13 Best Ski Pants and Bibs of 2023

The Outdoor Research Snowcrew bib is a solid bib at a price that’s too good to pass up.

Built and optimized for the resort rider, this bib will keep you warm and dry from first chair to last call, while also keeping some money in your pocket. This insulated, waterproof bib is comfortable, functional, and durable enough to take on all day adventures on the mountain.

If you’re looking for a no-nonsense bib that gets the job done and inspires you to push your limits, look no further than the Outdoor Research Snowcrew Bib.

Dive into our full review and take a deeper look at the Outdoor Research Snowcrew Bib.

The Burton Covert pants offer an affordable option for skiers and riders looking to do resort carving and some backcountry splitboarding. With amazing ventilation points–remember to close them when sitting down in the snow–and plenty of pockets, the Covert pants are versatile.

As more pants go slim to fit for style, these hit a mark that’s not baggy but not tight-fitting. We like that.

Intended to work with Burton’s Covert jacket, there are button connectors to lock together with other jackets too. The velcro belt tightener can save you from needing a belt, but in most cases, a belt will be needed unless connected to a jacket.

Durability won’t be an issue and comfort is high. A good, affordable pair of ski and snowboard pants that only lack in the area of Gore-Tex waterproofing. We’re not sure how insulated they are, beyond two layers at least, but they’re pretty cool.

The Carbide pants from Outdoor Research are another 3L hardshell bib that can take you anywhere you need to go when paired with a solid layering system. Aside from being another contender for our favorite dedicated touring bib, the Carbide Pants have a great fit and a few unique features that make them an easy choice for looking to optimize comfort and climbing capabilities.

The Carbide Bibs are more akin to a technical layer than a pair of snow pants. They’re not that warm when worn alone, but do a great job of keeping water out, and when paired with a dialed layering system you can trust them in the worst of conditions.

Outdoor Research reached out to Arcade for the webbing suspender straps. The result is a low-profile nonintrusive fit that retains its elasticity over time. As a whole the bib errs on the side of the sleek and slimmer fit that it seems things are trending back towards.

The right side of the bib extends from the top of the chest all the way down to the knee, so it’s easy to get on and off should the need arise. They also feature a two side pockets, a chest pocket, and a dedicated beacon pocket with a clip. These should be considered if you want a perfect shell to round out your cold weather layering setup.

Sustainable production is on the high rise, which has caused many companies to reevaluate their approach to developing pieces of apparel. Patagonia, perhaps, is one of the greatest examples of a company that took the issue seriously and implemented recyclable materials into the production of its sports apparel. The Powder Bowl snow pants incorporate a GORE-TEX infused 2-layer fabric that has excellent windproof, waterproof and breathability ratings. With a Durable Water Repellent coating on the outer layer, there is no chance for snow to come any close to the skin. For your safety when snowboarding or skiing in the mountains, this model is equipped with a reflective RECCO detail. It works as a warning system for occasions like an avalanche when the speed of the rescue time has to be quick. If you are into backcountry skiing, it is crucial to have either a jacket or pants with a RECCO reflector that takes your safety to the next level.

There’s a lot in an inspiring name like the Skyward. The Skyward II is a versatile and very weatherproof pair of pants perfect for extended tours or days at the resort. Their proprietary shell technology offers top of the line weatherproofing, excellent breathability, and a little bit of stretch, to boot.

The Skyward II is a well-rounded touring pant, suitable for use in all but the worst weather conditions. It’s not as wind resistant when compared to some of heavier or Gore-Tex options like the Arc’teryx Sabre AR. In unrelenting wind, you might find yourself getting cold, but it retains it’s weatherproof qualities nonetheless, it does well enough for most people’s tastes.

They excel in the breathability category. Other pants will have bigger vents, or have more in total. But they have a hard time matching the Skyward II in terms of the breathability. Their proprietary Ascent Shell is more permeable than the rest, making it a great option for skiing hard in the spring or climbing in any conditions. They also have one the better functioning beacon pockets in the market.

The Baker Bibs are an uncompromising outer layer that looks more at home on the farm than the slopes. Their robust construction makes them the best upgrade for skiers like me whose previous gear has been pieced back together with dental floss stitching. They’re also the go-to powder choice for a lot of steep and deep freeride skiers.

There’s no secret to success, just a lot of fabric and some solid ergonomics. Their 3L weave feels like a pair of heavy work pants rather than the crunchy material like most hardshell ski pants. The knees and the cuffs are further reinforced with Cordura fabric.

The fit is looser around the legs than much of the competition, and don’t restrict your gait at all. They also come in a few extra sizes. Tall skiers finally have a bib that won’t ride up like a pair of high-waters.

The only drawback of its robustness is a hit on breathability. Flylow compensates by adding nearly leg-length zippers on both the inside and outside of the pants. It’s not the most optimized option for the backcountry but isn’t a terrible option for aggressive resort skiers who occasionally head off-piste.

If the Baker Bib interested you, but you don’t want to commit to something with that weight or price level, the Firebird is a lighter and a little more practical option than that very overbuilt model. They’re still a 3L Intuitive stretch shell capable of handling any condition you throw yourself into, you just have to be a little more careful with your edges than you would with the Baker bibs.

While they’re not specifically built for touring, they are a reasonable choice for a lightweight uphill kit. The back has a jersey knit to help keep you cool, and the thinner material used for the shell gives you a taste of breathability that you don’t see out of other hard-working pants. In a similar manner, they have a wide side zip to make them a little easier to get on, or give you a looser fit if you don’t need to worry about powder.

Between the tailored knee box for movement, and ample pocket space for all the extra gear and snacks, the Firebird is a safe bet for a daily driver, the resort and occasional trip to the backcountry.

The biggest issue that we see with the Firebirds is the fit. Despite having the entry side zip, some people are going to have trouble fitting into the slim torso. There’s also complaints of the legs being a little too long and baggy, but both of these aspects speak to my body type.

Virtika is the product of career skiers’ frustration with the price and the performance of consumer-level outerwear. From an outside perspective, Virtika’s gear has a flashy and freeride look, with one of the most creative color and pattern palettes in the industry. But Virtika pants are packed with features that could only be devised by those who spend more time on the slopes than anyone else.

Overall their construction is sound. It’s up to par with anything you’d expect from a pair of 3L pants, but Virtika also throws in a little fleece insulation and a waterproof outer shell (not unlike the waterproof shell on waterproof pants) as a means to increase their resilience without adding a ton more fabric.

They’ve also double stitched high-risk zones to keep you from blowing out the legs. In addition to this, the fabric around the legs is thick enough to prevent critical tears.With a whopping 8 zippered pockets and a removable bib, the Virtika signature pants are already at the front of the pack when it comes to versatility.

Their pockets have magnetic closures to keep snow off of the seams, and the zippers along the cuff vents can be locked in place simply by flipping the pulltab flat against the tack, so you can adjust for your boot fit. True to their freeski roots, the fit is relaxed and is great for tall skiers or those who favor the loose style. As a whole, they’re a great independent manufacturer and provide a solid alternative to the industry mainstays. You can find their products directly on their website.

Skiers of the water-laden maritime snowpack of British Columbia are no strangers to going out on days just to spite the weather. The Arc’Teryx Sabres AR are also built for ascending the big technical lines of the Canadian Rockies. The Sabre AR is a highly celebrated luxury option for frontside and backside skiers alike. Simply put, they’re the best performing pair of pants on the market, but they come at a price

They’re a sleek, low profile pair of pants, that look good without inhibiting a full stride. The 3L Gore-Tex shell has a little stretch in it as well. The meshless ventilation system is generously large, and dumps heat nearly as well as double sided vents like the Baker.

The highlight by far is the plush liner, which is comfortable enough to leave the baselayer at home on warm days.

The only design flaws of the Sabre AR is it’s limited pocket space, and an awkward cut for some body types. But by far the biggest drawback of the Sabre AR is the price. Still, if you want the highest quality product available for frontside and backside skiing, and if the fit is right for you, there’s no beating the Sabre AR.

Specialization and price inflation go hand in hand. If you need a utilitarian piece of gear, something that works without too much optimization, the North Face Freedom is this. It’s not made for the big backcountry days or sidecountry hikes, but is an affordable option good for a couple of seasons skiing the resort.

Call it a fault or a feature, the North Face built the Freedom with mesh gaiters that allow for continuous air flow through the zippered vents on the inner thigh. iGood resort pants at a good price. It’s an economical way to provide more airflow and keep these pared-down pants from getting too hot and muggy, even in warm conditions. They’re a little colder than the rest of the pants you’ll see in the competition.

What they make up for in practicality they lack in the fine-detail finishing touches that you’d get from top quality contenders. The seams aren’t sealed, and the pockets have a tendency to leak through into the interior liner. They’re a little too restrictive, not anything that you can take dancing.

But in terms of performance alpine ski pants the North Face Freedom checks all of the requisite boxes to be avoided in places with consistently wet weather.

Armada is another one of those big early arrivals to the Freeride scene, and have since garnered a reputation for products that can play hard. Their Delway Gore-Tex pants are an alternative to the Baker that holds up under scrutiny much more when viewed in terms of backcountry performance. If you need a hard-working bib that goes uphill as well as it goes down, the Delway is not to be ignored.

The Delway has a little lower of a rise than other options. Keeping with the ethos of blending freeride and touring options and they run the line between the slimmer style of snow pants and the classic baggy Freeride look.Their built to pair with a suitable technical shell, and have a dependable compatibility system with Armada brand jackets, more than capable of keeping the now out of your pant.

It’s not the warmest piece of gear on its own, but with a proper layering system the Delway can take you pretty much anywhere. Gore-Tex is an industry favorite for not only its breathability, but it’s ability to protect from biting winds and repel water.

The cuff of the Delway bibs are reinforced all the way around, which is a big difference compared to most snow pants. Combined with a 4-way stretch and interior and exterior vents, it has all the features you could need for a light and fast charge uphill.

The ski industry as a whole, not just the textile elements of it, is clearly a pretty flooded market place with more options than one person could reasonably be expected to decide between. Strafe’s classic Nomad bib fills a niche for those who miss the baggy, freestyle inspired baroque outerwear for touring the backcountry. They bring that style to a more utilitarian piece of equipment that can find its home on or off piste.

The Nomad’s shell is made of a proprietary polyester blend and is a breathable alternative to materials like Gore-Tex that are commonly used in shells. They also feature a lot more stretch than similar heavily waterproof pants of this looser style, which have typically relied on excess material to make them more practical for moving around. This breathable material is backed up by long-zipping interior and exterior vents, though their mesh lining is prone to snagging and leaves something to be desired.

At first glance, it seems a little bit light on features to justify the price. But the features that it does have are dependable and useful enough for pretty much any adventure.

The bib is removable to suit your daily preferences, and they have the very slick magnet closure overtop of their zippered pockets. While their DValpine material isn’t as totally bombproof as Goretex, this can be easily overlooked for their airy qualities.

They’re a great slim, touring bib for any backcountry explorer who wants a solution for sweating out their shells.

In a unique approach to reducing the number of disposable water bottles seen on-mountain, 686’s Hydrastash series is a line of ski goods with integrated hydration systems. Their Quantum Thermagraph Bib is that technology applied to a pair of touring bibs that hold up as well as any other product on this list. You see a ton of single use plastic water bottles at resorts, and while there’s no excuse for not bringing your own, now there’s one less reason.

Bringing your water-bladder backpack out for a day on the resort or inside of your touring pack is a great idea in theory. But unfortunately it takes very little time for the small amount of water in your hose to freeze solid, leaving you thirsty and frustrated with the weight of your pack.

It has the additional benefit of keeping weight centered around your body is a huge step up from a performance aspect. There’s also a hydrastash jacket and a pair of pants, but the bibs have the benefit that they can be worn without a jacket when you get too warm while skiing.

The Quantum Thermagraph Bib is packed with the additional features that you’d expect from a quality bib. It’s strategically insulated to add a little thermal fortitude considering you’re carrying around water. Their fabric also has some stretch so you can still maintain a full stride in them. It might just be my layering preferences but the Hydrastash is my favorite solution to my poor backcountry hydration habits.

The Bowman Snow Pants are a pair best suited for very cold, dry days. The producer, Wildhorn Outfitters, belongs to a new generation of adventure brands that market their affordable and serviceable products toward burgeoning enthusiasts on a budget

Alongside brands like Glade and Outdoor Master, we’ve had a chance to compare some of these up-and-comers to their name brand counterparts and found that while some exceed our quality expectations, others leave us wanting more.

Last winter we took a closer look at Wildhorn Outfitters Dover Ski Jacket and came away impressed. This season we’ll be doing a similar investigation into their cold weather, Bowmans Snow Pants to see if their outerwear lineup is as consistent as we hope.

The Yakumo Bibs from Picture Organic are a technical ski bib also manufactured with a high degree of consciousness for their environmental impact. More than half of the polyester is sourced from recycled materials. It’s a solid technical layer that has a removable bib, and adjustable suspender straps that allow for a wide array of fit styles.

The Yakoumo are a good option, but not a great one. For all but the wettest days on the resort they should be more than enough to keep you warm with a good layering system. But for more technical endeavors where you need to be able to lean on your gear a little more heavily. In terms of features, they have drawstrings in each of the pockets that let you adjust the height of the cuffs without rolling them up.

Between the removable bib and the drawstring cuff adjustment, the Yakoumo Bibs have some interesting features that a lot of big names in the industry aren’t featuring in their flagship models.

But the overall quality is a little bit lacking, maybe it’s just the drawback of including that much recycled material and using alternative waterproofing. But if those aspects are important to you, the Yakoumo are a product that will hold up if you don’t mind putting in the work afterwards to keep it water resistant.