These pants perform well, do less harm on the environment, and are easy on the eyes. Photo: Reuben Krabbe / The Inertia
When choosing a pair of ski or snowboard pants, you obviously want something that will do well on the mountain. But something people don’t always consider is how well the pants will hold up the rest of the day and night before returning home. When you think about it, time on the mountain is only a few hours in a long day, and who really wants to change pants if they don’t have to? That’s why, when compiling the list of the Best Snowboard Pants, we realized that it’s important to give credit to the pants that stand out for comfort and style well beyond just the slopes. And our top pick for “Best Snowboard Pants For Everyday Wear” were none other than Patagonia’s Storm Shift Pants ($399).
Sporting a two-layer GORE-TEX shell with a lining for comfort, the pants are comfortable and perform well in whatever conditions they face. But on top of all that, they are a nice looking pair of pants. Sure, it’s a polyester shell, but it’s something that feels good to wear in a mountain town all day — and well through the night, if you so choose. There are many reasons why we chose this as a top-pick for all-day wear, so let’s get into it below:
| Pros | Cons |
| Great comfort | Not insulated |
| Lifetime repair policy | No stretch in the material |
| GORE-TEX waterproofing and breathability | Hip pockets are fairly small |
Notable Features of the Patagonia Storm Shift Ski/Snowboard Pants
Pant/Bib: Pant
Waterproofing: 2L GORE-TEX
Features: Lined pockets
Sustainability: 100% recycled, PFC-free DWR
Most consumers in the outdoor world are familiar with Patagonia’s reputation for being one of the most environmentally responsible companies on the planet. But perhaps just how responsible may not be common knowledge. These pants exemplify the company’s commitment to doing better in an industry notorious for being wasteful.
The first step Patagonia takes is in using recycled materials that make up the polyester in the shell. Petrochemicals have traditionally been the norm for polyester garments, and now Patagonia has all of its materials in these pants coming from recycled sources. The second is that both the shell and the Durable Water Repellant (DWR) coating is free of PFC chemicals, the “forever chemicals” that take much longer than our lifetimes to break down. This is especially important given the sensitive mountain environments that we go skiing and snowboarding in. The pants are also Fair Trade certified, meaning those who made them received a fair wage to make them.
All of that is well and good, but the pants have to perform well, too. And they do – they are comfortable, easy to move around in, and have reinforcements just where you need them to protect from excess wear. The pockets have a nice felt-like lining to keep hands warm even if you don’t have gloves on, and the side vents have mesh inside so that even if the vents are open, snow and other debris will stay on the outside.
The side vents have a mesh lining to keep snow and other debris out while riding. Photo: Reuben Krabbe/The Inertia
Drawbacks
As far as performance goes, there isn’t much setting these pants back. For those more used to bibs, it could be a bit too low-cut for one’s liking where snow could get inside. But, seeing as the pants have belt loops, a good belt can address that issue pretty quickly.
The hip pockets, while comfortable, don’t have a ton of room in them. Thankfully there are a few cargo pockets as well should you need to stash anything else.
There also isn’t any stretch in the pants, so those with larger frames might find it having a lack of movement compared to other fabrics with more stretch. However, the pants are designed to have a more relaxed fit, and movement was never an issue in testing. They do tend to run on the thicker side, so for those who prefer a lighter, stretchier fabric might want to consider the Patagonia Snowdrifter Bibs ($399).
Lastly, the pants are simply a shell and don’t offer any insulation, so layering up is essential in winter. This isn’t necessarily a knock on the pants themselves, but just something to be aware of. Some may think these pants have insulating properties with the liner inside but that is simply to wick moisture and keep the feeling of the shell off one’s legs.
These snowboard pants feel great and look great, too. Photo: Reuben Krabbe/The Inertia
Final Thoughts
The Patagonia Storm Shift Pants were one of the top picks in our review of the Best Snowboard Pants for good reason. They are comfortable, stylish, and do an incredible job of protecting one’s lower half from the elements. The stylish element makes for a good look after the slopes for aprés or general mountain town hijinks. Add in the fact that these pants are made by one of the most socially and environmentally responsible companies on the planet, and the higher-than-average price tag feels a bit less of a burden. But good feelings aside, these pants are going to do a great job on the hill, look great off the hill, and also are backed by Patagonia’s guarantee to repair them for life should something go wrong.
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Editor’s Note: For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here. If you’re looking to build out the rest of your snowboard kit, read our reviews on The Best Snowboard Gloves and Mittens, Best Snowboard Goggles, Best Snowboard Boots, Best Ski and Snowboard Helmets, Best Snowboard Bags and the Best Snowboard Brands. And female-shredders should definitely check out our Best Women’s Snowboard Jackets and Best Women’s Snowboard Pants reviews.
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