The Best Ski Pants of 2025

We’re impressed by the Eddie Bauer Men’s Chair Six Shell Pants ($229) for versatility and price. These 3-layer pants offer protection from the elements while remaining very flexible without any fabric swoosh. While these are built for the resort, we found that they’re usable in the backcountry, too. The soft-feeling fabric is treated with a Storm Repel DWR, every seam is taped, and the ankles and cuffs are reinforced with Cordura for durability. The longevity of the waterproof barrier remains to be tested, but initially, we were impressed.

For uphill travel, a double zipper allows the pant’s vent to open on the inside of each leg or open in a U-shape from one leg to the other. A nylon mesh guard prevents the pants from opening too far and snow from entering. We were impressed by the amount of cooling offered by this design. While touring in warmer conditions, secondary vents on the exterior legs would be preferable but, for most conditions, this vent provided enough airflow. The hand pockets are fleece-lined and zippered, creating comfort and security for our important items. An additional thigh pocket is secured by Velcro for larger items, and there’s a zippered rear pocket as well. The straight fit offered a lot of room for layers, and the stretch allowed us to move freely without feeling like we were wearing a sailboat. 

Speaking of layers, Eddie Bauer also offers the Men’s Chair Six Insulated Hybrid Pant ($119), a midlayer designed to round out the whole kit. This fleece-lined midlayer kept us warm on the chairlift. It contains 60 g of synthetic insulation, which is strategically body-mapped and placed from the knees up. The pants are stylish enough to be worn for après-ski and stretchy enough to pull up the lower calf area to accommodate ski boots. If you want an inherently insulated ski pant in this price range, look at the 2-layer Picture Naikoon Pants, which are a bit more costly.

The Chair Six Shell Pants are great for the budget-conscious skier looking for good features in a versatile shell. Check out the matching Eddie Bauer Men’s Chair Six Jacket. A women’s kit is available, too: the Eddie Bauer Women’s Chair Six Shell Pants and Eddie Bauer Women’s Chair Six Jacket.

Among our favorite ski pants, the Stio Men’s Environ Pant ($419) provides excellent breathability and range of motion, as does the Stio Women’s Environ Pant.

The durable PeakProof shell material allows sweat to escape, and the large vent zips have extra-large durable zippers, so they were easy for us to grab on the go. We especially like the zipper cover for the thigh pocket, which snaps closed and keeps snow and ice from accumulating on the teeth. We absolutely loved the soft microfiber liner of the hand pockets for those transitions when you need to quickly warm up an ungloved hand.

An integrated belt is convenient, but the clasp is a bit difficult to unhook until the webbing gets broken in. The Velcro hip cinches add additional sizing changes. The fit on these pants is true to size, allowing seamless movement in the skin track. The Cordura cuff guards are extremely resistant to ski edges on the downhill, during kick turns, or if you’re booting up with crampons.

While we enjoyed the Environ Pant for backcountry missions, we also reached for this pant for days at the ski area. The design is for skiers who are not shy to pay extra for high quality gear. Although the Environ lands in the higher price range of the products tested, our testers felt its worth the investment. Another excellent option in this price range for backcountry missions and days at the resort is the Rab Men’s Khroma Diffuse GORE-TEX Pants, which have a slightly articulated fit and additional waterproofness.

The Patagonia Men’s Storm Shift Pants ($399) are highly sustainable and will see you through any conditions you might encounter throughout the ski season, ease included. The Storm Shift is a continuation of Patagonia’s 2-layer outerwear without perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), and it’s made with 100% recycled material. Called the ePE GORE-TEX membrane (which Patagonia also unveiled in 3-layer kits in 2023/2024), we found that the textile does not sacrifice waterproofing or performance despite the chemical-free makeover.

While these pants are not insulated, they incorporate a comfortable mesh liner that we found added a lot of warmth when compared to other 2-layer shell pants. With long, mesh-backed thigh vents, you can also quickly regulate temperature if you get too hot. For a 2-layer material, we found these pants sealed out moisture even in the wettest of conditions.

Our testers noted that the Storm Shift Pants ran quite large, to the point of feeling baggy. That’s perfect if you appreciate a loose fit. But if not, you’ll likely want to size down or wear a belt. Otherwise, the Eddie Bauer Men’s Chair Six Shell Pants offer a straighter fit. The adjustable waistband of the Storm can help dial in the snug level, and a bit of stretch will keep you comfortable no matter which end of the size spectrum you select. 

These ski pants have a high level of durability, especially with the integrated Cordura kick patch that surrounds the entire hem and reaches high on the interior lower leg. No ski edges are getting through that shield. These pants are a heavy-duty choice that will last you many seasons without showing signs of wear. However, we wouldn’t use these pants for uphill pursuits considering the added warmth we felt from the liner. The Storm Shift Pants are a reliable, eco-friendly option with a relaxed fit best suited for trips to the ski area.

Blurring the lines, the Black Diamond Recon LT Pants ($350) work well between backcountry and resort days, hardshell and softshell. The main fabric, Black Diamond’s proprietary BD.dry 3L, stuck out to testers while ski touring in Colorado. It’s plentifully waterproof like a hardshell for dumping snow and booting up couloirs but breathable enough for high-output touring like a softshell.

But what sets the Recon LT apart from other waterproof options is the generous 4-way stretch throughout. It was so accommodating in terms of movement that it had us questioning whether stretchless waterproof fabrics — like those found in most high-end garments — should be relegated to the past. Why choose stretch versus waterproofing when Black Diamond proves we can have both? Perhaps durability is at play.

The Recon LT comes equipped with tour-specific features like a sturdy integrated avalanche beacon pouch, plentiful pocket volume, and generous heat-dumping thigh vents. They also sport best-in-class inner boot gaiters that seal out the elements even after hours of wallowing in deep snow.

Most impressive about these touring-specific pants was how well they transitioned to downhill skiing at the resort. They’re light and breathable but simultaneously strong and protective when worn as a shell over base layers. Testers didn’t hesitate to bring them out in treacherous wind, driving storms, sunshine, or any other conditions when paired with the right base layers.

The catch? Some testers found the integrated belt and hook-and-loop waist adjusters woefully insufficient to hold the pants up while touring. Users who do find a good fit, however, will be psyched on the Recon LT Pants. They’re stretchy, breathable, and protective shells for backcountry and resort skiing alike at a price point below most high-end waterproof competitors.

Read Review: Waterproof, Stretchy, Breathable: Black Diamond Recon LT Ski Pants Review

Rising to the top of our apparel quiver, the Rab Men’s Khroma Diffuse GORE-TEX Pants ($445) is a dependable, straightforward choice for exploratory resort days — through trees, chutes, moguls, and boulder drops — and an equally rad partner for backcountry adventures. The design remains unchanged for 2024-2025, which debuted in the 2023-2024 season alongside the Rab Women’s Khroma Diffuse GORE-TEX Pants. We love these pants for their superior construction with articulated knees and roomy upper legs for full-on days. Sweeping turns and climbing skin tracks are no issue with such well-tailored, dependable, well-constructed ski pants to rip around in.

Though a similar aesthetic and design to the Khroma lineup, these particular 3-layer pants boast a 100% recycled face fabric. Compared to the Khroma Kinetic Waterproof Pants, this pair is more waterproof — 28,000mm versus 20,000mm — and, as a result, slightly heavier (657 grams compared to 579 grams) and more durable, though some breathability is sacrificed. The material is coated with Gore DWR rather than a fluorocarbon-free DWR. With a slightly higher-end build, the price tag lands a bit higher, too. The back pocket was nixed from this design, as well.

Day in and out, the material kept moisture at bay, even while skiing laps in blizzard conditions and catching puddles on lift chairs. Rather than a metal hook, the internal gaiters have a soft pull-tab but the interior elastic band is grippy and stays put. The lower legs zip open, from the hem up, with a 9.5-inch long window to access your ski boots. Having the option of belt loops plus an exterior integrated velcro belt is one we appreciate.

The hems are reinforced on the interior and exterior, and that secondary material reaches 8 inches up the interior leg. There are also two dense crampon patches — 5.5 x 8 inches and 4.5 x 8 inches — on either side of the lower-leg zipper. Those lower legs are well-shielded against sharp ski edges and crampons, though they’re not easy to roll up if that’s ever a desire — like when you’re hiking back to the trailhead on a muddy road after a spring mission. We also appreciate the side leg vents for when we’re bootpacking or on the uphill approach.

Two hand pockets plus a spacious lower-thigh pocket, which fits a beacon, get the job done. Inside the lowermost pocket is a small interior, stretchy pocket. We’re on the fence about these nooks — they’re typically too small for a beacon or a phone — but they could be a spot to slide a lean belonging like a driver’s license or ID. While the three exterior leg pockets are roomy, they’re certainly not sized for skins. However, the only real critique we have of the pants so far is that RECCO could be a nice addition. If you need a strong build that won’t wear out soon, don’t hesitate to invest in the Khroma Diffuse for out-of-bounds adventures, hut trips, and ski mountaineering adventures.

There’s a reason so many backcountry skiers, climbers, and mountaineers have trusted Outdoor Research’s Cirque pants for years on end. For those diehards, we’ve got great news: The new Outdoor Research Cirque III Softshell Pants ($179) are the best ones yet – they’re durable, breathable, movement-oriented, and exceptionally versatile.

The Cirque III was designed with the “simpler is better” ethos, and that’s why it transcends seasons and disciplines. Unlike most softshell pants designed for ski touring, the Cirque III defaults to a narrow lower cuff that’s suitable for mountaineering boots, trail runners, or hiking boots. Then the cuffs zip open, revealing a burly gusset to accommodate even the beefiest ski touring boots.

These ski pants strike a nice balance between breathability and durability. While not the most water-resistant, the main fabric feels tough, and the pants are reinforced in all the high-wear zones. The kevlar reinforced cuffs refused to succumb to any of the ski edges, crampon points, tree branches, or sharp rocks thrown their way. But despite the robust build, the fabric felt breathable enough for highly aerobic winter activities, even without vents. 

Outdoor Research took great care to maximize versatility, which all starts with movement and fit. Compared to previous versions, the trimmer cut, generous gussets, and restriction-free stretch impressed our tester, Bergen Tjossem, during backcountry ski missions, high-stepping on rock and ice climbing pitches, and while winter hiking alike. On one test day, Tjossem had a 3-hour pre-dawn approach, 2,000 vertical feet of crampon booting to 13,000 feet, technical rope work, and a tricky descent in brutally cold, windy storm conditions. He found these pants to be perfect for the job.

While deep in the mountains, we appreciated the little details, too. A low-profile avalanche beacon pocket kept our beepers secure and accessible. Gaiter hooks and cord eyelets added protection while trudging through powder. The pocket layout provided enough storage options while remaining low profile under a harness. Most importantly, the integrated belt has a plentiful range and strength to hold the pants up even when weighted down by a pocketed beacon, multitool, and snacks.

Outdoor Research did their, um, research: The third generation of the Cirque pants are a durable workhorse of a softshell suited to ski touring, climbing, hiking, and mountaineering throughout the year. The Cirque also runs laps around its competition in terms of inclusive sizing: They’re offered in 16 different sizes, so most users will find a dialed fit for their body type.

Read Review: Workhorse Softshell Ski Pants: Outdoor Research Cirque III Review

For skiers looking for insulated pants, The North Face Men’s Freedom Insulated Pants ($200) offer great durability and performance for significantly less money than major competitors. Designed primarily for the ski resort, these pants are well-constructed and stylish. While we’ve listed the insulated version of the Freedom Pants here, a non-insulated version is available and slightly cheaper. Regardless of the print, the fabric is 100% recycled nylon with a non-PFC DWR finish for protection on stormy days.

Though we haven’t included many insulated pants on this list, we found the 60 g Heatseeker insulation in the Freedom Pants adds a nice touch. We tend to appreciate insulated pants in the teens and during windchill, which feel pleasant and cozy without excess bulk. Plus, the 60 grams of Heatseeker Eco insulation is made from 90% post-consumer recycled polyester, while the liner is 100% recycled polyester.

The slightly baggy fit of the Freedom Pants allows for comfortable layering, and the resulting style fits right in at the resort. Because these pants lack stretch, they do feel mildly restrictive at times, meaning they aren’t ideal for backcountry skiing. We like the large side vents, which successfully counteract the warmth of the insulation on balmy days. We’re also happy to see the wide range of sizes that include a short, regular, and long inseam option. And it’s nice to have an extra cargo pocket to round out the two traditional hand pockets.

While the Freedom Insulated Pants won’t win any awards for high-end features or cutting-edge technology, they are fully deserving of a shout-out for their unbeatable value. For a non-insulated pant in this price rung, check out the Eddie Bauer Men’s Chair Six Shell Pants.

Overhauled with a new fabric for the winter 2024-2025 season, the legacy Arc’teryx Sabre Pants ($600) have a lighter environmental footprint. Absent insulation, we found this 3-layer snow pant worked well for long backcountry days and could also hang on stormy days at the resort. With the right layering underneath, this design had us covered across Colorado’s wild range of weather and snow conditions.

The Sabre Pants employ the new top-of-the-line ePE fabric from GORE-TEX, an 80-denier textile with recycled nylon. The mega update is the ePE (expanded Polyethylene) material, which has the same breathable microporous membrane as the GORE-TEX of yore. The main difference is that the design is leaner and eliminates toxic, environmentally harmful PFC chemicals. In testing, we found that the fabric remains exceptionally waterproof, as you’d expect from GORE-TEX. As storms blasted, we were impressed with how well the Sabre ski pants repelled water and snow.

Against your base layer sits a soft 80-denier ePE flannel backer that feels smooth on bare skin — it’s not warm, though. We found that base layers are required to dial in insulation for resort days. That said, the lightweight fabric transitioned nicely from the ski resort to the skin track thanks to the impressive breathability. They’re not as breathable as softshell pants, but they’re about as breathable as hardshells can get. Waterproof zippers open the massive thigh vents on each leg to dump heat on unrelenting uphills, too. 

Waist fastening is handled by an integrated but removable elastic belt with a simple plastic buckle joined at the front of the pants. We found that the belt did its one job admirably, even with a phone, avalanche beacon (a.k.a. transceiver), and snacks stuffed inside the low-profile thigh pockets. Even still, Arc’teryx added belt loops for skiers that prefer to run their own belt: an appreciated feature with no tradeoffs.

Nicks? The Sabre pants are relatively tight in the hip, groin, and seat region. Despite matching the waist size (34”) in Arc’teryx’s sizing chart, one tester needed to size up from a Medium to a Large for more room and mobility. Sizing up significantly improved the fit in the lap, underside, and backside. However, the larger waistband (37”) required cinching from the integrated belt, which worked well.

The Sabre’s stout cuffs are wide enough for beefy ski boots and snowboard boots without being overly baggy and snag-prone. For longevity, Arc’teryx doubled down with a very durable 100-denier Cordura fabric. The Keprotec insteps were also impressively resistant to the sharp edges of our skis. After many days of thrashing, they’re barely scuffed and completely free of cuts. Underneath the shell are durable gaiters that stretch around the upper boot cuff to seal out snow. The premium Sabre ski pants have a price tag to match. But you get what you pay for: These pants can slash through powder until the sun goes down, stride uphill day after day, and protect your legs for the long haul through virtually any weather. 

We enjoyed how cozy our legs felt on super snowy days at the resort while wearing the Mountain Hardwear Cloud Bank GORE-TEX Pants ($375). This design blurs the line between insulated and uninsulated pants. Made with a new toxic-free yet burly GORE-TEX ePE fabric, these pants are relatively economical for the technology. That textile is strong at 150-denier and comes in a 2-layer design. We found these pantalones blunted the icy wind and fended off hours of dense, wet snow, even on long chairlift rides.

That 20-denier nylon taffeta lining maximized the cozy factor. It doesn’t contain insulation, but it does trap warm air. In combination with merino wool base layers, we felt toasty warm, even with temperatures in the low teens. Despite being warm, the inner leg vents dumped heat quickly, meaning we could also ski swamp-free on warmer days. 

Not all skiers will fancy that the cut is on the baggier side, which accommodates more range of motion but also adds a swishy sound, thanks to the extra fabric. But we appreciated the extra room for insulating midlayers underneath. Between the cut and warmth, the Cloud Bank lands firmly in the resort category for ski pants. We wouldn’t recommend these for backcountry skiing. 

Other features that we appreciated were highly secure, protective inner gaiters, which were well placed. We liked the adequately roomy pockets that accommodated all of our snacks, and the integrated waist-tightening system functioned pretty well. Fortunately, Mountain Hardwear included belt loops for users who want even more security: One of our testers strongly preferred his own belt to keep the pants up. Overall, the performance of this design falls somewhere in the middle of the pack and will suit most resort skiers really well. While the Cloud Bank is on the cheaper side of ski pants sporting this innovative waterproof GORE-TEX ePE membrane, there are still cheaper waterproof options that forgo GORE-TEX and match the broader quality like the 2-layer Picture Naikoon Pants.

The 2-layer Picture Naikoon Pants ($275) are a stylish and comfortable insulated pant from French Alps outerwear company Picture, which features eco-friendly production and a relaxed, park-inspired fit. We love that these ski pants use 70% upcycled factory scraps and recycled textiles without any downgrades in performance. Called Circular polyester, Picture launched the technical in-house fabric blend in 80% of their winter outerwear in 2023-2024. With 20K/20K of breathability and waterproofness, the Naikoon is also loaded up with PFC-free DWR for extra water repellency.

We found that these pants have more of a bib inspiration in the front, with a high-rise waist to help seal out the elements. To ensure freedom of movement, the Naikoon has a bit of integrated stretch, making them extra cozy and non-restrictive. The Teflon EcoElite DWR finish is free of PFCs and completely bio-based, the first-ever textile repellent made from plants. The surface treatment repels water and water-based stains.

While the Coremax tricot lining might be too warm for high-output sunny days come spring, the Naikoon Pants feature long side zips to help regulate temperature. We found that the design was warm and suitable for all ski resort pursuits but would likely be overkill and too heavy for backcountry missions. We dig the two hand pockets along with two cargo pockets, providing plenty of spots to stash our stuff. And we like that the hems have a row of snaps to widen the pant leg and quickly pull these legs over our boots. We also love that there’s an elastic pull (inside the hand pockets) that can cinch the pant hem up, like drawing a curtain off the ground. Very cool.

Ultimately, we like the unique look of these pants with the oversized thigh pockets and colorblock print. Overall, the Naikoon Pants are a great choice for eco-conscious resort skiers who run cold or ski in colder climates. While The North Face Men’s Freedom Insulated Pants are also insulated and in this price vicinity, they have a different style and aesthetic compared to Picture, plus the Naikoon has four pockets instead of three.

The Rab Men’s Khroma Kinetic Waterproof Pants ($340) are well-made with a versatile mixture of handy features. While cruising through powder or skinning up steep slopes, you’ll surely appreciate the fine balance of breathability and waterproofing.

Surprisingly, Rab’s’ Proflex material is both fully waterproof and reasonably stretchy. Though these are hardshell pants, they manage to offer plentiful freedom of movement. Waterproof zippers keep your phone and valuables safe — even in waist-deep powder.

For such lightweight ski pants, the Kinetic Pants incorporate impressive durability in all the right places. For example, reinforcement patches around the ankles provide protection against ski edges and crampons. When paired with a good ski jacket, these pants form part of a full-body weatherproof system ideal for ski mountaineering.

We appreciate the sleek and understated look of these pants. All available color schemes are muted, handsome, and not overly flashy. Other key features of the Khroma Kinetic Waterproof Pants include elastic snow gaiters, side vents, and thoughtfully placed pockets. At a reasonable price, these pants are an exceptional value.

Norrøna is known for high-quality outwear, and the Norrøna Lofoten GORE-TEX Pro Plus Pants ($949) are no exception — doubling down to deliver the most premium product we’ve selected. These durable, very waterproof, breathable, and thoroughly windproof ski pants are designed for mountain freeriding and backcountry adventures. GORE-TEX Pro is the company’s most substantial fabric with a waterproof rating of 28,000 mm: the top-tier for the Pacific Northwest or bell-to-bell snowstorms. When combined with Norrøna’s 200-denier outer fabric, the result is perhaps the most rugged pair of pants on this list.

There’s more. This moderately baggy pant is also adaptable because it includes a bib that can be zipped in to extend the fabric up the torso and help keep the pants snugged up. On both legs, large inner thigh vents offer amplified airflow. To avoid wear from ski edges and crampons, both ankle cuffs are fully reinforced with extremely strong Kevlar fabric. There’s also a phone pocket integrated inside the right thigh pocket. In total, there are two hand pockets and two thigh pockets, and we appreciate the storage.

GORE-TEX Pro, while excellent for keeping the weather out, can also feel a bit stifling when hiking uphill — after all, they’re the most waterproof pants on our list. Our other favorite backcountry ski pants, the Rab Men’s Khroma Kinetic Waterproof Pants, are a solid 20K of waterproofness in comparison. Ultimately, the Lofoten really shine in cold, windy, and stormy conditions.

Another great garnish is that these pants are made with more than 50% recycled synthetic fibers that are Oeko-Tex certified and Bluesign-approved, ensuring that harmful substances are not utilized in the construction and production process.

If your skiing style calls for ultimate weather protection, we highly recommend the lightweight and hybrid-style Lofoten GORE-TEX Pro Plus Pants (or bib). Even when the wind is whipping at 25 mph, your legs will feel sheltered all day long.