Patagonia PowSlayer Ski Pant Review: Bomber but Stiff
The Patagonia PowSlayer Pants ($649) are burly ski pants that are designed with protection and durability top of mind. Their thick, durable construction and standout storage allow them to cross over from backcountry days to resort laps. However, the Gore-Tex Pro build is pretty stiff, especially fresh out of the box, and their so-so breathability isn’t ideal if you’re using them as pure touring pants. As a premium, bomber option for cold, windy days both in and out of bounds, though, they’re a solid pick.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
Best for
Resort & backcountry
Waterproofing
3L Gore-Tex ePE Pro
Insulation
None
Fabric
80D nylon
Pros
Cons
Patagonia PowSlayer
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Ski Pants.
The Patagonia PowSlayer Pants provide the strong weather protection we’ve come to expect from Gore-Tex’s new 3-layer ePE waterproof membrane. They have the top-of-the-line Pro version of the material, and they kept me dry in every type of weather I tested them in. Cold, windy conditions are where their thick, premium fabric really shines. I tested them across a range of outings in the Pacific Northwest, from stormy in-bounds laps at Stevens Pass to early-season touring in the central Cascades. In cold weather—temperatures around 20 to 25 degrees with light snowfall—the pants performed excellently. Snow never stuck to the fabric, and hefty wind gusts around 30 mph didn’t penetrate at all.
In warmer, wetter storms, the PowSlayer's fabric began to visibly saturate after battling sustained precipitation in temperatures of about 35 degrees. But I don’t think any other shell I’ve used would have performed differently during that type of prolonged exposure, and my midlayers and base layers remained perfectly dry. I experienced the same result with the matching PowSlayer jacket, but it’s important to note that the feeling of having wet material plastered to my undergarments was more superficial than it seemed.
Plus, the pants’ wind protection is a strong point. Even during blustery transitions when I was touring, the PowSlayer's stiff fabric blocked the breeze exceptionally well. The pants’ gaiters are also thick and secure, and they completely prevented snow from creeping into my boots. Waterproof zippers throughout the pants never leaked. Compared to the thinner Patagonia Stormstride pants that I've also tested, the Patagonia PowSlayer Pants seems more fortress-like, but also heavier and less forgiving if the precipitation is on the warmer side.
For an uninsulated shell, the PowSlayer Pants are impressively toasty. Their thick nylon fabric and highly effective wind blocking help trap heat better than most touring-focused ski pants I’ve worn. On cold days in the skin track, I was comfortable wearing just thin long underwear underneath, even when standing around during transitions.
That said, warmth still depends on context. During long, icy chairlift rides at Stevens or Mission Ridge, my bottom eventually got cold—as it does in nearly every uninsulated ski pant I’ve used. For resort days, I often layered insulated knickers underneath to boost warmth, which worked well. I wouldn’t change how warm these pants are—they’re well attuned to winter conditions—but they’re clearly designed for colder days rather than spring skiing or sustained warm-weather touring.
My first impression of the PowSlayer Pants was laughter—and not the good kind. Straight out of the box, their fabric was so stiff and crinkly, with deep creases that seemed determined to stay put, that it made me chuckle. How was I going to wear these? Thankfully, after a few days of heavy use, moisture exposure, and drying, the material softened noticeably (though it never became particularly supple).
When I’m touring, the pants offer good freedom of movement and don’t feel restrictive. That said, on long, steep skin tracks, I consistently noticed the back seam pressing and folding against my glutes. It’s not painful, but on big days—when you’re tired, hungry, and perhaps already irritated—it became an annoyance I couldn’t ignore. Skiers with more muscular builds may notice this more than others.
The PowSlayer's waistband, on the other hand, is excellent. The adjustable elastic/hook-and-loop design allowed me to fine-tune the fit depending on my layering, and I never experienced pinching or rubbing. Despite their weight and bulk, the pants feel stable and secure while skiing, and I never felt like excess material was getting in the way on the descent.
Breathability is adequate, but not a standout feature—especially for pants nominally designed for touring. On typical winter days, the PowSlayers managed temperature regulation reasonably well, thanks especially to their long side vents. But on a warm, windless day touring on Mt. Rainier, with temperatures pushing into the mid-to-upper 40s, I overheated quickly. Even wearing nothing underneath but underwear, sweat built up around my knees, calves, and lower back during sustained movement.
The side vents are essential. They’re long, extend down to the upper knee, and feature two-way zippers that are easy to operate while you’re skinning. Fully opened, they make a noticeable difference, but they can’t completely overcome the thickness of the pants’ fabric when you’re roasting.
As a result, these pants are best suited for cold-weather touring, storm days, and short bootpacks while you’re resort skiing. They’re definitely not my first choice for spring missions. Breathability-wise, the PowSlayers are comparable to the Outdoor Research Hemispheres Bibs—solid, but clearly built with protection in mind rather than airflow. Models like the Patagonia Stormstride are much more breathable.
Durability is one of the Patagonia PowSlayer Pants’ biggest strengths. After more than 15 days of use—which included bushwhacking, tree skiing, and aggressive transitions—they’re holding up exceptionally well. The 80-denier nylon fabric feels tough and built to last for many seasons, and I never worried about snagging the material on branches or scraping against gear.
All of the watertight zippers have operated smoothly and reliably. The cuffs feature reinforced panels that have begun to show minor wear—small surface abrasions that are typical for touring pants—but nothing that affects performance. The PowSlayer's internal gaiters are thick, durable, and easy to pull over my ski boots during transitions. Compared to other touring bottoms like the lighter Stormstride pants, which have 40-denier material, the Patagonia PowSlayer Pants are clearly the more durable and long-lasting option.
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Longevity
Choosing durable outdoor gear and keeping it in use for longer is one of the best ways to reduce environmental impact. Our proprietary longevity rating assesses factors like overall build quality, materials, fabric denier, component durability, and real-world performance. A green check indicates that we expect the product to be long-lasting relative to its peers, a yellow check mark indicates average longevity, and a red X indicates a product that may have a limited lifespan.
PFAS-Free DWR
Durable water-repellent (DWR) finishes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are used in outdoor gear for their strong resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product uses a PFAS-free DWR, while a red X means the DWR contains PFAS.
PFAS-Free Waterproof Membrane
The membranes used in waterproof products such as rain jackets, ski jackets, and shoes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are valued for their resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product’s waterproof membrane is PFAS-free, while a red X means it contains PFAS.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Repair Services
Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption, though programs vary widely. Some brands offer comprehensive repairs for a range of issues, while others provide limited or no repair support. A green check mark indicates a robust repair program, a yellow check mark indicates limited repair services, and a red X indicates the brand does not offer repair services.
Resale and/or Recycling Services
Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation longer and out of landfills, ranging from trade-in resale platforms that offer store credit to take-back initiatives that recycle products at the end of their usable life. A green check mark indicates a brand offers both resale and recycling programs, a yellow check mark indicates it offers one or the two, and a red X indicates it offers neither.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
Pockets
The PowSlayers have perhaps the best storage layout I’ve ever seen in a pair of ski pants. The leg pockets are massive—easily the largest I’ve used. They sit slightly toward the outside of the quad, making them easy to access without lifting my jacket and keeping items from pressing uncomfortably against my legs. Even when loaded with heavier items like a beacon or snacks, the pants stayed secure thanks to the well-designed waistband.
Waist Adjustment
The waist adjustment system uses dual tabs on each side, allowing quick, precise fit changes depending on layering. The front zipper extends all the way to the top of the waist and is reinforced with two high-quality buttons—a design that feels far more secure than single-button closures that can pop open during hard skiing.
Cuffs
Finally, the PowSlayer’s cuffs also include elastic shock cords, which are handy on ultra-deep snow days, even if they’re rarely necessary. Overall, the feature set feels thoughtful, practical, and well executed.
Tester: 5’4”, 145 lb.; 30” waist
Size tested: Women’s medium (initially)
I’m typically a women’s size small and often size up in ski pants for a baggier fit and easier layering. In this case, that strategy backfired. The women’s medium Patagonia PowSlayer Pants were enormous—far roomier than other Patagonia pants I’ve worn, including the Stormstride. Even fully cinched, there was excessive fabric through the waist, seat, and legs, which became distracting during skinning.
I exchanged them for a size small, which fit perfectly. The small still offers a roomy, relaxed cut with generous thigh and knee space, but without excessive fabric. These pants run large, and most people should strongly consider sticking with their usual size rather than sizing up.
Patagonia Stormstride ($449): Go Lighter and Airier
Rather than trying to appeal to a wide variety of skiers, the Stormstride Pants lean hard into uphill performance. They feature Patagonia’s 3-layer H2No fabric, which is thinner than the PowSlayer’s thick material and maintains better airflow when you’re pushing hard, or the temperature is trending toward spring conditions. The lighter fabric is also easier to move in, which makes the Stormstride more comfortable overall in the skin track. However, the Stormstride’s 40-denier fabric won’t survive harsh treatment, and its trimmer fit leaves less flexibility for layering. If you’re looking for a single pair to bounce between touring and resort laps, the PowSlayer still has the edge. But for skiers who spend most of their time moving uphill—and want to keep costs down—the Stormstride makes a compelling case. For a deeper dive, read our review of the Stormstride.
Arc’teryx Sentinel ($600): They Get the Assignment
Designed to straddle the line between touring and lift-served skiing, the Sentinel (men’s Sabre) delivers a more refined take on the crossover ski pant. Its 80-denier face fabric and 3-layer Gore-Tex ePE membrane closely match the PowSlayer's build, but the Sentinel performs better in truly sopping conditions, and is one of the most protective models we’ve worn. Additionally, we found the Sentinel to be more breathable than its burly build would suggest—it’s still not the choice for super-warm or fast-and-light touring days, but it has a slight leg up on the PowSlayer in that metric. With a lower price tag and fewer drawbacks, the Sentinel would seem to be the better choice. For more, read our review of the men's Sabre.
The PowSlayer Pants are tough, weatherproof Gore-Tex Pro shells built for storm skiing and cold backcountry days, with huge pockets and a confidence-inspiring feel. They’re protective and durable, but stiff and only moderately breathable—best when the temps are low and the weather is rowdy.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
The Stormstride pant is tuned for the backcountry with a stretchy, light, and breathable construction. Its thin build exceeds expectations in wet conditions, but it's too drafty and delicate to rely on for heavy resort use.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
In true Arc’teryx fashion, these pants exude quality from hip to toe. The premium 3-layer Gore-Tex construction offers breathable waterproof protection for everything from storm days at the resort to high-octane skin track sessions. But buyer beware: the fit doesn’t work for everyone.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
Is the PowSlayer for You?
The Patagonia PowSlayer Pants are best for skiers who prefer reliable protection, durability, and storage over minimal weight and maximum breathability. They perform well when the snow is flying and the wind is howling—whether you’re in bounds or out—and their pocket layout is one of the best we’ve seen on fairly minimalist ski pants. However, if you want lighter, more breathable touring pants, they may not be the pick. Either way, just make sure you size them carefully.
pray for snow
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