The Best Ski Pants for Men of 2026

The Flylow Chemical Pants ($380) are among my favorite pairs of pants out of dozens I’ve worn over the last two years of ski testing. That’s because they are tough, protective, and yet not overly warm. They have just enough pocket space for my keys, phone, and wallet. And with a relatively neutral appearance, they work well with many different jacket styles.

Just be sure to size up a little if you’re in between sizes.

I tested the Chemical Pants over several ski days at Arapahoe Basin Ski Resort, Copper Mountain, and in the Colorado backcountry during the spring of 2025. The Chemical Pants essentially disappeared into my day, which is high praise for any ski apparel.

The FlyLow Chemical Pants’ weather resistance is top-tier. They protected well against hard, icy snow when I took a surprising fall while skiing Palavinci at Arapaho Basin, letting me slide over hard-packed snow without any moisture or snow intrusion.

As I noted, the Chemical Pants run a little bit small. I fell between sizes as I have a 30-inch waist, and the size small that Flylow recommended was a little snug in the waist. I think the next size up would have been better, as I could have added a belt if I needed to snug it down. As they are, well, they’re snug, but still fantastic. Please keep this in mind if you’re ordering these online.

The Chemical Pants have two nice pockets on the front, providing ample space to keep keys on a lanyard loop, a phone, and a wallet. There’s also a back pocket, but I almost never use it as you would sit on anything inside it while riding the lift. I wish the Chemical Pants had a thigh pocket, as it gives you a lot more space for a large phone or other items. But the pockets, while minimal, are sufficient for a day on the slopes.

These have two large vent zips that work great. I like that they’re on the outside of the pants, so you get lots of venting when you need it, and they’re easy to close when you don’t.

Finally, the Chemical Pants have burly reinforcements on the knees and cuffs. The cuffs also have a snap adjustment and a snow gaiter. They do not have a hook on the gaiter, but I never found much snow intrusion, so it seems unnecessary.

Overall, these are excellent pants. Just make sure to size up, and you’ll have stylish, comfortable pants that will last at a very reasonable price.

— Sean McCoy

Stellar is a Scandinavian brand new to the U.S. It caught my eye last winter when I saw it at the Outdoor Media Alliance (OMA) trade show. The Stellar kit is the brand’s most popular skiwear line, and the Stellar Equipment Stellar Shell Pants 2.0 ($580) stood out to me for its simple, functional design. 

These aren’t flashy pants with bells and whistles. They’re just well-made and thoughtfully designed with quality materials. It’s a straightforward design.

The Stellar Shell 2.0 Ski Pants ($580) are crafted from recycled nylon fabric, sourced in Japan. It’s a little stiff, but it has proven very durable and reliably water- and windproof so far. These pants have a more relaxed fit than many European ski pants, which allows for better freedom of movement and contributes to a more “steazy” look. 

In the Stellar 2.0 Pants, Stellar also added an elastic adjustable waist to help better dial the fit. There’s a comfortable, fleecy band around the inside of the waist, and belt loops on the outside, allowing you to use your own belt (which always earns design points in my book). 

The Stellar 2.0 Pants have four pockets — one on each hip and one on each thigh. All of the pockets drop internally (none of them gusset outward), which better protects the items you’re storing, but can make the pant legs feel tight if you’re carrying large or bulky items. Both legs have a vent on the outside, and all the zippers are water-resistant YKK AquaGuard (except for the fly zipper, which is protected by a 3L flap). 

Overall, these pants are durable, functional, and straightforward. The materials are bomber and the construction is strong. In testing, I thought they cut the wind effectively, and breathed as well as any other 3L shell pants I own. They’re relatively lightweight, weighing just 705 g (in a men’s large), and moved easily with me during both downhill and uphill travel. I think I prefer them for resort use, but they also work well for backcountry skiing. 

The only downside? Even though they’re made with recycled materials, these pants contain PFAS chemicals. That may be a deal breaker for some. 

— Will Brendza

Ortovox is best known for its backcountry packs and avalanche equipment, but it’s also coming out of the gate strong with ski outerwear. As I tested them this winter, the Ortovox Ravine Plus Pants ($630) really drove that home for me. They’re stylish, comfortable, and different in some enticing ways.

My favorite feature of the Ravine Plus Pants was, hands down, its waist design. Unlike standard ski pants, this pair has a higher waist with elastic woven into it and large, 5-inch panels of Velcro that make micro-adjustments really easy. The way this pair of ski pants hugs your abdomen feels so snug that I don’t even mind the lack of belt loops. Two snap buttons secure the waist in place up front. 

While Ortovox bills these as shells, they actually have a thin layer of merino lining the inside. It adds enough insulated warmth that these pants feel a lot toastier than standard shells. I’d warm up pretty quickly in them if I were backcountry skiing uphill or ski touring. For resorts, though, it was perfect. Even on the coldest days when I wore these, I never felt the need to layer up underneath them. However, they were also not too hot for warmer days.

Comfort-wise, these pants scored high. The merino lining makes them slightly heavier, but also makes them buttery smooth to move around in. The fit is also quite relaxed, so there is no restriction on movement. 

The Ravine Plus kit is also the first outerwear to use Ortovox’s proprietary non-porous waterproof membrane, OVX.SHEILD. It’s environmentally friendly and free of PFAS and PFCs. 

Typically, I prefer ski bibs to pants. But the way these fit around my waist, the comfort they offered, and the range of movement I had in them really won me over. This is one pair of pants I would take over bib shells for almost any resort day. 

I only wish that I’d had a different color to test. The “white tea” colorway I have looks great, but it’s proven hard to keep clean. Luckily, Ortovox offers the Ravine Plus pants in two other colors for both men and women.

— Will Brendza

On January 2, 2025, The North Face Men’s Summit Series Verbier GORE-TEX Bibs protected me during one of the best powder days of my life. Would I have chosen any other pants for that day? No way.

The Verbier Bibs are downright fantastic, albeit very expensive, ski bibs. They have top-tier, 100% recycled GORE-TEX 3-Layer fabric. It’s the gold standard in waterproof-breathable construction, and these bibs prove why. During the aforementioned powder day, the Verbier Bibs provided snowproof protection while skiing bell-to-bell at an uncrowded, waist-deep float fest at Arapahoe Basin Ski Resort.

However, throughout the winter, I tested the bibs on a dozen more outings, from backcountry touring in below-zero conditions to spring riding on slush.

The verdict? The Verbier Bibs are among the absolute best you can buy — if they fit. They have an athletic fit that will suit slender to medium builds well. Those with heavier physiques may find them too snug, so it’s best to try them on before making a purchase.

The GORE-TEX construction of these bibs is great. Moreover, they have excellent pocket placement, with two hand pockets and two thigh pockets fit for everything needed for a day on the slopes. A chest kangaroo pocket adds utility, although it seems a little more than needed.

Entry is easy with a one-sided zip, which also allows for bathroom breaks without fully removing the bibs. A small fly zip allows for Number 1 with a quick dash into the trees.

A downside for those who run hot, the Verbier Bibs lack side zips, limiting ventilation. It’s worth considering for those who plan to undertake extensive touring in warmer conditions. Other than that, these bibs are nearly perfect.

— Sean McCoy

The Mountain Hardwear Mythogen Bibs ($700) are one of the more technical pieces Mountain Hardwear has released in a while. The brand aimed to create a comprehensive mountaineering ski kit for big mountain, high alpine, and technical use. With design help from legendary French skier Vivian Bruchez, Mountain Hardwear took a big swing with the Mythogen — and in my opinion, it nailed its mark.

Made from recycled GORE-TEX EPe Pro, these bibs are very durable and have a nice weight, neither too heavy nor too stiff. They’re water and windproof, PFAS-free, and offer protection from the elements, with stretch where you need it. From the waist down, the bibs are GORE-TEX, but from the waist up, its a stretchy nylon material that breathes well and allows for freedom of movement.

The main zipper extends from the top of the bibs to the fly, which is protected by a 3L GORE-TEX flap (dual zippers allow for fly access from the bottom, so you don’t have to unzip from the top). All of the zippers, except for those on the chest pockets, are water-resistant.

These bibs are also stacked with pockets. They have two pockets on each thigh and two more on the chest for a total of six. I found that stashing snacks, a beacon, ski straps, tools, liners, or maps in these bibs was not an issue. The thigh pockets are gusseted to fit larger, bulkier items.

Drop seats don’t normally excite me, but the Mythogen’s is interesting. It has a large arcing “rainbow” design with dual zippers that open up and drop the entire backside down. The dual zippers also double as vents, allowing me to dump heat on the move or lower my seat to take care of business. It’s a different design than I’ve seen on other bibs, and I like it.

Finally, the cuffs of these bibs deserve a call-out, too. The cuffs have an elastic cinch at the bottom, similar to many softshell pants. Uncinched, they can easily fit over a ski boot, and cinched, they hold tightly around a mountaineering boot. It’s the best of both worlds for ski mountaineers.

When GearJunkie tester Bergen Tjossem reviewed this kit after using it in Chamonix, France, he concluded, “The snug-fitting cuffs are a meaningful detail in the jagged peaks of Chamonix, where a snagged crampon point could send you off a 2,000-foot cliff.”

The Mountain Hardwear Mythogen Bibs have a freeride fit, which means they are slightly baggier. That makes layering under them easy. However, if you’re between sizes, I recommend trying these on before purchasing, as you may want to size down.

— Will Brendza

The first thing I noticed when I slipped into the Helly Hansen Ridge Infinity Shell Bibs ($620) was their weight. They’re lightweight, made with Helly Hansen’s three-layer LIFA INFINITY membrane. In testing so far, it appears to be quite durable, but initially, I was skeptical that it could withstand sustained backcountry abuse. 

Those fears quickly subsided as I used these bibs more. They’re ideal for backcountry skiers who want a light hardshell that can take a beating. 

With just two thigh pockets (one on each leg) and one large chest pocket, these bibs might seem to have less storage space than others on this list. But the two thigh pockets are gusseted and can fit a lot of loose odds and ends. The chest pocket is voluminous and gusseted and has one vertical access zipper on each side. During testing, I never encountered any issues with a lack of space for my snacks, phone, beacon, and ski tools. 

The zippers on both sides of the chest pocket have large pull tabs that are very easy to grab with gloves on. One of the two thigh pockets has this same closure. The other, however, closes with Velcro. I’ve never had any issues with that pocket opening or losing items from it while I’m skiing, but I wish it had a zipper closure as well. That’s my only real gripe with these pants, and its pretty minor.

Given the material Helly Hansen used, the kick guard feels almost overbuilt. It is by far the heaviest part of the Ridge Infinity Bibs, probably to compensate for the lightness of the LIFA INFINITY membrane. In several weeks of testing, I didn’t slice or even scrape the kick guard material. 

The straps are one of my favorite parts of the Ridge Infinity Bibs. They’re 1.5 inches wide, which makes them less likely to unintentionally twist or fold over when worn. Unlike some bibs, getting into these and adjusting the shoulder straps is easy and doesn’t require a mirror.

I’d recommend these bibs for any backcountry skier, as well as for resort skiers who occasionally venture into sidecountry and backcountry areas. They’re light enough for easy uphill travel, durable, reinforced where it matters, and have enough pocket space to hold everything you need on the skin track. However, this kit (including the jacket) is size large. I got a men’s large (which is what I normally wear), but I could have gone with a medium instead.

— Will Brendza