Ski pants
What Should I Consider When Buying Good Ski Pants?
Ski pants should keep you warm and dry during winter sports. It’s important that no snow can get in if you fall, but sweat must be able to escape. Therefore, ski pants should have a water-repellent, breathable outer layer. Additionally, ski pants need to keep your leg muscles warm and flexible so you can perform at your best on the slopes. Keeping your muscles warm helps maintain their flexibility and reduces the risk of injuries. Complete your winter sports outfit by pairing your ski pants with a matching ski jacket!
What Should You Wear Under Ski Pants?
When skiing, you should dress according to the three-layer system, which also applies to ski pants! Our advice is to wear thermal pants and regular underwear under your ski pants. This way, your legs stay nice and warm because body heat won’t be lost.
What Size Ski Pants Do I Need?
Ski pants should be comfortable to allow you to perform your best on the slopes. To ensure that the ski pants don't slide down, most ski pants come with an adjustable Velcro waist, allowing you to fit them precisely to your body. Some ski pants also have suspenders, which prevent them from sagging.
Waterproof Rating of Ski Pants
When you go skiing, you naturally want to wear ski pants that are warm and waterproof. The waterproof rating of ski pants is measured in water column, and you can read the different values in the overview below:
- 0 mm: Ski pants are water-repellent but not waterproof.
- 1,000 mm: Ski pants repel water but are not pressure-resistant. If you sit on a wet chair, the pants will eventually leak.
- 2,000 mm: The ski pants remain waterproof even during longer snow showers but may leak under pressure.
- 5,000 mm: The ski pants withstand prolonged and intense weather, remaining waterproof even under high pressure. However, prolonged high pressure may eventually cause leaks.
- 15,000 mm: The ski pants are suitable for heavy snow showers and keep you dry even underwater.
Make sure the ski pants you bring are breathable and offer good ventilation. This initially helps you avoid getting too warm, and if you do, moisture is wicked away to the outside. In short, the waterproof layer should allow moisture to escape from the inside out but not the other way around.
How to Wash Ski Pants?
Always check the care instructions before washing your ski pants. In many cases, you can wash them at a low temperature unless stated otherwise. Wash the ski pants inside out and without fabric softener to avoid damage. Washing your ski pants can affect the waterproof layer, so always treat your ski pants, as well as other gear, with a specific coating after washing. This process is called reproofing, and it’s essential because otherwise, your ski pants may no longer be waterproof. You can find all the tips in our blog: How Do I Wash My Ski Clothing?
Tip
Pay attention to the direction in which your zippered pockets open. It’s handy if they open from top to bottom, as this makes it easier to access them while wearing gloves.