10 best men’s ski and snowboard pants to stay protected on the slopes
If the current climate doesn’t ruin your ski season, you’ll need a top-rated pair of ski pants or salopettes for when you (hopefully) hit the slopes.
A good pair of ski trousers will keep you warm and dry, whether you’re shredding fresh powder like a pro or nervously snowploughing down a gentle blue run.
Options are plentiful – from shell pants to insulated trousers, and high-waisted bib salopettes to stretchy soft shells – and picking the right pair for you can be a minefield.
The main choice is shell or insulated. Shell pants are a waterproof and windproof outer layer with no insulation, while insulated pants combine weatherproof protection with in-built insulation.
For maximum manoeuvrability, opt for shell pants. They are lighter and less bulky than insulated trousers, and their versatility – simply change your thermal base layers to match the temperature – is excellent. Shell pants often have higher grade waterproofing too.
If you feel the cold badly or will mostly be skiing in the height of winter, insulated trousers are a better bet, providing greater warmth and overall protection.
Whichever you choose, make sure to check the hydrostatic head waterproof rating of your pants – the most important technical feature. The lowest you’d ideally want is 10,000mm, with premium-end gear graded 20,000mm and above.
Other key stats to keep an
