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Patagonia Snowshot Pants Review

These relatively warm and inexpensive pants are great for occasional skiers
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Patagonia Snowshot Pants Review
Credit: Patagonia
Price:  $199 List
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Manufacturer:   Patagonia
By Jeff Dobronyi ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Dec 2, 2021
74
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Weather Resistance - 30% 8.0
  • Fit - 25% 8.0
  • Style - 20% 7.0
  • Warmth - 10% 6.0
  • Ventilation - 10% 7.0
  • Features - 5% 6.0

Our Verdict

The Patagonia Snowshot is a lightly insulated and inexpensive snow pant with good comfort. The hard shell outer fabric as a hanging mesh liner that provides just the right amount of insulation for resort riding, but on cold days, long underwear is advisable. This lining is also very comfortable, making these pants a joy to wear. They don't have many useful features or adequate vents for warm and aerobic days, and their style isn't anything special. Still, these pants provide decent weather protection at an affordable price, making them a great choice for the occasional skier who might also use their ski pants for other winter activities like hiking, shoveling, and sledding.
REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Inexpensive
Relatively warm
REASONS TO AVOID
Light on features
Not stylish
Poor ventilation
Patagonia discontinued the Snowshot Pant as of 2022.

Our Analysis and Test Results

Performance Comparison


patagonia snowshot pants - the snowshot feels right at home on the groomers in chilly...
The Snowshot feels right at home on the groomers in chilly early-season temperatures in Colorado.
Credit: Jackie Kearney

Weather Resistance


The Patagonia Snowshot pants use a proprietary waterproof/breathable membrane to keep wet weather out. In our testing, it does a good job, but the zippered pockets and vents aren't waterproof, allowing some liquid water to penetrate to the inside of the pants. These pants won't stand up to the stormiest winter weather, but they do just fine for most ski days. If you ski where it regularly rains or where the snow is wet and heavy, these pants won't be enough to protect you all winter long. If you choose to go out on fair weather days, though, there will be no issue.

patagonia snowshot pants - the snowshot has a waterproof membrane, but lacks other...
The Snowshot has a waterproof membrane, but lacks other weather-resistant features like waterproof zippers.
Credit: Jackie Kearney

Fit and Comfort


The Snowshot features a soft, two-layer external shell fabric, and a hanging mesh liner on the inside, which combine to make a very comfortable pair of pants. The fit is baggy and loose, which we don't love, but it also doesn't impair our range of motion. They feel untailored and somewhat elementary, but for the price, that's what we'd expect.

patagonia snowshot pants - the snowshot is baggy through the legs, but not so much that it...
The Snowshot is baggy through the legs, but not so much that it impedes performance.
Credit: Jackie Kearney

One nice touch is the velcro elastic waist adjustment straps on either side of the waistband. These help the user customize the waist circumference to their body, and avoid having to wear a belt (although belt loops are also included).

patagonia snowshot pants - the waist fit is customizable via velcro straps on the inside of the...
The waist fit is customizable via velcro straps on the inside of the waist belt.
Credit: Jackie Kearney

Ventilation


In general, hanging mesh linings prevent the free flow of air inside a pair of pants, which helps them remain warm but also prevents ventilation to a degree. The Snowshot also features vents on the inside of each thigh, but these vents have mesh covering the openings. This mesh prevents snow from entering the vent holes, but it also slows airflow, preventing efficient ventilation. If you enjoy aerobic skiing in mogul fields, freeride terrain, hiking to find fresh snow, and spring skiing, these pants won't breathe well enough for you.

patagonia snowshot pants - each leg has mesh-lined vents on the inside of the thigh.
Each leg has mesh-lined vents on the inside of the thigh.
Credit: Jackie Kearney

Warmth


In lieu of insulation, the Patagonia Snowshot has a hanging mesh lining that traps air between the mesh and the shell, which is then warmed by our body heat. In our experience, hanging mesh liners provide plenty of warmth for most days on the ski hill. There are warmer pants on the market, but these hit the sweet spot between warmth and versatility.

patagonia snowshot pants - adequate insulation is provided by a hanging mesh liner that traps...
Adequate insulation is provided by a hanging mesh liner that traps some body heat.
Credit: Jackie Kearney

Features


The Snowshot is light on features. It has two waist pockets with diagonal zipper openings and storm flaps that make the pockets awkward to access. It also comes with a RECCO reflector and an attachment point for a strap on Patagonia jackets that allows the pants and jacket to act like a snowsuit. If you want pockets galore, look elsewhere.

patagonia snowshot pants - two waist pockets in an awkward orientation are all of the features...
Two waist pockets in an awkward orientation are all of the features you get with the Snowshot.
Credit: Jackie Kearney

Style


There is nothing special about the look of the Snowshot pants. They have a slight articulation in the knee, which means the fabric is tailored with a bend where the body naturally curves, but there is so much loose, baggy material that it's hard to tell. For slim and athletic users, these pants aren't form-fitting, which gives them an unsophisticated style. The color options aren't that inspiring either.

patagonia snowshot pants - the snowshot's baggy fit and muted color options produce an...
The Snowshot's baggy fit and muted color options produce an unrefined style that we didn't particularly enjoy. But we're picky.
Credit: Jackie Kearney

Value


These pants provide good performance for most skiers. They tick all of the boxes, providing decent weather resistance, comfort, and warmth, but they lack the refined features, style, and ventilation of higher-priced models. For the occasional user, they are a great option, but there are better pants on the market for a lower price.

Conclusion


The Patagonia Snowshot pants provide good performance for occasional users, but they lack the refinement that advanced skiers and riders look for. They'll get the job done, but considering the performance of other models at even more attractive prices, it's hard for us to recommend these pants strongly.

patagonia snowshot pants - the patagonia snowshot provides enough performance for the average...
The Patagonia Snowshot provides enough performance for the average day at the ski hill, but if you're a ski town regular, you'll want something better.
Credit: Jackie Kearney

Jeff Dobronyi