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Best Women's Ski Pants That Will Keep You Warm and Dry
Stay chic on the slopes with these top-rated salopettes. Sian Lewis, Tuesday 19 November 2024 21:28 GMT.
Warmth, breathability, and waterproofing were crucial factors during our comprehensive testing of women's ski pants. Whether you're skiing, mountaineering, or simply braving sub-zero temperatures this winter, quality snow sports trousers are essential for keeping the elements at bay. Ski pants, commonly known as salopettes, serve two vital functions: they provide cosy insulation against the cold and ensure you stay dry whether facing heavy snowfall or accidental tumbles into snowbanks during your first ski lesson. The finest ski pants and bibs effectively keep snow out while locking warmth in, offering both comfort and flexibility during active winter pursuits.
What to Look for in Quality Ski Pants
Excellent salopettes should feature a robust waterproof outer shell. You can assess waterproofing by examining the hydrostatic head rating, which indicates fabric waterproofness. While 1,500mm and above is considered waterproof, we recommend selecting trousers with waterproofing of 10,000mm or higher as a reliable benchmark for repelling snow and heavy rainfall. Look for established waterproofing technologies such as Gore-Tex for guaranteed performance. Additionally, taped seams and sealed zips enhance waterproofing, ensuring your winter trousers remain impervious to moisture.
If you tend to feel chilly or are venturing into extremely cold conditions, insulated salopettes are advisable. For activities that generate sweat, non-lined 'shell' pants are optimal, as they can be layered over thermal undergarments. Other key features include reinforced kick panels on inner ankles to prevent wear, snow gaiters inside cuffs that seal to keep snow out of socks, and zipped vents for temperature regulation. A Recco reflector, which makes you detectable by rescue teams' directional signals in emergencies, is a valuable safety addition.
Numerous salopette styles exist, ranging from super-tight to baggy fits. Regardless of preference, ensure you can comfortably fit a base layer underneath. High-waisted trousers prevent snow ingress during falls, while dungaree-style bib pants with braces are popular for their comfort and torso-warming properties under jackets. Whenever possible, try ski pants in person, bringing your base layer leggings for accurate fitting. Ski pants should be slightly long when worn with socks to properly cover ski or snowboard boots. Check comfort at the waist by squatting and bending to ensure no restrictiveness.
Our Top Picks for Women's Ski Pants
We have compiled the best women's ski pants for various budgets. While a good quality pair typically costs around £200, we have identified excellent options under £100.
- Best overall – Dope notorious B.I.B: £187, Dopesnow.com
- Best budget buy – Dare 2B women’s effused II recycled ski pants: £50, Dare2b.com
- Best for mountaineering – Rab khroma converge: £450, Rab.equipment
- Best for insulation – The North Face dawnstrike: £340, Thenorthface.co.uk
- Best for professionals – 66 North trollaskagi: £365, 66north.com
- Best softshell pant – Montane women’s nordes softshell pants: £275, Montane.com
- Best mid-range salopette style – Schoffel Weissach ski pants: £210, Cotswoldoutdoor.com
- Best relatively affordable bib style – Mountain Warehouse bib front women's recco thermal lined ski pants: £85, Mountainwarehouse.com
- Best for a slim fit – Animal alpine women's snow pants: £90, Mountainwarehouse.com
- Best for comfort – My Sunday Ski zenith hard shell cargo pants: £245, Mysundayski.co.uk
- Best premium bib – Peak Performance vertical Gore-Tex pro 3l shell bib pants women: £630, Peakperformance.com
- Best short salopette – Tog24 vista women’s salopettes, short: £77, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for less than £50 – Decathlon WEDZE snowboard trousers, SNB100: £30, Decathlon.co.uk
- Best eco-friendly design – Picture Elwy women’s ski/snowboard bib pants: £250, Absolute-snow.co.uk
- Best all-rounder – Planks women’s roamer 3-layer bib pant: £266, Planksclothing.com
- Best for cold conditions – Helly Hansen switch cargo insulated ski pants: £200, Hellyhansen
- Best for style – OOSC yeh girl bib pant: £185, Oosc-clothing.com
- Best for regular skiers – Arc’teryx sentinel bib pant: £650, Arcteryx.com
Detailed Reviews of Selected Top Picks
Dope notorious B.I.B – Best Overall
Available in 11 colours and sizes XXS-XL with 15,000mm water resistance. We adore bib pants for their comfort, superior warmth compared to low-slung salopettes, and effective snow protection during tumbles. This season's favourite dungaree style for skiers and boarders is Dope's notorious B.I.B. Its easy side zip and adjustable waistband facilitate dressing, while the relaxed style allows layering underneath. Featuring handy pockets and full waterproofing with taped seams, it earns top marks.
Dare 2B women’s effused II recycled ski pants – Best Budget Buy
Available in multiple colours and sizes XS-XXL with waterproof construction. Dare 2B demonstrates that decent ski pants need not exceed £100. The effused II boasts a high waist, comfortable suspenders, and effective leg gaiters, crafted from recycled polyester sourced from plastic bottles. This bib style comes in five neutral colours, though only black offers long and short versions. Waterproof enough for ski school and reasonably breathable, it requires good thermals underneath due to its thin construction.
Rab khroma converge – Best for Mountaineering
Available in green, blue, and red, sizes 8-16 with Gore-Tex waterproofing. British climbing brand Rab excels in tough conditions, making the khroma converge pant ready for any elemental challenge. Fully waterproof thanks to Gore-Tex, it performs reliably in fresh snowfall or blizzards. Comfortable for trekking, ski touring, and backcountry skiing, it includes excellent vents for cooling during ascents.
The North Face dawnstrike – Best for Insulation
Available in black, sizes XS-XXL with Gore-Tex waterproofing. Ideal for sub-zero mountain adventures, The North Face's dawnstrike insulated trousers combine Gore-Tex waterproofing with lightweight lining for dual protection against moisture and cold. These technical pants trap body heat effectively while offering some breathability during movement. Despite their warm lining, they maintain a sleek, non-bulky appearance.
66 North trollaskagi – Best for Professionals
Available in yellow or black, sizes XS-XL with Gore-Tex waterproofing. Our top pick for winter sports professionals, 66 North's trollaskagi is overkill for casual skiers but excellent for mountain workers or extreme skiers needing reliable gear in harsh conditions. Gore-Tex ensures snow protection and breathability during exertion. The fit balances heat retention with layering space, offering good movement range. The yellow colour enhances visibility in low light.
How We Tested
Our expert tested numerous ski pants in cold conditions, evaluating reliable warmth, good insulation where applicable, and breathability. We sought a female-specific fit enabling ease of movement and all-day comfort. Crucially, we verified each design's full waterproofing against rain and snow.
Why You Can Trust Us
Sian Lewis is an award-winning travel and outdoors journalist who has written for IndyBest since 2020. Skilled in assessing outdoor gear, Sian has previously reviewed the best luggage, camping gear, hiking equipment, and winter sports items, including snow boots, thermal socks, and ski gloves.
The Verdict: Women's Ski Pants
Our overall favourite snow sports pants are Dope's notorious B.I.B, praised for fit, technical features, and colour variety. For supreme protection, Peak Performance leads but at a premium price. Fortunately, excellent value options exist: Decathlon's SNB100 is a steal under £50, while Schoffel offers a classic salopette at a reasonable mid-range price.
