Best Men’s Snow Pants of 2023 — Men's Snowboarding & Ski Pants

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These snow pants will keep you dry, warm and comfortable on the slopes and at work.

Modern snow pants are so much more than “winter clothes.” Designed and refined for the rigors of winter, protecting you from the elements without overheating when you ski, snowboard, or work hard in the snow. Manufacturers make snow pants for both work and play, and it pays to pick a pair that’s optimized for whatever you’re doing, whether that’s splitting wood or snowshoeing. We’re here to help you figure out how to pick the right pair for you, and share the best snow pants we’ve found.

There’s a big difference between the snow pants you put on to do outdoor chores after a big snowfall and the gear made for athletes and workers. You can find some decent general purpose waterproof snow pants for around $150. But if you’re a backcountry skier or boarder going out on long pre-dawn missions in sub-freezing conditions, you’re going to want more technical bibs or pants, with features like sealed seams and zippered vents.

These more specialized pants can get pricey–a high-end pair can cost well over $600–but they can make a huge difference when you’re out and active in the cold all day generating tons of sweat and heat.

The first thing to think about when picking snow pants is whether or not you need them to keep you warm. Insulated snow pants, which have a lining or inner layer made from materials like fleece, PrimaLoft, or down, are great for snowmobiling, doing light work outdoors, or skiing or snowboarding at a resort.

If you’re planning to go out for an activity where you may stand or walk in the cold for a long time, you’ll want an insulated pair of pants that will help keep you warm, in addition to staying dry.

Uninsulated snow pants, like a rain jacket, are primarily designed to keep you dry. They’re often waterproof, and are more breathable and flexible than their insulated counterparts. As you might expect, insulation often comes at the cost of breathability, so you only want insulated snow pants when you aren’t going to be doing too much or staying out too long.

If you’re hiking or skiing uphill, for example, you’re better off with breathable snow pants, and insulating your body with a wicking base layer to reduce sweating.

Snow or ski bibs, which rise above the waist like overalls and feature suspenders rather than belt loops or a drawstring at the hip, offer a few advantages over pants when you’re out in the snow. The higher fronts and backs mean it's much less likely that you can get any snow or ice down your pants or up your back. They can easily accommodate more or thicker layers underneath for the coldest days without needing to adjust a belt. The suspenders also eliminate the possibility of your pants falling or slipping.

On the other hand, bibs take longer to remove, making it a chore to use the bathroom. Some people find the pressure from a bib’s suspenders off-putting, especially over long periods of time. I personally find myself choosing bibs over pants so I don’t need to worry about tightening a belt to keep my pants up all day. Plus they have additional capabilities, like a bib pocket, to keep snacks warm, or holster an avalanche transceiver. That said, both styles can keep you warm and dry, and that’s what matters.

The overwhelming majority of modern snow pants are made using multiple layers of nylons and polyesters, which are treated or mixed with high-tech synthetic fabrics like Gore-Tex or other DWRs (durable water repellents) to make them wind and waterproof or water repellant. Based on the materials and the number of material layers in the fabric, snow pants broadly fall into three categories: Hardshell, softshell or “hybrid,” which uses both hardshell and softshell fabrics.

Hardshell pants are the heaviest option. They usually feature a 3-layer construction with two fabrics with a breathable, but water-resistant or waterproof material between them. They’re also the most likely to be insulated. These are the types of materials you’d want in a pair of work pants or pants for the most extreme conditions. They also tend to be stiffer and more breathable than their softshell cousins, with less stretch.

Softshell pants are often made with a lighter fabric, and sometimes have a softer inner-facing fabric. They’re also likely to include elastomer or Spandex in the fabric to make them stretch. They’re designed with flexibility in mind for activities where you’ll need a greater range of motion, like hiking and uphill skiing.

Hybrid snow pants feature a mix of materials commonly found hardshell and softshell snow pants. These pants may use a hardshell fabric to protect the front of the knees and gaiters on ski pants, for instance. But for the back of the knees and the crotch, they’ll use fabrics with more stretch.

The best snow pants offer both waterproofness and breathability. The most modern materials, like 3-layer Gore-Tex membranes, create a solid barrier against snow and liquid water, but allow water vapor to escape, which keeps you from getting sweaty and promotes airflow. The more strenuous the activity, the more important it is that you get the most breathable pants possible. Some winter pants also feature zippered vents to help dump heat.

No matter what you’re doing, you want snow pants that are going to last, especially when paying $200 or more for a single pair. Some snow pants, like skiing or mountaineering pants, feature reinforced knees and ankles to prevent wear and damage where they’re most likely to make contact with metal edges, crampons or whatever you bump into.

Look for pants with pockets that zip inwards or upwards. They’re less likely to open if they snag on something, like a branch, ski poles or gloves.

Some snow pants come with gaiters, or extra material at the bottom of the pant legs to ensure that snow can’t sneak up into your snow boots. Unlike external gaiters, which have stirrups to make sure they don’t ride up, most built-in gaiters secure around the boot ankle. It’s a nice feature to have on any pair of snow pants, especially if you expect to be walking in snow that’s more than three inches deep.

No, we’re not talking about apps for your pants, here. Some snow pants and bibs are designed to zip, button, or snap into a jacket to keep snow from sneaking under your clothes.

Consider how many layers you plan to wear under your snow pants. You may want to buy a pair that hangs loose or baggy to accommodate extra layers for insulation underneath.

We’ve worn and tested ski, mountaineering, backcountry and other snow pants for years. Our selections are the product of all that experience and testing, as well as professional reviews from publications like Outdoor Gear Lab, Ski Magazine and Outside, among others. We also considered user reviews posted at retailers like REI, backcountry.com, and Amazon.

For more great winter gear, check out our picks for the best snow boots, duck boots, and women's snow pants.

Outdoor Research’s Skyward II pants are some of the best available for winter sports enthusiasts thanks to the company’s flexible hardshell AscentShell fabric. It’s stretchy and comfortable, offering a high degree of weather resistance. The Skyward II is perfect for charging uphill on cold days, or good for riding around ski lifts at the resort if you add an extra base layer.

Though the AscentShell is technically considered a hardshell fabric, it isn’t as waterproof or windproof as GoreTex and other nylon hardshell materials. Its superior breathability, zippered thigh-vents and light weight, make it an excellent choice for action-packed days in the snow.

At around $150, these pants offer a lot more value than most other snow pants—waterproofing, insulation, venting and good pockets. The North Face offers them in a range of sizes from short small to XXL long.

There are also non-insulated and snow bib versions of the Freedom design, so you can really choose the right fit and feel for any activity. While the Freedom line is comfortable and highly admired by reviewers and customers, they aren’t the most breathable or flexible, so they may not be the best fit for a full work day.

Helly Hansen offers these great resort pants in all kinds of eye-popping colors. They’re waterproof, breathable and have some stretchability, which makes them versatile. They’re also surprisingly slim for an insulated pair of pants that’s ready to keep you warm on long, cold lift rides. They’re not as resilient as the similar Arc’Teryx Sabre, but they’re very comfortable and cost around half as much. Helly Hansen also makes a Legendary bib, if that’s more your style.

If you’re shredding pow in cold, wet conditions these are the bibs you want. The 3-layer shell is durable and all but impenetrable by snow, wet weather, and the rigors of skiing and snowboarding in-bounds. These bibs are breathable and have excellent side vents, but the main draw is their durability.

They also have extra pockets and more durable fabric in the knees and other high-abrasion areas. Of course, extra protection comes at a cost: The Flyflow Baker is definitely on the heavy side, and feels restrictive compared to other, more flexible options.

If you’re looking for a dedicated backcountry pant with some great weather protection, the Outdoor Research Trailbreaker II have 3-layer Pertex Shield waterproof hardshell legs, and a stretchy durable water repellent (DWR) soft shell torso that’s more breathable for long uphill days with high-energy exertion.

They also have generous thigh venting zips to dump heat quickly, and backcountry-specific features like a zippered pocket with a lanyard for an avalanche transceiver. Without insulation, you’ll want to layer with these pants on the coldest days. While they’re pants, not a bib, they do come with removable suspenders in case you want a little more support.

We wouldn’t be surprised if these bomber big mountain ski pants outlast our knees. The Norrona Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro Plus is a luxury pant with an extremely luxurious price tag, but the extras make it worth it. The 3-layer Gore-Tex Pro membrane provides best-in-class waterproofness and breathability, while the recycled bluesign-approved 200D stretch fabric is plenty durable for big mountain rides and bumping into any trees or rocks on the slopes.

You can opt to use the zip-in bib for the pants, or use the waist adjusters and belt loops to keep the pants up for long days on the slopes. They also have giant inner-thigh vents and a dedicated pocket for an avalanche transceiver.

If you need a work-focused pair of winter pants that you can still shred in, Carhartt’s Storm Defender Loose Fit Heavyweight Bib is waterproof and windproof, with a bevy of pockets, including one on the chest and two cargo pockets on the thighs.

As a more work-focused piece of gear, it has reinforced knees and zippers from the knee to ankle to make it easy to get boots on and off. They’re also big enough to accommodate insulating layers underneath.

This is the bib that got me to switch from pants to bibs. They’re lightweight, stretchy, and waterproof, thanks to some strategically placed Gore-Tex. Designed for backcountry use, they have not one, but two avalanche transceiver pockets (left side of bib and right front pocket) with clips so you can’t drop the device in a search.

The side thigh vents run from the knee to the hip, allowing you to dump heat while skinning up on warm days. They also have gaiters that can work with the powerstraps on ski boots to further lock them down while wearing them.

With a dedicated beacon pocket, integrated RECCO reflector and great thigh ventilation, the Stormstride Pants from Patagonia are an ideal, reasonably priced pair of backcountry touring pants that would also work well on the slopes at a resort.

They’re made from a light hardshell fabric with 54 percent recycled nylon, and have a soft feel that’s less crinkly than some other hardshell materials. They also have a well-hidden waistband adjuster for wearers who don’t want to wear a belt.

PM: Snow pants are made for winter… Why aren’t they warmer?

CM: Most snow pants are designed primarily to prevent you from getting wet, rather than keeping you warm, especially when you’re looking at pants made for skiing or work. I find that most modern snow pants keep me warm enough so long as I’m doing a moderate amount of activity. Even a lightweight, non-insulated pair of snow pants with just a base layer underneath will keep your legs warm. It helps that you lose less heat from your bottom half than your top half.

Also, it’s important to keep in mind that you don’t want your sweatpants (or any snow gear) to keep you toasty if you’re going to be outside for long. It’s actually more dangerous to get overheated in a pair of insulated pants that don’t breathe well: If you start sweating too much, the inside of your pants will get wet, nullifying much of the insulation (and pants’) purpose in the first place.

PM: Are skinnier or tighter snow pants better?

CM: That’s really a style question. Traditionally, snowboarders have preferred much baggier styles than skiers, but there’s much more crossover between the two these days. Baggier pants allow for more warming layers underneath, but can also get in the way when skiing, or snag on things when you’re playing in the trees. Tighter pants need to have more flexibility to move with the wearer, and aren’t as accommodating for thicker underlayers on the coldest days.

Personally, I prefer a “relaxed” fit straddles the line between too tight and too loose. It gives me enough mobility for uphill skinning and allows me to layer if needed but doesn’t interfere with movement on the way down.

PM: Why are snow bibs becoming more popular these days?

CM: It’s not for the “Farmer Joe on the slopes” look. (I don’t even think that’s a thing.) Bibs have caught on recently as a practical gear option because they offer greater protection and more room for pockets. Plus, bibs can fit a wider range of sizes since the waist doesn’t have to be tight and the suspenders help ensure the legs are the right length for riders no matter their inseam length.

Chris Meehan is an internationally published writer, author, and editor with more than two decades of professional experience. He has authored multiple adventure guidebooks with Falcon Guides and his work focusses primarily on the nexus between sustainability and outdoor adventure. He is an experienced gear reviewer, tester, and travel writer who has explored multiple continents.

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