Buying Guide: Ski Pants
Ski pants come in countless variations. As with all equipment, it is a good idea to think about what you will be using them for – and that applies to clothing too. Will you only wear them for skiing, or for other outdoor activities as well?
The perfect ski pants should of course deliver the features you are looking for: comfort, water resistance, breathability and warmth. In this guide we highlight the most important things to consider when buying a new pair of ski or snowboard pants.
So what is important to think about?
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Comfort
Make sure your ski pants fit well. You will be moving around in them, so they should not pull or feel too tight anywhere. You can certainly go for a slightly slimmer fit, but then make sure the pants have some stretch, so the fit does not restrict comfort or movement. The key thing is that they are comfortable and fit well.
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Hydrostatic head and breathability
All our pants are made for an active lifestyle in the snow and offer good waterproofing and hydrostatic head – more than enough for skiing or playing in the snow.
Hydrostatic head, or water column pressure, refers to how much water (measured in millimetres) 1 square centimetre of a material can withstand before the water gets through. The higher the hydrostatic head, the more water the material can handle, so the figure gives you an idea of how waterproof it is. Bear in mind that this applies to a garment that is new and unused. Over time your clothes wear, which means the hydrostatic head gradually decreases. To extend their lifespan, it is important to follow the care instructions, wash the garment when needed and re-proof it when necessary.
Here is a rough guide to hydrostatic head ratings
- Up to 2 000 mm: The garment is water-repellent, but not truly waterproof.
- 4 000 mm: Waterproof on shorter outings in light precipitation.
- 6 000 mm: Stays waterproof for a short period in heavy precipitation and a little longer in light precipitation.
- 8 000 – 12 000 mm: Copes with a few hours of heavy precipitation, or a really long time in lighter precipitation.
- Over 12 000 mm: Copes with long periods of heavy precipitation.
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More things to take into account
Wind plays a part too. When it is blowing hard, it pushes water through your clothes. Something else to consider is that sitting on, for example, a wet chairlift corresponds to a hydrostatic head of 5 000 mm. Kneeling, you can expect pressure equivalent to almost 18 000 mm. These are guide figures, as your weight naturally makes a difference.
Breathability tells you how well the material ventilates. It is measured as how many grams of water one square metre of fabric lets through in 24 hours, from the inside out. Generally speaking, 10 000 (g/m2/24h) is good and over 20 000 is really good.
As always, what you wear underneath matters – otherwise it makes no difference that your outer pants breathe well. A good base layer is a must if you want to get the full benefit from the pants you are wearing.
Finding it hard to choose ski pants? Come in and try some on – our knowledgeable staff will help you choose! Can't make it to the shop? You are of course welcome to contact us by email or phone – we are more than happy to help!
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Lined pants and unlined shell pants
We stock both lined pants and unlined shell pants. With shell pants, you regulate the warmth yourself with several layers, such as a base layer and a mid layer. What suits you best is of course individual and a matter of taste. Some people much prefer to dress in layers, while others are happiest in lined pants.
If you know you will be doing a fair bit of walking – a shorter ski tour, for example – a pair of shell pants with good ventilation is naturally a good choice. If, on the other hand, you often feel the cold, lined pants may suit you better.
Many ski pants have ventilation in the form of zips that can be opened, for example on the inside of the thighs, so you can easily regulate your temperature yourself. If you are working hard for a while, or it gets a little warmer as the day goes on, you can open them – and close them again when you stop or it cools down.
Finding it hard to choose ski pants? Feel free to come to the shop and try some on. Our knowledgeable staff are happy to help! You can also reach us by email and phone – whichever suits you best!
