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Ski jackets get all the attention, but we think it’s harder to find a great pair of pants. We also think it’s more important: Your legs get a lot more use than your upper body while skiing, so if your pants are too tight, baggy, or just don’t fit right, you’re going to notice. Plus, pants spend more time in contact with other surfaces—sitting on the chair, kneeling in the snow, bashing into branches or ski edges—so durability and weather resistance are critical. To help you figure out what’s worth your money, we’ve tested dozens of pants over the last few winters. Here are the 10 best ski pants and bibs available right now.
At a Glance
- Best in Test: Flylow Baker PhD Bibs ($520)
- Best for Custom Fit: MADE Custom Hardshell Pants (from $450)
- Most Lightweight Touring Pant: Norrøna møre Gore-Tex Salopette ($599)
- Best Touring Bib: Salewa Sella Free 3L PTX Pant ($450)
- Most Durable: Backcountry Cardiac Gore-Tex 3L Bib ($499)
- Best Bib for Resort Skiing: Rossignol Relaxed Bib Pants ($275)
- Best For Park and Pipe: 686 Dojo Pant ($220)
- Best Value: Columbia Titanium Cirque Bowl Pant ($170)
- Best for Mild Weather: Head Kore Nordic Pant ($550)
- Best For Storm Skiing: Stio Figment Bib ($479)
- How to Choose Ski Pants
- How We Test
- Meet Our Testers
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Best Overall
Flylow Baker PhD Bibs
Sizes: XS-XXL, short and tall
Insulation: N/A
Weight: 2 lbs
PFAS: free
Pros and Cons
⊕ Wide size and length range
⊕Stylish look and fit
⊕ Recycled and upcycled materials
⊗ A bit heavy
With the Baker PhD, the designers at Flylow have officially earned their letters. An improved version of Flylow’s popular Baker Bib, these pants hit all the key points for a resort-focused shell. The Intuitive PhD, Flylow’s proprietary waterproof-breathable membrane, is highly waterproof and breathable, fending off a full day of wet chairlift seats and snotty snow at Taos. The exterior fabric is a sustainable mix of recycled nylon and reclaimed marine plastics. The entire construction is PFAS-free. One tester found the bibs were most at home riding the resort but didn’t feel out of place in the sidecountry. The relaxed fit had a nice casual look, but wasn’t so baggy as to get in the way. Reinforcements at the knees and cuffs showed no signs of wear after a season of use, and the rest of the pant is a moderate-weight fabric that proved protective for the demands of chairlift riding, but not overly heavy for the odd slackcountry lap. The chest pocket was handy for carrying a beacon, and the pants were sufficiently breathable for skinning thanks to generous inner-leg vents. We also like that they come in a wide range of sizes, including short and tall options. “These bibs are awesome,” said our 6’0”, 185-pound tester who wore a size large. “A bit heavier than what some would use in the backcountry, but I’d rather have the burliness. A great all-around option.”
Best Custom Fit
Made Custom Hardshell Pants
Sizes: custom
Insulation: N/A
Weight: 1.1 lbs
PFAS: free
Pros and Cons
⊕ Guaranteed fit
⊕ Choose your own features
⊕ Do-it-all fabric weight
⊗ Long lead time
⊗ No bib option
For anyone who struggles to find the right fit or is just picky about their pants, MADE’s bespoke process offers some serious customization. We could choose everything from belt and suspenders options, to length of vents, the number and placement of pockets, cuff design, and zipper colors. There are just two choices missing: a bib option and alternative fabric weights. The standard fabric for the pants is a polyester backed with Sympatex, a highly waterproof and breathable, three-layer membrane made from recycled material. Once we dialed in the design, an app guided us through a selfie photo session—no measurements required—from which an AI program created a unique pattern that MADE’s overseas factory used to manufacture a custom pair of ski pants. It takes about six weeks for the pants to arrive, which is the definition of delayed gratification, but, as guaranteed, they fit perfectly. No weird bumps, tightness across our quads or excess material dragging on the floor. The standard fabric is a lightweight blend that was ideal for backcountry tours on Vancouver Island, but was heavy enough, with a warmer baselayer, for resort riding on a nice day at Lake Louise. The pants showed little sign of wear after a season of use. For the price and quality, this is a great deal, especially for anyone who struggles with traditional pants sizing.
Most Lightweight Touring Pant
Norrøna møre Gore-Tex Salopette
$599 at Backcountry $599 at Evo
Sizes: S-XL
Insulation: N/A
Weight: 1.3 lbs
PFAS: free
Pros and Cons
⊕ Very light and packable
⊕ Highly weather-resistant
⊕ Super breathable
⊗ Not as durable as others on this list
Whether we were striding up the skin track, kicking steps on a ridge, or jump-turning down a Coast Range couloir, the møre pants proved time and time again that they were dialed for the backcountry. The recycled nylon face fabric is backed by Gore’s ePE membrane, a reliable waterproof-breathable layer that’s free of forever chemicals. The combo shrugged off a rainy hike out of an alpine hut that soaked most of our companions. It was also durable enough to withstand a few days of snowmobile-skiing abuse, though our ski edges took a few knicks out of the reinforced cuffs. These are not insulated, so riding the lifts in more typical winter weather had testers feeling a bit chilly, but that, along with a low-rise bib, enhanced ventilation in touring situations. One tester reported that he’s usually warm skinning, but with the long side vents open, he was comfortable into the mid-40s while putting the bibs through their paces at his home hill, Vancouver Island’s Mt. Washington Alpine Resort. There are no belt loops or cinch at the waist, but these still fit a range of testers thanks to a relaxed fit, generous suspender adjustment, stretchy panels in the bib section, and articulation in the knees. “If you care about weight and breathability, these are some of the nicest bibs I’ve tried,” said one tester.
Best Touring Bib
Salewa Sella Free 3L PTX Pant
Sizes: XS-XL
Insulation: N/A
Weight: 1.3 lbs
PFAS: free
Pros and Cons
⊕ Great fit and style
⊕ Extremely breathable
⊕ Comfortable softshell upper
⊗ Lacks hand pockets
The further we went from the lifts, the more we liked these hybrid bib pants. They’re constructed with a lightweight recycled nylon, which felt comfortable next to skin. The pant features a proprietary Powertex waterproof-breathable membrane, and the upper bib sports a buttery soft shell panel. That, combined with a versatile cut—relaxed without being baggy—afforded plenty of wind and moisture protection, said a Salt Lake City tester who wore them while touring around Big and Little Cottonwood canyons, at the nearby resorts, and on a multi-day yurt trip. On the skin track, the Sella Frees boasted excellent breathability thanks to 13-inch leg vents and the wicking softshell in the bib. Some testers moaned about the lack of hand pockets, but the generous twin thigh pockets were just big enough to fit svelte skins or keep essentials and snacks handy. Testers especially liked the media sleeve, which resides within one of the thigh pockets and kept cell phones safe and handy. Most agreed that the lightweight fabric felt a bit too minimalist around the resort—we were cold on long lift rides—but it emerged from a month of testing without any nicks or scratches.
Most Durable
Backcountry Cardiac Gore-Tex 3L Bib
Sizes: S-XXL
Insulation: N/A
Weight: 1.3 lbs
PFAS: free
Pros and Cons
⊕ Great pocket placement and design
⊕ Easy-to-adjust suspenders
⊕ Very weatherproof
⊕ Lightweight
⊗ Baggy cut feels a bit like bell bottoms
Dedicated weekend warriors who rely on their gear to hold up through thick and thin need a pant like the Cardiac. On a drizzly day at Stowe, one Vermont-based tester counted on the Cardiac’s Gore-Tex membrane to keep him dry on the chairlifts. On a backcountry tour, he could crack easy-access vents to dump heat. In colder temps, the bib’s loose fit allowed plenty of room for an extra layer of long underwear—though he found the wide cuffs caught on his bindings while skinning—and the high front bib provided a little bit of added protection. Pocket placement was excellent: one chest, two cargo, and one mesh interior. “The cargo pockets expand to hold skins or a neck warmer, and they don’t flap around when empty,” he said. Wherever he went, whatever the conditions, whatever his layering, “the pants always seemed to fit just right.” Thank the auto-adjusting, single-strap suspender system, gusseting, articulation in the knees, and back stretch panels. Another clutch move: The Kevlar scuff guardian and reinforced fabric at the knees and calves mean the Cardiacs still look mint after 15 days of hard use.
Best Bib for Resort Skiing
Rossignol Relaxed Bib Pants
$149-275 at Amazon $275 at Dick’s
Sizes: XS-4XL
Insulation: Primaloft Black recycled synthetic
Weight: 1.8 lbs
PFAS: free
Pros and Cons
⊕ Versatile pocket layout
⊕ Fully adjustable waist
⊕ Thoughtful features
⊗ No dedicated vents
This budget-friendly number boasts a number of unique features we rarely see on bibs, making it our top choice for skiers who like to stay organized and adjust fit on the fly. A bungee on the calf cinches up the hem, so the pant leg doesn’t drag on the ground or get snagged in your binding. Velcro straps above the waist take the upper bib portion from baggy to svelte within seconds. A fleece lining in the two, generously sized zippered hand pockets is a nice touch. “They’re the right height for keeping hands warm and they’re ideal for holding a beer,” said one tester who works as a ski instructor on Vancouver Island. (There’s also a single cargo pocket and a side-entry bib pocket.) A dedicated relief zipper makes pit stops simpler than on most bibs. The combination of a knee-to-armpit side zip and buckled shoulder straps makes on and off easy. Our testers’ one dig: There’s no real on-the-go venting option. But the insulation—40 grams of synthetic in the pant legs and none in the bib itself—was just right most of the time. With the same layering, we were comfortable from below-zero skiing in the Canadian Rockies to temperatures right around freezing at Whistler. They’re now our go-to winter resort pant.
Best For Park and Pipe
686 Dojo Pant
$220 at REI $220 at Backcountry
Sizes: XS-XXL
Insulation: polyester liner
Weight: 2.2 lbs
PFAS: free
Pros and Cons
⊕ Good value
⊕ No belt required
⊗ Steezy style won’t appeal to everyone
The Dojo’s baggy, gym-pant fit and edgier color options (including a denim lookalike and a pattern we’ll call “giraffe”) were designed with park riders in mind. But there’s plenty to like for weekend warriors and occasional resort riders, too, says our Tahoe-based tester, who gave the Dojo pants a run for their money at his home hill of Palisades Tahoe. In fact, the wider cut, elastic cuff, and the gym pant-waist made them highly adjustable and unrestrictive. “The lace tie at the waist is very convenient for getting a secure fit without needing a belt,“ he said. An interior liner adds next-to-skin softness and some warmth to the waterproof-breathable polyester shell. When the thermometer shifted from winter to spring, he cracked the mesh-backed vents to cool off. These no-frills pants include just two shallow hand pockets, which weren’t as roomy as on many other models but kept contents from bouncing around. “Overall I think they’re a great, affordable option for anyone who wants to stand out at the resort,” our tester surmised.
Best Value
Columbia Titanium Cirque Bowl Pant
$170 at Backcountry $170 at Columbia
Sizes: S–6X, plus three different inseam lengths
Insulation: Omni-Heat Infinity reflective liner, Microtemp XF II recycled polyester
Weight: 1.8 lbs
PFAS: free
Pros and Cons
⊕ Huge range of sizes
⊕ Great value
⊕ Excellent temperature regulation
⊗ Few pockets
From polar vortexes to January heat waves, winter conditions are becoming more variable—which makes the Cirque Bowl’s all-weather versatility increasingly invaluable. The thermostat-like temperature regulation comes down to two things: a reflective lining and well-placed vents. The lining, which Columbia calls Omni-Heat Infinity, is a layer of gold dots on the inside of the pants that reflects body heat like a breathable space blanket. Combined with a thin sheet of synthetic insulation, the pants kept our Ontario-based tester warm down to zero degrees without adding extra layers at Beaver Valley Ski Club near Lake Huron. The technology also cuts bulk since it requires less insulation to retain the same amount of heat. “For the weight, the pants are surprisingly warm,” he said. And because there’s less insulation, it’s easy to dump heat fast once the temperature rises. Just by opening the side vents, our tester was able to ski comfortably in temps up to 40 degrees F. The fit is equally adaptable. The pants come in an impressive range of sizes and lengths, and the combination of Velcro tabs, belt loops, suspenders, and articulated knees made it easy to dial in the fit. Zippered hand pockets, cuff guards, and leg gaiters round out the features. That’s a lot of pant for under $200.
Best For Mild Weather
Head Kore Nordic Pant
Sizes: S-3XL
Insulation: PrimaLoft Black recycled polyester
Weight: 2.2 lbs
PFAS: free
Pros and Cons
⊕ Excellent venting
⊕ Very adjustable waist
⊕ Good warmth to weight
⊗ Not best for wetter climes
It’s attention to detail that elevates the Nordic Pant above the rest on this list. Take the cut guard on the inside cuff. It’s a seemingly utilitarian feature that Head takes to the next level by using a super tough polyamide, ceramic, and resin mix, and positioning the patch so it adds style and durability to the pant’s minimalist aesthetic. The brand also took pains at the waist: “It is incredibly comfortable,” says a tester who skied in the Kore Nordic during a harsh Eastern Canadian winter. Fleece-lined and wide, the waistband boasts plenty of stretch, plus easy adjustability via Velcro tabs, optional belt loops, and suspender hooks. “I think just about everybody would fit into these pants,” said the 5’11”, 170 lbs tester. The stretchy exterior Cordura material is waterproof and breathable, but might not stand up to the very soggiest of conditions—one tester had a damp butt after sitting on mist-covered chairlifts all day. Inside is 40 grams of recycled polyester insulation, which provides a decent amount of warmth without being overly bulky. Testers were impressed with the temperature range: In the same layers, they skied comfortably from below 10 degrees to above freezing, just cracking the zipper vents as the mercury climbed.
Best for Storm Skiing
Stio Figment Bib
Sizes: S-XXL
Insulation: N/A
Weight: 2 lbs
PFAS: free
Pros and Cons
⊕ Excellent weather protection
⊕ Functional pockets
⊕ Durable
⊗ Not enough waist adjustment for skinny dudes
Usually the first wearing of a bib pant involves a few stops to make adjustments. Not with the Figment. Adjusting the fit required just a quick set of the Velcro tabs on the suspenders and a pull on the waist belt. Done! Whether sitting, carving, or hopping down the steeps off Whistler’s Peak Chair, we appreciated the set-it-and-forget-it comfort, which felt like a custom fit thanks to articulation in the knees, gusseting in the crotch, and stretchy shoulder straps. Beyond fit, recycled fabric with a waterproof-breathable membrane was impenetrable, even sitting in a chairlift puddle for a 20-minute ride. The pocket layout was equally dialed for resort riding. The two hand pockets were accessible while sitting or standing, the bellowed thigh pockets easily carried extra gloves, and the chest pocket on the high-riding upper could hold a beacon or other valuables. Thinner testers should shop carefully: A few found the Figment too baggy and others ran out of adjustment room to cinch the waist. Otherwise, these are dialed resort pants with reinforcements at the knee and seat, and aren’t too warm or heavy for the occasional backcountry foray. After two seasons of use they show just a couple scuffs around the cuff guard. These bibs are ready for years of abuse.
How to Choose Ski Pants
Consider these six factors when buying ski pants.
Waterproofing: Because pants spend more time in contact with the snow and potentially wet surfaces like chairlifts, waterproofing is critical. Pick pants with a waterproof rating higher than 20,000 millimeters with sealed seams to prevent water from seeping in.
Breathability: While it’s crucial to keep water out, you also want your ski pants to be breathable. That way, sweat vapor doesn’t leave you wet from the inside. Look for pants with breathable membranes and venting zippers. For the resort, mesh-backed vents are best, so you can ski with them open. For a dedicated winter ski-touring pant, nothing beats a soft shell for breathability, especially if you do most of your skiing in cold, dry climates. If you live in the Pacific Northwest or spend a lot of time skiing in wet, warm conditions, a hard shell pant might be a better bet. Just make sure there are long-enough vents to keep you cool on the uphill.
Insulation: Consider the level of insulation you need based on the conditions you typically ski in and your personal preference. Uninsulated shell pants, paired with base layers, offer the most versatility. Insulated pants will always be warmer and are good for colder regions, but you can’t strip off an inner layer if temps rise. Consider 40 to 60 grams of synthetic insulation a happy medium for versatile warmth.
Fit and Mobility: To help fine-tune the fit, look for pants or bibs with adjustable waistbands and shoulder straps. Articulated knees, gussets, and stretchy materials help with mobility, which plays into fit and allows you to ski unencumbered. Finally check that boot gaiters and venting zippers are compatible with your boots and body shape.
Durability: Scuffing against metal edges, kneeling in the snow, and sitting on chair lifts all take a toll on ski pants. To boost the longevity of your gear, look for pants made from higher-denier materials and that include reinforcements in key zones, like knees, seat, and, especially, armor around the boot cuff.
Features and Extras: Consider additional features that may enhance your skiing experience, including the number and placement of pockets, integration with jackets and powder skirts and RECCO locators, a reflector embedded in clothing that can be searched using a helicopter.
How We Test
- Number of testers: 18
- Number of products tested: 38
- Number of ski days logged: more than 475
- Number of resorts skied during testing: 38-plus
Testing ski pants is all about vertical. The more time our testers spend sitting on chairs, turning on snow, and hiking to the goods, the better judge they’ll be of whether a pant is good or great. To make our test team, testers have to log at least 30 days per season. We recruit from across the continent and try to find a variety of skier types and interests to give us as diverse feedback as possible. We send them each a couple pairs of pants to test and ask them to put in at least a few days with each item. We also ask them to hand each pair off to friends and ski buddies to try, too, and we collect notes from as many users as possible on each pair of pants. Once the flakes start melting, we check back in with our test team to record their feedback.
Then, we compare that new feedback to notes we have on the pants we’ve tested over the last few years. We check in with testers who are conducting long-term reviews to see what other people are saying about the individual models. With all the information in front of us, we pick the top pants available right now. This list is alive and constantly changing: We test new products as they become available and check in with our test team regularly to make sure we’re always including the best available information.
Meet Our Testers
Ryan Stuart
Ski buddies of Ryan Stuart, the lead tester and category manager, say it’s tricky to keep track of him at the resort. Not so much because he skis so fast, but because he’s always wearing something different. Is it the red jacket and black pants today or yellow jacket and gray pants? His helmet doesn’t help either. As the technical editor at Ski Canada Magazine, he writes the mag’s buyer’s guides, and is often testing lids and other ski gear. When he’s not on the slopes or traveling the world to write about skiing, Stuart is at his desk on Vancouver Island. He’s a full-time freelance writer focused mostly on the outdoor world and is working on his first book, a history of skiing in Canada.
Mark Kocij
Mark Kocij is a school principal in Toronto, Canada and an insider at Ontario’s unique, private ski clubs, where how you look is sometimes as important as how you ski. Always well dressed and looking sharp, he’s also a solid and dedicated skier who doesn’t let a little wet weather keep him from the lifts.
Patrick Lowkes
As a dedicated Vermont skier, Patrick Lowkes lives the saying there are no “bad” conditions, just bad gear. That’s why Lowkes, an environmental enforcement officer for the state, makes such a great outerwear tester. No matter the forecast we can count on him getting after it every weekend, as well as on the odd dawn patrol. And as a die-hard telemark skier, we know he’ll test every pant’s scuff guards and mobility to the extreme.