Columbia
Bugaboo Ski Pants
Unfortunately, denim absorbs water, and has almost no insulating qualities, which can be a real bummer on a frigid, wind-blown day, which we tend to get here in Colorado. Also I’m not an expert boarder by any means, so I have my share of spills throughout the day (half the fun, lol). Which means I would end up with legs that were like two blocks of ice, where I would literally have to peel the frozen jeans off of my boots when I got back to the car.
So last year I finally broke down and bought myself a pair of Columbia Bugaboo ski pants. I went with a black pair, so they’d match my black North Face parka, and I dropped about $80 at an online retailer. They arrived a week or so later, and I was pleasantly surprised at how well they fit and how comfortable they were, even when seated.
And I have to say, after a dozen or more uses, these Bugaboos are really great pants for snowboarding. They keep my legs warm even on a frosty, windswept day. They’re water resistant but also breathable so my legs don’t get sweaty, and the built-in gaitor keeps the cold and snow from crawling up my legs. And no more peeling frozen denim off my boots at the end of the day.
What They Are
Okay, I’ll admit the “Bugaboo” name takes a little getting used to, but I
guess it’s also memorable, which is probably why the marketing execs at
Columbia gave it a thumbs up. In fact, Columbia make an entire line of mens
and womens Bugaboo outerwear, and I understand the parkas are quite nice as
well.
The Bugaboo ski pants I have are made from and Omni-tech fabric that’s good
at sealing out the moisture, but also breathable, so the sweat inside can
evaporate and filter out away from your body. This keeps you warmer,
especially if you do a lot of out-of-bounds boarding where you end up
lugging your board up a long steep slope for several hundred feet.
One of the things that makes these pant so comfortable is the inner lining
made of a tricot material that is very soft against the skin. There’s
insulation in between the inner and outer layers for warmth, and the
Bugaboo’s have articulated knees that allow you to bend and flex without
cramping your style. That’s also a reason why these pants are comfortable
while seated, so you can wear them back at the lodge without squirming in
your seat all evening.
Another feature I appreciate are the large, zippered pockets. That might not
seem like a big deal, but to me it is. Now I don’t have to worry that my
wallet or keys are going to fall out of my pants in a crash, or when I’m
fifty feet up on the ski lift. And the adjustable waistband is comfortable
enough, although I had to adjust it a few times to get it to fit around my
waist properly.
Conclusion
So all in all I'd have to say I've been very pleased with my
Columbia Bugaboo ski pants. If you spend much time outside during the
cold weather, even if your just shoveling show or taking the kids to the
park for a sled ride, you'll appreciate having a good pair of snow pants to
keep your legs warm and dry. Take it from me, I'll leave the jeans in the
closet until warm weather arrives from now on. They're just not made for the
winter, especially if you're going to be out in the elements.
The Best Place To Buy One
These Bugaboo snow pants are available in most of the major outdoor recreation stores like REI or Dicks Sporting Goods. You can also buy one online, and the best price that I've found on this particular camera is on Amazon.com.
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