How to choose the perfect ski pants?

Ski pants maintain a comfortable microclimate for the body while skiing on mountain slopes in conditions of low temperatures, strong winds and heavy snowfall. When choosing ski pants, it is important to find a model that will meet the requirements of the skiing technique and the type of recreation at the ski resort in terms of heat and waterproofing, vapor permeability, freedom of movement and, of course, comfort. Here are our recommendations on how to choose the perfect ski pants.

• The main functions of ski pants.
• Materials and technologies for ski pants.
• Styles and details of ski pants.
• Popular brands and models of ski pants.
• Tips for choosing and caring for ski pants.

Basic functions of ski pants.

Ski pants (also known as ski trousers or snowboard pants) are specialized clothing designed for alpine skiing. The main task of ski pants is to provide comfort, protection and safety for a skier or snowboarder while riding on the slopes in different weather conditions. Therefore, the equipment performs several important functions at once.

1. Protection from snow, rain, wind. Special waterproof fabric or moisture-proof coating of ski pants effectively protects from precipitation and wind.
2. Protection from the cold. Ski pants are made of materials with an insulated lining that retains body heat and prevents hypothermia in cold weather.
3. Ventilation. The built-in ventilation system (usually zippers, less often valves) allows you to regulate the temperature inside the pants. This is especially useful when riding becomes more active and the body begins to heat up quickly.
4. Maintaining freedom of movement. The anatomical cut of the pants and the articulated cut of the knees provide maximum comfort and freedom of movement when performing maneuvers on the slope.
5. Durability, wear resistance, protection. The material of the pants is resistant to abrasion, puncture and tear. Therefore, the skier's body is well protected from friction, branches and ice chips during skiing and falls. In addition, for greater durability, the pants are additionally reinforced with special inserts in areas that are subject to increased wear.
6. Ease of use. Ski pants often have many pockets that can be used to store important small items. They also usually have adjustable straps and waistbands to customize the fit.

Materials and technologies for ski pants.

To sew modern ski pants, they use hardshell, hardshell with stretch, and softshell materials. The choice of fabric type depends on the conditions in which you ski. The vast majority of skiers will choose hardshell or hardshell with stretch pants. They are well insulated from the cold and reliably protect against bad weather.

Hard hardshell.
Hardshell fabric is a type of softshell membrane fabric with a more rigid structure. It does not stretch and can be two-layer or three-layer. Therefore, it replaces several layers of clothing well and allows you to engage in physically active activities without losing maneuverability. Ski pants with a rigid membrane provide a reliable barrier against wet snow and harsh winds (great for long chairlift rides), and can have an impressively long lifespan.

Stretch Hardshell.
Stretch hardshell fabric is much more elastic than a standard hard shell. The structure is less rigid (it provides less protection from strong gusts of wind), more breathable, stretches well and provides greater freedom of movement. Therefore, most backcountry skiers choose pants made of stretch hardshell.

Softshell is a multilayer fabric that looks like nylon on the outside and is fleece on the inside. The softshell manufacturing concept allows for optimal performance from just one layer of clothing, replacing two or more: moisture wicking, ventilation, heat retention, wind and precipitation protection. But in the latter case, the soft shell absorbs moisture much more easily than hard shells, and many soft shell pants lack a waterproof membrane. As a result, such ski pants are a poor choice for very wet mountain weather.

Heat retention technology provides ski pants in two categories: non-insulated and insulated with synthetic filler. The former are more suitable for high-speed descents and "virgin snow", and the latter - for skiing on "groomed" trails. The insulated version provides an additional barrier between you and the cold seat of a chairlift (or when you are sitting on the snow). The advantages of synthetic filler are its affordable price and ability to insulate body heat even when wet (unlike natural down). For more effective body heat retention, filler is often used together with a heat-reflecting lining (usually polyester with a large number of silver dots). This tandem makes ski pants well insulated and not very thick.

Styles and details of ski pants.

Ski pants are designed to provide comfort, weather protection, and functionality during active skiing or snowboarding. You can find two styles:

• Straight pants are classic models with a straight cut that provide freedom of movement and comfort. They have become the most widespread.
• Tapered pants - a model with a slightly tapered cut. They look less voluminous and more modern. This model is more for the city.

Important details of ski pants:

• Taped seams provide additional protection from water and snow.
• Fastener - zipper + buttons. To securely fasten the pants at the waist, a combination of zipper and button(s) is most often used.
• Adjustable waistband. The adjustable velcro waistband allows you to adjust the pants to your waist size.
• Reinforcement of areas subject to greater wear. Unlike snowboard pants, the bottom of ski pants is reinforced on the inside with pads made of denser reinforced fabric - this is protection against cuts from ski edges.
• Ventilation with zippers. The presence of zippers on the inner or outer thighs allows you to regulate the temperature inside the pants, preventing overheating.
• Snow protection. To prevent snow from getting inside the ski boots, the pants are equipped with internal cuffs and external gaiters with buttons and zippers.
• High waist + suspenders. High-waisted pants provide additional protection for the lower back from the cold and prevent snow from getting inside when falling. And models with a high back and suspenders are a comfortable fit and reliable protection from snow and cold.
  
• Pockets. Small pockets are provided for storing small items. Regardless of their location (at the back, on the sides, or like jogger pants - in the front), they are all protected by a waterproof zipper or flaps.
• Reflective elements - these can be stripes or logos. They are necessary to increase visibility in low light conditions.

Popular brands and models of ski pants.

Brands:

1. The North Face. The brand offers a variety of ski pants, including insulated and non-insulated options to suit different conditions.
2. Arc'teryx. Known for its high-tech ski pants that provide excellent protection from moisture and cold.
3. Columbia: Offers affordable and functional ski pants that are suitable for beginners and experienced skiers alike.
4. Patagonia. The brand is known for its advanced technologies and focuses on environmental sustainability in its products.
5. Burton. Specializing in ski and snowboard clothing, including pants, and offering a variety of styles and models.
6. Salomon. Known for its technical ski pants that provide good mobility and protection from the elements.

Models:

1. The North Face Freedom Pant. This model provides comfort and warmth in cold conditions, while offering good ventilation.
2. Arc'teryx Sabre Pant. The pants from Arc'teryx are made using high-quality materials and have excellent protection from wind and moisture.
3. The Columbia Bugaboo II Pant is an affordable solution for skiers and snowboarders.
4. Patagonia Powder Bowl Pant - the model is suitable for extreme conditions and provides reliable protection.
5. Burton Cargo Pant. Popular among snowboarders and skiers. Durable, with good water protection and many convenient pockets.
6. Salomon QST Guard Pant. The pants from Salomon offer excellent flexibility and protection from snow and wind.

Tips for choosing and caring for ski pants.

Tips for choosing.
The choice of ski pants depends on your individual preferences, climate conditions and type of skiing. Regardless of the model you choose, it is important that they provide comfort, protection and freedom of movement while relaxing on or off the slope.

Pay attention to waterproofing. Good waterproofing of ski pants is an absolute must. It is measured in thousands of units, so 20K pants are more waterproof than 10K pants. Manufacturers can use a variety of materials to achieve waterproofing, including membranes like GORE-TEX, eVent, or NeoShell. But no matter what material is used, this waterproofing rating is the best indicator of how dry your body will be. We recommend ski and snowboard pants with a waterproof rating of at least 10k.

The second technical statistic that can help you choose ski and snowboard pants is breathability. Skiing is a lot of work. Skiers sweat a lot, and breathable pants allow that sweat to evaporate so you don't get clammy. Breathability is measured in thousands of units. For beginner skiers, gear with 10K breathability is sufficient. But if you tend to sweat a lot, choose a higher breathability rating, such as 20K.

For complete snow protection, pants with gaiters and inner cuffs are the way to go! The bottom of ski pants is usually slightly flared and has a zip with snaps or a zip with Velcro to adjust the fit of the pants over your ski boots. However, we still recommend that you check and make sure they fit over your ski boots.

If you are a beginner and are just mastering skiing, choose well-insulated pants. The most common place for pants to wear out is the cuffs - the place where the edges of the skis constantly come into contact. High-quality ski pants will have cuffs reinforced with durable material.

Spend a little more and choose pants with fully taped seams, both inside and out, for the ultimate in waterproof gear.

Tips for caring for membrane ski pants.

1. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on the label.
2. Clean and wipe off dirt, moisture and snow from your equipment after each ski trip.
3. Machine wash. Use a gentle cycle and cold water. Close all zippers and Velcro fasteners. Do not use fabric softeners or bleaches as they may damage the membrane
4. Use specialized washing powder/gel for membranes.
5. Rinse and dry. After washing, rinse the pants three times to remove any detergent residue. Then hang them up to air dry. Do not use a heater as this may damage the membrane and water-resistant properties.
6. Stain removal: Use a soft sponge and membrane cleaner. Avoid harsh chemicals and do not use brushes.
7. Storage. Out of season, store membrane ski pants in a dry and cool place, avoiding direct sunlight. Before "preservation" to avoid the appearance of odor and mold, make sure that the equipment is completely dry after the last use.