A good pair of touring pants are the foundation of a backcountry ski kit. They’re the only component of a touring wardrobe where adding or shedding a layer is impractical, so you need to land at the trailhead confident that you’re sitting in the best choice for the day. Touring pants need to protect your legs from the snow on the ground and whatever may fall from above, move well, breathe, and work in harmony with your ski touring boots.

There’s about a billion pairs of ski touring pants on the market. Some of them breathe like trash bags, some of them protect you from snow and wind like they’re made from tissue paper. We’ve stuffed our legs into enough pairs to put together this guide full of notable contenders and suggest which ones are worth considering if you’re in the market for a fresh pair. 

The new law banning PFAS and the outdoor industry’s quick shift away from the stuff is shaking up the outerwear category. Some brands have been working to phase out PFAS for years, while others are still working to find a PFAS-free fabric for touring-oriented pants. That’s why some of our favorite touring pants of the last few years have been discontinued. As companies innovate and drop new pants, we’ll keep this guide up to date with our favorites. 

Let me save you the suspicion – none of the companies in this guide paid to get on this list. Wildsnow may earn a small commission from link clicks. And I do mean small. The authors are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or compensated by any of these brands, though the pants are typically provided free of charge for testing purposes. 

What to Look For in Ski Touring Pants

If you already know what you’re looking for, skip this section and scroll to the goods below.

Picking a pair of pants isn’t rocket science. You and I have most likely been wearing pants for decades. And we’ve been buying outdoor pants, probably softshells, for plenty of time too. The best ski touring pants on the market have a few things in common that your typical ski and outdoor pants don’t – cuffs that accommodate ski touring boots, fit and articulation that move with a human on skis going uphill, and solid breathability/ventilation. 

Bonus features that I personally look for are a zippered front hip pocket to accommodate an avalanche beacon and low profile belt loops – I absolutely despise pants whose waist tightening system isn’t up to the one task it was designed to do.

There are so many styles of softshells that we’ve narrowed down this guide even further. We’ve excluded most true hardshells and all resort-style ski pants from this list. Skimo diehards may also be slightly disappointed that we’ve excluded a growing crop of ultra lightweight, training style softshells that most companies, like Strafe, are cooking up. That will change as this guide evolves. 

Fabric

Ski touring pants have traditionally come in two flavors: Hardshell and Softshell. Hardshells are more waterproof, windproof, and protective, but they often breathe poorly causing a buildup of rapidly cooling condensation. They’re also not particularly insulating on their own and many folks require layering underneath. It’s a recipe that skiers who run hot simply can’t handle when charging up the skin track. 

Softshells, on the other hand, breathe much better, stretch, and typically offer slightly more insulation. They’re also much cheaper. They of course don’t quite have the same protection from snow or rain as hardshells. I’d wager that most backcountry skiers would be happier in softshells than waterproof hardshells. Who’s with me on this one?

Hybrids are a third category. They typically offer some strategic combination of the two fabrics to offer breathability in the sweatier regions and protection from the snow where it matters most–see the Stellar Guide Shell below.

But the fourth category is probably the most interesting – the “hard-ish” shell pants, whose main fabric falls somewhere on the spectrum between hardshell and softshell and offers the key benefits of each. Black Diamond’s Recon LT pants are a good example.

 

Cuff

Ski touring pants differ significantly from other outdoor pants at the cuff. They need to not only pull down over a ski touring boot, but also allow that boot to articulate through its range of touring motion. And skiers need room under there to open and close boot buckles at the transitions.

There’s sometimes a distinction between resort specific pants cuffs and touring cuffs, given that touring cuffs typically need to accommodate more styles of footwear. Some cuffs, like those on the Black Diamond Recon LT pants, default to the wide size at the cuff and can be cinched or buttoned in. That’s what you’d typically find in resort pants, too. Others, like the La Sportiva Excelsior, start with a skinny cuff that can also work with mountaineering boots and be less annoying with approach shoes, but zip open to accommodate a wide range of ski touring boots. Either one can work great, but the latter is more versatile for backcountry endeavors. Narrower cuffs are also less prone to crampon snags and general swishing. 

Pants vs. Bibs

The pants vs bibs debate isn’t going anywhere, and you probably already know where you stand. Our testers who run hot avoid touring in bibs at all costs. Others, especially those that generally run cold won’t get caught out in the cold without them. Wildsnow editor Justin Park is a bibs guy and he’s not shy about it. That’s why he wrote the definitive Wildsnow guide to backcountry ski bibs. 

Here’s where pants people and bibs people do agree: Ski touring pants with waist adjustment systems or integrated belts that aren’t up to the task of holding the pants up drive us nuts. We’ve called them out in this guide. 

Nowadays (or for the last decade, I guess) there’s a middle ground – pants that incorporate some kind of hybrid or mini-bib that is both breathable and protective. These hybrids can work great for a wide range of skiers, and that’s where we’re seeing continued innovation in the ski touring pants world. The Norrøna Lyngen Flex1 pants are a great example. 

If you find yourself on the pants side of the pants to bibs spectrum, read on for some of the best ski touring pants on the market today. If you too are a bibs person, check that last link. 

 

Our Favorite Touring Pants of 2024/2025

Dynafit Radical Softshell Pants

– Fast and light softshells with a little extra protection

Material: Softshell (DYNASHELL 2L ECO R88 181 BS (88% Polyamide (recycled) 12% Elastane)

Cuff Default: Wide

Waist Tightening: Velcro adjusters, belt loops

Relative Weight: Light/Medium

Men’s & Women’s versions?: Yes

Price: $269.95

 

Is Dynafit slowing down? No, but the Radical Softshell pants represent an expansion of their non-neon non-spandex offerings that lean into the slightly baggier world of free touring (or whatever we’re calling it now). But as you’d expect, the Radical Softshells retain the features you’d want for transitioning like you’re on a race course and moving like your heart might explode – generous venting, stretchy fabric, ski/lock mechanism opening at the rear of the cuff, and an overall light weight. Oh, and you can color coordinate your kit literally head to toe like all the fastest Europeans (which I did and I’m not sorry about it). 

The lightweight Radical Softshell Pants fabric balances breathability and wind/water resistance and leans into the latter slightly more than the former compared to other softshells. As a very warm person, I had no problem sweating through these pants on warmer days, which the world could see thanks to the Rock Khaki color. Folks that run a little cooler will appreciate the protection from wind and snow during the more wintery months.

I was thrilled that they included low profile belt loops because the velcro hip adjusters weren’t sufficient on their own when I had a beacon in my thigh pocket. Overall, the Dynafit Radical Softshell Pants are a solid pair of touring pants that would meet the needs of a wide variety of backcountry skiers wanting to look, feel, and tour fast. 

 

Stellar Guide Shell Hybrid Pants 2.0

– Burly softshell/hardshell hybrid built to last

Material: Hybrid – Softshell and Hardshell

Cuff Default: Medium

Waist Tightening: Elastic belt (replaceable)

Relative Weight: Medium

Men’s & Women’s versions?: Yes

Price: $329

Haven’t heard of Swedish brand, Stellar? I hadn’t either. But I’ve been digging their human powered winter backcountry focused Guide System – the stuff is simple, built to last, and only gets updated when better materials come along.

The Guide Shell Hybrid Pants 2.0 are designed around the mountaineering side of skiing, and the slimmer silhouette reflects that. They’re burly softshells that mix a breathable fabric from the knee up and behind the leg, and a Dermizax® Ultralight 3-layer rip-stop hardshell fabric from the knees, shin, and seat. It’s a practical fabric layout – they move and articulate well, while keeping your knees and seat dry while scrambling through snowy rock or kneeling in a snow pit. 

The pocket and vent layout hits the sweet spot and is similar to most other pants in the category. They have generous thigh vents, thigh pockets, and zippered hip pockets. The cuffs aren’t overly generous and tend to work better with lower volume ski touring boots and mountaineering boots, though, so look elsewhere if you’re a beefy boot cuff kind of skier.

Cons? The waist could use some refinement. I’d love for the rear waistline to come up higher for more protection when I bend or squat down. Also, the stretchy integrated belt is not up to the task – it’s waaay too elastic. Thankfully, it’s easy to replace with a thin webbing belt. 

Rab Tour Pants

– Ultra Lightweight minimalist touring softshells

Material: Softshell (Matrix™ stretch double weave nylon (182gsm) with fluorocarbon-free DWR)

Cuff Default: Medium

Waist Tightening: Velcro tabs

Relative Weight: Light

Men’s & Women’s versions?: Yes

Price: $165

Rab’s new Tour Pants are as simple in design as they are in name. They’re lightweight softshells that employ a healthy amount of stretch throughout thanks to the Matrix stretch double weave nylon main fabric. They’re the lightest softshells on this list and they’re very breathable. That means they thrive in milder temperatures and long days in the spring that start in the dark with trail runners on your feet. That also means they’re chilly for mid winter touring – many folks will need a base layer underneath.

The silhouette and shape are relatively slim, yet allow for freedom of movement, which of course is enhanced by the stretchy fabric. The Pocket layout is simple and refined like everything else here: Two low profile thigh pockets and one zippered front hip pocket that’s big enough for a beacon.

The cuffs are medium width. They fit great with low-profile touring boots like the La Sportiva Kilo, but have just enough room to fit over a beefier boot like the Scarpa Maestrale. A vertical zipper can open the cuff wider, but there isn’t a gusset underneath, which is strange. A simple internal gaiter keeps the snow out underneath the cuff.

Waist adjustment is handled by two small elastic velcro-like tabs, which have been working decently. But velcro’s inevitably short lifespan and the lack of belt loops has me slightly concerned for long-term pants security. I’ll report back if they begin to fall short. If these pants had low-profile belt loops, they’d be dang near perfect. I’ll probably sew a few on myself.

The Rab Tour Pants are my personal favorites on this list for warmer days and lots of vert.

Patagonia Stormstride Pants

– Waterproof hardshells that actually move well

Material: Hardshell (3-layer, 4.8-oz 40-denier Pertex® Shield 100% recycled nylon stretch plain weave)

Cuff Default: Medium

Waist Tightening: Belt loops, internal elastic velcro tightening

Relative Weight: Medium hardshell

Men’s & Women’s versions?: Yes

Price: $449

You won’t find a lot of GORE-TEX in this guide, nor hardshells for that matter. But lots of folks in wet climates depend on hardshells in the backcountry and the new-for-24/25 Patagonia Stormstrides are a surprisingly strong contender for skiers looking for a dedicated touring hardshell (that of course could transition to resort skiing). They’re made with Patagonia’s H2NO waterproof membrane, which along with being slightly cheaper than GORE-TEX, offers similar breathability and much appreciated stretch. 

The Stormstrides aren’t on this list because their breathability is something to write home about – they’re squarely at the bottom of this list in that regard. They’re here because Patagonia nailed the fit and the breathability is good enough. They’re relatively slim (not quite Euro slim), yet they articulate very well on the skin track. That little bit of stretch adds a lot. Squatting, high stepping, whatever. They don’t restrict, bunch, or pinch, which is seldom the case for hardshells.

Skiers in the market for true hardshell pants will be hard-pressed to find a better fitting and movement-oriented option than the Patagonia Stormstrides. They’re what I would personally pick if I had to tour in hardshells all the time.

Black Diamond Recon LT Stretch Pants

Material: Softshell/Hardshell hybrid material (BD.dry™ 3L)

Cuff Default: Wide

Waist Tightening: Integrated belt, hook/ladder adjuster

Relative Weight: Medium

Men’s & Women’s versions?: Yes

Price: $350

The Black Diamond Recon LT Stretch Pants land somewhere in the middle of the spectrum between hardshell and softshell fabric, and that proprietary BD.Dry fabric is what really stands out about these touring pants. They breathe pretty dang well and they withstand water in all of its forms better than pure softshells. Add generous stretch to the “pros” column and you’ve got a pair of touring pants that balance the holy trinity of ski touring pants – breathability, waterproofing, movement – better than most. Miraculously good in all three realms? No, but an incremental step in the right direction without a doubt. These are a great way to save some cash over a waterproof hardshell, too.

Here’s the rub – the integrated belt did not work for me even a tiny bit. My pants (with beacon in the dedicated pocket) slid down day after day, despite my waist landing right smack dab in the middle of BD’s sizing chart for a Men’s medium. To be fair, I’m a rectangle from the shoulders down. But then I put these pants on two of my more generously framed ski touring partners and they had no problem with the integrated belt. Still, just give me belt loops. I also found that the cuffs, lower legs, and knees felt excessively wide and snagged on my crampons. My friends who filled them out a little bit better didn’t share my critiques. 

Outdoor Research Cirque III Pants

– Ski Touring/Mountaineering Crossover

Material: Softshell (50% Nylon 43% Polyester 7% Spandex 90D Stretch Double Weave)

Cuff Default: Narrow

Waist Tightening: Integrated belt

Relative Weight: Medium+

Men’s & Women’s versions?: Yes

Price: $179

I wouldn’t have thought the Outdoor Research Cirque III Pants were ski touring pants at all until I tried them for myself. They look like hiking pants. But they’ve got the critical features for ski touring and nothing more. That’s also how they made this list – they’re particularly versatile for ice and alpine climbing, general mountaineering, and even shoulder season hiking.

It’s the cuffs that make the Cirque III’s so versatile. They default to narrow, which worked well for hiking boots, mountaineering boots, and approach footwear. A long zipper beginning on the outside of each ankle zips up to reveal a big gusset, whose expanded girth was plentifully accommodating for even chunky touring boots. 

I’ve said it a few times already, but I run hot. The lack of thigh zippers or any ventilation had me feeling pretty skeptical that these pants could keep the swamp at bay on a sweaty tour. I was pleasantly surprised that they did, and Outdoor Research’s fan base probably isn’t surprised. The 50% nylon, 43% polyester, 7% spandex 90D stretch double-weave fabric is breathable. It’s burly, too. I put these in harm’s way over the second half of 23/24’s ski season and deep into spring, yet they’re showing nary a sign of damage. Durability box checked.

The Cirque’s III’s get a special shoutout in the waist fastening department. This is one of the only integrated belts I’ve come across that actually does the one job it was designed to do. It’s burly, there’s room to cinch, and it holds the pants up even when the pockets are loaded down. Why can’t other companies figure this out?

The only arena where the Cirque’s didn’t live up to my expectations was water resistance. On wet stormy days, my thighs got wet. On a similar note, the lack of an internal gaiter meant coldsmoke powder could sneak up my shin and into the top of my boot. 

They’re not my first choice for daily driver ski touring pants. For early and mid winter I prefer to have a little bit more water resistance and an internal gaiter to seal out water in all of its forms. But once the daylight starts lingering, the tours get longer, and the crampons start coming out, the Cirque III’s are a good option at a great price.

 

Other Pants to Consider

Of the billion softshell touring pants on the market, there are a few more solid options to consider in addition to the ones above. We’ll update this guide once we can get our mittens on a pair to test. Wildsnow readers, which pants have you been psyched on over the last few years? 

 

Norrøna Lyngen Flex 1 Light Pants

Material: Softshell (Flex1)

Cuff Default: Medium

Waist Tightening: Velcro, detachable bib

Relative Weight: Medium/light

Men’s & Women’s versions?: Yes

Price: $269

 

The original Lyngen Flex1 pants were one of my absolute favorites for ski touring, but I’ll admit they were a little bit baggy for moving quickly on the skin track. Norrona’s new Lyngen Flex1 Light Pants appear to address that exact qualm. I say “appear” because I don’t yet have them in hand. I’ll update this guide as soon as I do. Why do these ones appear to be worth consideration? The lightweight zip-off bib, relatively slender fit, and stellar breathability of Norrona’s Flex1 fabric is a recipe for a great pair of touring pants. 

 

La Sportiva Excelsior

Material: Softshell (66% Recycled Polyamide, 25% Recycled Polyester, 9% Elastane)

Cuff Default: Narrow

Waist Tightening: Velcro adjusters, belt loops

Relative Weight: Mid weight

Men’s & Women’s versions?: Yes

Price: $189

La Sportiva quietly makes some of the best ski touring softshells on the market. While one of my favorite pairs, the Velan 2.0, won’t be continued in the US for much longer, the similar Excelsior will. They’ve been popular among Wildsnow writers for a few years already. Read the full review on Wildsnow here.

 

Black Diamond Dawn Patrol

Material: Softshell 

Cuff Default: Wide

Waist Tightening: Integrated belt, suspenders, belt loops

Relative Weight: Mid weight

Men’s & Women’s versions?: Yes

Price: $230

Black Diamond’s Dawn Patrol softshell pants have been on the market longer than some of the above companies were even making touring pants. It’s been a few years since I’ve toured extensively in the Black Diamond Dawn Patrol softshell pants, but I can say without hesitation that they’re excellent softshells. And they get a gold star for waist security – integrated belt, removable suspenders, and belt loops? That’s a real belt-and-suspenders approach to appeasing folks that are picky about pants security, like me.

The Dawn Patrols utilize a mid weight softshell fabric that hits the sweet spot between breathable and protective. Someone who runs warm could sport these pants from November to May, no problem. 

Check out Lou Dawson’s review from a few years back here. Note that a few changes have been made since 2020. We’ll update this section once we get our hands on a new pair.  

 

Strafe Cham Pants

Material: TBD

Cuff Default: TBD

Waist Tightening: TBD

Relative Weight: TBD

Men’s & Women’s versions?: Probably

Price: TBD

 

Gavin Hess was the last Wildsnow writer to put together a ski touring pant round up back in 2022. His verdict? The Schoeller Aerobrane fabric of the Straf Cham pants was the best of the test. You might also notice that the Cham Pants aren’t in Strafe’s lineup this year. Fret not – the designers at Strafe are developing a PFAS-free air permeable membrane with their fabric partners for the next iteration of the Cham Pants. They’ll be back. Stay tuned.