Skiing is not the cheapest sport in the world to take up. There is a lot of equipment to buy, resorts fees to consider, and of course, skiing attire.

When you think of a pro skier, you picture someone who is kitted out in all the latest winter gear and there isn’t a glimpse of denim insight. 

A lot of people are tempted to try to save a few pennies by wearing clothes that they already have; 

but can you wear skiing? The short answer is NO.

There is a running joke among skiers about skiing in jeans on the slopes; it relates to people looking like complete newbies. 

So if anything, you’ll want to wear the right kit to ‘keep up with the Joneses.’

But much more than this, jeans are completely impractical and will quickly become wet and uncomfortable when skiing. 

While there is a cost attached to purchasing the correct skiing attire, this will serve you greatly and keep you much more comfortable on the slopes.

In this guide, we will be looking at the most suitable pants for skiing as well as what other gear you will need to invest in.

Why You Shouldn't Wear Jeans For Skiing

Jeans were originally designed as workwear thanks to their durable construction.

The dark color of the denim was designed to hide dirt and so the pants were favored by minersand other manual workers. But for winter sports like skiing, they aren’t quite as suitable. 

There are many stories of skiers that have made the mistake of wearing jeans and have ended up feeling incredibly uncomfortable, and sometimes, in pain.

Quick Note: One skier tells the story of how they mistakenly wore jeans during their first few trips to the mountain only to realize that, afterward, the jeans had become wet and chafed causing some nasty abrasions on the skin. 

What’s more, once this material becomes wet, it loses any thermal protection it might have had. And when it comes to jeans, that isn’t a lot.

Moreover, ski pants are designed to fit over your ski boots (even wide ski boots) which prevents moisture and water from getting inside.

However, jeans do not afford you this flexibility and so much be tucked in.

Not only is this a dreadful fashion statement but it is also highly impractical. 

This flexibility also means that you won’t be able to move as freely and when skiing, having a good range of motion is essential.

What Are The Best Pants For Skiing?

When you book your skiing vacation, be sure to leave those jeans at home where they belong.

If you’re going to pack them in your case, be sure that you only wear them for apres-ski activities or traveling. 

When you are ready to hit the slopes, you will need a proper pair of ski pants. These are widely available and while some can be pretty costly, they provide you with everything you need for a comfortable skiing adventure. 

They are fully lined and so provide an adequate amount of thermal protection.

Much more than this, when they get wet, which they evidently will on the slopes, the material is much quicker drying than denim that could stay wet for hours.

The material is designed to allow you greater freedom of movement which is imperative in performing tricks and maneuvering down tricky slopes. 

Your ski pants will also cover your boots which will prevent snow from getting inside and causing damage and discomfort to the skin.

Conclusion

While skiing in jeans can be an incredible fashion statement and are practical for some occasions, one thing they are not suitable for is skiing. 

The problems associated with jeans while skiing range from being mildly uncomfortable and damp to the material rubbing on the skin and causing some very unpleasant abrasions. 

Instead, skiers should ensure that they have full skiing attire which includes a proper pair of skiing pants, snow boots, a skiing jacket, gloves, and much more.

If you’re unsure of the best attire for skiing and want to find out more about what to look for and where to buy, then our detailed skiing guides will point you in the right direction.

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