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Best Women’s Snowboard Pants of 2024

JUMP TO: PATAGONIA POWDER TOWN  | 686 GEODE THERMAGRAPH | BURTON GLORIA GTX | VOLCOM ASTON | PATAGONIA POWSLAYER | BURTON AVALON | VOLCOM MELANCON GTX | BUYING ADVICE | COMMON QUESTIONS

Author: Holly Price, Rob Thijssen | Updated: Mar 26, 2024
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The Short Version

The Long Version

When planning a snowboarding trip, it's important to put some thought into your gear.

Sure, you have your board, boots and bindings picked out, but what about what you're going to wear? After all, your pants and jacket protect you from the elements! It is vital that they keep you dry and warm. 

To find the best pair of snowboarding pants for you, start by thinking about where you’ll be riding the most, and how often. Are you the type of woman that explores the backcountry every weekend, or do you prefer shredding the resort slopes just once a year in springtime?

As you can imagine, the conditions you’ll encounter are very different in these two scenarios. In the backcountry, miles away from shelter, you should be able to rely on your outerwear no matter the conditions. Whilst in a resort you can sacrifice some protection for comfort or price, since you can go inside and warm up between rides or when conditions outside get gnarly.

Once you’ve settled on the conditions you’ll likely encounter, consider some of the more technical features of snowboard pants. For that, we’ve added a buying advice section at the bottom of this article, to help you make sense of all the jargon manufacturers like to use.

So let’s drop in to it! In this article we’ve boiled down the immense offer on today's market to come up with our list of the best women’s snowboard pants for this season. So you can spend your time getting out to enjoy the snow!

 

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: PATAGONIA POWDER TOWN

FIT: Regular

INSULATED: No – but has a super soft microfleece panel in the seat for warmth

MATERIAL: 2-Layer Gore-Tex, 100% Recycled Polyester

PRICE: $$

PROS: Fully waterproof, durable, reasonably priced, built-in RECCO® reflector and adjustable waist

CONS: Sizing is completely subjective – they might run slightly short or long depending on your build.

A bomber, fully waterproof pants, ready to be taken out shredding. That’s the Patagonia Powder Town! If you have been reading UGL for a while, you know that we value premium-quality gear. And when such gear is manufactured by a brand which actively works towards reducing their environmental impact, even better. Patagonia is such a brand and the Powder Town is made from 100% recycled polyester and Fair Trade Certified™ sewn in Vietnam.

It has a soft liner that feels comfortable against the skin and its two-layer Gore-Tex construction keeps you dry, even in the harshest conditions. The 75-denier 100% post consumer recycled polyester is a reduction on last year’s 150, which makes for a less stiff experience without compromising durability – you can still shred hard in these! They also have plenty of storage, divided over a few pockets. We especially like the diagonal pocket on the thigh because it has a lot of room without it banging against your knee. 

The meshed vents are placed on the outside, allowing you to dump heat quickly, whether you’re bootpacking, touring, or ripping the hill in the springtime. When the weather turns on you, just zip up and the watertight, coated zippers make sure you stay dry and cozy. Top all that off with pretty standard features like reinforced cuffs around the ankle, snow gaiters and a loop for a Patagonia jacket-interface.

Embrace the mountain environment in the Powder Town and stop worrying whether your gear is up to the challenge.

Best Insulated: 686 GEODE THERMAGRAPH

FIT: Articulated – designed to maximise mobility. True to size.

INSULATED: Yes

MATERIAL: 2-Layer infiDRY® 20K Stretch Fabric, recycled plastic insulation

PRICE: $$

PROS: Stylish, waterproof, insulated and BOA® compatible – what more could you want?

CONS: Not all riders will need the BOA® tech

The 686 Geode Thermagraph is a legendary pant that tick all the boxes. You’ll remain warm, dry, comfortable and stylish as well as enjoying plenty of pockets and convenient features such as the BOA® compatible gaiters that allow you to tighten up on the fly, mesh leg vents, a handy ticket eyelet on the belt-loop and an elasticated key clip in the hip pocket. 

686’s own exclusive infiDRY® fabric also means complete elemental protection, with 20000mm waterproofing and 20000gm breathability keeping you comfortable in all elements. The 20K stretch fabric is great for ease of movement and comfort no matter what you’re getting up to on the hill. 

However, insulation is where these pants really come into their own. 686’s Thermagraph® technology is strategic body-mapped insulation designed to bring you warmth exactly where you need it – think vital organs, spine and knees. Developed around your body in motion, Thermagraph® places separate zones of insulation and breathability strategically throughout your pants to ensure complete comfort at all times. Fancy.

Best Style: BURTON GLORIA GTX

FIT: Slim

INSULATED: No

MATERIAL: 2-Layer Gore-Tex, Stretch Fabric

PRICE: $$$

PROS: Slim fit for a jeans-like feel and look

CONS: Button closure can be difficult to manipulate with cold hands

The Burton Gloria GTX is a great looking pair of snowboard pants, at an average price point. It features a Gore-Tex two-layer fabric with integrated stretch, so you don’t only stay dry, you can still move around freely when jibbing down the slopes.

It’s not insulated, however, the Living Lining® is mapped with Taffeta from the waist to right above the knee, and stretch woven fabric from the knee down. This does provide some insulation, which is nice on those colder mornings. And even though it’s a slim fit, you still have room to add an extra layer if you’d like.

It has plenty of deep, strategically placed pockets, so you have ample space for a tool, phone or GoPro. The thigh pocket sits under an angle, which prevents any item from banging your knee when the ride becomes bumpy. Add up the mesh-lined, no-snag inner thigh vents, the fully waterproof two-layer Gore-Tex membrane and the cuff elevators, and you’ve got yourself a pair of pantaloons that will keep you comfortable, and stylish, for many seasons to come.

Best Pant-Jacket Interface: VOLCOM ASTON

FIT: Regular/Slightly Slim

INSULATED: No

MATERIAL: 2-Layer Gore-Tex, 100% Polyester

PRICE: $$$

PROS: Patented Jacket-to-Pant Interface keeps snow out

CONS: Material isn’t stretch

The Volcom Aston is your go-to choice when you’re looking for a fully waterproof and breathable snowboarding pants, that also looks good on you. The two-layer Gore-Tex construction has a PFCec-free DWR finish. This means the water beads off without the use of this nasty chemical, which is better for the environment, the apparel workers and ultimately, your conscience. 

The fit isn’t too slim, so you can easily layer under them for cold days, or wear them on their own for the warm sunny days of spring, the choice is up to you. When it does get toasty, the strategically placed mesh vents allow you to control the temperature in the blink of an eye. The inner-waistband Velcro adjusters lets you fully customize it while the articulated knees allow for uninhibited movement.

One of the standout features of these pants is Volcom’s patented jacket-to-pant interface. This lets you connect this pant to virtually any Volcom jacket, creating a perfect seal from snow creeping up your back and into your pants. Falling has never been this enjoyable!

The Aston ticks all the right comfort, style and performance boxes, for a very reasonable price.

Best For Backcountry: PATAGONIA POWSLAYER

FIT: Regular

INSULATED: No

MATERIAL: 3-layer, 4.3-oz 80-denier 100% recycled nylon plain-weave GORE-TEX Pro shell with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish

PRICE: $$$$

PROS: 3Concealed RECCO® reflector; Fair Trade Certified™ sewn, also available as a bib

CONS: Most expensive pant in this review

The second Patagonia mentioned in this line-up, these pants may have a significant price tag but they do have the quality (and reputation) to justify it. The PowSlayer pants are lightweight and packable specifically for backcountry touring, featuring a minimalist design that allows you to layer underneath or go simple and solo. 

Again, as with all Patagonia products these pants are Fair Trade Certified™ sewn and come complete with a concealed RECCO® Reflector which makes you searchable professional mountain rescue teams in the event of an avalanche, something that you absolutely should be factoring in if you’re looking to get out into the backcountry. 

Entirely designed to keep weight to a minimum without compromising on quality, the PowSlayer pants have watertight, coated zippers and hardworking gaiters along with an articulated design that allows free movement. 

If you’re looking for a backcountry workhorse pant that will last forever (from manufacturers who actually care about the planet) these should be your go-tos.

FIT: Slim

INSULATED: No

MATERIAL: DRYRIDE™ 2-layer stretch waterproof polyester

PRICE: $$

PROS: Reliable and stylish all-rounder with plenty of pockets, feminine slim fit

CONS: The slim fit will mean curvy women may need to size up. Only suitable for mild conditions.

In the words of Burton themselves, life’s just better in bibs. 

Of course, we couldn’t complete this line-up without a few bibs getting mentioned, and so we have to include the all-round, year-on-year favourites from Burton. Versatile, lightweight, comfortable, stretchy and available in a choice of colourways, they are a decent, relatively budget-friendly choice for stylish resort riding. 

Burton’s own DRYRIDE two-layer polyester stretch fabric is highly breathable, waterproof, and quick drying and bluesign® approved materials use only safe chemicals and reduce impact on both humans and the planet during manufacture. 

While they are definitely not the warmest pant in this line-up, and the slim fit will prevent you from layering underneath (unless you size up), this bib has a range of handy features such as zip vents, flat suspender-strap closure, a stretchy center back panel, a zippered drop seat, zippered chest pocket and microfleece-lined hand warmer pockets. Think of them as the fun, playful and stylish all-rounders that don't specifically favour any riding style or terrain.

Honorable Mention: VOLCOM MELANCON GTX

FIT: Loose

INSULATED: No

MATERIAL: GORE-TEX, 100% Polyester

PRICE: $$$

PROS: A fit that suits all genders and sizes with an integrated belt and GORE-TEX 2-layer construction

CONS: Not the warmest but you can wear some serious base layers beneath these

This special mention is for the babes who like it baggy.

Volcom rider Desiree Melancon has designed an outerwear collection that (finally) combats the outdated “snow bunny” stereotype that comes with a lot of the slim fitting ski and snowboard wear. Providing comfort and movement like no other, these pants are equipped with everything a serious rider could want. 

The Melancon GORE-TEX pant offers Volcom’s state-of-art GORE-TEX 2-Layer Poly + PFCec Free, fully taped seams, Zip Tech® Jacket to Pant Interface, and inner belt waist adjustment to fit a variety of lower body shapes and sizes. These pants are failsafe guaranteed to keep you dry, with windproof and waterproof durability taking top priority. The pockets are lined with soft brushed tricot for warmth and comfort, while the strategic vents ensure easy climate control no matter the conditions.

BUYING ADVICE FOR SNOWBOARD PANTS

Style

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

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 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 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 waterproof snowboard pants 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 and is indicated in millimeters. 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. Gore-Tex Pro is rated at 28.000 mm. You might ask yourself why such a high number? 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 on the snow, so a higher number is always better. Unfortunately, with a higher number, the price 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 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, rain) from entering the pants, while at the same time allowing water vapor (sweat) to escape. 

Waterproof-breathable membranes are designed using the Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (MVTR) to measure how many grams of vapor can escape in 1 square meters 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. 

JACKET TO PANTS 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.

cOMMON QUESTIONS

How should women’s snowboard pants fit? Women’s snowboard pants usually come in one of three styles: slim, regular, and relaxed. The best fit will depend on your body and your preferences. Slim pants feature a fitted, streamlined profile while maintaining range of motion, but don’t leave much room for layering. On the other end, a relaxed fit will provide comfort and extra room for layering.

Do snowboard pants run big? Sizes can vary between brands, but snowboard pants typically run true to size. If you’re after a more relaxed fit, or prefer extra space to layer thick, insulated long underwear, you may want to consider sizing up.

Should I get a bib or regular snowboarding pants? Bib pants do have some advantages over regular snowboard pants. They keep snow out, offer more storage options, and are very comfortable. Regular insulated or shell pants are lighter and perhaps more versatile, but bib pants are becoming ever more popular thanks to their unique performance benefits.

Can you use regular snow pants for snowboarding? Although you can get away with standard snow pants for your first day or two on the hill, specialized snowboard pants offer many advantages, including boot gaiters, waterproof-breathable outer layers, and are designed to preserve the range of motion you need to shred.

MORE INFORMATION

If you loved this article for snow gear-fiends, then you'll likely love dropping into some of our other ski and snowboard related content:

Or check out our entire list of Gear Reviews, Knowledge Base Articles, or Destination Guides for more snow and outdoors related content.