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Arc'teryx Sentinel Pants - Women's Review

A do-anything ski pant that is as ready for your next adventure as you are
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Arc'teryx Sentinel Pants - Women's Review (Our favorite way to test pants for warmth... In fresh snow.)
Our favorite way to test pants for warmth... In fresh snow.
Credit: Claire Gibson
Price:  $600 List
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Manufacturer:   Arc'teryx
By Sarah Sherman ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 8, 2024
79
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#1 of 17
  • Weather Resistance - 25% 9.0
  • Fit and Comfort - 25% 8.0
  • Ventilation - 15% 8.0
  • Warmth - 15% 6.0
  • Features - 10% 8.0
  • Style - 10% 7.0

Our Verdict

The women's Arc'teryx Sentinel pants easily claim a spot as one of our favorites thanks to their incredible comfort, versatility, features, and overall performance. These should be at the top of your list if you can afford to splurge. If you're someone who gets out there often, these are well worth their high price tag. This lined shell pant is ready to take you to greater heights and steeper descents with its thoughtful features and waterproof construction. Get the scoop on how it stands up to the competition in our review of the top-rated women's ski pants.
REASONS TO BUY
Spacious pockets
Color and size options
Weatherproof
Great ventilation
Built to last
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Average warmth
Editors Note: We updated this review on May 8, 2024, after retesting these ski pants over this ski season.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Women's Ski Pants
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Ski Bib
Top Pick Award
Best for Backcountry Touring
Best Buy Award
Best Bargain Ski Bib
Best Buy Award
Best Ski Pant Under $100
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Bottom Line A reliable, comfortable and extremely durable pant that is ready for anythingReady for anything, these bibs combine form and functionFor those looking for a high-performing shell, this pant offers technical features in a reasonably priced packageFor those who prefer the fit and protection of a bib, this option is warm and functional at an affordable priceThe Arctix checks all of the boxes for an insulated ski pant, without a hefty price tag these are economically priced and very warm
Rating Categories Arc'teryx Sentinel... Flylow Foxy Bib Outdoor Research Sk... REI Co-op Powderbou... Arctix Insulated -...
Weather Resistance (25%)
9.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
5.0
Fit and Comfort (25%)
8.0
8.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
Ventilation (15%)
8.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
1
Warmth (15%)
6.0
5.0
5.0
9.0
8.0
Features (10%)
8.0
9.0
9.0
5.0
5.0
Style (10%)
7.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
6.0
Specs Arc'teryx Sentinel... Flylow Foxy Bib Outdoor Research Sk... REI Co-op Powderbou... Arctix Insulated -...
Measured Weight 1.1 lbs 1.4 lbs 1.3 lbs 1.7 lbs 1.5 lbs
Waterproofing 3-layer Gore-Tex 3-layer Intuitive stretch stormshell 3-layer AscentShell 2-layer Peak ThermaLock coating
Vents Outer thigh Inner and outer thigh Outer thigh Inner thigh, outer thigh None
Pockets 2 zippered thigh 2 mid-thigh pockets, 2 chest pockets 2 zippered hand, 2 zippered thigh 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest 2 zippered thigh
Main fabric 80D nylon Recycled Tactic 3-layer softshell: 100% polyester 88% nylon, 12% spandex Nylon 100% polyester
Insulation/Lining Brushed liner None None 40g polyester 85g ThermaTech
Waistline construction Button & zip fly w/ integrated belt Bib Button and zip fly Bib Button & zip fly

Our Analysis and Test Results

Fully loaded with waterproof zippers, 3L Gore-Tex protection, fully taped seams and features you can rely on, the Sentinel is an optimized pant for both resort and backcountry endeavors. So streamlined is the Sentinel, that it had little that stood out at first glance. But after extensive testing, this pant delivered consistently. Its light fleece lining provides a soft inner layer that many shells do not have, while its removable belt provides instant security when getting after it. And, while getting after it, we can assuredly say that this pant performs to the highest standards.

Performance Comparison


arc'teryx sentinel pants for women - the arc'teryx sentinel continues to impress us again and again with...
The Arc'teryx Sentinel continues to impress us again and again with its versatile performance and exceptional quality.
Credit: Jacqueline Kearney

Weather Resistance


To test for weather resistance, we took the pants out onto the mountain and put them through a two-minute shower test. Throughout the shower test, we aimed specifically at weak points such as zippers, seams, pockets, and vents to see how the pants would perform. The Sentinel passed the test with flying colors, without moisture or water leaking or seeping through the material.


The Sentinel continued to impress us on the mountain, where they held up to wetter, warm snow (known locally around the Tahoe Basin as Sierra Cement) without missing a beat. In the ripping winds of the Sierra Crest and San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado, the heavy 70 denier weave and fleece backing kept drafts at bay. These pants stood up to it all thanks to their fully taped seams, water-resistant zippers, and 3L Gore-Tex.

arc'teryx sentinel pants for women - just a couple of the water tight zippers featured on the the...
Just a couple of the water tight zippers featured on the the Sentinel. Necessary on this storm San Juan day.
Credit: Jacqueline Kearney

Fit and Comfort


The Sentinel is one of the more comfortable pants we tested, with excellent mobility thanks to articulated knees and a gusseted crotch. Even when hiking in deep snow, they never became a hindrance or issue. Our lead tester often uses them on the job as a ski patroller due to this quality. This, combined with the soft material and regular, baggier fit, means that there is little limiting when you need your pants to perform. After a return to a narrower fit in previous seasons, we noticed the fit migrated back to wider in the quad area. We love this fit and function.


These pants are great inbounds, and thanks to their superior mobility and comfort, they would make a great pair of backcountry touring pants, too.

arc'teryx sentinel pants for women - comfortable for all pursuits, including full days of uphill travel...
Comfortable for all pursuits, including full days of uphill travel in the backcountry, we could not get enough of this pant.
Credit: Jacqueline Kearney

Ventilation


With two double-sided zips for ventilation, cooling off is easy. They allow for rapid cooling, and the dual zipper feature enables you to customize the size and placement to your preference. This is a key feature for those hoping to wear these pants in the backcountry. The zippered vents are also mesh-free, allowing maximum airflow. Some pants have mesh backing vents that keep snow from entering in a tumble. We generally prefer the greater airflow of no-mesh vents at resorts and in the backcountry.


Even if you don't head into the backcountry, ample ventilation is important to handle swings in body temperature between heating up while charging through all that champagne powder and then cooling down on icy chair lifts. A few pairs of pants offer even more airflow. However, our testers felt that the Sentinel dumps heat as effectively as they ever needed.

arc'teryx sentinel pants for women - we love the huge thigh vents on the sentinel, an essential for...
We love the huge thigh vents on the Sentinel, an essential for quickly dumping heat.
Credit: Jacqueline Kearney

Warmth


These pants offer more warmth than standard shell pants thanks to their flannel-like brushed liner. This gives them just a little more insulation than is typical for their category. When temperatures drop below freezing, you may want to add some extra insulation. If you generally run cold or dislike layering and prefer a pant that includes insulation, these might not be for you.


If you don't mind putting on some long johns, you shouldn't encounter an issue. The regular, baggier fit of these pants allows for plenty of room to layer and still gives the wearer warmth on cold, burly days. The cozy lining makes it comfortable to wear against bare skin on warmer days. And when temps drop, you can easily add base layer bottoms to keep you warm. Needless to say, the lack of insulation makes these pants super versatile.

See our favorite women's long underwear to build the perfect layering system.

Features


Fully loaded with features like a small, zippered stash pocket, a removable belt, and pockets with plenty of room for a beacon or phone helped keep the Sentinel ranking high in this category. A small note, our testers with larger quads at the height of the pockets noted that a beacon was a tight fit in the beacon-specific pocket. We would encourage wearing a harness for a transceiver anyway, so this is not a huge deal.


When you are heading out for a big day on the slopes, those smaller features come to matter. They offer a place for all of your gear. While the belt was not our favorite of these features, it is removable and can be replaced. However, the pants do not have velcro tabs for size adjustments, so a different belt may have to be used. We like the low profile of the belt. The pants also come with two snaps on the back, which are compatible with Arc'teryx jackets. This is useful on deep, glorious powder days. Like most ski pants, the Sentinel has a cuff guard to add durability in the high-wear areas at the bottom of the pant legs. After nearly a season of professional patrol use, it should be noted this feature and the construction of the pants are holding up incredibly well.

arc'teryx sentinel pants for women - the integrated belt is awesome for keeping this pant securely in...
The integrated belt is awesome for keeping this pant securely in place when hiking, skiing or skinning hard.
Credit: Jacqueline Kearney

Style


While the Sentinel may not be making a fashion statement, it doesn't need to. For a pant that delivers such a punch on the technical side, it is fairly plain in style, save for the addition of its belt. That said, it comes in five appealing color options and various sizes, ranging from small to large and short to tall, allowing women of all sizes to find their style within the pants. The cut of these pants is also timeless and flattering, in line with the looks of the hardest shredders out there.


Should You Buy the Arc'teryx Sentinel?


The Arc'teryx Sentinel Pant is at the top of our list for women's ski pants. The design is thoroughly refined, and the materials are excellent. These pants have more than enough to get you through a day at the resort or in the backcountry; we can't get enough days in them. Any serious skier or snowboarder should consider adding these pants to their arsenal—these pants are just waiting to deliver for you.

arc'teryx sentinel pants for women - the simple style of the sentinel blends seamlessly and timelessly...
The simple style of the Sentinel blends seamlessly and timelessly with many different jackets, and if you ask us we think the investment is well worth the quality of this pant.
Credit: Jacqueline Kearney

What Other Ski Pants Should You Consider?


If you only ski a handful of days every year, it's probably hard to stomach such an expensive pant. The OR Skyward II offers great performance while saving you a nice chunk of change. If you'd like a bib, the REI Powderbound Insulated Bib is a great affordable option that also offers a bit of insulation for extra warmth on those blustery days on the chairlift.

Sarah Sherman