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Ski Pants

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Insulated for cold days on the lift, a shell over warm base layers if you run hot.

Guide

Ski Pants

For days on the piste you need ski pants rated to at least 10,000 mm, with snow gaiters and scuff guards.

Key points

Piste: 10,000 mm is enough; for slush, 20,000 mm.
Insulated if you get cold on lifts, or a shell over a base layer.
Look for snow gaiters, scuff guards and thigh vents.

Which ski pants for which kind of day?

Use	Choose	Reason
Piste, chairlifts, lunch stops	ChooseInsulated ski pants	ReasonWarm without an extra layer. Too warm in spring and on any climb
Many ski days, deep snow, changeable weather	ChooseShell ski pants (hardshell)	ReasonWaterproof, light, warmth set by the base layer. Cold on lifts without a warm base layer
Deep snow, falls, children	ChooseBib pants (salopettes)	ReasonThe bib keeps snow and draughts off your back and nothing slips. Warmer round the body, slower to take off
Skinning uphill, cold dry days	ChooseSoftshell ski touring pants	ReasonStretchy, breathable, often 450 to 600 g. Water-repellent, not waterproof: damp in slush and on wet lift seats
Ski school, playing in the snow	ChooseKids' Ski Pants	ReasonInsulated, often with braces or a bib, sized by height in cm. Bought too big, the hems drag and the gaiters slip

Types compared

Insulated ski pants
Warm without an extra layer, for piste and chairlift.
- Advantage: Warm without an extra layer
- Drawback: Too warm in spring and on any climb
Example: We Norwegians Hammerfest Ski Pant Men ›
Shell ski pants (Hardshell)
Waterproof and light; warmth from the base layer.
- Advantage: Waterproof and light
- Drawback: Cold on lifts without a warm base layer
Example: Oakley Baldface Pro Gore-tex Pant ›

What to look for when buying

Question	In brief	Why
What waterproof rating do ski pants need?	In brief10,000 mm	WhyFor piste days 10,000 mm is enough. That is about five times what the top class of the rainwear standard EN ISO 24232 (formerly EN 343) requires.
How breathable should ski pants be?	In briefRET up to 13	WhyRET measures how much a fabric resists water vapour. Lower is better: up to 6 counts as very good, up to 13 as good.
Insulated or shell?	In briefDepends how cold you get	WhyInsulated ski pants are warm from the first lift and suit days with long rides.

Frequently asked questions

How should ski pants fit?

They let you drop into a deep squat without pulling at the knee or sliding down at the back. Standing, the hem covers the cuff of your ski boot. Try them on over the long base layer you will ski in.

Do ski pants go over or inside ski boots?

Over the boots. Pull the inner snow gaiter over the boot cuff and let the outer leg fall on top. Only the ski sock belongs inside the boot: any extra layer of fabric creases there and can cause pressure points.

How do I wash ski pants?

At 40 °C with a little liquid detergent and no fabric conditioner, unless the care label says otherwise. That is Gore's advice for Gore-Tex garments.

Does a RECCO reflector in ski pants replace a transceiver?

No. Only rescue teams with a RECCO detector can locate the passive reflector.