Ski pants are an essential piece of gear when you’re getting ready to hit the slopes.
You need to remain warm from top to bottom, as you’ll find it a little difficult to steer down the slopes as your limbs are turning blue and numb. To avoid this disaster, you’re going to need some high-quality ski pants.
So, you’ve found yourself online gasping and exclaiming to yourself over the price of ski pants. We understand that your safety comes at a price, but when it reaches over a few hundred dollars for pants alone, we think that there must be a better way that won’t leave our bank accounts crying.
Fortunately, there is a way out of this mess. Stop canceling your ski holiday and listing your skis on eBay, we’re here to help you out.
We’ve found the five best budget ski pants so that you can enjoy your time away without thinking up unlikely plans to work the money back.
In a hurry?
If you’ve left your packing last minute and are now running around looking desperately for some ski pants, don’t worry. We’ve found the best budget ski pants on the market right now - Arctix Men's Essential Snow Pants.
From looking throughout the market, we’ve found that Arctix is one of the leading brands when it comes to inexpensive ski pants. However, this is just one of the reasons why we named the Arctix Men's Essential Snow Pants our favorites.
Here are a few more of the reasons why:
- They’re wind, snow, and waterproof.
- The insulation is warm yet breathable.
- You can customize the color and size of your pants.
- Adjusting the size is easy with belt loops.
Top 5 Best Budget Ski Pants
OUR TOP PICK
From our research, it’s clear to see that Arctix is one of the best brands to get your snow pants from. These ski pants come with a THERMALOCK coating which makes them wind-, water-, and snow-proof.
You can choose between short, regular, and tall pant length, different waist sizes, and one out of seven different colors or patterns.
You can adjust these pants and even wear a belt with them, and the boot gaiters ensure that your feet won’t catch a chill from hiked up pant legs. The 600-denier ankle hem is durable enough for everyday wear, so make the most of your holiday!
The 85 grams of synthetic insulation has been engineered to offer impressive warmth throughout your skiing session. However, you won’t feel the weight while you’re wearing them, allowing you excellent mobility and comfort.
Pros:
- Weatherproof.
- Belt loops and reinforcers.
- Excellent insulation.
- Lots of customization to opt for.
Cons:
- The zippered pockets could be easier to use.
EDITORS CHOICE
The Gash Hao ski pants are made from 95% polyester, making them water- and wind-resistant.
The softshell fabric is also quick drying and the fleece lining is incredibly soft and comfortable. There are two colors to choose from with luminous zippers to add visibility.
You can adjust both the waist and ankles of these pants to ensure that you can keep wearing them throughout all of your skiing adventures without any hassle. The waist offers elasticity and belt loops, and the ankles use zippers so that you can effortlessly tuck them into your ski boots.
Dense material covers your knees to protect them - something that is always needed in skiing. The pants strive to retain your body heat without making you too uncomfortably warm. These ski pants are suitable for almost all winter sports.
Pros:
- High visibility zippers.
- Plenty of adjustable features.
- Knee protection.
Cons:
- Not completely weatherproof.
BEST VALUE
These softshell pants are made from 94% nylon and 6% spandex exterior, which is then coated with a waterproof layer, successfully keeping them durable and reliably weatherproof for longer.
Inside is a layer of polyester fleece to keep you comfortable and warm while also wicking away moisture.
Take advantage of the six large exterior pockets. The four front pockets are zippered and the back two are buttoned. The knees are also reinforced to prevent any injuries from occurring, but they remain flexible with a great range of movement.
Ripstop fabric ensures that you won’t have to replace these pants anytime soon. They can also be used for a range of activities such as cycling, skiing, walking, and fishing. The possibilities are endless!
Pros:
- Durable and reliable ski pants.
- Six large pockets.
- Plenty of uses for these pants.
Cons:
- The back pockets feature buttoned clasps which aren’t as reliable as zippers.
RUNNER UP
TSLA uses a three-layer construction to make their ski pants, making them all the more durable and long-lasting.
The first layer is anti-static fabric, the second being thermal insulation and the third Duratex Ripstop. They are made to keep you warm no matter what the conditions.
The boot gaiters keep the pants fitted around your feet to ensure that no warmth is lost from the opening. They also prevent snow from being thrown into the pants, making you uncomfortably wet and cold.
There are also leg guards on these pants that prevent the ankles from being torn or weathered. As the bottom hems of ski pants are often the first to break, this is an excellent feature that we couldn’t overlook.
Pros:
- Three-layer construction is designed to retain heat.
- Boot gaiters for security.
- Leg guards add another layer of durability.
Cons:
- Not the most breathable pants.
RUNNER UP
Finally, BenBoy’s ski pants are made from 92% polyester and 8% spandex, making them breathable, malleable, and comfortable.
They are wind- and waterproof, and the durable material ensures that they’ll hold up well during all of your outdoor adventures.
These softshell pants have an adjustable waist and fleece lining, keeping you warm and cozy on the slopes. There are zippered packers that keep all of your personal belongings safe.
You can wear these pants for a plethora of activities, such as skiing, hiking, and camping. They come in eight different color patterns for you to choose from, and the knee pads keep both you and your investment safe.
Pros:
- Durable blend of fabric.
- Fleece lining.
- Plenty of uses for these pants.
Cons:
- The sizing is not as customizable as other alternatives.
Best Budget Ski Pants Buying Guide
Below we’ve named a few of the most important factors to consider when choosing your new budget ski pants.
Just because the price is lowered, doesn’t mean that the quality has to suffer.
Keeping these factors in mind will prevent you from finding out that you’ve opted for low-quality pants without knowing.
Type of Ski Pant
There are a few different types of ski pants that are available on the market.
Having said that, the most common budget-friendly options are soft-shelled pants. These are flexible and give you the most amount of maneuverability in your gear. They’re not as waterproof or durable as hard-shelled ski pants, but they are easier for beginners to get used to and cheaper to produce.
Ski pants also come with different numbers of layers, or shells if you will. Lots of budget-friendly models have two layers, but some will offer three.
The former is not as breathable and high-quality as the three-layer alternatives, but again they’re cheaper to make and sell. Beginners will find that two-layer ski pants are adequate for their needs.
Insulation
Insulation is what keeps you warm while you’re in freezing conditions. The better the insulation, the more comfortable you’re going to feel when skiing in the wintertime. Non-insulated ski pants are often less expensive than insulated options but they won’t keep you as warm.
Having said this, you can always layer thermals and other attire underneath your non-insulated ski pants. Non-insulated pants will also suit warmer temperatures better in case you want to go skiing in the summertime.
If you already have warm attire to wear underneath your ski pants you can go for non-insulated ski pants to cut costs.
Weather Resistance
Of course, your ski pants are going to need to be weather resistant to ensure your comfort. Waterproof ski pants are advised, but you should also look for wind-proof pants as well.
These will keep you warm and ensure that you enjoy yourself throughout skiing. If your pants are not weather resistant then you’ll find that you’ll be leaving the slopes much quicker than you anticipated, sodden and miserable.
The more budget-friendly your ski pants are, the more likely they are not to have the best waterproof capabilities. All hope is not lost; however, as you can get by with water-resistant ski pants just fine.
Fit
The fit of your ski pants is all down to personal preference.
However, you should make sure that they’re not too tight or too loose on you, either. These will become uncomfortable and potentially lessen the effectiveness of the ski pants. You should choose ski pants that are comfortable enough to wear for prolonged periods of time.
It should be assumed that budget-friendly ski pants are not going to be as flattering as more expensive options and the sizing of them might be a little less than admired, but the drop in price often makes this worth it.
Breathability
Despite the freezing temperatures, skiing can be a very strenuous activity and therefore you’re going to work up a sweat. Clammy legs are not what we’re going for during a skiing session, so you’re going to want some breathable ski pants.
Soft-shell ski pants are often the more breathable option, and they just happen to be the more inexpensive options as well! However, if you want to ensure that your pants are going to be as breathable as possible see if you can purchase some with ventilation designed into them.
The vents are often hidden by zippers so that you don’t get freezing cold snow thrown onto your legs as you’re traveling. They’ll allow the heat to escape from inside of the pants so that you remain comfortable for longer.
However, the vents can occasionally be uncomfortably placed or rub against your skin.
Reflectors
Reflectors can be very handy when you’re skiing in winter when it gets dark quickly and early.
Whenever you’re skiing, no matter your expertise level, you should always have at least one piece of gear that comes with reflectors. This will allow you to be seen by others in case you get into trouble while out of bounds or in a weather-induced accident.
If your ski jacket already has reflectors, you don’t necessarily have to look out for this feature. However, if you want to be as safe as possible we would recommend you cover yourself in reflective material so that you’re as easily seen as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between snow pants and ski pants?
Ski pants and snow pants are essentially the same thing. They are pants that can be worn in tough conditions such as snow. Skiing is best done on fresh snow, although you can still use snow pants on dry slopes.
We use the terms snow pants and ski pants interchangeably because we see no difference between them. However, snowboarding pants are another story altogether. This type of attire is baggier to allow for tricks, jumps, and flips.
Wearing snowboarding pants while skiing might not give you the most streamlined experience. While there is no difference between snow and ski pants, there is a difference between them and snowboarding pants.
Can you wear jeans under snow pants?
It is not advisable to wear jeans underneath ski pants. For starters, ski pants are tightly fitted and therefore will feel very uncomfortable over jeans. Moreover, jeans are too stiff to allow you the range of motion that you’ll need on the slopes.
Instead, opt for thermals, leggings, or track pants. These are much more flexible and quite often warmer. What’s more, is that these types of pants are widely available and therefore you won’t be wasting too much money if they break while you’re on the slopes.