Backcountry Pants - Spring Sales & Long Inseams
Years before I got into backcountry splitboarding, I found a pair of very nice Arc’Teryx touring-focused pants on super clearance. They were a little too big, but I could make them work. I used them for very warm resort days, snowshoeing, winter hikes, etc. Since I started splitboarding a few seasons ago, they’ve been my go-to pants for that as well. At this point, they’ve stretched out enough that they’re annoying to belt and I was looking for something a little hardier. We still have plenty of winter left here in Truckee (it’s snowing as I speak), but now is an excellent time to do some research and hit up sales for next season, even if it’s already spring where you live.
For splitboard touring pants, I was looking for something water and wind resistant but stretchy and breatheable, with plenty of pockets, pants, not a pair of bibs (I LOVE by bibs for resort skiing, but peeing in the backcountry is hard enough), and a long inseam.
I’m 5’11” and I like a 35” inseam in non-outdoorsy pants, but I often make a 33”-34” inseam work for technical apparel. I’m about 160 pounds with a ~31” waist and typically wear size 8-12 or medium-large, depending on the brand. I’m a solid medium in Patagonia, for size comparisons. Here’s what I found in my research!
What I Bought:
Outdoor Research Skyward II AscentShell Pants
The Skyward II AscentShell pants were the #1 choice for backcountry touring, according to Outdoor Gear Lab, whose reviews I’ve found pretty trustworthy. I was also able to try them on in person at REI and use my member 20% off coupon. Here’s how REI describes them:
With the breathability you want and the protection you need, the women's Outdoor Research Skyward II pants deliver on high-output days, thanks to their lightweight, waterproof AscentShell™ tech.
My first trip out with my new touring pants was for a short Nordic ski.
The Skyward II AscentShell comes in size XS-XL (waist: 24”-38.5”) I bought size large (waist: 32”-35”) which according to their size chart has an inseam of 31.5”. However, they do NOT feel that short on me - more like a 33”-34” inseam. It’s possible that they sit lower because I sized up a bit in the waist.
Buy them at REI for $179 (https://www.rei.com/product/226490/outdoor-research-skyward-ii-ascentshell-pants-womens) or Amazon for $285 (https://amzn.to/3TxqTfl)
Touring Pants with Long Inseam (33”+)
Marmot Kate Pant
Here’s what Marmot has to say:
Grab the Kate Pants for sunny days at the resort or epic forays into the backcountry. They breathe easy to keep you cool on uphills, and the waterproofing ensures you stay dry while blasting through low-angle pow or sitting on the snowy lodge deck. Versatile and super stretchy, they won't hold you back no matter how deep the powder that lies ahead or below.
Photos from marmot.com
The Marmot Kate Pant comes in a size range of XS - XL (waist 24.5” - 38.5”). I’d probably order a size large (waist 31.5” - 34.5”) which is an inseam of 33”.
Buy them at Marmot for $89 (https://www.marmot.com/women/bottoms/womens-kate-pant/AFS_195115104238.html ) or Backcountry for $88 (https://www.backcountry.com/marmot-kate-pant-womens)
Ortovox Col Becchei
Here’s what Ortovox has to say:
Sweat-inducing ascents, steep descents: We developed the COL BECCHEI PANTS for women especially for demanding ski tours in alpine terrain. In order to make these athletically cut ski touring pants particularly lightweight, robust and elastic, we use MERINO NATURETEC LIGHT as the main material: It provides excellent breathability and elasticity yet is still wind-resistant. Tasmanian merino wool on the inside offers plenty of comfort while naturally regulating the climate. For the sake of the environment, the pants are PFC-FREE and climate-neutral. The ski touring pants have an anatomically shaped knee area and the elastic material provides particularly excellent freedom of movement. An adjustable waistband and elastic ankle cuffs ensure an optimum fit. Small items such as a map can be stowed in the two hip pockets or the thigh pocket. Circumferential sharp-edge protection makes them robust and long-lasting. The COL BECCHEI PANTS for women are the ideal ski touring companion, even in demanding conditions.
Photos from ortovox.com
The Ortovox Col Becchei comes in a size range of XS-XL (waist 24” - 34”). I’d go with a size large (waist 30” - 32”) which has a long inseam of 34” and regular inseam of 32”.
Buy them from Ortovox for $330 (https://www.ortovox.com/us-en/shop/women/p493959-softshell-pants-col-becchei-pants-w) or Cripple Creek Backcountry for $264 (https://cripplecreekbc.com/products/ortovox-col-becchei-pants-w).
Mountain Hardwear Reduxion Softshell
Here’s what Mountain Hardwear has to say:
Ready to slap on the skins and leave the lift lines behind, the Reduxion Softshell Pant is our quintessential softshell ski touring pant, ideal for drier continental climates and high-exertion days in the backcountry. This dynamic pant features durable, four-way stretch woven fabric with zippered side vents to easily dump heat on the skin track.
Photo from mountainhardwear.com
The Mountain Hardwear Reduxion Softshell comes in a size range of XS-XL (waist 25” - 34.5”). I’d order a size medium (waist 30” - 32”) which has a long inseam of 34” and regular inseam of 32”.
Buy them from Mountain Hardwear for $120 (https://www.mountainhardwear.com/p/womens-reduxion-softshell-pant-2007261.html?dwvar_2007261_color=010).
The North Face Freedom Stretch
What The North Face has to say:
A new addition to our fan-favorite Freedom line, the slim-fit Women’s Freedom Stretch Pants deliver durable, waterproof coverage and the on-mountain features you need for skiing, riding or touring. The shell and lining fabric are both made with elastane to provide a greater range of motion for comfort and performance on the slopes.
Photos from thenorthface.com
The North Face Freedom Stretch comes in a size range of XS-XXL (waist 25” - 38”). I’d go with a size medium (waist 29” - 31”) which has an inseam of 33” in long and 31” in regular.
Buy them from The North Face for $154 (https://www.thenorthface.com/en-us/womens/womens-bottoms/womens-snow-pants-c213401/womens-freedom-stretch-pants-pNF0A7WYN?color=JK3) or from Amazon for $99 - $128 (https://amzn.to/3Vqqf69)
Other Touring Pants Option
Black Diamond Recon Stretch
What Black Diamond has to say:
For the skier or rider who demands comfort and mobility for backcountry missions, the Recon Ski Pant delivers. Featuring 4-way stretch fabric, this pant moves with you on big tours in the mountains, while the Recon’s BD.dry™ waterproof/breathable solution keeps you dry on deep turns in harsh winter conditions. The Recon features an updated, low-profile electronics pocket over the right thigh. An integrated RECCO reflector adds to the pants’ snow safety capabilities, while the instep patches guard against ski edges and crampon points. The Recon’s offset side vents allow you to dump heat on the skin track, and the high mounted snow gaiter keeps out the snow.
Photo from blackdiamondequipment.com
The Black Diamond Recon Stretch comes in a size range of XS-XL (waist 25.5” - 39”). I’d go with a size medium (waist 29.5"” - 31.5”) which has an inseam of 30.5”.
Buy them from Black Diamond for $280 - $400 (https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/product/recon-stretch-ski-pants-womens) or from Backcountry for $280 (https://www.backcountry.com/black-diamond-recon-stretch-ski-pant-womens?skid=BLD00SJ-AZU-M).
Patagonia Stormstrider Pants
What Patagonia has to say:
Our most active waterproof shells, the Stormstride Pants are patterned for backcountry motion and fully featured in a lightweight, stretch 3-layer 100% nylon (54% recycled) plain weave with H2No® Performance Standard protection. Made for dedicated ski tourers, the Stormstrides excel in unpredictable weather during high-output pursuits. Fair Trade Certified™ sewn.
Photo from patagonia.com
The Patagonia Stormstrider Pants comes in a size range of XS-XL (waist 26.5” - 39.5”). I’d wear a size medium (waist 30.5"” - 32”) which has an inseam of 31”.
Buy them from Patagonia for $224 (https://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-stormstride-backcountry-ski-pants/29995.html).
Flylow Nina Pant
What Flylow has to say:
Once you try on the Nina Pant, you’ll wonder why you ever settled for ski pants that were too tight, or too loose, or not warm enough. These fit just right—relaxed, but not boxy or bulky. They have the perfect amount of stretch and slimness. Storm-ready 3-layer Surface hardshell fabric feels light and moves with you and Durable Water Repellent coating means your pants stay drier longer. The Nina Pant comes with cross flow venting, ample pockets for safely storing your phone and credit card, and custom waist-belt adjustments.
Photos from flylowgear.com
The Flylow Nina Pant comes in a size range of XS-XL (waist 24” - 35”). I’d probably order a size large (waist 31” - 33”) which has an inseam of 30”.
Buy the Flylow Nina Pant from Flylow for $219 (https://flylowgear.com/collections/womens-pants/products/nina-pant) or from Backcountry for $146-$183 (https://www.backcountry.com/flylow-nina-pant-womens).
Burton [ak] Softshell
What Burton has to say:
These softshell pants breathe, stretch, and move for taking on long tours and skin track laps alike. Designed with full-day tours and spring summit missions in mind, the women's Burton [ak] Softshell Pants offer the mobility and breathability to stay comfortable on the skin track and boot pack. They shed light precip to keep you on the move and are durable enough to handle chronic use with the breathability and moisture-wicking to offer year-round versatility.
Photos from burton.com
The Burton [ak] Softshell comes in a size range of 24-32 (waist 24” - 34”). I’d go with a size 30 (waist 30” - 31”) which has an inseam of 32.5”.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I receive a small percentage of the sale as compensation – at no additional cost to you. I promise to only recommend products that I use and enjoy!