In short, the answer is: yes, ski trousers are waterproof, often boasting taped seams to ensure full weatherproof protection.

A pair of salopettes should fit slightly loose as you will need room for items to wear under them. These items are namely base layers – otherwise known as long johns or thermal trousers. Much of the physicality and impact of skiing or snowboarding is down to the movement of the knees and as a result, you need full mobility that is unhindered by tight clothing or inflexible materials. Articulated knee darts are a simple design addition to allow flexible, free movement that is not normally possible with a regular pair of trousers. Inner leg zips open to allow air to circulate inside the trousers. They provide much-needed ventilation and also help to regulate the temperature inside the trousers. These openings are intended for when you begin to overheat and need a little respite from the stuffy warmth and resultant discomfort. While on colder days you may not need them, in mild weather when the sun is out you’ll be glad the inner leg zips are there.

Ski Wear

A common feature of salopettes is snow gaiters, which are a fabric guard fitted at the bottom of the pants near the leg opening, designed to prevent snow from entering any gaps in your gear, thus keeping you snowproof and dry. Snow gaiters usually come with zips, poppers or adjustable strapattachments to adjust the fit and provide enough wiggle room for them to fit around your boots and salopettes. How Should Ski Pants Fit? When thinking about and trying on pants for size, fit is your imperative concern. They should be neither too tight or too loose: a happy medium is always best, although for snowboarders, veering towards a looser fit is recommended due to the extra breadth of movements involved in the sport. Often, the terms salopettes and ski pants are used interchangeably, leading us all to believe that they are either one type of trouser or do exactly the same thing. They both certainly offer similar protection for skiing; however, they are designed slightly differently. Look for both waterproof protection and high breathability in your salopettes. You need windproofing features too, which will stop sudden gusts from piercing through the trousers and taped seams that prevent moisture from leaking into the stitches between panels. Ski pants should generally be longer than your normal day-to-day trousers or jeans as they should mainly cover your ski boots. We recommend aiming for a length about 4-5 inches longer than your usual length to ensure this is the case.

Breathabilityis just as important for a long day out on the slopes, as there’s no point in having a complete waterproof kit if sweat will simply condense and leave you wet and feeling damp anyway. The breathability feature will allow water vapour to escape; this keeps you cool while working up a sweat and prevents discomfort. Composition and Common FeaturesSnow pants are generally designed without padding, but with a three-layered fabric with a tough outer, waterproof middle and insulated lining. They are designed to be worn in conjunction with an extra thermal base layer or two and won’t provide the same warmth on their own. What snow pants do offer is a baggier fit for an extra level of flexibility to keep you moving comfortably on your board. Uninsulated hardshell ski pants are, however, not recommended for skiing in extremely cold conditions or individuals on the slopes for extensive periods of inactivity – unless multiple base layers are worn.

On the other hand, pants that are too loose will be a nuisance and might start to slide down your body as you flex and stretch doing the sport. This too will interfere with your performance, so make sure that the salopettes you settle on have a good, relaxed fit. This depends on the conditions you’ll be facing. Tradition has it that at least one thermal base layershould be worn under your ski pants, but this can be unnecessary when skiing late in the season in relatively mild weather. Uninsulated hardshell ski pants can be worn alone in this instance, especially if you know you won’t be breaking a sweat on the slopes, but we recommend wearing a thin, lightweight base layer to be on the safe side.Softshell ski trousers are made from a lightweight, flexible material that provides more freedom of movement than classic hardshell styles. These pants are unpadded and designed without taped seams, but for mild conditions, they will offer a wide range of mobility, allowing you to perform unhindered. Ski pants, as mentioned previously, will generally be insulated against the cold and have a comfortable, roomy fit. You’ll find it easy to be out in the cold in these with their effective padding and insulation systems, and they are also designed to accommodate the necessary range of movement for skiing. Ski pants largely come in hardshell variations, with an impermeable membrane as an outer layer that removes snow and moisture. Ski pants can be used for snowboarding too and are the most common style of trousers you’ll see on the slopes, with limitless cut, shape and colour options available.