Ski Pant Zips

[wanghoeby]

What are peoples views on Zippers on the sides of ski pants. Are they worth it? How much does it take to make them leak? Worth the extra money for an avid skier?

[Plakespear]

Pants with full zips are usually shell pants, mainly for racers. The full zippers allow them to easily remove the pants when it's time for them to start, and easily put them back on after they finish (Race suits are for speed, not warmth.)

My sessions pants have two 6" zippers in the inner thigh area. They are nice on warmer days- they let my balls vent a bit.

As far as water resistance- unless you plan on skiing a lot in super wet conditions, I don't think it would be a problem.

[Teletori]

The waterproof ones are ok, and you can ventilate on uphill climbs, take of kneepads etc.

I have a pair with normail zippers, and the wind gets through, and snow melts through... Stay away!

[13]

Takes a lot to get water in the zippers, IMO. My bibs have full zips along the sides and I've never gotten snow in them, even when it dumps at Alta.

Most full-zip pants have a flap that velcros over the zipper to keep the snow out.

[wanghoeby]

I'm still not sure as to whether or not I want to pay the extra to get the side zippers. I think I will go for it and hope they are worth it.

[Summit]

I had pants with full size zips and an overlay flap. They kept out the snow just fine. I never got to test their usefullness because on one side the zipper broke on the other the velcro broke. Don't get Sierra Designs pants.

[powderhound]

my pants have a full leg zipper(waterproof) but I don't really use them. a few hot spring days is all, but not really necassary

[Spats]

The side zips are necessary if you tour. I have side zips on my fleece too, so I can open down to the skin when I'm booting up. Then I zip up and am toasty warm on the descents. To hell with "wicking", I'd rather be dry.

[FNG]

Have a Helly Hanson shell with full zips down the sides. Haven't had any problems with snow or wind leaking through - even in the midwest slush. I wouldn't say they're advantageous in any way though. Don't pay extra for them.

[72Twenty]

I've got some older North Face Mountain Bibs, it's really nice to vent the sides when touring/hiking. They also have the butt plate zipper so you can poop without taking your pants off! :eek: You can also ski switch down the bunny hill giving a full moon to the ski school! :D

[Stikki]

I had a pair of top of the line K2 pants that had full side zips. The venting was nice at times and being able to take the pants on and off without removing my boots was a plus.

One drawback was the amount of material needed for the storm flaps. The pants were stiff because of this. The biggest problem came when I tore out 3 of the 4 zipper stops.

Big props to K2 for sending me a new pair of pants on warranty this summer. The new pants don't have side zips and I probably won't ever buy another pair of side zip pants for resort skiing.