Planning on doing any winter sports soon? When getting ready, it’s important to remember that clothing is a big factor in ensuring that you’re able to perform the best way you can. But when it comes to choosing pants, people often get confused between ski pants and snowmobile pants.
Ski pants have a tighter fit than snowmobile pants to allow for less wind resistance. On the other hand, snowmobile pants are roomier to accommodate quick shifts in movement and posture. They may also differ in the ways they provide protection or padding.
In the rest of this article, let’s take a closer look into the differences between snowmobile pants and ski pants, as well as what factors to consider before making a purchase to help you choose proper clothing for the kind of activity you’re preparing for.
What Is the Difference Between Snowmobile Pants and Ski Pants?
The main differences between snowmobile pants and ski pants are the style and fit in relation to aesthetic purposes and easier movement. There are also differences in padding and protection. However, they look very much alike, which is why people sometimes confuse one for the other.
When you know where to look and how to spot the differences, you’ll be able to easily tell which is which. The following are the main differences between snowmobile pants and ski pants.
Style and Fit
Skiing and driving a snowmobile require very different movements and very different equipment. When skiing, you will be standing most of the time, while in a snowmobile, you’ll do a bit of standing and lots of sitting and squatting. Because of this, you will need different kinds of pants to allow your body to do the right movements with the greatest ease.
But while many may argue that the differences in style and fit between snowmobile pants and ski pants affect performance on the slopes, aesthetics and newer style preferences also do have a huge impact on how they look today.
Aesthetic Purposes
In general, ski pants are tighter and designed to be closer to the body as compared to snowmobile pants that are pretty loose. Because skiing is a more traditional winter sport, how ski clothes look leans towards older trends–hence the snug fit. Take note, though, that ski pants should not be tight the way skinny jeans are. They should be snug but not too tight.
Going on the snowmobile, on the other hand, is a relatively new sport with influences from the laid back and more relaxed sports like surfing and skateboarding, where people are accustomed to wearing loose-fitting outfits to accommodate quick changes in posture and position.
Easier Movement
Meanwhile, the tightness of ski pants is not purely for the sake of fitting to a certain traditional standard. It also does make for a smaller frontal area and, therefore, less wind resistance when moving at high speeds on the slopes. This essentially allows a skier to glide smoothly on the snow.
Snowmobile pants, on the other hand, focus more on allowing quick upper body movement and making posture changes easier. A person in a snowmobile often has to make sudden movement changes, from standing to squatting to leaning sideways. In this case, the body relies more on lower body grip and upper body control to manage speed, direction, and movement.
Because of this, a roomier pair of pants proves more advantageous and easier to maneuver with. In fact, snowmobile pants are so easy and comfortable that many skiers are now foregoing the tight ski pants for these baggy ones.
However, if you’re not an expert skier, you may find it challenging to keep your skis from catching your pant edges.
Padding and Protection
Just as in any sport, it’s best to prepare for falls and trips to lessen their impact and lower the chances of serious injury. Because of this, snowmobile pants and ski pants are both designed to protect you from the inevitable fall. And since these sports require different movements, they also protect different parts of the body.
Ski pants are usually padded around the butt and hip areas to cushion a fall. Also, they should (some don’t) have a thicker material lining the area near the ankles to keep the pant legs from getting scratched by the skis.
Getting your pants caught by your skis can lead to an accident. So if you’re a novice skier yet learning to control your legs and skis, definitely go with ski pants that have these. They will not only protect you but also make your ski pants last longer.
Snowmobile pants also do have padding in the butt area and on the knees, since driving a snowmobile often puts pressure on the knees. But because with a snowmobile, a person has both feet secure inside, there’s no need for a strap to give better grip around the ankles.
How To Choose the Right Ski or Snowmobile Pants
Now that you know the difference between ski pants and snowmobile pants, let’s discuss how you can ensure that the next pair of pants you’re buying is perfect for your level of expertise and will help you have the best winter sports experience.
Opt for Three-in-One Pants
Regardless of whether you’re going on a snowmobile, skiing or even winter hiking, outer windproof and waterproof layer of pants is not enough if you don’t have an inner layer and an insulation layer that will keep warmth in. However, that can be quite bulky and make movement uncomfortable.
To significantly reduce the discomfort, you can opt for pants that already do have an inner layer, an insulation layer, and a waterproof layer all in one. These pants will typically cost more, but if you compare how much they cost with the cost of buying three pairs of pants, they often end up being much cheaper.
Balance Waterproofing With Comfort
You will, no doubt, need proper waterproofing in your snowmobile or ski pants. It can be the difference between a winter disaster and a fun time out in the snow. So right off the bat, invest in a reliable pair of waterproof pants.
There is a catch here, however, as waterproof clothing can be quite hot and uncomfortable. So find the right balance between waterproofing and breathability (considering the weather condition and the length of time you’re planning to spend in the snow).
Choose Breathable Fabrics
After the rush and excitement of skiing or driving a snowmobile, you’ll likely be feeling hot and sweaty inside your gear. But even when you haven’t exerted yourself yet, you can sweat and feel too hot if your pants do not provide proper ventilation.
You need both insulation to keep you warm and breathability to allow enough air through without making you feel too cold. Fortunately, technology has made this possible, and some fabrics provide good ventilation.
Wear Your Style
Going skiing doesn’t mean having to lose all personality in your dress. You can–and should–wear your style even when you’re bunched up in ski or snowmobile gear. Yes, be as comfortable and safe as you can, but don’t forget to have fun.
Gone are the days when all ski attire looked alike. Dare to play with colors and different styles.
Final Thoughts
Snowmobile pants and ski pants can look almost exactly the same. But they differ in their fit and padding. Ski pants are generally tighter and are padded around the butt and hips to lessen the impact of a fall, while snowmobile pants are looser and padded around the butt and knees.
It’s important to determine and wear the right clothing for the right sport to ensure maximum comfort, enjoyment, and performance.
