compatible. This feature creates a snow barrier. It makes your jacket and pants behave like a one-piece suit.

jacket to pants connection

FAQ's

What size of snowboard pants should I get?

Well, honestly, baggy pants have their pros and con even though most feel that baggy snowboard pants are a thing of the past.

They are loved because they offer a wider range of motion. But on the flip side, the baggy pants could fall off at any time.

So what should you do? Well, we recommend that you first get the waist measurements right. If you’ll be wearing some layering clothes, you should consider that as well. When the waist measurements are right, the pants will stay in place.

What materials are best for snowboard pants?

Nylon and polyester are the most common and preferred choices.

This is because nylon is durable, and when woven in the right patterns, it is waterproof. We love the fact that it is windproof as well.

However, polyester is also a great option. Though it doesn’t last as long as nylon, it is functional and serves its purpose. Since it readily absorbs moisture, it’s not the best material for those looking for pants with a high waterproof rating.

Which should I choose? A suspenders or a belt model?

Suspenders might make you look like a dork, but they are functional. For those having problems keeping their pants up, it works like a charm.

But even then, we recommend first getting the right size of the pants. This way, they will fit perfectly. You might even end up not needing suspenders or belts.

Wrapping up

wrapping up

Ultimately, the decision of which snowboard pants to buy lies with you. But we hope that this guide has left you with a better idea of what to look for and which features would be overkill for you.

And as you make your choice, remember to factor in your personal preferences. There’s no point in getting the top snowboard pants if you’ll not feel comfortable and confident in them.

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