Short answer: Choose ski trousers by insulation, water column and the features of the waist and legs. For the piste, choose waterproof trousers with a water column of at least 15,000 mm, and for all-day skiing and wet snow 20,000 mm or more, because water presses on trousers harder than on a jacket when you sit and kneel. Insulated trousers suit frost and the chairlift, uninsulated ones spring skiing. Detachable braces keep the trousers in place, and a double leg with a non-slip grip stops snow getting into your boots.
Which ski trousers suit which skier?
| How you ski | Insulation | Water column | What to focus on |
|---|---|---|---|
| A few days a season, mainly in fine weather | insulated | from 15,000 mm | braces, zip at the hem of the leg |
| Regularly, all day, in any weather | insulated | 20,000 mm | taped seams, waterproof zips, double leg |
| Snowfall, wet snow, snowboarding, a lot of sitting and kneeling | insulated or without insulation | 20,000–30,000 mm | taped seams, waterproof zips, braces |
| Spring, fast skiing, heavy exertion | without insulation | 15,000–20,000 mm | ventilation zips, baselayer to suit the temperature |
The table is a rough guide and not a standard. You will find suitable models in the collections women’s ski trousers and men’s ski trousers, and the whole range in the category ski trousers.
Insulated or uninsulated ski trousers?
Insulated trousers have a filling between the outer fabric and the lining that holds warm air against the body. On most NORDBLANC ski trousers this is synthetic hollow polyester fibre (FURTHERM), which insulates even when damp. Some models have no filling, for example the close-fitting softshell ski trousers.
- Insulated trousers are the choice if you often stand or sit (chairlift, queue, ski school) and ski in frost. The trousers keep the warmth in themselves, and a thin baselayer under them is enough. The downsides are the extra bulk and overheating on warm days.
- Uninsulated trousers suit spring, fast skiing and heavy exertion. You adjust the warmth with the layer under the trousers. Without warm underwear, though, you will be cold on the chairlift in frost.
You can tell whether trousers are insulated from the insulation entry on the product page. The baselayer that goes under them is covered in the guide How to choose a baselayer.
What water column and breathability should ski trousers have?
For trousers, it is worth choosing a water column a level higher than for a jacket. You sit on a wet chairlift, kneel in the snow and slide across a wet surface after a fall, so water presses on the fabric under your body weight. NORDBLANC ski trousers mostly have a water column of 15,000–30,000 mm, and 20,000 or 30,000 mm on most models.
| Water column | Who and when |
|---|---|
| 15,000 mm | ordinary skiing, a few days a season, mainly fine weather |
| 20,000 mm | all day on the slopes, snowfall, a wet chairlift, knees in the snow |
| 30,000 mm | wet snow and rain at lower altitudes, snowboarding, a lot of falls and sitting |
With the TERATEX® membrane, the number in the name corresponds to the water column: TERATEX® 20000 means 20,000 mm. Breathability is a separate figure, mostly 15,000–30,000 g/m²/24 h on ski trousers, and a higher number is welcome when skiing fast and on warm days. What the two values mean and why figures from different brands cannot be compared directly is explained in the guide Water column and breathability.
A high figure does not help if water gets in elsewhere. So look for waterproof zips, which most NORDBLANC ski trousers have, and taped seams, which some models have. You will find the list on the product page in the Features section.
Ski trousers or softshell trousers for skiing?
For the piste, ski trousers are the safer choice. Softshell trousers suit situations where you move more than you stand around. Softshell is a stretchy, breathable fabric that protects against wind and light rain. The differences according to the details on NORDBLANC products:
| Feature | Ski trousers | Softshell trousers |
|---|---|---|
| Intended use according to the product details | skiing | hiking, cross-country skiing, cycling, running, everyday wear; skiing is not among the stated activities |
| Water column | mostly 15,000–30,000 mm | mostly 10,000 mm (SOFTSHIELD® 10000), a few models 20,000 mm |
| Breathability (g/m²/24 h) | mostly 15,000–30,000 | mostly 10,000 |
| Insulation | hollow-fibre insulation on most models | no insulation, some models have fleece on the inside |
| Outer material | mostly 100% polyester | most contain elastane, so they stretch more |
| Fit | mostly Regular, a few models Slim fit | mostly Regular, some models Slim fit |
| Features | double leg with a non-slip grip and detachable braces on most models | reflective details on most models, detachable braces on only a few |
For shorter spring skiing in dry weather, softshell can be enough. In snowfall, on wet snow and when sitting for longer on the chairlift, ski trousers have the advantage of a higher water column.
A close-fitting softshell made straight for the piste is among the ski trousers as softshell ski trousers in the women’s range. They have a Slim fit, a material with 16% elastane, a water column of 20,000 mm and an adjustable belt instead of braces. Softshell trousers for cross-country skiing, hiking and cycling are in the collections women’s softshell trousers and men’s softshell trousers.
Braces or waistband on ski trousers?
Ski trousers with braces stay in place in a fall and in a deep forward lean and do not press at the waist. Most NORDBLANC ski trousers have detachable braces, and when you detach them you wear the trousers as ordinary waisted trousers.
- Braces are worth it for all-day skiing, snowboarding and frequent falls. The trousers do not slip down, and nothing presses at the waist.
- A waist with adjusters is lighter and more comfortable if braces bother you. Some models have waist adjusters, some also have an elasticated waist, and only a few have an adjustable belt. The trousers slide down more easily in a fall, so set them in the baselayer you will wear.
Snow is kept out from under the jacket by the snow skirt that almost all NORDBLANC ski jackets have. The guide How to choose a ski jacket will help you choose one.
What should you look for on the legs of ski trousers?
The legs decide whether snow gets into your boots. Ski trousers are worn over the top of the boot, not tucked into it. Look for:
- A double leg with a non-slip grip. Inside the leg is a second layer that fits around the boot and keeps snow out. Most NORDBLANC ski trousers have it.
- A zip at the bottom hem. Once opened, it widens the leg so that it goes easily over the boot. Most models have one.
- Leg length. Standing and squatting, the hem should stay at the top of the boot. It must not ride up above the boot or drag in the snow. If it does not fit, try another size or model.
- Ventilation zips. Only a few models have them; they suit spring and fast skiing.
Which size of ski trousers should you choose?
The size is determined by the waist circumference where you wear the trousers and by the hip circumference. You will find the ranges in the NORDBLANC size chart: for example, men’s size M corresponds to a waist of 81–85 cm and hips of 98–102 cm, and women’s size 38 to a waist of 75–79 cm and hips of 96–100 cm. Some products also have a table of the trousers’ dimensions with a measuring diagram.
- Measure level and over thin underwear with a tape measure, without pulling it tight. The procedure is summarised in the guide How to measure jacket size.
- Allow for layers. Try them on with the baselayer you will wear under the trousers.
- Sit down, squat and raise your knee. The fabric must not press at the crotch and knees or slip down at the waist.
- Look at the fit. Most NORDBLANC ski trousers have a Regular fit, and a few models the closer Slim fit, which leaves less room for a thicker layer under the trousers.
You can try the trousers on in our stores.
What should you wear under ski trousers?
Your legs need a baselayer made of a functional material that wicks sweat away. Damp cotton clings to the body and chills in the cold, so leave it at home on the slopes. In frost choose winter thermal underwear, for spring a thinner kind. You will find a selection in the collections women’s ski thermal underwear and men’s ski thermal underwear. How to dress from head to toe is described in the guide What to wear skiing.
Frequently asked questions
Which ski trousers should a beginner buy?
A beginner sits, kneels and falls in the snow more than an experienced skier, so a water column of 20,000 mm or more, taped seams and waterproof zips are worth having. Insulated trousers with detachable braces and double legs with a non-slip grip are a good fit. A Regular fit is looser than Slim fit and leaves more room for a baselayer.
Which ski trousers should I choose for spring skiing?
Trousers without insulation suit spring, because in insulated ones you can easily overheat in the sun. Spring snow is often wet, so look for a water column of at least 15,000 mm and wear a thin baselayer under the trousers.
Are ski trousers also suitable for winter walks and for town?
They can be used, but they are made for skiing. Insulated trousers with double legs are bulkier, and you overheat easily in them when walking briskly. For walks and hikes, lighter softshell trousers, which according to the details on NORDBLANC products are intended for hiking among other things, or outdoor trousers are more practical.
What can I do if I sweat in ski trousers?
Check what you wear under the trousers: cotton holds sweat, and a baselayer that is too thick overheats the trousers. A thinner functional layer, trousers without insulation and higher breathability help; on NORDBLANC ski trousers it is mostly 15,000–30,000 g/m²/24 h. Only a few models have ventilation zips.
How do I wash ski trousers, and when should I reproof them?
Wash them according to the label with a detergent for technical fabrics, without fabric conditioner, with the zips fastened and the braces detached, and dry them hung loosely. Restore the water-repellent finish when water stops running off the fabric in beads and the fabric starts to soak it up. You will find the procedure on the Product care page.