The Best Snowboard Pants of 2024-2025

A toasty torso and toes are key to a happy riding day, but don’t sleep on the importance of pants. Sure, snowboard pants are a fashion statement. But they also provide key comfort, warmth, and protection on a frozen chairlift or breathability while booting or skinning up a remote mountainside.

The best designs fit well without falling down or being restrictive. Athletic pairs have knees that are articulated, and the legs are well tapered like on the Jones Shralpinist Stretch Recycled Pants. The hems need to be wide enough to seamlessly slide over the broad neck of snowboard boots, especially for boot adjustments midday. Other fits provide more comprehensive coverage, like the Airblaster Men’s Beast Suit. Some pants, including the Burton Men’s Cargo Pants, deliver basic 2-layer, 10K protection against occasional snowfall, which can be plenty of protection in milder winter climates.

Depending on your shred zone and the performance you need, there’s a wide range of snowboard pants for the frontcountry and backcountry that can check the boxes. For more help choosing the right snow pants, read the Buyer’s Guide or jump to the Price & Value summary. Still weighing your options? Consult our Comparison Chart to see how ski pants stack up. Otherwise, take a look at our goods for the 2024-2025 season.

Editor’s Note: We updated our Snowboard Pants buyer’s guide on November 13, 2024 with the L1 Premium Goods Axial Pant.

The Best Snowboard Pants of 2024-2025

• Best Overall Snowboard Pants: Volcom GORE-TEX L & Women’s Aston GORE-TEX
• Best Budget Pants: Burton Cargo Pants & Women’s Gloria Stretch 2L
• Best Insulated Pants: The North Face Insulated Freedom & Women’s Picture Exa
• Most Durable & Stylish Snowboard Pants: L1 Premium Goods Axial Pant
• Best for Backcountry: Jones Shralpinist Stretch Recycled Bibs & Women’s Pants
• Best Snowboarding Snow Suit: Airblaster Beast Suit & Women’s Sassy Beast Suit
• Best for Resort: Trew Gear TREWth PRIMO Bib & Women’s Chariot PRIMO Bib  

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Snowboard Pants Comparison Chart

Scroll right to view all of the columns: Price, Fit, Material, Waterproof Rating, Breathability, Insulation.

How We Tested the Best Snowboard Pants

Our GearJunkie snowboard gear testers include expert riders, splitboarders, and certified instructors.

Our Expert Testers

Leading the gear testing, snow sports Senior Editor Morgan Tilton has been snowboarding since 2002, when she switched from two planks to one, which she started at age 4 on the steeps of Telluride Ski Resort in her hometown. Over the years, she’s competed in Slopestyle comps, backcountry tours, pow surfs, and still pulls on skis. While she coordinates the testers, she gets out in the field as much as possible. She tested snowboard pants for 104 hours across 34 days in 2023. To date in 2024, she has tested snowboard pants for 135 hours across 38 days. She also tests ski apparel.

Contributing photographer and tester Eric Phillips is a formerly certified Level II PSIA-AASI instructor and big mountain pow surfer when he’s not at the resort or on splitboard tours.

Other contributors include Wyoming-based Austin Beck-Doss and Crested Butte-based shredder Will Martinez.

Our Testing Grounds

We’ve tested snowboard pants in a range of conditions from California to the Colorado Rockies and high-alpine environments. Our apparel has protected us in ice-cold wind, on long lift rides, across backcountry tours, and while romping through deep powder.

The GearJunkie team meets for an annual on-snow test week to grind out turns and swap notes, including two previous gatherings at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, which is known for its expert terrain.

Our Testing Process

While testing snowboard pants we consider overall fit, function, durability, vents, gaiters, boot compatibility, waistband, belt loops, ease of movement, pockets, cuff reinforcement, weather protection — including precipitation, cold temps, and wind — style, sustainability, and value.

We also take into consideration the most novel, popular, highly rated, and legacy products across a range of price points.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose Snowboard Pants

Every rider needs a reliable pair of snowboard pants. Sure, you can technically ride in just about any kind of pants, but the comfort and waterproofing that comes with a high-quality purpose-built pair are unmatched.

With so many great options to choose from, it can be difficult to select a single pair of snowboard pants. Between materials, features, and price, there are quite a few factors to consider when navigating the snowboard pants market. In this handy how-to-choose guide, we’ve compiled all of the information you need to make an informed purchase.

How Snowboard Pants Differ From Ski Pants

While ski pants and snowboard pants are similar, there are some key differentiators within the functionality of snowboard pants and the style. While some riders find snowboard-specific pants come with certain advantages, others are perfectly happy using generalized snow pants that work for both skiing and snowboarding.

The key: Be sure the snow pant cuff is wide enough or expandable to fit over snowboard boots, which vary in size. Some boots have a wider circumference than others due to size, inserts, an integrated BOA, dense material, or being a larger size. Many ski pants have a cuff that is too narrow to quickly and easily slide over snowboard boots, while others are unable to fit over snowboard boots at all. Cuffs on snowboard pants are often adjustable and can expand via sturdy snaps or zippers or stretchy material.

Snowboard-specific pants also usually fit on the baggier side to allow for plenty of flexibility in a crouched position and for a wide stance. Snowboarding involves a lot of dynamic lower-body movement — especially in the terrain park. If maximum flexibility is a concern, we recommend seeking out a slightly baggy snowboard-specific pant.

Because snowboarders tend to spend more time sitting down on the snow than skiers, some snowboard pants also come with fabric reinforcement in the rear.

Snowboard Bibs vs. Snowboard Pants

The choice between snowboard pants and bibs comes down to a combination of personal preference and function. Bibs are suspended by shoulder straps and are generally more effective at keeping snow out. Pants are held up by the waistband and offer less insulation because there is less material.

On deep powder days, a bib can be a game-changing addition to your kit. For this reason, we specifically recommend bibs to those who regularly ride in areas with lots of snowfall. Backcountry riders also tend to enjoy the extra coverage and protection provided by bibs.

Bibs always make going to the bathroom so much easier. Many bibs come with a drop seat, which is essentially a flap that opens in the back. Drop seats are handy when you need to squat and go in the backcountry as well as when you want to stay layered up in an indoor bathroom at the ski lodge.

Resort Riding vs. Backcountry Splitboarding

If you plan to regularly snowboard in the backcountry, you’ll want pants or bibs that are up to the task. Riding in the backcountry means hiking uphill, and there are a few key features that can make the experience much more enjoyable.

First, backcountry riders need breathable outerwear. When hiking, you will generate heat, which can quickly lead to perspiration. Sweating in the backcountry is not ideal, since the moisture quickly becomes cold and uncomfortable as soon as the hike is over.

For this reason, we recommend seeking breathable materials and well-designed vents. For backcountry snowboarding, insulated pants are generally not recommended.

Additionally, backcountry snowboard pants should have reinforced fabric around the inner ankle and calf. While skinning or climbing uphill, the interior pant can be exposed to the sharp edge of the opposing split-ski or crampons, which can lead to tears if your pants have not been properly designed for the job. Riding a backcountry snowmobile for access can also lead to beat-up cuffs, especially if they aren’t reinforced.

If you do a lot of in-bounds boot packing or uphill hiking, consider a pair with reinforced fabric around the inner ankle, too. Boot packing at the resort can also lead to interior scuffs from your snowboard boots. Even when we’re skating through the lift line at the resort or connecting runs via flat meadows or groomed corduroy, it’s easy to beat up the interior pant legs with a board’s metal edge.

Resort riding is generally less demanding on your outerwear. Because the bathrooms and lodge are always relatively close by, you don’t have to worry as much about bathroom breaks or temperature control.

Most resort riders prefer a relatively simple pair of traditional snowboard pants.

Materials & Durability

Snowboard pants need to be durable enough to hold up to the demands of shredding through the trees and ripping deep carves. On this list, we’ve recommended many high-quality pairs of snowboard pants, but some are more durable than others.

Most ski pants are primarily made of nylon, polyester, or a blend of both. Many styles are reinforced in key wear areas to prevent premature material failure.

If durability is a primary concern, be sure to find a pair of pants with two-layer or three-layer fabric construction. Burly zippers and fully taped seams are also a plus.

Insulation & Warmth

Most snowboard pants on the market are not insulated. The primary job of snowboard pants is to keep you dry and protect your body from the surrounding weather. Because most snowboard pants are in the shell category, most riders wear various base layers underneath to keep their legs warm and comfortable. Base layers range in thickness and the amount of warmth they provide, thanks to a variety of fibers.

However, if you tend to run cold or regularly ride in extra cold conditions, you may want to purchase snowboard pants with built-in insulation. Some styles come with insulation strategically located only in key cold-prone areas.

On this list, we have included insulated and uninsulated snowboard pants.

Below are the insulated pants in our guide:

• The North Face Freedom Insulated Pants – 60g synthetic 
• Mountain Hardwear Cloud Bank Insulated Pant – 40-60g synthetic 
• 686 Smarty 3-in-1 Cargo Pant – fleece liner
• Airblaster Sassy Beast Suit – 40g synthetic 

In general, 60g of synthetic insulation is best for cold to extremely cold conditions or around 15 degrees to -15 degrees.

Waterproofing & Breathability

While wearing snowboard pants, you’ll likely sit on wet surfaces and ride through falling snow or rain, depending on the climate. Reliable water resistance is an absolute must. Many of the styles included on this list come with high-end waterproof membranes and outer fabrics.

Within the outerwear industry, GORE-TEX is generally considered top-tier waterproof protection. The best well-made waterproof snowboard pants will come with taped seams, waterproof zippers, and a DWR coating.

Every snowboarder has a different comfort zone when it comes to temperature regulation and layering. For those who tend to run warm, breathable, and well-ventilated outerwear may be absolutely essential.

In general, snowboard pants will offer varying degrees of ventilation and breathability depending on their design. When backcountry riding or bootpacking, grueling uphill treks call for air-permeable outer layers.

Typically as waterproof ratings increase, the breathing of the fabric declines due to a stronger waterproof barrier moisture from the inside needs to get through to breathe. You can get high waterproof and high breathability fabrics like the Jones Shralpanist Men’s Bibs and Shralpanist Women’s Bibs.

Waterproof Levels:

•  0 – 10,000 mm:  Ideal for dry – mostly dry climates like the Midwest
• 10,000 m – 20,000 mm: ideal for wet climates like the mountain west
• 20,000 mm – 30,000 mm: ideal for very wet climates like the Pacific Northwest

Sustainable Design

With each passing season, the snowsports outerwear industry incorporates more and more sustainable manufacturing practices and recycled materials. If sustainable features are a priority for you, be sure to check each manufacturer’s specifications for material sources, sustainable manufacturing certifications, and so on.

Jones Snowboards definitely sets the gold standard for sustainability with the brand’s recently launched apparel line for women and men. All of the Jones Outerwear materials are OEKO-TEX and/or Bluesign-certified. The majority are 100% recycled, and they utilize PFC-free DWR (except the GORE-TEX Pro fabric). Picture also makes Circular fabric, which features a portion of upcycled factory scraps mixed with reclaimed toss-outs.

Bluesign is a top-tier certification for textile products that are safe for the environment, workers, and customers. We’ve included multiple Bluesign-certified pants and bibs on this list.

Leg Vents

Different types of fabric have varying levels of breathability in snowboard pants. You can read the breathability and waterproof ratings to get an idea of how easily the fabric breathes. The more waterproof a fabric is, generally the less breathable it is. If a pant is insulated, expect it to feel warmer.

Regardless of the insulation, breathability, and waterproofness of a pant, it’s typically a great idea to invest in a pair with ventilation if you plan to ride in the warmer spring months. Riding on powder days or in the trees can also quickly build body heat, even on midwinter days.

Ventilation is also great if you generally ride in a milder climate, don’t take cooldown breaks from top to bottom, or tend to build heat while riding. If you plan to uphill at the resort or if you explore boot-accessed hike-to terrain or backcountry splitboard, ventilation is mandatory.

Ventilation usually includes zippered openings along the interior thigh. Bibs often utilize the drop-seat zipper as a ventilation zipper on the exterior legs. It’s nice when pants have an interior mesh liner to offer some protection from snow drift (and privacy) while you ride or sit on the lift airing out your lower half. Full snowsuits usually also have ventilation below the arms.

Pockets

If you prefer to carry items in your pants versus your jacket, be mindful of the pockets in the snowboard pants you choose. Some are just for looks, while others are extremely functional.

The options range from hand pockets — sometimes zippered and other times with no closure at all — to various cargo pockets on the thighs and sometimes pockets on the backside. We find the most functional pockets are either deep hand pockets that are zippered and spacious or big, well-positioned thigh pockets.

If you’re looking for bibs for backcountry exploration, it’s nice for those designs to have a thigh or chest pocket that accommodates a beacon. For some, carrying a beacon against the torso can feel more comfortable and functional than toting a beacon in a thigh pocket.

In contrast, it’s easier to grab a phone out of a leg pocket while riding or skinning in the backcountry than to unzip a jacket to access a bib’s chest pocket. The caveat — a chest pocket is generally warmer and will help preserve the battery life.

Built-In Gaiters

Snowboard pants have built-in gaiters that open wide and stretch down over boots to the ankle. This is one differentiator between pants that work well for ski boots versus snowboard boots because ski boots have a narrower neck.

In a unique innovation, the 686 has a BOA-compatible gaiter, which is a window where the front-facing BOA — a dial that turns to tighten the cable laces in a boot — can be accessed and stays operable with the gaiter pulled down. Of course, that setup isn’t as effective with dual BOA systems. Find the perfect snowboard boots to match your pants!

Reinforced Cuffs

Reinforced cuffs are a key detail. When we’re at the resort and skating through the lift line or connecting runs via flat meadows or groomed corduroy, it’s easy to beat up the interior pant legs with our board’s metal edge.

When we’re uphilling, kick turns can slice that fabric. During splitboard mountaineering objectives, our crampons easily snatch the other pant leg. For post-ride après, walking around without rolling up our hems wears and tears the fabric, too.

Some snowboard pant designs have additional tough material wrapped around the interior portion of the hem, which also reaches up toward the calf. The textile coat increases the pant leg’s durability and overall lifespan. Once the outer fabric splits, the pant’s waterproof membrane can get exposed and start to shred, so it’s not the easiest fix even if you have a sewing kit.

Jacket-to-Pant Interface

A handful of brands feature a system that allows the company’s jackets and pants to connect to one another in order to prevent snow or wind drift on the lift. These styles also provide good protection when we’re bending over to strap our boots into our bindings or when we take a tumble on a rowdy powder day.

Volcom has a superior and proprietary system with a burly zipper that connects the jacket to the pant. It’s durable, comfortable, and easy to use. Other brands, like 686, have fabric strips on the jacket that extend through loops on the pants and snap closed, which helps maintain some connection and prevents a full-on gap in the event of a tumble. Check out the Best Snowboard Jackets to find your perfect snowboard kit.

RECCO

RECCO is an integrated lightweight reflector that’s often added to snowsports apparel. It’s a passive, searchable technology that rescuers can use to help locate a lost person.

Organized rescuers use handheld detectors to help find the reflector, which can complement a search during an avalanche burial. From the air, helicopter detectors can also search for a RECCO reflector.

Fit & Function

Well-designed snowboard pants are nicely fitted and articulated for function, which also parlays into style. To be paired with snowboard boots, the hems need to be modifiable and splay at various degrees.

The gaiters need to accommodate the broad width of a snowboard boot, especially if the closure features a BOA system versus traditional laces, which are more streamlined.

Often, the pants are tailored in the upper portion and bell out toward the pant leg hem. The knees are articulated for ergonomics and comfort while cleaning out binding plates and strapping in and out or while jibbing around the resort or park.

For some brands, snowboard pants for men are a bit less form-fitting or athletic-shaped and are baggier compared to designs made for women.

If you think a pair of tailored ladies’ snowboard pants or roomy lads’ snowboard pants would fit your riding style, get ‘em regardless of how you identify.

Price & Value

The prices in our snowboard pants guide range from budget-friendly choices to top-of-the-line expedition gear.

Budget

The North Face Women’s Apex STH Pants ($195) and The North Face Insulated Freedom Pants ($200) are the most budget-friendly in our guide. Lower-cost options are often not as durable, nor will they be as stout against resounding, repeated weather like biting wind, snow, rain, hail, or sleet.

But for mild climates or moderate conditions, budget options can work fine for a handful of seasonal outings at the hill. The budget price rung includes the Burton Cargo Snow Pants ($185), Burton Gloria Stretch 2L ($195), and Roxy Rising High Pants ($210).

Mid-Tier

Often, the higher the price, the greater the waterproofing, breathability, and fabric reinforcement. You also might notice more pockets, zippered pockets, high-quality zippers, or more fabric in general. The mid-tier ranges from $200 to $300 and hosts the Mountain Hardwear Cloud Bank GORE-TEX Insulated Pant ($375), 686 Smarty 3-In-1 Cargo Pant ($230), Dakine A-1 Pant ($255), Volcom Aston GORE-TEX Pants ($320), and Volcom L Pants ($320).

Premium

At the top of the shelf, you’ll find the most premium fabrics, construction, and fit. That’ll include Flylow Baker Bib ($430), Trew Gear Women’s Chariot Bib Primo ($400), Trew Gear Men’s TREWth PRIMO Bib ($519), Airblaster Sassy Beast Suit ($450), and the Dakine Sender Stretch 3L Pant ($475).

Rounding out the top tier of options that have the highest specs are the Trew Gear Trewth Bibs ($499) and the Jones Snowboards Shralpinist Stretch Recycled Bibs ($400). The most expensive is the Norrøna Women’s Tamok Shell Bib ($649).

Frequently Asked Questions

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