best-mens-snowboard-pants-01.jpg
 

Best Men’s Snowboard Pants of 2023

JUMP TO: BURTON BALLAST GTX / 686 SMARTY 3-IN-1 CARGO / PATAGONIA POWSLAYER / THE NORTH FACE FREEDOM INSULATED / QUIKSILVER TR STRETCH / PATAGONIA SNOWDRIFTER BIB / VOLCOM GUIDE GTX / BUYING ADVICE

Author: Rob Thijssen

The Short Version

The Long Version

When you’re out in the mountains hunting for untracked white lines, the last thing you want to worry about is whether your gear is up to the challenge.

After all, your outerwear is your first line of defense against the elements and you should be able to rely on it. That way you can focus on important things like riding big lines!

But what should you look for in a pair of snowboarding pants?

Nowadays, manufacturers use all kinds of fancy terminology to describe the features of their products. And it can be all very confusing.

The next challenge is to find a pair of snowboard pants that suit your needs amongst the overwhelming number of brands and models that are now available. This alone can feel like getting stuck in a white-out.

Luckily we’re here to help guide you through the maze, with our selection of the best snowboarding pants for this season.

If you love reading this review, then you'll likely love reading some of our other gear review pages:

Need To Know What To Look Out For?

With things like waterproofing and breathability metrics, or vague terms like reinforced cuffs, it can sometimes be unclear what you are actually buying!

If you are unsure about the key considerations or best features to look for in a pair of snowboard pants, then be sure to check out our detailed buying advice at the bottom of the article.

Best Overall: BURTON BALLAST GTX

FIT: Regular

INSULATED: No

MATERIAL: 2-Layer Gore-Tex, Polyester

PROS: Fully waterproof with a very reasonable price point

CONS: Mesh lining is less comfortable than Taffeta

With the Ballast GTX, Burton has created a fully waterproof and breathable pair of snowboard pants at a very reasonable price point. The two-layer Gore-Tex membrane keeps rain and snow from entering whilst still providing enough breathability.

The outer material is slightly thicker than some other pants, but without being too stiff. The material gives you plenty of comfort and freedom of movement, but at the same time you know these pants are sturdy and will last you a fair while. Note however that there is zero insulation in these pants – in cold weather you’ll need base layers underneath for warmth.

Velcro waist-adjusters on the inside let you adjust them quickly and easy, meaning you don't necessarily need a belt. The pants have two deep hand pockets and two back pockets, all lined with soft microfleece. The front right pocket has a little pouch that is perfect for keeping your GoPro battery warm.

There are mesh-lined zippered vents on the inside of your thigh. They are designed to allow you to create one large vent (from knee to knee) or two separate vents (one on the inside of each thigh), depending on your preference.

An issue all of us snowboarders have surely experienced is the cuffs on the backside getting damaged over time from walking on dirt and mud. The Ballast GTX has an ingenious system where the cuffs are easily lifted by pulling the elevator string on the backside of the heel, so your pants don’t drag when walking over dirty tarmac anymore. Simple but highly effective!

Overall the Burton Ballast GTX are a well-rounded pair of snowboarding pants, and given their very reasonable price tag we think they provide solid value.

Best for Style: 686 SMARTY 3-IN-1 CARGO

FIT: Regular

INSULATED: Yes / No

MATERIAL: 2-Layer infiDRY®️ membrane, Polyester

PROS: Many pockets and removable fleece liner for those chilly blue bird days

CONS: Breathability is less than Gore-Tex fabric

The 686 Smarty 3-in-1 Cargo are well-designed snowboarding pants that not only look cool, but also have a number of ingenious features.

Highly waterproof, these pants will keep you dry the entire day, thanks to the infiDRY® waterproof membrane, fully taped seams and a durable water repellent (DWR) finish. The waterproof membrane is rated with a 20K hydrostatic head, which should be solid enough for wet conditions and should even retain its waterproofing ability under pressure (such as sitting on a chairlift). They are available in a Gore-Tex version for when you want better breathability.

They have a removable fleece liner, and while some people might not like it, we think it’s an excellent idea, especially for people who feel the cold easily. And since it’s removable, you can always leave it at home.

We like that the adjustable velcro waist is placed on the outside of the seam instead of on the inside. This way you avoid those awkward looks from the table next to you – when you unzip your pants to adjust your waist just after you’ve had lunch.

The many pockets allow you to store items like a tool or a GoPro without it getting uncomfortable. And when you don’t use them, the pockets fold away flat to avoid bulkiness. This also goes for the mesh-lined vents on the inner thighs.

The BOA® compatible boot gaiter allows you to quickly and easily adjust your boots. Fiddling around with cumbersome gaiters while your mates are already shredding is a thing of the past!

686 has a history of making stylish snowboarding gear and with the Smarty 3-in-1 Cargo Pant they continue that reputation.

Best for Ventilation: PATAGONIA POWSLAYER

FIT: Regular / Large

INSULATED: No

MATERIAL: 3-Layer Gore-Tex Pro, 100% Recycled Nylon

PROS: Outstanding ventilation thanks to wide-open vents on the outside

CONS: A bit loud, as always with Gore-Tex Pro. Most expensive pants in this review

The Patagonia Powslayer is, in our opinion, the pinnacle in snowboard pants design. The only reason it’s not our best pick overall, is its hefty price tag. Having said that, if you have the dollar bills to spare, we do think they’re worth the investment.

They are flawlessly constructed, made up of 3-layer Gore-Tex Pro (the best waterproof and breathable fabric in the business) and a 100% recycled nylon exterior. Top this off with a water-repellent DWR finish and water and snow don’t stand a chance of getting through!

The articulated patterning throughout the hips and knees provides incredible freedom of movement, and the vents, which are placed on the outside of the thighs, make these lightweight and packable snowboarding pants a perfect choice for your backcountry adventures.

As always with Patagonia, you know you will be buying a product that will last. While at the same time you support a clothing company that has lead the way environmentally, supporting or initiating campaigns like 1% for the Planet, their Worn Wear campaign (providing transparency in their entire supply chain), and their Buy Less, Demand More campaign.

If you have the money to spend, the Powslayer are a pair of pantaloons with the highest level of storm-proof performance available, so you can focus on riding rather than second-guessing your gear.

Best for Insulated: THE NORTH FACE FREEDOM INSULATED

FIT: Regular / Large (also available in a tall or short version)

INSULATED: Yes

MATERIAL: 2-Layer DryVent™, Nylon/Recycled Polyester

PROS: Very affordable and warm 

CONS: Zipper can get stuck on mesh liner in the vents

If you’re often cold while enjoying the winter wonderland, an insulated pair of snowboard pants might be a solution. The Freedom Insulated from The North Face doesn’t have a huge amount of insulation, but when combined with a proper base layer it’ll keep you cozy and warm even on the coldest mornings. Perfect for when you’re waiting for lift personnel to free Jerry of the Day from the chairlift in front of you.

The good people at The North Face have used their very own DryVent™ material – which should do a decent job of guarding you from snow and rain, while at the same time being a fabric that should breathe.

If the temperatures do rise, just open the zippered vents on the inside of your thighs, and you’ll be cooled down in no-time. Unfortunately, the zipper is prone to get stuck on the mesh lining of these vents, especially when wearing gloves.

The Freedom Insulated have three pockets – one on your thigh and two hand pockets – each lined with comfortable microfleece, so your phone or GoPro doesn’t get scratched easily. The snow gaiters are pretty straightforward but do a good job of keeping snow out of your pants.

Overall, the Freedom Insulated are a mid-range pair of snowboarding pants that will keep your legs and buns dry, with an added boost of warmth. Better yet, they won’t break the bank.

Best for Comfort: QUIKSILVER TR STRETCH

FIT: Regular / Relaxed

INSULATED: Yes

MATERIAL: Quiksilver DryFlight Technology Membrane, Recycled Polyester

PROS: Stretch material gives you a lot of freedom of movement

CONS: Fit is more relaxed

The Quiksilver TR Stretch snowboarding pants were designed with all-time snowboarding wizard, Travis Rice (hence the TR, get it?). And with his signature series you know you’ll have something good.

To start with, they have plenty of pocket space divided over five zippered pockets: one on the back, two on the thighs, and two hand pockets, all with premium water-resistant zippers.

The Toray Mega-Stretch nylon fabric is made from recycled fibers to reduce environmental impact and has a 20K/20K waterproof/breathability rating. The amount of stretch is insane, allowing you to do the craziest moves while riding, without feeling any constraints.

Two vents with a mesh lining on the inside of the thighs are quickly opened for added ventilation and cooling down, which definitely comes in handy for lowering the overdose of stoke after a gnarly tree-run or spine! The pants have a thin insulation layer, which is nice for those chilly mornings. Internal waist-adjusters and an effective jacket-to-pant attachment system keep you well protected from the waist-deep pow.

Overall, the TR Stretch are an excellent mid-range budget option with exceptional freedom of movement in a slightly baggier fit.

Best for Backcountry: PATAGONIA SNOWDRIFTER BIB

FIT: Regular

INSULATED: No

MATERIAL: 3-Layer H₂No, 70% Recycled Polyester

PROS: Side vents are conveniently integrated with drop seat

CONS: Beacon pocket can become uncomfortable

Bibs just rock. Period. And the Patagonia Snowdrifter has earned a place in the Snowboard Pants Hall of Fame.

It’s a bib made for off-piste purists. It’s very lightweight, considering it’s a bib, thanks to the 75-denier, fully waterproof 3-layer H₂No stretchy material, and the highly breathable and water repellent upper part.

Three pockets provide a huge amount of storage potential. One kangaroo pocket on your chest, which goes pretty deep, is perfect for storing your phone or keeping a snack close by. The pocket on your right thigh is especially designed for your avalanche beacon, although its placement can cause the beacon to press onto your quad when hiking and cause some discomfort. It also features a hidden RECCO® reflector and the standard but indispensable snow gaiters.

The two-way zippered side vents are placed on the outside and are brilliantly integrated into the drop seat. They’re long enough to provide sufficient ventilation when you’re skinning up. The adjustable suspenders are easily detached for quick entry while the drop seat is quickly lowered for when nature calls.

The Patagonia Snowdrifter Bib is a must-have if you’re looking for bib-like waterproof protection with a lot of ventilation at an affordable price.

Best for Jacket Compatibility: VOLCOM GUIDE GTX

FIT: Regular

INSULATED: No

MATERIAL: 3-Layer Gore-Tex, Nylon

PROS: Reinforcement on the butt for extra durability

CONS: Jacket-Pant interface works only with Volcom jackets

Volcom has a long history of making solid snowboarding products, and their Guide Pant is just another example of it.

The 3-layer Gore-Tex fabric has taped seams and a soft Tricot lining which feels comfortable on the skin, perfect for those warmer early-spring days. The material isn’t stretchy, but the articulated cut provides superb freedom of movement.

The waist-adjusters are placed on the inside, and it has a single snap closure, therefor wearing a belt might be a good idea. All pockets have water-resistant zippers for safe storage of your belongings. The mesh-lined vents are both on the inside of the thighs and on the hips, thus creating a smashing amount of ventilation.

The jacket-pant integration is where the Guide Pant really shines. Volcom’s own “Zip Tech Jacket to Pant Interface” lets you attach virtually any Volcom jacket to any Volcom pant. This way you can keep pushing the limits. After all, if you don’t fall, you’ll never get better!

As is often the case with Volcom, they have integrated their “Volcom Stone” logo into the garment. This time in the form of extra material on the butt for added protection from snow, as well as wear and tear. This way you can enjoy this pair of pants for seasons to come; which is a nice plus, since it’s not the cheapest pair out there.

BUYING ADVICE FOR SNOWBOARD PANTS

Style

Basically, there are three styles of snowboarding pants: insulated, shells, and bibs.

INSULATED: Insulated snowboarding pants have a layer of insulation on the inside to keep you warm. This is a good option for people who feel cold often. Keep in mind that the insulation layer cannot be removed unless specifically mentioned.

SHELLS: Shells are waterproof snowboard pants. They keep snow, wind and rain from getting through but provide no warmth. To add insulation, simply wear a base layer underneath it. To find out more about base layers, read this article.

BIBS: Bibs are pants that end higher above your waist, and are sometimes called salopettes. They are more and more common these days and with good reason. A bib provides more protection from snow drifting up your jacket, is warmer and more comfortable, and provides more storage space. Regular pants can be tight at the waist, and resist when you engage your core muscles, a problem that’s non-existent with bibs.

Waterproof Rating

Having a waterproof snowboard pant is essential. After all, who likes to ride all day in wet pants.

The waterproof rating of a material determines how much water pressure it can withstand before the water seeps through. The rating is indicated in millimeters, being the height of the column of water required to generate that pressure. The higher the number, the more pressure the garment can endure while staying dry inside.

The minimum rating to call something waterproof is 1,500 mm. But for true waterproofing in realistic use cases you want much higher. For example Gore-Tex Pro is rated at 28,000 mm.

You might ask yourself why such a high number? The answer is that real world use often puts the garment under pressure after it gets wet or while it is in contact with water.

Imagine yourself sitting on the snow or in a wet chairlift. The weight of your body pressing down on the snow creates a lot of pressure, so a higher number is always better and helps you stay dry throughout the day. Unfortunately, with a higher waterproof rating, the price of your snowboard pants also increases.

Breathability Rating

Breathability is the second most important thing to look for in a waterproof pant. Making something waterproof isn’t difficult. After all, a rubber fishing pant is perfectly waterproof.

The trick is to make it waterproof and at the same time breathable.

When you’re physically active, you’re sweating. To prevent from sweat building up inside your pants, manufacturers use an extremely thin waterproof and breathable membrane, glued to the inside of the outer fabric. This membrane prevents water droplets (snow or rain) from entering the pants, while at the same time allowing water vapor (sweat) to escape.

Breathability is often quantified using the Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (MVTR).

The MVTR or “breathability rating” measures how many grams of vapor can escape through one square meter of fabric in 24 hours (g/m2/24hrs).

To make things easy, most manufacturers just use the number, for example 20,000 (20K) in Gore-Tex. A decent rating would be 10K and upwards.

Key Features

Snowboarding pants have many features, and while not all of them are crucial, here are the most important ones. 

VENTILATION ZIPPERS: most often on the inside of your thighs for creating extra airflow inside your pants.

SNOW GAITERS: They go over your snowboard boots to prevent snow from entering. Some brands have integrated BOA gaiters which allow you to adjust your boots on the go.

WAIST ADJUSTERS: Basically this is just an elastic waistband with Velcro at the ends which allows you to fine-tune your size. They can be placed either on the inside of the waistband or on the outside.

POCKETS: Having some pockets is very useful. Nowadays, many brands opt for zippered pockets where the zippers themselves are also highly water resistant.

PANTS-JACKET COMPATIBILITY: A lot of manufacturers offer this option in their ski and snowboard clothing, where you can attach the snow catcher in the jacket to your pants, either by a zipper, like the Volcom Guide GTX, or with snaps. The majority, however, is only compatible if you stay within the brand.

RECCO® REFLECTOR: Nowadays, many ski and snowboard garments have this feature. This is an aid for rescue workers to be able to locate you in an emergency. You can find more info here. Keep in mind that a RECCO® reflector is in no way a substitute for an avalanche safety kit when heading out into the backcountry.

MORE INFORMATION

So there you have it! Our list of the best snowboarding pants for this season.

If you loved this gear review article, then you'll likely love reading our other gear-fiend related articles: