How to Fit Padded Pants for Snowboarding

Snowboarding pants are an essential part of the snowboarding gear equation. They are almost solely responsible for keeping your lower half warm and can provide padding as well, which can be very helpful in a rough sport like snowboarding. Getting the right fit can be a challenge however, and much of that is because snowboarding pants come in a variety of styles. Some pants are simply a shell or a waterproof layer that keeps you dry, while others have padding built into the pants to protect you during falls. If you are in the market for padded pants, learn how to make sure they fit right.

Instructions

    • 1

      Go to a local snowboard shop and try on a multitude of padded pants. Try on sizes you might think are too big or too small, as snowboard pant sizes are not uniform and can vary tremendously from size to size. In addition, there is no length measurement for snowboarding pants, so you need to try on a variety of padded pants to get the length just right.

    • 2

      Wear the same garments underneath while you try on the pants as you would if you were spending a day on the hill. If you usually wear long underwear or some other type of base layer, then you need to be wearing them when you try on snowboard pants to replicate the experience of being on the hill. Even wear the same socks and underwear as you would on the slopes as the slightest difference can make a big difference.

    • 3

      Move around in the pants when you are trying them on. Squat down low to mimic your stance when snowboarding. With padded pants, you need to make sure that there is enough room in the thigh and upper leg area, as this is where the pads can become constricting and limit your movement. The pants may be built a little baggier than you are familiar with, but that's to compensate for the pads and the space that they take up. You want the pants to be loose, comfortable and allow for a great deal of movement and mobility.

    • 4

      Narrow down your selection based on comfort, fit and function. Make sure the pads are in the places that you want them on your body as different companies put them in different spots. Continue to narrow down your selection to one or two pairs and make the purchase.