8 Best Men’s Ski Pants and Bibs for 2023

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Our expert breaks down the top pants and bibs for your next outing on the slopes.

Your ski pants are about fit and function, but fashion shouldn't take a back seat (no pun intended). That's why we rounded up the best ski pants for men that range from heavy-duty coats to lightweight shells for sunny days. From waterproofness and breathability for protection against the elements to insulation and durability for warmth and pockets with easy access to essentials for the day’s adventures, here are the best men's ski pants to get you feeling confident and inspired this ski season.

Fact: Winter sports take a toll on your body. The cold and wet environment coupled with unpredictable or rapidly-changing snow conditions, combined with intense physical exertion, means you’re laying it on the line every time you venture outdoors. You need to stay light, agile, and dry (that includes sweat, which can freeze once you stop sweating). One general rule: Too many features or too much weight will only slow you down in situations that require extreme mobility and quick thinking. Here's what else to keep in mind.

When choosing a pair of ski pants, consider whether you’ll be staying inbounds or hitting the backcountry. While there are plenty of ski pants that work well for resort days as well as the skin track, pants with heavier insulation will feel too hot and bulky for uphill travel. On the other hand, you might feel cold or need extra layers with only shell pants at the resort. If you’re looking for a one-quiver setup, opt for a pair of non-insulated pants or bibs sized enough for layering underneath for those lift-served days.

Measured in millimeters, the waterproof rating tells you the amount of liquid your ski pants can resist without leaking. Look for at least 5,000mm, or 5K. A rating of 20,000mm (20K) or more offers the highest quality construction with more reliable waterproofing membranes. Lower waterproof ratings are suited for fair weather where you’ll take frequent breaks. Full days out in any conditions require 5K to 10K ratings. Going to be in the backcountry? Then 20K or more is the way to go.

Insulation determines warmth and comfort. For frequent rides up the chairlift go with insulated pants so you don’t lose all your heat between runs. Heading somewhere super cold? Insulation is crucial in consistently low temperatures. Skiers who prefer touring at higher intensities benefit more with little to no insulation to avoid getting too hot and moist. Others prefer a non-insulated shell so they can layer their own way underneath.

Breathability ratings are measured in grams per square meter. Choose a garment with a 5,000- to 10,000-gram rating for lower intensity activities like in-bounds downhill skiing. Move into the 10,000- to 15,000-gram range for moderate touring in the backcountry. Ratings over 15,000 grams boast enough breathability for long days, warmer climates, or extended touring through deep and steep terrain.

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Ski pants come two fashions: pants and bibs. Pants are, well, pants. They stop at the waist with a button or zip closure (or both), usually fit with some hook-and-loop tabs or a belt to keep everything in its proper place. Bibs include added material up to the belly or chest and suspender straps that go over your shoulders for more security and weather protection. Bibs may offer a few more pockets but are a little harder to get in and out of, and they're warmer.

We picked these ski pants from top brands based on the spectrum of qualities that skiers need in a range of styles, features and fits. There’s something for every type of skier depending on what the day holds: touring, powder, in-bounds or out, cold weather or warmer, low budget or high rolling, and niche needs versus overall best-in-show.

The Columbia Wild Card pants are specifically designed with the intermediate skier or snowboarder in mind, but they don't sacrifice warmth or durability. The synthetic insulation keeps you comfy on even the coldest mountain days without extra bulk. For warm spring days, the built-in leg vents rid you of excess heat.

Reasonably priced, these ski pants offer a straightforward, no-frills option ideal for those still focused on building their quiver of skills.

The Obermeyer Perseus bib wins for dark and cold days on the mountain. If you’re the skier who pushes to get out and hit the slopes even when the weather is less than ideal, this bib is for you. The 40-gram polyester fill from top to bottom keeps you warm when you need it, and well-placed ventilation allows the heat to escape when you don’t.

If you run cold or ski in biting humid climates (like the East Coast), these bibs will introduce a new level of comfort.

The Rab Khroma Kinetic ski pants deliver versatile protection in mixed, challenging conditions, and for your most technical adventures.

Rab’s three-layer fabric is completely waterproof, yet highly breathable, and stretchy and soft enough for unmatched mobility. Waterproof zippered pockets offer stash storage of essentials. These are perfect for the extreme adventurer who wants to stay dry and on-the-go all day.

This bib pant from Norrona (a brand that's been around since 1929) is extremely weatherproof and ready for the deepest of deep days. Its low RET rating, anything between 6 and 9, makes it ideal for moderate activity. Gore-Tex Pro fabric keeps snow at bay so moisture isn't trapped inside.

These are perfect for the skier who spends the whole day harvesting secret pow stashes around the globe. Four-way stretch fabric allow a more stylish, European inspired fit, and inner and outer thigh vents add even more breathability and functional motion in any conditions.

The Scott Dryo 10 snow pants make the cut for the budget-conscious skier. You’ve already spent plenty on gear to get you down the mountain, now you need to fill in the gaps without breaking the bank. These pants keep warmth in when you need it while protecting against the cold, wet, and wind.

No shortage of features here, either, with lightweight insulation as well as thigh vents to release internal heat.

The Boundary Ridge kit is Mountain Hardwear’s top-of-the-line bib and jacket combo. It's their toughest, most fully featured duo, although they can be used separately, and is designed with maximum durability in mind.

The three-layer Gore-Tex construction ensures dryness no matter the weather, in addition to reinforced nylon for an extra boost of confidence. The integrated avalanche rescue reflector technology is a bonus for those venturing out of bounds.

This shell pant sticks to a no-frills, low-profile design, but there's plenty of easily accessible pockets, including a designated spot for your beacon, which means you can keep equipment, lip gloss, or whatever, at arms’ reach instead of deep in your pack. There's nothing extra to get in your way especially if you're dropping your knee in a Telemark turn or dropping a cliff off the back side of the mountain.

These ski pants are also plenty breathable for days in the backcountry with help of effective venting systems for warm spring days and intense efforts.

This versatile bib from Flylow will run you all season, from the coldest mid-winter days to sunny turns through spring corn. They’re built with a three-layer, seam-sealed construction for ultimate weatherproofing, but include generous thigh vents for uphill travel. They help maximize movement with articulated knees, a stretchy, breathable back panel, and adjustable suspenders that stay in place no matter how much you move around.

We’ve listed these as “best for backcountry,” but they’ll feel just as comfortable in-bounds riding the lift as they do plowing through fresh turns off the skin track.

Working to combine durable, lightweight materials with a lower carbon footprint, Jones built these bib pants with more than 50% recycled materials on the face fabric and entirely recycled polyester on the lining. These are a highly durable pair of pants, with reinforcements at abrasion points and additional durable water-resistant treatment on the face fabric for further weather protection.

These are a relatively affordable alternative to Gore-Tex bibs, with the same level of waterproofing and breathability. The tall bib portion provides extra protection against blowing snow, and the side seams allow for venting during warmer days or uphill travel.

This reasonably priced set of pants is a solid option for laps at the resort. Built for layering without bulk, these offer a mid-range fit that allows for dressing in varying conditions.

They have 40 grams of synthetic insulation for streamlined warmth with enough breathability to avoid sweating in the sun, and they have zippered thigh vents to dump heat if needed. The scuff guard keeps the bottoms from fraying, and the boot gaiters are wide enough to accommodate larger boots but cinch down enough to keep the snow out.

We love the wide size range, plus the articulated knees and gusseted crotch that helps keep you from feeling bound up during movement.

Of course, everyone wants to charge it and follow their buddies into the trees and down slopes they shouldn't be on, but there's time for that. Just like any other sport, you have to master the fundamentals first—especially if you aspire to ski out of bounds.

With a ski lesson, you not only get a tour guide for the mountain, but an experienced and trusted companion to chat with on the lift about gear, the history of the area, ski culture, and technique. Get a solid foundation and some reliable pointers, and you'll be out shredding on your own before you know it.

Maggie Slepian is a full-time freelance writer in the outdoor industry and has tested gear professionally for almost ten years—she is an avid backpacker, trail runner, bikepacker, and horseback rider and has thru-hiked thousands of miles on the Appalachian, Colorado, and Ouachita trails, along with backcountry travel on terrain including coastal trails, the desert, and high alpine peaks. Maggie has written for New York Magazine, Huffington Post, REI, and Outside. She is a columnist with Backpacker Magazine and is the co-founder of BackpackingRoutes.com. Contact her at MaggieSlepian.com.

When it comes to gear, few have made a lifelong career of testing and writing about new products in the outdoor world the way Aaron H Bible has. With three decades of experience as a content specialist, creative director, and journalist, Bible is an award-winning writer, photographer, and multimedia producer. In addition to outdoor gear, Bible has written about everything from technology and home electronics to healthcare and home furnishings. He is a contributing writer, editor, and photographer to publications including SKI, Freeskier, Men’s Health, Sunset, Gear Junkie, 5280, Elevation Outdoors, Vanish, Runner's World, Bicycling, and more. Bible holds an MFA in photography from the Savannah College of Art & Design, and has worked as a photographer, gallery director, and educator. A ski bum at heart, he lives with his family in the high-country of Colorado where he and his wife are raising two girls to love thin air, fresh pow, and the flow state.

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