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How to choose ski pants to stay safe on the slopes
Finding the perfect pair of ski pants can be a really difficult task sometimes. A good pair of ski pants can make the difference between a fun and comfortable day at the mountains or a cold and wet experience. That’s why it is very important to know what rules to follow when buying the most important item of your ski equipment.
Unlike jackets, we ask ski pants to be more versatile, we want to pay a lot less on them and we expose them to harsher treatment.
Ski pants for women
Before diving into a pair of women’s ski pants that have cool prints and are very trendy, it’s really important to take some time to assess their true use and your needs. Usually, ski pants offer a wide array of technical features.
Waterproof ski pants for women
Ski pants for men
Don’t wear regular trousers or jeans when skiing. It’s important to wear ski pants because they will protect you from cold and possible incidents.
Below are the most important features you might expect to see at a pair of ski pants for men or for women.
- Make sure that the pants are made out of nylon or polyester. These fabrics will keep water away from the skin and is woven tightly enough to prevent wind from penetrating the ski pants. Nylon, for example is resistant to ripping.
- Take into account your type of skiing. If you are going to only ski a few times a year a more inexpensive pair of ski pants might work best for you. On the other side, if you are planning to spend most of your time in harsh conditions it’s really necessary to invest in pants that you can rely on to keep you dry all the time.
- The warmth of the pants it is also very important. That’s why you should look for ski pants that have a layer of insulation, such as down or fleece. You must keep in mind that because the warmth on your legs is not as crucial as keeping your core warm, the ski pants usually have less insulation than jackets. This is because when you start moving, your legs tend to quickly warm up.
- Your pants must present reinforcement in the knees and seat, because these areas are constantly flexed when skiing.
- Fit best describes the shape of the pants. Some pants fit tightly and look sleek – they are perfect for skiing at high speeds, while others include pockets and are more comfortable than fitted pants – they are designed for carrying keys, hand warmers and any other items you need on the slope.
- Breathability measures how effective pants are at transferring the sweat from the material. You will need pants with maximum breathability which is the key when you’re on long treks in changing conditions.
- Look for other features like: thigh zips, full zip legs or articulated knee. Thigh zips are vents found on the inside or outside of the thigh and allow breathability and venting when you need to cool down, while full zip legs are designed to remove your outer layer without taking your ski boots off. Articulated knee are designed to improve the flexibility and mobility.
Now that you know what principles to follow before buying a good pair of ski pants, you can start shopping for the ideal pair of ski pants to match your style and the type of conditions you ski in.
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