Best Men's Ski Pants for Styling Your Way Down the Slopes

You’ve booked your trip, waxed your skis or board, tooled up with the best sunglasses for men, and your hat game is on point. But what about your ski pants? If you’re long overdue for a new pair, or are hitting the slopes for the first time, check out our picks for the best ski pants for men. Make the wrong choice and things will go downhill very quickly (this will also happen if you get it right, being skiing, but let’s move on).

Our top picks for the best men’s ski pants

What to consider when choosing ski pants for men

Use

“The first thing to consider is where you ski and how you intend to use the pants,” says Laurel Manville, product development manager at Eastern Mountain Sports. “For resort skiing where you’ll be riding the lift most of the time, you may opt for something slightly insulated to keep you warmer. If you do sidecountry or backcountry skiing where you may be hiking and working up a sweat, you may opt for a shell pant where you can vary your layering underneath and vent as needed.”

Style

Manville advises that the next decision is whether to go with a normal pant or a bib pant. “Bib pants look like overalls and have a piece that comes over your chest and back with shoulder straps–they’re a great option to prevent any snow from getting between your pants and jacket,” she says. “They also provide an added layer of warmth on the chest and back. With bibs, you don’t risk them falling down and you don’t have any pressure at your waist, which makes for great ease of movement.”

Materials

Manville suggests that whatever style you opt for, you need to make sure the pants you buy are both waterproof and breathable. “Look for ratings such as 10k or higher,” she says. “This will keep you comfortable in the changing conditions of our current climate.” In terms of waterproofing, this number indicates the amount of rain the material can withstand without letting any moisture through, i.e., 10,000mm. Breathability is measured by the amount of moisture by weight that can pass through a square meter of fabric in 24 hours, and as far as Manville is concerned, the higher the number, the better.

Features

Manville recommends looking for the following features in ski pants:

• Articulated knees to help you move
• Reinforced materials at bottom hem/interior hem (often referred to as a kickpatch) to prevent material from getting damaged by skis or board
• Adjustable cuff or gaiter at the bottom that will fit over your boots and prevent snow from getting up your pants
• Ventilation to help you stay cool in changing temperatures
• Adjustability at the waist (often in the form of velcro or snap tabs)
• Pockets to help stash wallet, pass, extra hand warmers, snacks, etc.

Price

“Features and material quality can all play a role in price,” says Manville. “If you’re a beginner skier and may only go a handful of times, you may not want to invest in something super expensive. If you’re a hardcore skier going every weekend, you want a pair of pants (or two!) that are going to last for seasons on end. I, personally, ski at least 50 times a year and have had pants for ten-plus years, so it's worth the investment if you plan on it being a lasting activity. As a ski instructor, I know that comfort can make or break your experience–regardless of skier ability–so having a pair of pants that keeps you warm and dry is critical to enjoying the sport!”

How we selected the best ski pants for men

Our selections were made through a mix of personal experience, thoughtful advice from our panel of outdoor sports and style experts, and ensuring every pick has overwhelmingly positive customer reviews, especially in terms of comfort, longevity, and practicality.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Do you wear anything under snow pants?

“It depends on the temperature and the type of pants,” says Manville. “Most people add a base layer under ski pants for a softer feel. When skiing, it’s important not to have anything in the boot except for socks and feet, so look for a base layer that may be more knee length, so you don’t have the bunching up of extra layers.”

“What and how much you layer may depend on personal preference,” she continues. “If it’s really cold, I’ve been known to layer both a wool base layer and down knickers underneath a shell pant. Or if it’s warm spring skiing, you may just go with shorts or briefs under the ski pants to keep from overheating. But, this is where zippered ventilation can also come into play.”

How do I wash ski pants?

“It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s washing instructions for the best longevity of your pants,” says Manville. “Most of these types of product will have a waterproof/breathable membrane and a DWR (durable water repellency) treatment applied. Because of that, it’s recommended to wash on a low temp with a ‘tech wash’ special detergent if possible, then dry on a low temperature. When needed, the DWR can be reapplied with an aftermarket spray such as Nikwax.”

Are ski pants worth it?

“Ski pants are not only worth it, they’re a necessity,” says Fratto. “You want to stay warm while you’re on the mountain and ski pants are designed to ensure you safely maintain your body temperature. But just because it’s a utilitarian garment doesn’t mean that you can’t add your own style to the mix–there are many options available and you can find a pair that fits both your purpose on the slopes and your personality.”

Is it better to have tight or loose ski pants?

“It all depends on what’s comfortable to you,” says Evans. “Some people like a more trim fit and others more baggy. There are a variety of choices out there, from stretch pants to the very trendy baggy fit. I would always air on the side of slightly more loose than slightly too tight if you’re in between, as this leaves room to layer.”

For options to layer under your ski clothes, be sure to check out our guides to the best sweatpants for men and the best hoodies for men, too.

Is there a difference between snow pants and ski pants?

“In my mind, ski pants are a little slimmer [than snow pants] and built for the swoosh,” opines world traveler and Scandinavian outdoor expert Nate Axvig.

Manville adds that, “A snow pant can be insulated and waterproof or water resistant, but without some of the features for skiing. You definitely want some of the features [listed up top] to help improve your skiing/boarding experience.”