It’s officially ski and snowboard season! Which means it’s time to dust off the ol’ snow pants and hit the slopes (or the sledding hill…). But if yours have seen better days and are ready to be retired, take a look at these rad, sustainable snow pants that promise to keep you warm, dry, and lookin’ fly on the lift, on a toboggan, or in the backcountry, while simultaneously doing less damage to the planet. You know, the one you ski on… So check out these sustainable snow pants and get out there and enjoy the season already!
Check out more snow gear like our favorite sustainable ski kits this year, sustainable ski goggles, and winter gloves.
Insulated Snow Pants
Insulated snow pants are the classic option and usually the most popular. They let you keep under layers to a minimum but still keep you cozy and protected from wet snow whether you’re skiing, sledding, or playing in the backyard.
They’re not the best option if you plan to work up a sweat in the cold, though since they don’t breathe or wick sweat very well. If you like to nordic ski or snowshoe or skin up mountains, shell pants are probably your best bet (see our recommendations below). Find more in-depth reviews of some of these options in this article.
Patagonia Insulated Powder Town Pants and Jacket: Timeless not Trendy
Patagonia is well known far and wide for making quality, sustainable apparel for all types of outdoor adventure. And these are simple, timeless options that won’t go out of style next season. The pants feature thigh vents, zippered hand pockets, and an additional pocket on the front of the thigh. Fabric on the pants don’t feel as burly and durable as others we tested, but are soft and pliable, which means they’re less crunchy and offer more freedom of movement.
There are velcro adjustments on the waist of the pants, but they’re on the inside of the band, which is unique. It did make them a touch harder to adjust on the fly. They have microfiber-lined hand pockets, though, which are nice and warm. There’s also not much distance between the waistband and the crotch, so they are meant to be worn relatively low on the waist, meaning they didn’t fit stockier or low-waisted folks as well, so if that’s you, consider another option.
Bonus: All materials including insulation are made from recycled materials, all are PFAS-free, Fair Trade Certified™, fabrics are bluesign® approved.
Picture Organic Clothing TESTY Bibs: Feature-Rich and Sustainable
Ask Josh what his favorite snow bibs are and he’ll answer without hesitation: his Picture Testy Bibs (there is also women’s versions of the bibs, the Brita Bib). The bibs are full of features. They have stretch panels on the sides of the waist and Velcro-adjustable shoulder straps. There are two zipper pockets on the thighs and one on the chest.
The front zipper is two-way for easy access during pee breaks, but only if you pee standing up; neither the men’s nor women’s version features a drop seat so bathroom break become difficult at best and impossible at worst. The ankles are gusseted via snap closures and can be widened for more wiggle room when worn with bulky boots. These do feel a touch less insulated than some other options.
But our favorite feature? A drawstring cord that extends up the leg so shorter folks can cinch them up so the pants don’t drag when walking around. Bonus: They come with a lifetime repair warranty, are PFAS-free, circular (they’re made of recycled materials AND they can be recycled at the end of their life), and they are OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 Certified.
Backcountry Crestcruiser Insulated Pants: For Cozy Functionality
The minute we put on the Crestcruiser Pants we were smitten. The fabric is flexible and not noisy at all, materials are soft, the pants are super cozy without being bulky or stiff, and there were a surprising number of features.
The pants have two zippered hand pockets, a Velcro thigh pocket and back pocket, and there’s a Velcro-adjustable waistband. Wide ankles offer plenty of room to go over snowboard boots or other insulated footwear and a high-backed waist helps keep snow from getting down our pants in fresh powder. They felt light but super warm and mesh-lined inner thigh vents kept our legs from getting too hot when we were working hard.
These are made of recycled materials, including the insulation, are PFAS-free, and materials are OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 Certified.
Shell (Non-Insulated) Waterproof Pants
Shell or waterproof or rain pants are an excellent versatile option when it comes to snow-based activities. They’re light, thin, packable, and don’t have insulation so they’re easy to layer to suit any activity or temperature. Why choose non-insulated shell pants over insulated pants?
If you’re short on space in your luggage, want a single pair of pants that can be worn for snowshoeing, cross country skiing, backcountry skiing, snowboarding, and hiking, shell pants offer the most versatility. Including in changing temps (wear extra cozy fleece pants underneath on cold days or thin, moisture-wicking base layer leggings in milder temps).
Full discolsure: because shell pants and bibs tend to be made of more robust and techincal materials with waterproof-breathable membranes, they’re often more expensive. But they might just be the only waterproof pants you need, so weigh the pros and cons. Read more about shell vs insulated jackets here.
Helly Hansen Elevation Infinity Bib: The Top-Tier Outer Layer
Prefer a pair of shell bibs to pants? These were the first quality pair we owned and we’re still impressed. The material is durable, they have 4 zippered pockets, are easy to get on and off, and fit beautifully over a pair of cozy fleece leggings and my beloved insulated Big Agnes Camp Boss pants. And thanks to the drop seat they were easy to go to the bathroom in.
There are two vents on the sides and Recco tech (emergency locator technology) is built-in–a bonus for backcountry peace-of-mind. Plus, as far as sustainability goes, these bibs are made out of Helly Hansen’s baller Lifa Infinity Pro material, which isn’t cheap, but is more sustainable, and never needs to be re-waterproofed. Find a full review here.
Fjällräven High Coast Hydratic Trail Trousers: The Easy Multi-Tasker
A great option for longer snowy or cold wet-weather adventures that involve working up a sweat or backpacking with snowshoes are a pair of lightweight waterproof shell pants layered over thinner pants, base layers, or leggings. We like the Fjällräven High Coast Hydratic Trail Trousers. They’re guaranteed to keep your bottom half dry, feature mechanical stretch, are PFAS-free, and are made with recycled polyester.
Plus, thanks to the full-length zippers down the legs they’re easy to pull on and off, even with boots on. Those same zippers also offer venting if you start to warm up while two Velcro closures (one at the ankle and one at the knee) keep them closed. They don’t have hand pockets, but because the side zips are two-way, you still have access to pockets in any layers underneath.
Sustainable Snow Pants
When it’s time for a new pair of snow pants, opt for a pair of sustainable snow pants whether you’re skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, or just building snow men in the front yard. Because every piece of gear that does less damage to the planet and requires fewer unsustainable materials makes a difference. And don’t forget to check for these or other snow pants on used sites to save some cash and keep quality gear in play. So gear up, get out there, and wander on. Oh, and stay warm and dry, too, K?
