The 13 Best Snow Pants for Women, Tested by Our Cold Weather-Obsessed Editors

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—snow season. And this year, rather than pile on layer after layer of fleece-lined leggings, we’re picking up the best women’s snow pants money can buy to ensure our legs stay warm and dry all winter long. Whether you’re looking for something to make shoveling the driveway feel less draining or need a style that can handle daily slalom runs, these pairs have got you covered. Literally. Here are our recommendations for the best snow pants for women on the internet.

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All of the snow pants on this list were either directly recommended by PureWow editors, friends or family, or are made by brands that work with highly specialized teams of experts (clothing designers, fabric manufacturers, winter athletes, etc.) to ensure their products do exactly what we need them to do—in this case, keep our legs and bums warm and dry in inclement weather. We read through hundreds of reviews on multiple sites to confirm we’re not the only ones who love these snow pants, so we can feel even more confident recommending them for just about any shopper.

1. Materials

The most important features in good snow pants are waterproofing and warmth. Look for durable materials listed as being treated with DWR (a waterproof finish) and taped, water-tight seams. Insulation is also key, although this can range from a fleece-lining to down feathers depending on what activities and temperatures you have in store.

2. Breathability

While it’s important that your snow pants keep your legs toasty warm, you don’t want to trap sweat and excess heat in there. If your legs are wet with sweat, you can end up feeling much colder and, in a worst case scenario, put yourself at risk for frostbite. So be sure to read up on the materials used on the inside of the pants as well as the outside. (P.S. All the snow pants on this list are designed with sweat-wicking capabilities.)

3. Gaiters

No, we’re not talking about the University of Florida mascot. Gaiters are a built-in layer on the bottom of snow pants with an elastic hem meant to prevent snow from sneaking in the top of your boots. They typically sit under the outer layer which flares out a bit to accommodate clunky winter boots (often there are side zippers to help with this, too). You can buy and wear gaiters separate from your snow pants, but the best designs will include them already.

4. Full Range of Motion

Whatever activity you’re doing out in the snow—shoveling, sledding, skiing—you’re going to be moving around a ton, so not feeling constricted is majorly important. If you like a looser silhouette, make sure the legs aren’t too wide or baggy, so you won’t trip over them or feel like your legs are all tangled up. And if you prefer a slimmer fit, be sure to opt for stretchy materials and do a few squats or lunges in them before you remove the tags.

5. Zippered Pockets

With that full range of motion comes the risk that important things (like your car keys or phone) might come flying out of your pocket. Always pick zippered pockets, with a water-tight seal, over Velcro or snaps to ensure your essentials stay safe and secure.

Waterproof materials will not absorb any water, no matter how heavy the rain or however long you sit in a puddle. Water-resistant materials are more permeable, but there are ranges of resistance to help you determine just how quickly water will start to seep in. According to Backcountry, “The majority of ski and snowboard pants will have a waterproof rating between 5,000 and 20,000mm (5-20K)—the higher the number, the more water-resistant the fabric.” There are also some high-end materials like GoreTex and eVent that don’t list a waterproof rating, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t still good options for outdoor gear. Unless you live somewhere with particularly wet conditions, you should be fine with opting for snow pants with a higher water resistance rating, even if they aren’t fully waterproof. On the flip side if you’re somewhere with super wet snowfall or frequent rain you may be better off looking for something truly waterproof or investing in Gore-Tex pants.

Gore-Tex is a a waterproof, breathable fabric that is in many ways considered the gold standard for outdoor gear. It manages to prevent even super heavy rainfall from seeping through while simultaneously regulating the temperature inside so you don’t get soaked with sweat. Of course, Gore-Tex is also quite expensive. So how can you tell if it’s really worth doling out that extra cash to upgrade your snow pants to a Gore-Tex pair? The biggest deciding factor is weather conditions. If you live or travel to a place with very wet weather (rain, sleet, heavy wet snow) then you will likely benefit from the waterproofing Gore-Tex provides. But if winters near you are pretty dry, you may not need such a high-level material.