Arctix Insulated - Women's Review

Performing well for its price point, we found that the Arctix performed adequately in our tests. Its standout feature, aside from being budget-friendly, is that this pant is extremely warm. If you are someone who tends to run cold, or doesn't like to have to add additional base layers, this is a great option. The Arctix also has ample pockets, an adjustable waistband and heavy exterior fabric that blocks out the elements.

Performance Comparison

Weather Resistance

The bulk of the insulation and heavy weave of the surface of these pants made them resistant to icy gusts during testing. We noticed how they felt like a thick layer between us and the elements. We did find the waterproofing on these pants to be a little bit lacking, however.

These pants are coated with a DWR finish as their sole waterproofing measure. This means that if the surface material wets through there is not a second line of defense within the pant. We found that trudging around in wet snow or on heavy storm days, we began to see an issue with this. That being said, it's hard to find a quality waterproof and breathable membrane at this price point, so this was an acceptable trade-off.

Fit and Comfort

These pants run true to size with a relatively slim cut. We were impressed at their ability to fit both legs and waist sizes, which can be a challenging balance in ski pants. Notably, they come in short, regular, and long inseam lengths to suit many body types. They also sport an effective, velcro-tab adjustable waist.

We love how even though there is thick insulation, we could move easily and did not feel burdened by it. The liner of this pant is silk smooth and feels lofty paired with this insulation. It was even comfortable when worn over bare skin. Overall, we really like the fit of these pants, but we would recommend sizing up if you need a little extra room for layering or prefer a looser fit.

Ventilation

The Arctix could stand to do a bit better in this category. Unfortunately, one of the technical features we found this pant to be lacking was any sort of adjustable ventilation on the legs. Some pants we tested had poorly functioning leg vents, but these simply didn't have any at all, leaving all the work to the material.

In this price range, however, this performance is fairly standard, as it's not common to see high-end waterproof/breathable materials. These high-end materials usually come with a price tag that is manyfold that of the Arctix. Fortunately, these pants are quite comfortable with limited layers underneath, and they come at a price that is very hard to beat.

Warmth

The Arctix Insulated pants are some of the warmest we've tested. They have 85g of burly ThermaTech synthetic insulation that keeps out both cold and wind. On the coldest, High Rocky days, we found ourselves reaching for these pants during testing, especially if we were mostly riding in lift-accessed terrain.

It was a bit tricky to find the balance between warm and sweating in these pants. One downfall of their warmth could be that they tend to also trap moisture inside, which ultimately made us colder. The lack of a zipped vent on this pant also exacerbated this problem. As we've found testing other pants, the quick heat dump of thigh vents is crucial on those hot days. This was really only an issue when we were pushing it hiking or skiing very deep powder, however, so these may be a better choice for someone who prefers mellower, lift accessed runs.

Features

These pants have every feature we expect from ski pants. They sport an adjustable waist, two pockets, a waist belt o ring, 600 denier reinforced cuffs, elastic gaiters, adjustable cuff width with zippers and two hand warmer style pockets. We love how sturdy the reinforced cuffs feel and like the option to add your own belt for a more secure fit.

We did find the pockets were a little challenging to access when fully loaded and fully layered up. We generally prefer a thigh location for a pant pocket. That being said, this hip location and soft lining made for excellent hand warmer functionality and enough room for a few cards or cash. Overall, we think the Arctix Insulated pants meet our expectations for functionality in this price range very well.

Style

While this pant isn't turning heads in the lift lines for its stand-out design, it is lowkey and has the ability to fit many different styles. The solid color options range from simple to bright, and the patterns are perfect for someone who prefers a flashier look.

The cut of the Arctix Insulated pant is on the slim and traditional side of things. This pant is narrower throughout the thighs than some of the more modern, baggier fits we tested. It also has a slight flare on the cuff, making it look a little more feminine. This style is versatile and could fit any number of personal tastes.

Should You Buy the Arctix Insulated Ski Pant?

New to skiing or simply can't justify the three figure price tag of most ski pants on the market? These pants are an excellent option that performs adequately for most skiers on the hill. They are supremely warm, and while they did let in some moisture on heavy storm days or in wet conditions, we found that we were quite happy with them in most conditions. These pants definitely check the box for an insulated pant, letting you get skiing and stop worrying about the price tag of your kit.

What Other Ski Pants Should You Consider?

While the Arctix pants were able to keep us incredibly warm and mostly dry, we found it was not the best option for higher-output pursuits like hiking or touring. It lacks ventilation options and the insulation feels bulky. If this sounds more like your ideal use check out the pricey but incredible Arc'teryx Sentinel Pant. Or, the more modestly priced REI Co-op GTX First Chair Bibs are a great resort-oriented option.