10 Best Women's Snowboard Pants & Bibs in 2024
Looking for a new pair of women's snowboard pants or bibs for the upcoming season? In this ultimate guide, we go over 10 of the best options on the market in 2024.
As a big fan of the sport, you already know how important it is to have the right gear on when you’re descending the slopes on your board.
Sacrifice on comfort, breathability or style and you might find yourself hitting the après-ski sooner than planned.
However, given that there are hundreds of different brands and products to choose from, finding the best women's snowboard pants is no easy task.
Learn more about snowboard gear, equipment and bindings here.
Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 snowboarding pants on the market in 2024.
Choose from our list, and you simply can’t go wrong.
With the Patagonia Powder Bowl Snowboarding Pants, you don’t have to worry about getting wet and clammy.
The pants use a 2-layer Gore-Tex which, while a little less breathable than 3-layer constructions, nonetheless offers effective protection from the harsh elements.
The zippers are all water-resistant, and the pockets come protected with flaps. The DWR water repellent also helps keep out any moisture and overall the pants are pretty windproof too provided you keep things tight around the ankles.
While the standard pants come uninsulated, there is an option to purchase insulated versions at a slightly higher price. The insulated pants will keep you warmer in subzero temperatures even with just a base layer underneath.
However, in warmer conditions, it’s sometimes smarter to go with uninsulated pants to avoid overheating.
If you do get too hot, the pants, fortunately, do have side vents along each thigh to let out heat. However, these are mesh-lined to stop snow from coming in, which can result in slightly less airflow.
Finally, the 150-denier Gore-Tex construction along with tough scuff guards at the bottom of each leg, the Patagonia Powder Bowl pants are built to withstand the elements, perfect for a variety of conditions.
If you’re OK with a higher price tag for your new pair of premium snowboard pants, then the Arc'teryx Sentinel AR should definitely be on your radar.
This pant, with its ergonomic design, lightly insulated shell and specialized features, is guaranteed to up your snowboarding game. While being a little bit pricier than other pants on this list, you can certainly expect to get a lot in exchange for your money.
The Arc'teryx Sentinel AR is perfect as a resort or backcountry pants, coming equipped with waterproof zippers, a 3L Gore-Tex shield and full taped seams. Its thin fleece lining provides a soft and comfortable inner layer rarely seen on uninsulated pants.
The pant provides great mobility thanks to articulated knees and a gusseted crotch. In combination with the soft material and loose fit, you’ll struggle to find more comfortable pants.
This pant also comes with double side zips on each leg for added ventilation. This allows for rapid cooling when needed, and the double zip means you can customize how much you want to ventilate.
While these pants are advertised as just a shell, they do offer slightly more warmth than other shell pants. This is due to their flannel-esque interior lining which provides some insulation.
However, in very cold weather, you may still need some extra layers underneath to keep warm.
Despite having a slightly lower price tag, the Society pants are sure to keep you dry and warm in a variety of conditions, as well as comfortable and stylish all day long on your board.
These pants are a great choice, widely commended for their comfort and freedom of movement.
However, many have also reported that the waist can be a little large proportional to the pant size. Also note that the pants tend to come on the longer side too - a perk for tall girls that won’t really get in the way for shorter girls, although it might not look as good.
The 2-layer Dryride shell keeps you protected from the elements and provides ample waterproofness. As long as you keep the leg vents closed, wind and snow won’t be able to get in.
The Society comes lightly insulated and will keep you warm with just a base layer in the cold winter.
However, you may need to wear an underlay to stay warm if you’re wearing them during the coldest parts of the year. In spring, you can lose the base layer and the pants will keep you perfectly warm.
The zipper vents on the thighs will allow you to dump heat when you need to and when closed will protect you from any incoming snow.
The Burton Avalon Bibs are a good choice for ladies who prioritize style on the slopes and aren’t too worried about peak performance.
The pants aren't may not be as waterproof as some of the others featured on this list, and will likely let in some water at the zippers if exposed. However, for the average day out snowboarding, they should hold up fine.
It’s also worth noting that the Avalon Bibs don’t come with a reinforced patch on their instep so might not last as long as pricer pants.
However, they do have a stretchy back panel which allows for good mobility and comfort. Plus, they also come with adjustable bib straps so you can customize the fit.
The bibs come with two inner leg vents and dual drop seat zippers, which make it easy to dump heat when needed. The vents are mesh-lined to keep snow out, and while they are relatively small, they do allow for some increased airflow.
Additionally, these bibs come with Burton’s Living Lining Thermo-Regulating Technology.
This means that the pores of the pants actively dilate when it's hot to increase breathability, and shrink when it’s cold in order to hold in heat.
These insulated bibs are performance-ready, with insulated knees and seat, multiple pockets, boot gaiters with stretch panels and front and back pockets to keep all your belongings dry.
With a waterproof rating of up to 10,000mm, they’ll keep out snow and rain, while the 10,000g breathability rating ensures you’ll be comfortable all day.
A great thing about these bibs is how they allow for ease of movement.
They come with ergonomically articulated cut lines so that you can move smoothly and easily while in motion. Plus, they’re not overly baggy, so they still allow room for a base layer when snowboarding in colder temperatures.
Finally, the range of available color options, including iridescent plum, will keep you looking stylish throughout the season too.
The Volcom Species Stretch Pant is a great option for ladies looking for slimmer fitting pants, but that don’t want to sacrifice all the functionality snowboard shell pants usually afford.
These are a good-looking pair of pants that provide flexibility for ease of movement and have an inner liner for extra comfort. They also have good waterproofing and come with a lot of cargo pockets, giving them a look similar to your favorite pair of denim jeans.
The taped 10,000g 2-layer shell with a v-science breathable lining system helps keep moisture out, while the stretchy slim-fitting fabric allows for optimal mobility in motion. The zip Tech jacket-to-pant connection and the boot gaiter system also helps to keep snow out.
Lastly, the stretch fabric has a stylish look and will keep you looking good on and off the board.
Overall, the design is flattering while still offering maximum protection from the elements.
If you’re looking for a pair of cute, stylish and versatile bibs, then the Flylow Foxy bib is going to be right up your alley.
These bibs are constructed of 3-layer Stormshell Intuitive fabric that flatters the figure without being skin-tight.
The high chest design will keep your core warm, while the waterproof zippers ensure no water can seep in. The best feature of these bibs is the barn door or drop seat zipper which lets you use the toilet without all the chaos of taking off all your gear.
The 3-layer Intuitive Oxford fabric provides an impressive 20,000mm/20,000g waterproof/breathable protection. Along with the water repellent DWR treatment and fully taped seams, you’ll stay dry all day on the hill.
The outer vent and inner thigh vents help you release excess body heat easily, and the numerous pockets will keep your stuff safe and dry on your person while you board.
Finally, the 500-denier cuff reinforcements will also help keep your bib in great shape for many seasons to come.
These bibs are highly reputable and extremely popular, teeming with versatility and waterproofing, these bibs are a thoroughly impressive piece of clothing, making them a perfect addition to your closet.
The 3-way stretch Gore-Tex allows you immense freedom of movement, almost like a second skin, without compromising and weather resistance. Plus, wind, rain and snow don’t stand a chance at penetrating the fabric of these bibs.
They also come with plenty of venting, with two zippers, one on each leg and one across the abdomen, helping you to cool down quickly when needed and giving you plenty of different options for airflow.
With that said, the standout features of these bibs are comfort and flexibility.
The articulated knees allow for freedom of movement, especially when walking going uphill as it provides extra room in high mobility areas. The stretchy Gore-Tex material also helps to enhance ease of movement in the crotch, along the flanks and lower back.
The fit, while not being exactly loose, will allow for under layers if needed.
Additional features, like a beacon pocket, an internal gaiter with a power strap slot and full side zips for pit stops all work to make this an exceptional bib.
At a very reasonable price, the North Face Freedom Insulated Pant offers a great combination of style, performance, and protection from the elements.
For this, The North Face added 2L DryVent waterproofing which provides an impressive waterproof rating of 25,000mm.
The pants also come with ‘Chimney Venting’, meaning that they have a combination of inner thigh vents and a mesh-lined boot gaiter on each leg, allowing air to flow out from your snowboard boots, up and out of the thigh vents.
The only real downside to these pants from North Face is the way they fit. In fact, many customers found the pants too tight when they ordered their regular size.
These pants are sure to keep your legs plenty warm even on the coldest winter’s day. But still, if you’re heading out in sub-zero temperatures, you can always add an under-layer to ensure maximum warmth.
This is a rather basic pant that would serve a beginner who is reluctant to invest too much on their snowboarding gear when starting out.
The best feature of these pants is their insulation.
They will certainly keep you warm on the hill with 60 grams of Heatseeker insulation and a sealed seam design. They also allow plenty of room for a base layer of extra warmth when needed.
On the other hand, these pants don’t come with any ventilation, which makes it harder to regulate temperature while shredding down the hill.
However, they do have Omni-tech technology, which is meant to help with breathability and air circulation.
Still, it’s best to stay on the resort laps when wearing these pants, since they probably won’t hold up well in extremely cold temperatures. They’re also not really suited for intermediate or more advanced snowboarders.
Before making your mind up about which pair to go with, here’s a quick guide to understanding all the different features to look for in the best women's snowboard pants on the market.
| Waterproof Rating | Performance & Protection |
|---|---|
| 0 - 5,000 mm | Little to no protection against moisture Drizzle and light dry snow |
| 5,000 - 10,000 mm | Rain- and waterproof under light pressure Light rain and normal snowfall |
| 10,000 - 15,000 mm | Rain- and waterproof under medium pressure Average rain and normal snowfall |
| 16,000 - 20,000 mm | Rain- and waterproof under high pressure Heavy rain and wet snow |
| > 20,000 mm | Rain- and waterproof under very high pressure Very heavy rain and wet snow |
When it comes to snowboarding gear, waterproofing is highly essential. In fact, descending the slopes with wet, soggy pants is just about the furthest thing from being ideal.
Different pants come with different waterproof ratings.
If you’re an experienced snowboarder who likes spending all day on the hill, then you’re better off opting for a high waterproof rating. On the other hand, if you’re more of a beginner who plans on sticking to the resort hills, then you can probably get away with a lower rating.
The waterproof rating lets you know how much water a material can cope with before it gets wet, often measured in millimeters (mm).
This is determined by placing a tube on the fabric and filling it with water. The point at which the water starts to seep through the fabric determines the rating. It follows then, that the higher the rating, the more waterproof the material is.
For pants to be labeled as waterproof, they have to have a rating of at least 1,500.
Gore-Tex, for example, has a much higher rating than this because it has pores that are just the right size to let out heat and moisture, but that are still too small to let water in. This allows the material to remain breathable while still being highly waterproof.
With that in mind, generally speaking, the higher the waterproof rating, the higher the price.
| Breathability Rating | Breathability Level & Use |
|---|---|
| 0 - 5,000 grams | Low breathability Useful for wearing around town and low-intensity activity |
| 5,000 - 10,000 grams | Medium breathability Good for medium intensity activities like hiking or biking |
| 10,000 - 15,000 grams | High breathability Ideal for demanding activities like skiing or snowboarding |
| > 15,000 grams | Extra high breathability Excellent for long periods of high-intensity work with no breaks |
Breathability is another very important feature to consider when shopping for a new pair of snowboard pants.
It refers to how well a material can let warm, moist air and sweat molecules dissipate to prevent you from overheating or getting soaked in sweat.
Breathability is usually represented in grams (g).
The rating is measured by calculating the Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate (MVTR). This tells you how many grams of sweat per square meter of material is expelled.
Less breathable materials have MVTR ratings within the range of 2,000-3,000g. More expensive, highly breathable materials have an MVTR of 25,000g+.
When it comes to snowboard pants, you can choose between uninsulated shell pants and insulated pants with synthetic insulation built into the interior. For the sake of versatility, most experienced riders opt for a shell pant and layer up underneath on those colder days.
Insulated snow pants have either fleece or synthetic material like Primaloft lining the interior. Some will just have insulation in critical areas.
Once again, insulated pants are represented in grams.
The higher the number in grams, the more insulation the garment will provide. The range is usually between 30 and 800 grams for snowboarding pants.
When shopping for snowboard or snow pants, you’ll either find pants that have full taped or critically taped seams.
As the name suggests, fully taped just means that all of the seams are taped, and this makes them ultra waterproof.
This is achieved by affixing a waterproof taping material on both sides of the seams. If you require thorough and complete water protection, then full taped is recommended.
However, this will usually increase the price of women's snowboarding pants.
Critically taped seams tend to be less expensive, but they’re not quite as waterproof as fully taped women's snowboarding pants.
In this case, the pants are only taped at the most critical areas to keep to dry where it matters most.
With that said, when you’re out snowboarding, you are very exposed to the elements. And for this reason, I usually recommend fully taped pants.
But, if you’re on a tighter budget, then critically taped seams will still get the job done.
When it comes to style, you’ll either find ladies' snowboarding pants as a bib-style or pant-style configuration. But your choice will come down to your snowboarding style as well as your own preferences.
Bib enthusiasts recommend the style as it provides greater all-around protection (by covering the chest and torso). They also have more storage space (including a front torso pocket), and greater comfort since you won’t ever have to worry about them falling down.
Many simply prefer how bibs look too.
On the other hand, a customer might prefer the simplicity of pants and find them to be more lightweight. Not to mention that many ladies prefer pants since they’re easier to get on and off when nature calls.
Some pants will also have an adjustable waist, which is handy wearing extra layers underneath your pants.
Finally, let’s take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions we get about women’s snowboard pants.
While snowboard pants for women can either be baggy or not, it really boils down to your own personal preference.
However, a happy medium between the two is usually recommended. In other words, you’ll want to look for a pant that’s not too loose or too tight.
I recommend a slightly looser or baggier fit simply because this will allow for a greater range of motion while you’re on the slopes.
Most often, I recommended wearing a pair of dry cotton long underwear, but the decision is really up to you. You can, for instance, wear sweatpants, leggings, or pajama pants underneath.
The key is, however, to make sure that you’re wearing an extra layer that will keep you warm, without trapping in too much heat, which can cause you to sweat.
Also check: What To Wear As A Base-Layer Under Your Snow Pants
While there’s nothing preventing you from wearing snowboard pants while skiing or vice versa, there are a few subtle differences between the two.
Learn more about snowboarding Vs. skiing.
For instance, while ski pants tend to be slightly tighter and more form-fitting, snowboard pants tend to be a bit baggier, which makes it easier to bend your knees, crouch and move while on your board.
While they both provide protection from the outside elements, both men’s snowboard pants and women’s snowboard pants are going to be slightly different in terms of style and fit.
For instance, on average, women’s bodies tend to have slightly shorter and smaller body types than men’s.
Therefore, women’s snowboard pants often have shorter legs and smaller waist sizes to match female body types, whereas men’s pants will often be longer with wider waists. Fortunately, a good quality pair of women's snowboarding pants will often have adjustable waist tabs to help you get that perfect fit.
While some snowboard pants may be designed with leg openings meant to fit into your boot, for the most part, snowboard pants are worn over top of the boot.
This configuration serves a dual purpose. For instance, it helps keep your body heat and warmth inside your clothing, while also helping to keep snow, ice, and cold air out!
While we often prioritize jackets, goggles, snowboards and boots, the right pair of pants are just as crucial to ensuring a great time on the slopes.
So whether you’re trying snowboarding for the first time or you’re a seasoned rider, it’s worth taking the time to find the best pair of pants for you.
Hopefully, this list has made that decision easier for you!
Don't forget to check out the best women's snowboard jackets - you may be able to find a matching pair at a good price.
