Best Ski and Snowboard Pants for 2016-2017

You may not need pants to get inside a store, but you’ll need a pair to go ride. And you’ll need to find the Best and Ski and Snowboard Pants to ride comfortably (and also fashionably). Everyone wants to look cool on the mountain, so fashion will play a large role in deciding which Snowboard Pants you are going to buy. Here at Powderheadz.com, we’ll help you make sure that your fashionable choice is also the right choice. And please, don’t go riding in Jeans.

Don’t get caught on the mountain freezing because you found the coolest looking Snowboard Pants for you, but it happens to have no insulation. But also don’t get stuck sweating the whole day during a Spring ride because your jacket has too much, either.  Most of the time, people will pick form over function. However, we think you should always pick both. Below you’ll find what we think are the Best Men’s Ski and Snowboard Pants and the Best Women’s Ski and Snowboard Pants for 2016-2017.

Enjoy, and of course. . .safe riding!

Our Top Rated Women’s Snowboard Jackets

Our Top Rated Men’s Snowboard Pants

How-To:  Buy the Best Ski and Snowboard Pants

There are so many types of ski and snowboard pants out there with a multitude attributes, it can be a bit confusing into figuring out what kind of snowboard pants you should get. Here at Powderheadz.com, we’ll try and help you figure out what everything means.

If this is your first time buying Snowboard Pants, it’s best to get familiar with some of the terminology out there.

Fit:

When it come’s down to fit, it all depends on your own personal style. There really is no difference performance-wise between baggier clothes or tighter fitting options.  Unless of course, you’re a pro-rider. But for the rest of us, it’s whatever makes you feel comfortable. It’s always a good idea, however, to try before you buy.

Waterproofing:

Most Ski and Snowboard Pants are measured by ‘mil rating’ in the thousands of milliliters, which represents the height of a column of water that can be poured on top of your pants before any moisture makes it through the membrane.  The higher the number, the more waterproof it is.

Another thing to consider is where the seals, or taping, are over your snowboard pant’s seams. A fully sealed pair of snowboard pants will be more durable and waterproof, but much more expensive. Critically-taped ones cover areas that are considered the most important, reducing cost.

Breathability:

Breathability is measured in grams rather than milliliters and it tells you how much moisture can pass through the material per square meter over a 24-hour period. This is important so the Snowboard Pants can wick away the sweat off your body to keep you from getting uncomfortable or in very low temperatures, dangerously cold.  Like Waterproofing, the higher the number, the better the rating.

Insulation:

Insulation is almost dependent to the rider and what they are comfortable with. Sometimes thin-shell, outer-layer pants is all one needs, especially if you like to ride with a bunch of layers.

How cold it’s going to be where you usually ride and how much sweat you’re going to make usually will determine how much insulation you’ll need.  The best rule to follow is, it’s better to be too warm, than too cold.