Spyder Dare Review

Insulated ski pants have limited appeal because they are not as versatile for every day of the season. But when it's below zero, and you want to go skiing, this pair is really nice. They would make a great second pair of ski pants if you expect cold temperatures throughout the ski season, or you get cold very easily and prefer to be hot rather than cold.

Performance Comparison

Weather Resistance

The Spyder Dare have excellent weather resistance. They use a Gore-Tex fabric for the outer shell, which works as advertised, and elastic powder cuffs that keep snow out of your ski boots. Suspenders also help keep the waist of these pants from drooping and letting weather inside. The front thigh pocket has a waterproof zipper, but the two handwarmer pockets don't. They are covered by storm flaps, which do a great job of keeping water away from the zipper openings. These pants are separated from the most weather-resistant pants only by a small margin.

Fit and Comfort

The inner lining of these pants is very comfortable, and they are a joy to wear. The suspenders are stretchy, comfortable, and wide enough to distribute weight comfortably. If you don't like the suspenders, they are easily removable. The exterior fabric of the pant is soft, supple, and doesn't cause any discomfort. The fit is perfect for activity, well-tailored, and a bit on the slim side.

Ventilation

The Spyder Dare has short, mesh-backed vents in the inner thighs. These vents don't provide as much ventilation as other pants that we reviewed, but they are still better than nothing. This isn't much of a problem for these pants, because you'll be selecting these from your closet or suitcase on the absolute coldest of days when you probably won't need the ventilation. Almost any other ski pant on the market would be a better choice on warm days.

Warmth

These pants are warm enough for the coldest days at the ski resort. Generally, we recommend uninsulated shells to most skiers, because they have the most versatility. But if you ski in very cold conditions, these are a perfect pair, with a moderately thick layer of synthetic insulation. For most people, they will be too warm to be used as a primary (or only) pair of ski pants.

Features

The Dare is equipped with some good ski features. They come with suspenders, which are easily removed, and belt loops to use instead, or you can tighten the waist with velcro straps. There's a front thigh pocket, which is handy for a trail map, and one of the two handwarmer pockets has a clip for car keys or an avalanche transceiver. There's also a rear zippered pocket for a wallet. The thigh and rear pockets have waterproof zippers. The pant cuffs have a zippered opening that makes booting up a breeze. They also feature elastic powder cuffs.

Style

The Spyder Dare has a distinctly on-piste, fast, racer look. They are well-tailored and don't have any baggy material on the legs. The legs even have a bell-bottomed look, flaring out just a bit from the knee down towards the foot. These pants look right at home while carving turns on icy groomers. These pants come in a wide variety of color options. Whether you like it bright and loud, or want your pants in a more muted color, the Dare likely has a style for you, as long as you enjoy the cut.

Should You Buy The Spyder Dare?

If you need extraordinarily warm pants for cold days spent skiing groomed runs at the ski resort, these are probably the pants for you. If you need a versatile pair for all conditions, or if you prefer a more understated style, look elsewhere.

What Other Ski Pants Should You Consider?

We find that most users prefer shell-only ski pants because our lower legs don't get as cold as our upper bodies. To that end, we recommend the refined Arc'teryx Sabre Pant and the Mammut Haldigrat HS Bib. If you want similar performance in an insulated pant, the Helly Hansen Legendary Insulated is just as good much cheaper. We also love the Patagonia Powder Town, which has an insulating liner and better style.