When buying pants, keep this in mind: Once they’re on, they’re on. You can’t layer up or down—at least not easily—as you can with your jacket, so pick a pair that will keep you comfy first chair to last call. These two earned top honors in our 2013 Buyers Guide, available on newsstands now.

OUTDOOR RESEARCH Vanguard
Gore-Tex four-way stretch soft-shell makes these feel more like pajamas than ski pants. But your PJs don’t have a zip-in bib and jacket integration to keep snow out on powder days.
Men’s, $495; outdoorresearch.com
SCOTT Explorair
It’s the little things that really stand out, like small metal boot hooks to prevent cuff-creep, laser-cut thigh pockets with thermally bonded zippers, and fully taped seams to keep wind and moisture out. These pants are plenty capable of venturing beyond the ropes for a little rugged adventure, but they’re equally happy sticking to the marked trails of the resort. Sound like anyone you know?
Women’s, $385; scott-sports.com










