looking at buying a pair, my choice is down to two:
they’re the same brand, same models (I presume) except that one has side zippers that run down the entire pant leg, so you can presumably take them off without taking boots off.
is that worth it (it is ~20% more expensive than the non-side zippered pants)? is there another reason for this that i’m missing? is the convenience outweighed by the fact that you have a seamed area which can let in more snow/cold than if the zippers weren’t there?
about the only thing i could think of was drying off without completely stripping down (like in the lodge or something) or using the zippers to give you some airflow if its too hot.
Zippers all the way up the side are not especially useful. I have never been in a situation where I wanted to removed the pants where I did not want the boots off as well. Zippers at the bottom that go up a little higher than the top of your boots make it more convenient to adjust the tightness of your ski boots. I personally tighten my boots at the top of the mountain and loosen them before getting on the lift.
I’m going to disagree with the previous 4 posts.
I wear snow “overalls” with long zippers. They are very handy. I’m assuming the zipper has two pull tabs.
The lower pull-tab = very useful.
So you can unzip from the bottom of the pants leg up to , say, mid-calf to get to your boots, and if you want a little ventilation, if you are sweating.
Upper pull-tab = VERY useful.
So you can pull the zipper down, from waist high to a few inches above the knee. This makes it easy to grab your wallet or whatever from the pocket of your jeans. Also good for ventilation if you are sweating.
How 'bout when you go to the bathroom? Sometimes you just gotta lower your pants.
I am failing to understand this. I have never needed to take off the ski pants to use the bathroom. You need to pull them down just like normal pants. I don’t take my normal pants off in the bathroom do you?
Full side zips are critical IMO for backcountry skiing, where you may need to add/remove layers during the day. For inbounds at a ski area, they have no real use.
All my winter pants are uninsulated (so I can layer) and have full side zips.
I’d be more concerned that they have venting; the more you vent, the less often you need to come in and warm up/cool down various body parts. Venting are small zippers that open up along the outside (or inside) of the pants to allow a mesh area some airflow.
If you have any problem whatsoever pushing your pants down to normal pooping heights you’re wearing too much stiff, bulky clothing. That does sort of explain why you’re sweaty.
I have lightly insulated ski pants, and I don’t wear anything under them other than wicking long underwear. I’m plenty warm, with a downfill parka, wool socks, etc, skiing in weather down to -11 (F).
On this topic, you should really pay attention to someone who chose the name Telemark.
IMHO, as a recreational downhill skier, complete side zippers are somewhere between useless to annoying, unless they have two pulls. But even a casual skier can benefit from the ability to control ventilation for comfort. I wear tights and and and a thin insulating shirt and maybe a sweater, according to conditions, along with uninsulated outer layers with zippers that offer me the ability to open gaps for ventilation when I get warm
