Below are Snowboarding Profiles Top 10 cheap snowboard pants.
This list has been updated for the 2021-22 season.
Not everyone has the means to get the top of line, first in class snowboard pants, so this list has been designed to find the best snowboard pants of those that cost $200 or less. It's not just the cheapest pants you can find, but those of still decent enough quality, but costing no more than $200.
As per tradition I have given each pair of pants a score out of 100. This isn’t an exact science but it’s an easy way to represent their quality. Each score is broken down into categories like waterproofness etc.
When there are 2 or more pants on the same score, the pants with the lowest price gets the higher position.
Compared to other Snowboard Pants
Below are the stats for all the 61 snowboard pants that I researched:
Note that this list is based on specs only and not by personal experience with these pants. So this is only going by taking the given specs at their face-value. Style, fit durability and weight haven’t been taken into account.
O.k. let’s take a look at the top 10
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD PANTS #10=
Pant: Burton Southside
- US
- UK
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here (CAN)
Score: 76/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproofing: 10,000mm
Breathability: 10,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Starting off the list at #10, we have the Burton Southside snowboard pants.
Whilst not endowed with anything epic in terms of waterproof or breathable fabric, the 10,000mm/10,000k isn't bad for the price. But what makes these pants really good value is that you get them fully seam sealed, which isn't that common for this price range.
That plus all the functionality of these pants make them a great deal for the price.
Score Breakdown for the Southside
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 3.0 | 21/35 |
SEAM SEALING | 5.0 | 20/20 |
BREATHABILITY | 3.0 | 15/25 |
VENTING | 5.0 | 5/5 |
GAITERS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
JACKET TO PANTS CONNECTIONS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
POCKETS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
TOTAL | 76/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD PANTS #10=
Pant: 686 Infinity Insulated Cargo
- US
Score: 76/100
Insulation: 40g
Waterproofing: 10,000mm
Breathability: 10,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Next up we have 686's Infinity Insulated Cargo pants.
Like the Southside above, the Infinity also features fully taped seams (which will be a feature of this top 10, but not typically a feature of pants in this price range) and possess the same amount of waterproofing and breathability in the fabric.
Apart from the appearance (and likely fit), the other major difference for the Infinity is that they are insulated - coming with light 40g of insulation. The only pants with insulation that make this list.
Check out the Score Breakdown For the Infinity
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 3.0 | 21/35 |
SEAM SEALING | 5.0 | 20/20 |
BREATHABILITY | 3.0 | 15/25 |
VENTING | 5.0 | 5/5 |
GAITERS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
JACKET TO PANTS CONNECTIONS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
POCKETS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
TOTAL | 76/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD PANTS #9
Pant: Burton Cargo
- CAN
- UK
Score: 76/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproofing: 10,000mm
Breathability: 10,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
In at #9, we have the Burton Cargo snowboard pants.
Coming in a little cheaper than the previous two pants, but with all the same features, the Cargo are real value for money for anyone looking for decent performing shell pants that don't do too much damage to the bank account.
Score Breakdown for the Cargo
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 3.0 | 21/35 |
SEAM SEALING | 5.0 | 20/20 |
BREATHABILITY | 3.0 | 15/25 |
VENTING | 5.0 | 5/5 |
GAITERS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
JACKET TO PANTS CONNECTIONS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
POCKETS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
TOTAL | 76/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD PANTS #8
Pant: Volcom Freakin Snow Chino
- US
- CAN
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here (UK)
Score: 77/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproofing: 15,000mm
Breathability: 15,000g
Seams: Critically Taped
At #8, we have Volcom's Freakin Snow Chino pants.
They are the only pants in this list to have only critically taped and not fully taped seams, but they're also the cheapest on this list and have almost unbelievable waterproofing and fabric breathability for the price.
Score Breakdown for the Freakin Snow Chino
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 4.0 | 28/35 |
SEAM SEALING | 2.5 | 10/20 |
BREATHABILITY | 4.0 | 20/25 |
VENTING | 5.0 | 5/5 |
GAITERS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
JACKET TO PANTS CONNECTIONS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
POCKETS | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL | 77/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD PANTS #7
Pant: DC Relay
- US
- CAN
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here (UK)
Score: 82/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproofing: 15,000mm
Breathability: 10,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
In at #7, we have the DC Relay snowboard pants.
No nonsense snowboard pant that pack way more waterproofing, breathability and functionality than you'd expect for their very moderate price.
Score Breakdown for the Relay
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 4.0 | 28/35 |
SEAM SEALING | 5.0 | 20/20 |
BREATHABILITY | 3.0 | 15/25 |
VENTING | 5.0 | 5/5 |
GAITERS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
JACKET TO PANTS CONNECTIONS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
POCKETS | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL | 82/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD PANTS #6
Pant: Quiksilver Hiking Path
- US
- CAN
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here (UK)
Score: 83/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproofing: 15,000mm
Breathability: 10,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Next up at #6, we have Quiksilver's Hiking Path snowboard pants.
They might be at the top of the limit, price-wise, for this list, but they provide so much performance and functionality that they give value well above the average of all the pants I looked at in the price range.
Score Breakdown for the Hiking Path
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 4.0 | 28/35 |
SEAM SEALING | 5.0 | 20/20 |
BREATHABILITY | 3.0 | 15/25 |
VENTING | 5.0 | 5/5 |
GAITERS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
JACKET TO PANTS CONNECTIONS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
POCKETS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
TOTAL | 83/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD PANTS #5
Pant: DC Division
- US
- CAN
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here (UK)
Score: 83/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproofing: 15,000mm
Breathability: 10,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Packing all the same waterproofing, breathability and functionality, and the same score, as the hiking path above, the DC Division pants inhabit the higher spot courtesy of being a little lower in price.
Score Breakdown for the Division
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 4.0 | 28/35 |
SEAM SEALING | 5.0 | 20/20 |
BREATHABILITY | 3.0 | 15/25 |
VENTING | 5.0 | 5/5 |
GAITERS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
JACKET TO PANTS CONNECTIONS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
POCKETS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
TOTAL | 83/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD PANTS #4
Pant: Quiksilver Elmwood
- US
Score: 83/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproofing: 15,000mm
Breathability: 10,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
At #4 we have the Quiksilver Elmwood snowboard pants.
Again the score is the same, but the Elmwood gain this spot due to a scarcely believable price for the performance you get.
Score Breakdown for the Elmwood
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 4.0 | 28/35 |
SEAM SEALING | 5.0 | 20/20 |
BREATHABILITY | 3.0 | 15/25 |
VENTING | 5.0 | 5/5 |
GAITERS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
JACKET TO PANTS CONNECTIONS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
POCKETS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
TOTAL | 83/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD PANTS #3
Pant: DC Code
- US
- CAN
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here (UK)
Score: 83/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproofing: 15,000mm
Breathability: 10,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Coming in at #3, we have the DC Code snowboard pants.
Featuring the same level or performance and functionality, and at the same price, as the Elmwood above, the decision between the two can be solely based on which you prefer the look of (or on fit and look, if you're trying on in store).
Note that each have multiple color options.
Score Breakdown for the Code
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 4.0 | 28/35 |
SEAM SEALING | 5.0 | 20/20 |
BREATHABILITY | 3.0 | 15/25 |
VENTING | 5.0 | 5/5 |
GAITERS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
JACKET TO PANTS CONNECTIONS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
POCKETS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
TOTAL | 83/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD PANTS #2
Pant: 686 Dojo
- US
Score: 85.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproofing: 20,000mm
Breathability: 15,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
At #2 are 686's Dojo snowboard pants.
If you're looking for as much waterproofing as you can get at a price that's way below what you'd pay for probably any other pants with this much waterproofing, then the Dojo are an option you'll wanting to be looking at.
Especially so, if you prefer a more relaxed fit in your pants.
Score Breakdown for the Dojo
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 4.5 | 31.5/35 |
SEAM SEALING | 5.0 | 20/20 |
BREATHABILITY | 4.0 | 20/25 |
VENTING | 5.0 | 5/5 |
GAITERS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
JACKET TO PANTS CONNECTIONS | 0.0 | 0/5 |
POCKETS | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL | 85.5/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD PANTS #1
Pant: Quiksilver Utility
- US
- CAN
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here (UK)
Score: 91.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproofing: 20,000mm
Breathability: 15,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
The price of the Utility was at the edge of the limit, but they also score well above anything else in this list.
In fact they score so well that they made my main Top 20 Snowboard Pants post (which, price-wise, is only limited by a much more generous $400 price ceiling).
The amount of performance and functionality in these pants make them a good choice even for those not on a tighter budget.
Score Breakdown for the Utility
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 4.5 | 31.5/35 |
SEAM SEALING | 5.0 | 20/20 |
BREATHABILITY | 4.0 | 20/25 |
VENTING | 5.0 | 5/5 |
GAITERS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
JACKET TO PANTS CONNECTIONS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
POCKETS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
TOTAL | 91.5/100 |
Thanks for reading and I hope this post has helped you to find the best cheap men’s snowboard pants for you.
Check out the links under each pants description for current prices, availability and more information.
Hi,
I am looking for not expensive pants for a beginner. I Found some favorable reviews on The North Face Freedom insulated pants but I noticed that they didn’t make it to your list.
what do you think about them?
Thanks
Michael
Hi Michael
Thanks for your message.
They look like they’d probably do the trick. North Face don’t tend to include comparable waterproofing specs, so it’s hard to compare them to others, so I don’t include them in my research. It does say that they’re fully taped, which is a good sign for waterproofing, but hard to say about the waterproofness of the fabric, without having that info published. You’re probably good though – a lot of pants in this price range are only critically taped and not fully taped.
Nate , thank you for your response .
I am still researching before making a decision. Any thoughts about Burton Covert Pant(insulated and not)
Thank you.
Michael
Hi Michael
The Covert scored 71/100 in my system. The biggest reason they score lower than others on this list is less breathability. They’re a 10K waterprooding/5k breathability. So waterproofing isn’t great either. However for the price, 10K with Fully Taped seams is pretty good. With a little more breathability, they would have made this list. Of course the shell version will be a little more breathable. That said, the insulated version looks to have pretty light insulation, so it may not make that much difference.
What about bibs? Looking at the Quiksilver Utility or Volcom Roan. Six of one, half dozen of the other?
Hi Mark
Thanks for your message.
Have been wanting to do a bibs list for a while, but haven’t been able to find the time!
Comparing the two you’ve mentioned, there’s not a lot in it. Looks like the Roan are a little more breathable but both with the same waterproofing. The Roan looks like it’s supposed to have a looser fit to the Utility, so that’s something else to consider – whether you’d prefer a looser fit or not.
I own the Utility bib and it’s done me well. In terms of waterproofing, it’s certainly not perfect – and in this mid-price range and with 15K waterproofing not expected to be. It keeps me dry on all but the really wet days. I’ll go out in almost anything, so I’ve been out in some relatively heavy rain and it’s kept me dry for a while, but eventually things start to get wet. So just don’t expect gore-tex waterproofing or waterproofing as good as you’d get for like 20K+ waterproofing or anything. I was just out in the rain yesterday and was bone-dry on my top half (gore-tex jacket) but a little wet on my bottom half. We were out in the rain for about 2 1/2 hours.
But yeah, a quick look at specs and it’s pretty much six of one, half dozen the other – so if you wanted to pick on price or on style/fit, then that would be a valid way to choose between them, in this case.
Hope this helps
You’re the best, thanks so much.
You’re very welcome Mark. Happy riding!