Top Rated Snowboarding Pants Reviews
In a Hurry? The Best Snowboard Pants after 10 hours of research!


The North Face Freedom
Why is this snowboard jacket is our first choice?
- Chimney system
- Dry Vent
- Heat distribution
13
Researched Sources
5647
Total
Readers
2300
Reviews Considers
10
Hours Research
13
Products Evaluated
Face Fabric
160D X 140D 133 g/m² 100% Nylon
Membrane
DryVent™ 2L
Lining Material
105 g/m² 100% Polyester Tricot
Fit
Standard Fit
Adjustable Waist Tabs
Side-Entry Zip
Pockets
Zippered Hand Pockets
Secure-Velcro® Cargo Pocket
Vents
Chimney Venting™ System
Insulation
No Insulation
Seam Sealing
Fully Taped
Features
StretchVent™ Gaiters
Price Comparison
Last Update (January.01.2021)
Face Fabric
Nylon Workwear Oxford
Membrane
10,000 mm Waterproof / 10,000 g/m² Breathable
Lining Material
Taffeta Lining
Fit
Slim
Contour Fit
Articulated Knees
Vents
Mesh Lined Inner Leg Vents
Insulation
No Insulation
Seam Sealing
Fully Taped
Features
Snap Adjustable Hems with Gussets
Double Layer Hems
Glove Strap
Boot Gaiters
Price Comparison
Last Update (January.01.2021)
Face Fabric
100% nylon Legacy twill
Lining Material
100% polyester tricot
Fit
Regular
Insulation
40g Microtemp Insulation
Seam Sealing
Critical seam sealing
Features
Omni-Tech waterproof/breathable
Adjustable waist tabs
Reinforced cuff guard
Articulated knees
Price Comparison
Last Update (January.01.2021)
Face Fabric
100% Polyester Plain Weave Stretch
Bluesign® Approved Product
Membrane
DRYRIDE Durashell™
10,000 mm Waterproofing / 5,000 g/m²
Lining Material
Shell Mapped with Taffeta, Mesh, and Living Lining™
Fit
Slim Fit
Vents
Inner Thigh Vents
Insulation
No Insulation
Seam Sealing
Fully Taped
Warranty
1 Year
Price Comparison
Last Update (January.01.2021)
Face Fabric
Nylon Oxford
Membrane
15,000 mm Waterproof / 15,000 g/m² Breathable
Lining Material
Taffeta Lining
Fit
Standard Fit
Adjustable Suspender Straps
Articulated Knees
Vents
Mesh Lined Inner Leg Vents
Insulation
No Insulation
Seam Sealing
Fully Taped
Features
Zip Adjustable Hems with Gussets
Reinforced Hems + Scuff Guard
Side Zip Entry
Front Hand Pocket Drainage
Warranty
2 Years
Price Comparison
Last Update (January.01.2021)
Face Fabric
150-Denier 100% Recycled Polyester with DWR Finish
Membrane
GORE-TEX® 2L Membrane
Lining Material
Seat and Upper Thighs – 3.8-oz 100% Brushed Polyester Mesh
Lower Leg – 2.2-oz 100% Polyester Taffeta
Fit
Regular Fit
Vents
Mesh-Lined Thigh Vents Quickly Release Heat
Insulation
No Insulation
Seam Sealing
Fully Taped
Features
Watertight, Coated Zippers with Slim Zip
Brushed Tricot Lining at Waist
Elastic Waist Tabs to Customize Fit
Concealed RECCO® Reflector
Warranty
Limited Lifetime
Price Comparison
Last Update (January.01.2021)
Face Fabric
Mesh,Polyester
Membrane
DryRide two-layer fabric [10,000MM, 10,000G]
Lining Material
Taffeta
Fit
Regular Fit
Vents
Mesh-Lined Test-I-Cool Venting
Insulation
Thermolite insulation
Seam Sealing
Fully Taped
Features
Pocket key clip
Expandable cuffs
Integrated waist adjustment
Zippered Microfleece Handwarmer Pockets
Warranty
Limited Lifetime
Price Comparison
Last Update (January.01.2021)
Face Fabric
100% Polyester dobby fabric
Membrane
DC Weather Defense [10,000MM, 40 Grams]
Lining Material
Taffeta lining
Fit
Regular Fit
Vents
Mesh-Lined Thigh Vents
Insulation
Thermolite insulation
Seam Sealing
Fully Taped
Features
Articulated legs
Weather defense technology
Hand Wash
Warranty
1 Year
Price Comparison
Last Update (January.01.2021)
Face Fabric
100% Polyester
Membrane
Gore-tex 2L technology
Lining Material
Brushed tricot and recycled lightweight taffeta
Fit
Regular Fit
Vents
Mesh lined venting
Insulation
Shell
Seam Sealing
Fully Taped
Features
Lift ticket holder
Reinforcement panel
3-way closure system
Warranty
1 Year
Price Comparison
Last Update (January.01.2021)
Face Fabric
100% Polyester Twill-Mechanical Stretch
Membrane
15K Waterproofing / 10K Breathability
Fit
Skinny Fit
Vents
Interior Leg Vents with Open Hole Mesh
Insulation
No Insulation
Seam Sealing
Fully Taped
Features
Gripper Elastic and Boot Hook on Gaiter
Bottom Hem YKK® Zippered Leg Gussets
Warranty
1 Year
Price Comparison
Last Update (January.01.2021)
IN DEPTH REVIEW 10
- The North Face Freedom
- Dakine Artillery
- Columbia Men’s Bugaboo II
- Burton Greenlight
- Dakine Wyeast Bibs
- Patagonia Powder Bowl
- Burton Men’s Insulated Covert
- DC DCSAA Men’s Banshee
- Quiksilver Men’s Forever 2l Gore-Tex
- Holden Skinny Standard Pants – Women’s
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- How to Choose the Best Snowboard Pants
- Snowboard Pants Features
- Snowboard Pants Types
- FAQ
Top Mens, Womens and Kids Snowboard Pants Review
The North Face Freedom Pants
MATERIALS
98
BREATHABILITY
95
STYLE
90
Value
99
POCKETS
89
BEST OFFER FOR TODAY
CONS:
- Not enough pockets
Dakine Artillery Pants
MATERIALS
96
BREATHABILITY
90
STYLE
90
Value
92
POCKETS
98
BEST OFFER FOR TODAY
CONS:
- 2 layers only
Columbia Men’s Bugaboo II Pant
MATERIALS
90
BREATHABILITY
90
STYLE
85
Value
92
POCKETS
95
BEST OFFER FOR TODAY
CONS:
- Some versions are expensive
Burton Greenlight Pants
MATERIALS
88
BREATHABILITY
90
STYLE
88
Value
85
POCKETS
90
BEST OFFER FOR TODAY
CONS:
Dakine Wyeast Bibs
MATERIALS
80
BREATHABILITY
95
STYLE
100
Value
94
POCKETS
85
BEST OFFER FOR TODAY
CONS:
- Heavy
Patagonia Powder Bowl Pants
MATERIALS
92
BREATHABILITY
90
STYLE
85
Value
88
POCKETS
89
BEST OFFER FOR TODAY
CONS:
Burton Men’s Insulated Covert Pant
MATERIALS
80
BREATHABILITY
86
STYLE
90
Value
94
POCKETS
99
BEST OFFER FOR TODAY
CONS:
DC DCSAA Men’s Banshee 10k Water Proof Pants
MATERIALS
85
BREATHABILITY
78
STYLE
85
Value
91
POCKETS
90
BEST OFFER FOR TODAY
CONS:
Quiksilver Men’s Forever 2l Gore-Tex Pants
MATERIALS
80
BREATHABILITY
65
STYLE
80
Value
81
POCKETS
85
BEST OFFER FOR TODAY
CONS:
Holden Skinny Standard Pants – Women’s
MATERIALS
85
BREATHABILITY
78
STYLE
85
Value
91
POCKETS
90
BEST OFFER FOR TODAY
CONS:
- Lack of suspenders
How to Choose the Best Snowboard Pants
Fabric Durability
One of the main differences between conventional pants and snowboard pants is durability. Ordinary pants aim to comfort and practicality while snowboard models target protection and strength. Here we can see one additional, also an important difference. Snowboard pants are made from woven nylon and polyester fibers. These materials are extremely strong and durable. They can withstand anything and they can provide superb protection from cold and water.
Waterproofing Rating
The waterproofing factor tells you what kind of weather conditions you can withstand. Nothing is perfectly waterproof, so double check the rating to determine whether you can go in light rain, heavy rain, dry snow or heavy snow.
5,000mm
This is the lower end of the average rating. What this means is that the pants will still be more than just capable of keeping you dry at all times. However, you may need added protection at some point. If you are on a tight budget, you are likely to get a model with this rating. It is also very popular among beginners and those who don’t know how to understand waterproofness rating. You are not one of them anymore.
10,000mm
Pants with this rating are another part of the average scale. What this means is that pants are suitable for more demanding users and they will keep the water of all the time. Many, budget friendly models have this rating and we should add that it is one of the most common these days.
15,000mm
Now we are moving to the maximum rating. This one is above average and suitable for people who want to stay comfortable but at the same time want to make sure water doesn’t penetrate their pants and reach their skin. Some of the best models on the market have this rating and countless satisfied owners.
20,000mm
This is the best waterproof rating you can possibly find today. These Snowboard Pants with it are super tough and extremely durable. They can resist any situations and your skin will remain completely dry. Snowboarders who are interested in heavy-duty pants and hate to get wet will consider pants with 20.000 mm rating as the only choice. Yes, they are pricey but they are the safest portion of them all.
Features
While some of the best snowboard pants on the market may seem identical, small features often make the difference. Many of them are all about convenience. At the same time, do pay attention to the fit and overall design as well.
Gaiters and Powder Cuffs
Gaiters are basically some cuffs. They go on the bottom of the snowboard pants – on the inside. They are attached to elastic bands and they ensure that boot cuffs keep safe and secure over the boot. In other words, their main role is to keep snow out.
Sealed Seams
Professional snowboard pants come with sealed seams these days. They add to the breathability and waterproofing ratings, but they also ensure more durability. It is still worth double checking.
Waist Adjustment
As the name suggest wait adjustment is a feature you can use to adjust the width of the pants so you get the best comfort and the best protection. It is a simple feature that has huge importance.
Pockets
Pockets can make a massive difference. They can make any pants more practical and more convenient. They can also help you with keeping the important documents within you at all times and should protect them from moisture and water. As you would expect there are a lot of possibilities on the market, but two pocket types are very desirable.
Pass Pocket
A pass pocket is ideal when you like snowboarding as often as possible. It is precisely as you may imagine. The pass pocket will be used for holding your pass at all times so you can easily access it when needed. We like models with this feature and we believe it is one of the more important types of pockets available on snowboard pants. On the other hand, there are no drawbacks of having this pocket. It won’t increase price either so we can deduce that it is very useful and desirable.
Cargo Pocket
A cargo pocket is a massive pocket located on the pants. You can see that army pants have the same type and you can get a better idea of why this feature is needed. You can store the most essential items and don’t worry about them. Other advantages are the same as with the previous pocket type. It isn’t a mandatory feature but it is very nice to have and can help you.
Types of Snowboarding Pants
Connect Pants to Jacket
Not all snowboard pants come with an actual connection for the jacket, yet this small consideration can change everything for you because it turns two pieces into a full costume – more protection.
The best snowboard pants can be classified by multiple criteria. The insulation is one of them. Each type of insulation has its own pros and cons, so making a decision is normally a matter of personal preferences and necessities.
Uninsulated Pants
Uninsulated pants are often referred to as hard shell pants. However, in terms of waterproofing, this option is the most efficient one. There is a drawback though – the breathability rating will not be too high with this kind of shell.
Insulated Pants
Insulated pants are precisely as the name suggests. They have an outer layer made from nylon, polyester or similar material and have insulation built in. This means that they offer superb immunity to water, moisture and can make sure you are warm at all times. The next main advantage here is the ability to stay warm at the most demanding situations. Think of this type as super heavy-duty suitable for professionals and those who need the ultimate warmness at all times. The insulation is measured in grams. Entry-level models have between 30 and 100 grams while high-end models have up to 800 grams.
USoft Shell Pants
Soft shell pants are somewhere in the middle. While still considered as uninsulated pants because of the shell, they are great to allow more breathability without really compromising on the water resistance.
Shell Pants
Shell pants are completely different than the insulated models. They don’t have insulation which makes them very lightweight and appealing to wear when you want movement rather than anything else. As you would expect they are not made for extremely cold weather and they are made to be paired with several other layers of the clothing. You will need a pair of this kind if you like feeling ‘’light’’ while snowboarding.
Fit
Just like regular pants, snowboard pants come with a few different fits. They are meant to be comfortable, so regular and relaxed fits are the most popular options. Make sure you have enough room for some layers too – double check the manufacturer’s sizing chart.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
What are the size discrepancies in snowboard pants?
Generally speaking, buying the same size as you would for regular pants is less likely to work because you need to count some layers underneath. Check the manufacturer’s sizing chart.
Are there any completely waterproof snowboard pants?
No. Each manufacturer has its own standard, not to mention independent labs. Nothing is 100% waterproof, but water resistant to a certain degree.
What is Gore-Tex?
Gore-Tex represents the most advanced option in terms of waterproofing and breathability, yet some other alternatives (cheaper) may get close to it.
What are the most common seams?
You can have taped seams for waterproofing, fully taped seams for even more waterproofing and critically taped seams for strategic protection. In each case, seams are covered with a tape to a certain degree.
Conclusion
As a short final conclusion, deciding on the best snowboard pants might be a matter of personal preferences. Consider your snowboarding experience, how often you do it and what kind of weather conditions you do it in.
For more snowboards recommendations , you can check these popular ElanSnowboard clothing reviews : Snowboard Jacket , Snowboard Sock , Snowboard Gloves , Snowboard Mittens.