Best Pants for Extreme Cold Weather
With over hundreds of options, how can you choose a pair of snow pants that is right for you? Choosing the right pair to protect your legs from harsh winds and cold depends on where you will use them and for how long. You will need pants that will take abuse and last during inhospitable temperatures. The pants must fit your body as well activities you will be using them in.
Proper construction and materials must be of high-quality as extreme cold weather pants must protect you from rain, winds, snow and high-speed abrasions. Here, we will help you choose among the best cold weather pants and what important features you must know.
Here is a list of the Best Pants for Extreme Cold Weather
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Choosing the Right Pants
It seems like buying a car sounds a lot simpler than finding the right pair. We need the pants to protect us from cold extremes while being able to look fashionable, be comfortable as well as durable. As people usually stock up on at least 4-5 layers, we usually own just one pair of pants for cold weather. As the market is filled with great choices of leg protection, let’s take a look at the Best pants for extreme cold weather:
Top 3 Best Pants for Cold Weather
1. Mammut Bormio Pants
Features
The Bormio pants are very useful and secure with four pockets as the waist can also be adjusted with Velcro tabs. It is easily snapped to compatible Mammut Ski jackets for the complete suit. These pants are constructed with a soft, thin outer fabric as the shell is very supple. The zippers are fully flapped as the cuffs provide a nice, tight seal over ski boots for extra warmth and protection. Since the Bormio pants are well insulated, it is more specialized in its application. The ventilation is top-notch as the fabric seals over the top of the zipper. Essentially, the mesh-backed vent are zipped on the inside of both legs and much lower than the other pants.
Insulation
The Bormio pants offer a great amount of insulation, especially if you don’t like to wear long underwear. It contains a 40g Ajungilac Synthetic plus light fleece. The liner is a lightly brushed fleece with 40g/m synthetic insulation below the shell that is completely waterproof.
If you plan to ski during warmer weather conditions or find yourself getting too hot, these pants vent effectively.
Best Used for:
These winter pants are best used for cold winter activities like Skiing or Snowboarding. The Bormio are lightly insulation and made of quality material. The pants are most suitable for weather conditions as low at 48.
Here's a video review of Mammut Bormio Pants.
Colours & Style
The overall style is less baggy compared to the FlyLow Baker and The North Face Freedom. Popular colors come in light green, black, and dark green.
Pros
The pants do a great job keeping your legs well-ventilated and warm.
Cons
It does not do well in warmer conditions.
2. The North Face Freedom Pants
Features
The main fabric if made up on Nylon and Polyester material. The pants offer comfortable features including fleece-lined hand pockets, an adjustable fleece-lined waist band, and wide legs for comfortable movement. The main outer fabric is durable and waterproof.
View The North Face Freedom Pants here
Insulation
It provides a two-layer construction with a thin lining of “Thermo liner 1.” With no insulation, the Freedom pants hold warmth very well as it is more versatile when styled with multiple layers.
Take note that the low rise waist may let a breeze in if your long underwear is not tucked in fully.
Number of Pockets
The North Face Freedom pants come with 3 pockets available for handy storage.
Best Used for:
These pants are great for snow winter activities and those who are looking for a functional, versatile, and stylish pair of pants.
The Low Rise Boot Cut style has the fitted hips and waist more room with moving through the slopes.
Here's a video review of The North Face Freedom Pants:
Colors & Style
The style is quite simple with minimal features and solid boot-sealed cuffs. The fit of the pants is right in between as it is neither too tight nor baggy.
It can be worn without a liner for warm days as the inner vents can release extra steam. The fit is quite comfortable though may become too tight when paired with thick, long underwear.
The pants come true to size, although it is recommended to go one size up if you plan on adding layers.
The pants are available in black, green, grey, blue, and yellow.
Pros
The cost of the pants is very affordable as it provide warmth, ventilation, and durability. The pants are very stylish as it is considered to be an all-around player that can hold up against excessive moisture and cold weather. Overall, The North Face Freedom pants are very functional at such a reasonable price.
Cons
The hand pockets are a bit small with a snug fit in the waist. Also, the gaiters are a little loose to fit around ski boots!
3. Flylow Baker Bibs
Features
The main fabric of the pants is a Dobby Intuitive as its bib construction protects the user’s vulnerable waistline gap.
The Baker bib is an easy choice as it leaves a good amount of room underneath for low temperatures. The bib construction completely seals the unprotected gaps which are very desirable for those wanting to keep extremely warm and protected. The Baker Bibs provide twice as many zippered vents as the outer leg vent runs from under the armpit down to the knee.
Insulation
The insulation value is constructed in a 3-layer style as the outer fabric is laminated with a breathable/waterproof membrane. The inside has a laminated lightweight tricot fabric that insulates just like a single layer.
Here's a video review of Flylow Baker Bibs.
Number of Pockets
The pants feature five pocking with one containing a key/pass clip as it provides an organized look to carry what you need.
Best Used for:
These pants are great for mountaineering as the bulky, weight, and shoulder strapped buckles aren’t as ideal for skiing pants.
Colours & Style
The Flylow Baker Bibs are available in black, brown, and tan and orange.
Pros
The bib construction is great for full cover protection and ventilation with a durable fabric that will last through harsh winter activities and water-resistance.
Cons
The fabric feels a bit stiff as well as the awkward shoulder strap buckets is a bit awkward, making it less desirable.
Top Pick
Patagonia Powder Bowl Pants
Features
The main fabric of the pants is made of polyester material. It has a 2-layer shell along with long, outer leg vents that run from behind the knee. The vents are located inside the legs and are turned toward the front for additional air. The pockets are very useful and comprehensive as the belt loops are pretty large. The garment offers a Recco reflector with tits uninsulated construction, comfortable fit, and solid design, this classic style is versatile.
View Patagonia Powder Bowl Pants here
Insulation
The pants provide a light fleeced mesh that can be worn during both warm and cold conditioned. The mesh lining is nice and comfortable without the liner as it provides additional warmth. The 2-layer shell offers a light sheet of insulation.
Number of Pockets
There is only one pocket that has an added key/pass keeper.
Best Used for:
The powder bowl pants are great as all-around ski pants, especially if you only plan on buying only one pair meant for all weather conditions. You can wear these for warm weather hikes as well as have protection during the cold harsh weather.
Here's a video review of Patagonia Powder Bowl Pants.
Colours & Style
In terms of fashion, the Powder Bowl Pants provides generous fit and durable outer fabrics with separate and soft hanging liners. The subtle, yet flashy colour scheme is very neutral styled as the fit is a little baggy when compared to The North Face Freedom pants. The colours available for the Power bowl pants are yellow and blue.
Pros
The style is both reliable and durable through various wear conditions. With a close match up, the Patagonia Powder Bowl leads the competition with an all-around performance. The price is pretty inexpensive as Patagonia offers a decent warranty and made out of bomber materials. The quality is very long lasting, which mean your investment will give back many times over.
Cons
The colour selections are very limited and does not have the most refined vents compared to other leading brands.
Among the most highest rated and versatile pants, the “two layer” construction results in a softer, flexible pants with waterproof fabrics and an inner layer of mesh or fleece. Among the top choices for the best pants for extreme cold weather, The North Face Patagonia Powder Bowl is the most comfortable, versatile and warmer than compared to other styles.
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