How Tight Should Ski Pants Be? Should Ski Pants Be Tight or Loose?
Last Updated on 02/11/2022
In this guide on how tight should ski pants be, we answer the question, should ski pants be tight or loose? We share our thoughts on how ski pants are supposed to fit men and women as well as why we always recommend base-layer pants underneath. You will learn why stretchiness is as important as fit with ski and snow pants.
Before we dive into whether ski pants should be tight or loose, I thought I should share what I currently have on my legs when skiing or snowboarding.
I always start with a base layer, I have a few different ones but they are almost all made from merino wool. Then, depending on what I am doing, I either wear a pair of ski pants or ski bib over the top. I do occasionally wear a pair of sweatpants over my base layer with a pair of waterproof hiking pants over the top but insulated snow pants are the best.
If you don’t wear base layers and instead prefer to rely on your ski pants then there may be some benefits to having a closer fit which we look into further down.
How Tight Should Ski Pants Be?
Ski pants should be tight enough to insulate your legs but baggy enough to allow freedom of movement and fit over your boots.
Obviously, that is a blanket statement that doesn’t apply to every situation and there are subtle differences between men and women as well as for different types of ski pants. Here are our recommendations for different people and types of snow pants:
Men’s Ski Pants
Should men’s ski pants be tight? Men’s ski pants should be neither baggy nor tight.
The waist should fit just like a pair of hiking pants or jeans but you can always wear a belt or some suspenders. The thighs and legs should loose enough so that when you squat, the fabric doesn’t pinch around the knees or start to feel tight as you get lower down. The ankles on men’s ski pants may appear to be overly baggy around the ankles but once you put on your ski boots you realize it is absolutely necessary.
Women’s Ski Pants
Should women’s ski pants be tight? Women have the benefit of different cuts that include skinny fit, slim fit, fitted, standard fit, or baggy
Women’s ski pants can sometimes feel a little tight around the thighs and butt. If the material is stretchy then this is usually ok but if you prefer your clothing with a slightly looser fit then perhaps order a size above or wear some men’s ski pants.
The waist on women’s ski pants does come a little high and so you can usually order your standard sizing so that the waist fits fairly snugly. Some women’s ski pants can feel a little tight around the butt and thigh which looks good but doesn’t always help you feel comfortable.
Salopettes, Bibs, and Snowsuits
Salopettes, bibs, and snowsuits can have a slightly looser fit than ski pants because they don’t need to be held up around your waist. It is still nice to get a good fit so that you don’t have excess amounts of loose fabric bunching up around your arms. If the sizing comes in small, medium, and large without any option for waist measurements and lengths then you will need to rely on the manufacturer’s guides.
Because snow bibs and snowsuits are easy to overheat in, zips and ventilation become more important the tighter the suit fits. In freezing cold snow storms it’s nice to have a close-fitting ski suit that zips up tight but if you are cross-country skiing then a looser fitting garment might allow for better airflow.
Cross-Country Skiing Pants
While it is easy to avoid working up too much of a sweat when skiing and snowboarding downhill using ski passes, cross-country skiers often work up a sweat for 80% of the day and then spend the other 20% catching a breath and enjoying the ride down. This is why nordic and cross-country skiers don’t need as much insulation.
Cross-country skiers move their legs much more than those just going downhill and so baggy trousers tend to rub against each other. Tighter ski pants are better for XC skiing so that they don’t get in the way and make annoying noises as you stride uphill in the snow.
Snowboarders
Snowboarders mainly wear baggy snow pants because that is more the style and also because snowboard boots are fatter than ski boots. While skiers and snowboards both do a lot of squatting as they ride, snowboarders squat with a wide stance which requires more stretch in the fabric or more fabric to work with. This is why snowboarders’ pants are usually baggier than skiers’ pants.
Should Ski Pants Be Tight or Loose?
In general ski pants should be looser than they are tight. Thermal base layers are highly recommended when skiing or snowboarding and so your snow pants should easily fit over the top of them. The perfect fit is just loose enough so that they never feel tight and just tight enough to keep you warm without restricting any movement. Here are some common questions about how tight should ski pants be:
What to Wear Under Ski Bottoms?
Underneath your ski pants, you should start with your underwear, and then on top of that most skiers wear base layer pants, aka long johns, thermal underwear. This base layer not only helps provide warmth but it wicks moisture as well as helps to keep your ski pants or suit clean. Base layers are extremely comfortable and stretchy ad so they are the best thing to wear underneath ski pants.
You can also wear things like your pajamas or some sweatpants which will add warmth but are not designed for a close fit and so are more difficult to wear under ski pants.
How Are Ski Pants Supposed to Fit Your Butt?
How tight should ski pants be on your butt? Ski pants should be as tight around your butt as a loose-fitting pair of jeans. Women’s ski pants tend to be tighter around the butt than men’s ski pants but that is mostly for looks. Do the crunch test of squatting down while wearing a pair of ski pants to test how tight they really are on the butt.
If you are questioning whether your ski pants are too tight on your butt then they probably are. Unless you really want to show off your figure my partner and I have always found baggier ski pants to be more comfortable than tight ski pants, especially on the seat.
How Are Ski Pants Supposed to Fit Your Hips?
How tight should ski pants be on your hips? Ski pants should not be too tight around your hips when you try them on. An extra inch or so around the waist allows you to layer up on base layers underneath when you need to. Look for belt loops and suspender attachments as these will allow you to get a slightly larger size and still get the perfect fit around the waist.
How Are Ski Pants Supposed to Fit Your Thighs?
Ski pants should fit like a pair of hiking pants that are loose enough that when you extend your leg they don’t feel tight around your thigh. If you have muscular legs or chunky thighs then you might want to make sure your pants don’t get too tight when you squat down on your skis. Women’s ski pants (again) are sometimes designed to have a fitted look around the thighs but unless the pants are super stretchy we recommend going for a looser fit that is maybe slightly less flattering.
Stretchy Ski Pants Might be the Way
Something I have learned about how tight should ski pants be is that the stretchier they are the tighter they can be. The main problem with tight-fitting ski pants is that they restrict movement so if you get super stretchy pants with lots of elastane or lycra in them, they can almost be skin-tight. Stretchiness is something I now look for in most of my outdoor clothing but especially when it is tight fitting.
How Long Should Snow Pants Be?
Again, a good estimate is to match your favorite pair of jeans in length and then maybe add one or two inches on. The reason your ski pants should be slightly longer than your regular pants is that with ski boots you gain at least an inch or two in height. The further your ski pants cover your ski boots the less chance there is of them riding p or getting snow inside.
Do Ski Pants Run Small?
Ski pants do not run small and in fact, if anything they run a little big if they are insulated. The only brand of snow pants we found a little tight for the recommended size was a pair of Helly Hanson Insulated Snow Pants. Once you find a well-fitted pair of ski pants I always think you should stick with them as long as you are happy.
What Are Fitted Ski Pants?
Fitted ski pants are basically pants that have a tighter fit than usual. They are usually quite athletic and figure-hugging with articulated knees and some stretch to the outer shell. The benefits of fitted ski pants are that they look better on fit people and there isn’t as much loose material to bunch up and rub against the other leg.
Can Ski Pants Be Too Tight?
Ski pants can absolutely be too tight if you don’t order the correct size. You want to have a little space around the waist with a close-fitting butt and then loose around the legs. When ski pants feel too tight on your waist, hips, or legs then it might be time to get a new pair. If you are worried about ordering a pair of ski pants without trying them on they order one size up and try them out with a belt or suspenders. You might find they are the perfect fit.
Why Should You Avoid Tight Ski Pants?
Ski pants that are too tight can restrict movement as well as cause discomfort throughout the day. The worst place for skiing pants to feel too tight is around the waist. If the pants feel too tight on your butt or thighs then squatting down as you ski can feel like a risky game of will your trousers split today.
Another reason to avoid tight ski pants is that they don’t let air circulate around your legs and can make wearing base layers uncomfortable.
How to Choose the Right Size Ski Pants?
If the ski pants you are looking at have a waist and leg measurement then stick with a size you know works. If all your favorite pants have a 34-inch waist with a 34-inch leg then get ski pants with the same measurement.
If the ski pants you are looking at have a broader sizing system of small, medium, large, and extra large then always check with the manufacturer’s website.
If you are on the verge of 2 different sizes then always opt for the larger one and be prepared to use a belt or suspenders. This allows you to always have room to layer up beneath your snow pants if you are skiing in particularly cold climates.
Ski Pants Vs Salopettes
This comes down to personal preference and there really aren’t any massive pros and cons to one or the other. Salopettes come up over the shoulders and offer a bit more warmth for the lower torso as well as give you more freedom around the waist. Ski pants on the other hand need to be held up by suspenders or a belt unless you get a really good fit.
I recently started using salopettes because they feel better around the waist but for most of my life, I used ski pants with no bad things to say.
Suspenders Vs Belt for Ski Pants
Suspenders are commonplace on the ski slopes and they make a lot of sense with insulated snow pants which are bulkier and heavier than your typical hiking pants. If you haven’t worn suspenders since you were a kid then you have to give it a go. It is way more comfortable and practical than a belt and when you wear a jacket over the top nobody even knows.
I don’t wear suspenders on a day-to-day basis nor do I wear them when hiking or camping. But I do wear them with snow pants when I’m skiing or snowboarding. Suspenders are comfier, more practical, and more effective than a belt with heavy ski pants.
Insulated Ski Pants Vs Hardshell Ski Pants
I mentioned earlier about sometimes wearing base layer pants, then sweat pants, then some waterproof pants instead of insulated ski pants, and here are the pros and cons of each.
Insulated ski pants are designed for the job and work very well. They are often fully waterproof and have a nice fleece lining as well as insulation. Proper skiing pants will also have handy features like ankle zips, ankle gaiters, ventilation, and ski pass holders that all make life easier on a skiing holiday.
Layering base layers, sweatpants, and a waterproof shell is incredibly comfortable and warm. This also saves you from buying some new snow pants if you don’t have a pair already.
We hope this guide on “how tight should ski pants be, tight or loose?” has helped settle your worries about what you are going to wear for an upcoming asking trip.
