In addition to a board and the right footwear, a key element for comfort and protection in difficult weather conditions during winter fun on the slopes is functional snowboard pants.
If you are a beginner snowboarder or planning to buy new pants, you don’t know what parameters to pay attention to and how to adapt them to your needs, our guide will help you make the right choice.
Snowboard Pants vs. Ski Pants – What’s the Difference?
Snowboard and ski pants look identical at first glance, but in practice they differ slightly in terms of construction, style and specific features tailored to the needs of users of one or both boards.
Due to the many jumps, frequent changes of direction and body position, the snowboard pants have a looser cut and wider legs, so as to provide total freedom of movement not only during the ride, but also to perform all kinds of tricks.
They also have a high waist, which helps to cushion and protect the body during possible falls. Snowboard pants often have extra padding at the knees or buttocks to protect against falls and at the bottom of the legs to reduce the risk of irritation from contact with the edges of the board or snowboard boot.
There are also laces on the legs and velcro at the waist to allow customization to everyone’s needs.
Ski pants are distinguished by a more fitted cut, which helps reduce drag and increase aerodynamics while skiing.
They can have profiled legs at the height of the knees, reinforcements on the areas most prone to abrasion (knees, ankles) due to the use of skis and more advanced adjustment systems that allow a precise fit to the ski boot and increased comfort while skiing .
Which snowboard pants will be the best? Key parameters
As with the snowboard jacket, the pants for this winter sport should be waterproof, breathable and made of high-quality materials supported by membranes.
Material
Good snowboard pants are made of high-quality outer materials that are durable, abrasion-resistant and waterproof. Popular materials include nylon, polyester, or blends of both fabrics. Pay attention to two parameters:
- resistance – is expressed in deniers (DEN/D),
- thickness – is expressed in g/m2.
If you want your trousers to last for several seasons, choose a model made of ripstop fabric, which is resistant to mechanical damage thanks to its special construction – reinforced threads are woven at regular intervals along and across the fabric.
The areas most prone to breakage or abrasion (knees, ankles on the inside of the legs, armpits) as a result of falls or contact with the edge of the board are also reinforced.
Membrane
The membrane in snowboard pants is a thin layer that is part of their construction based on:
- three-layer laminate (3L or hardshell) – a combination of outer fabric, membrane and inner lining layer. This construction offers superior moisture protection and high breathability, making it ideal for advanced snowboarders and professionals who need maximum performance in a variety of conditions, both on and off the slopes;
- two and a half layer laminate (2.5L) – a combination of outer fabric with a membrane and print. An intermediate solution for those who need good protection and comfort;
- two-layer laminate (2L) – the outer material is combined with a waterproof membrane on the underside to form a single integrated structure. This is usually the most basic construction, offering good moisture protection and breathability. It can be more economical, which makes it suitable for beginners and recreational snowboarders.
The membrane is designed to effectively block moisture and water from entering the pants, meaning they will stay dry even in heavy rain or snow, while guaranteeing breathability. Membranes are divided into two types:
- microporous – they have very small pores that do not allow the passage of liquid water, but allow the evaporation of water vapor. This means that garments fitted with microporous membranes are waterproof on the outside, but still breathable. A popular example of a microporous membrane is GORE-TEX® ;
- hydrophilic – works on the principle of moisture absorption and diffusion, which means that moisture is absorbed by the skin membrane and transferred to the outside, where it can evaporate. An example of a hydrophilic membrane is eVent , which is valued for its ability to remove moisture from the inside of clothing.
Impermeability
Waterproofness measures a fabric’s ability to repel water. This is expressed in millimeters of water column (eg 10,000 mm) and determines the amount of liquid the fabric can withstand before it starts to leak.
The higher the parameter, the better it protects you from getting wet. A value of 10,000 mm is considered the minimum value for snowboard pants if you want good protection against rain and snow.
A useful solution is also the DWR (Durable Water Repellent) layer , which is an impregnation added to the outer fabric that prevents moisture absorption.
This ensures that water or snow remains on the surface of the pants, allowing them to be easily shaken off with gloves. Additional elements that enhance the waterproof range are taped seams and waterproof zips.
Breathability
The breathability of snowboard pants refers to the material’s ability to exchange air between the inside and outside.
This is important because during physical activity you generate heat and sweat, which must be expelled in order for you to stay dry and travel in comfort.
The breathability index measures how many grams of water vapor can pass through one square meter of material in 24 hours. When it comes to the MVTR coefficient (determines the degree of water vapor transmission), the higher the value, the better. A suitable choice for snowboarding is an MVTR of 10,000 g/m²/24h and above. On the other hand, when breathability is expressed by the RET coefficient , values of 6 and lower indicate excellent air circulation.
What else to pay attention to when choosing snowboard pants? Important elements
In addition to technical fabrics supported by membranes and modern technologies that guarantee good protection against different conditions on the slopes, at the same time with excellent air circulation and a high level of thermal comfort, when choosing your snowboard pants it is worth taking into account consider some key elements that influence comfort and performance while snowboarding.
Ventilation
Opt for snowboard pants with zippered vents. They can be placed only on the inner thighs or they can be placed both inside and outside. They are ideal when you are doing a more intense ride or when the day turns out to be warmer than expected.
Adjustable strap
The adjustable strap is another essential element of snowboard pants. The velcro or ratchet strap on both sides will allow you to adjust the pants precisely to your body. It also prevents them from slipping while walking or performing various tricks.
Reinforcements and joints on the legs
An additional layer of thicker, more durable material at the bottom of the legs or at the knees protects these areas from tearing and rapid wear, thus extending the life of the pants. In addition, the joints on the cuffs prevent snow from entering the snowboard boots, and equipped with a zipper, they make it easy to take off and put on the boots.
In the snowboard pants you will find at least a few functional zippered pockets to store essential accessories and small items. These usually include back pockets and cargo pockets on the thighs. In the case of spiltboarding pants, they can be equipped with dedicated pockets for an avalanche detector or GPS device.
Systems for attaching the jacket to the trousers
This practical solution helps prevent snow from getting under your clothes. The fastening system of the trouser jacket is usually a button or loop on the belt of the jacket, which can be combined with a dedicated accessory on the trousers. To ensure effective protection against wetness and cold in this way, you will need to buy a jacket and snowboard pants from the same brand for the system to work properly.
brace
The biggest advantage of these is that they keep the pants in place, thus preventing them from slipping during the trip. It’s a useful detail if you’re just learning to board – because you’re more prone to falls or make intense movements while walking. By keeping the pants level, the suspenders prevent snow, water or mud from getting under the fabric. Thus, clothes and skin remain dry, which is important in difficult weather conditions. In addition, the straps allow exact adjustment for your own parameters, which results in a higher wearing comfort.
Size and fit
Snowboard pant sizes and lengths can vary depending on the manufacturer or even the model you choose, so always check the specific product and brand size charts for accurate measurements. Snowboard pants should not be too loose to allow freedom of movement, but at the same time not hinder the control you have on the board. You should be able to perform leg movements without restriction. Don’t forget you’ll be wearing a base layer of thermal underwear (leggings/leggings) under your snowboard pants, so make sure you have enough room to put them on. Pay attention to the length of the pants – they should be long enough to reach over the snowboard boots, but not bend or catch on the ground.
In summary, the choice of snowboard pants, regardless of gender or age, depends on individual needs, preferences and level of snowboarding experience. A good pair of snowboard pants will not only give you protection against the weather, but also comfort while snowboarding. In addition, it is worth using models from well-known brands, such as ROXY, Quiksilver, DC, Billabong, Oakley, Rip Curl, Volcom or The North Face , to be sure that high-quality materials and modern solutions are used, so so that, both on the slopes and in the backcountry, you will have adequate protection and thermal comfort. On Sportano.ro, we have collected snowboard pants for men, women and children from the top manufacturers of winter sports clothing, in a wide range of styles, designs, colors and sizes, which will provide you with waterproof clothing, breathable and comfortable to match your skill level and activity.
