If you’ll be honest, dressing the part is one of the best parts of snowboarding.
In the early 2000s, skater brands everywhere dedicated themselves to presenting avid snowboarders with revolutionary, warm, and stylish gear.
From Burton to The North Face, influential outwear brands made considerable changes to appeal to younger crowds, with celebrity snowboarders encouraging them to leap from targeting only skiers to broadening their markets.
Along with the uptick in available snowboarding gear came the ever-present question of what to wear under snowboard pants.
While there aren’t any set rules for what you have to wear, we can offer some good advice as to what you should wear.
What to Wear Under Snowboard Pants
Deciding what to wear under snowboard pants begins with what you feel most comfortable wearing. Most snowboarders prefer thin thermal pants yet hold in body heat to keep them warm on the slopes. If it’s super cold, double up and throw on a pair of sweatpants in between your thermals and snowboard pants.
Choosing Your Snowboard Gear
There are so many brands and options to choose from concerning shopping for snowboard gear.
It can be incredibly overwhelming when you’re just starting, so make sure you ask an employee or take to the internet to figure out what will work best for you, comfort and style-wise.
Whatever you decide when it comes to gear, make sure you choose something that gives you the room to put pants underneath.
Retailers that carry snowboard gear likely have many choices for clothing to wear under your board pants, so here’s where you should start.
Thermal Underwear
Thermal underwear, also known as thermal pants and longjohns, is the absolute best clothing choice to wear underneath your snowboard pants.
Not only does thermal underwear keep you incredibly warm, but they move with you, so you don’t feel restricted when out on the hill.
Thermal underwear is breathable, and most brands that manufacture longjohns specifically to go underneath snowboard pants boast moisture-wicking properties.
Even though it takes freezing temperatures and plenty of snow to snowboard, you’ll still sweat.
As most of you know, snowboarding is an incredibly active sport. There is plenty of cardio and strength that goes into it, so you’re bound to work up a sweat, even in sub-zero temperatures.
Thermal underwear that successfully wicks moisture away from your body will keep you dry when you’re working hard, which is part of what keeps you warm.
Joggers
You can wear joggers underneath your snowboard pants, but I’d recommend going with those manufactured by a well-known brand that specializes in winter sports.
Joggers are, without question, more stylish than thermal underwear, but it’s vital that the joggers you choose fit close to the body and have the same benefits (moisture-wicking, warmth) as long thermal underwear.
Leggings
Leggings are appropriate for both men and women to wear underneath snowboard pants, but again, you won’t want to go with just any legging.
The legging you choose should fit well and provide anti-sweat, moisture-wicking qualities to keep you comfortable during your snowboarding session.
Most athletic companies manufacture leggings designed to keep sweat away from your skin, resulting in little to no irritation.
Leggings are a good choice if you’re on a budget, but they won’t keep you warm as thermal underwear does! Even fleece leggings cannot hold a candle to the warmth that longjohns manage to provide out on the slopes.
Sweatpants
Sweatpants are a last-ditch effort when it comes to clothing that you can wear under snowboard pants. Sweatpants are typically quite baggy, which makes it harder for you to move around.
They’re also often made of cotton, which means they soak up your sweat instead of wicking it away.
Sweatpants are not an ideal choice for snowboard clothing, but if you’re in a pinch and they’re all you’ve got, they’re better than snowboarding with nothing at all under your snowboard pants.
Again, higher-end brands like Burton or even LL Bean produce sweatpants specifically for winter sports, so quality is an essential consideration here.
Frequently Asked Questions about What to Wear Under Snowpants
Can I wear anything under snowboard pants?
Technically, you can wear whatever you want under your snowboard pants, but that doesn’t mean you’ll stay dry and warm. It’s best to shop with a reputable winter wear brand, choosing an item that’s moisture-wicking and warm.
What’s the best clothing to use under snowboard pants?
Thermal underwear is your best bet for a snowboard pants layering piece. They may not be the most stylish, but they’ll keep you warm, you’ll be able to move in them, and you’ll be just as dry when you finish snowboarding as you were when you started.
Can I wear any brand of thermal underwear under snowboard pants?
You can wear any brand of thermal underwear under your snowboard pants, but choosing a brand specializing in snowboarding gear will ensure that you get what you need.
Finding Your Snowboarding Style
When discussing what to wear under snowboard pants, it’s really all about what you feel the most comfortable wearing.
Choose something that will keep you dry and warm but fits within your budget. Happy shopping!