Compare our Women's Plus Size Softshell Ski Pant Range
Ladies, let's face it, shopping for plus size ski pants online, although super convenient & loads of fun (most of the time) can also be pretty difficult, especially when they look so similar in their photos. How can you see the slight differences in style, shape and features if you can’t physically hold them? We're going to compare this popular style of women's plus size snow pants for you, so you will know which softshell pants suit you and your curves the best.
Stretchy, comfortable, highly waterproof & breathable pants for Skiing, Travel & Cold weather outdoor activities.
What are softshell snow pants?
Technically speaking, our softshell snow pants have one layer of material which is multiple layers all bonded together to create an uber comfy and non-bulky pant. It consists of:
- Outer softshell stretch nylon fabric which is laminated to make it waterproof & breathable (some other brands sell softshell pants as only water-resistant and windproof leggings. Ours are all so much more than that!)
- Inner fleece lining for warmth, comfort and moisture wicking
This style does not have added insulation layers like regular ski pants which makes them far less bulky and a lot more flattering. This means they are perfect for warmer mountain temperatures (or you can wear thermals under them), travel pants, and generally makes them more versatile.
Why would I want to buy plus size softshell snow pants?
Comfort.
Many of our plus size customers buy our softshell pants for skiing and snowboarding, but also for nordic and x-country skiing and snowshoeing in wet climates (like coastal mountains) where you need a pant which is highly breathable too. We also find people wear them on winter camping holidays or to recreational places where the wet and wind is an issue.
Often our plus size customer's delight in purchasing and wearing their softshell pants. They look and fit very much like a pair of normal black pants, and are SO comfortable which is perfect for snow travel, and for those who are worried about being cold off the ski resort.
Many women wear them for apres-ski as they are warmer and more windproof than any other regular pants you'll own, and also for travel to cold and snowy places, where waterproofing and windproofing protection are important but you still want your pants to breathe and not look like you're wearing puffy and unflattering ski pants around town.
We find many of our customers who travel buy these as a secondary pair of pants are they are just so versatile. They are perfect if you're a fair-weather skier too.
What are the common features of our Soft Shell Pant Range?
They are all stretchy, windproof, waterproof (so much better than water-resistant!), flexible and did we mention comfortable?!
The softshell pants designs in our range are all similar in both style and quality. They are all made with a waterproof and breathable, stretchy, soft shell laminated fabric and are designed for a more body-hugging fit, with a straight-legged cut, making them less bulky compared to insulated snow pants.
Our soft shells all feature belt loops, they all fasten at the waist with two buttons and a hidden hook and eye and have a YKK zip fly with two invisible-zip hip pockets.
We currently have 6 plus size softshell pant styles, stretchy, waterproof ski pants in our range. Our latest is the Raiski Solla Softshell pant which has a tapered ankle which is perfect for outdoor adventuring and travel without the need for a pant to go over your boots. They are the most stylish waterproof pant you'll ever own!
Wide elastic back panel
The Cartel Hudson,Cartel Prague and Rojo Va Va Boom ladies plus size soft shell snow pants are manufactured with a wide elastic panel positioned back and centre of the waistband. This allows for an expandable waist and ease when sitting on a chair lift, playing in the snow or simply walking around the ski village. They also have a yoke which helps the fit around your waist, bum and hips which flatters your curves.
Leg Length
The Cartel Hudson & Prague and Rojo Vava Boom leg length are also slightly longer than the Manhattan and Lapland. The Manhattan also comes in regular length and Short Length styles which can be chosen in the size dropdown menu. Refer to the InSeam measurements on each product's measurement charts for details.
As the Hudson and Prague doesn't have a zip feature at the bottom of the leg hem or an internal snow gaiter or cuff at the ankle, they are easily hemmed if you find they are too long. For more information about how to shorten the length of your ski pants, we have a helpful ski pant hemming article you can refer to here.
Cartel Manhattan & Pure Lapland Plus Size Softshell pants - best for skiing
The Cartel Manhattan and Pure Lapland ladies snow pants have a different more traditional elastic waist and back than the Hudson and Prague, without a yoke.
The Manhattan and Lapland, more suited to skiing and nordic skiing feature a snow cuff with a hook inside the ankle hem to attach to your boots or laces. This snow cuff is similar to an extra waterproof lining inside the ankle section of your ski pants and hemmed with a firm elastic band designed to sit on the outside of your boots to keep the snow out and the warmth in. This is an important feature if you're using these pants for skiing or snowboarding as they will keep the cold wet snow out of your boots.
These pants also have a zip at the back of the leg cuff which enables them to be opened to fit easily over ski boots if you have bigger calves. The seam down the front of each leg also gives the pants a flattering style and fit for your curves.
The Pure Lapland Softshell Women's Plus Size Snow SL Pants is new to our softshell plus size pants range in 2020! This high-quality softshell stretch pant is the classic Manhattan redesigned to boast a higher rise meaning it sits higher up on your waist at the front and back, fitting nice and snuggly and securely around your waist. The Pure Lapland offers a higher 20K waterproof and 20K breathability rating keeping the wind, wet and cold out for even longer while still feeling and looking fabulous.
Rojo Va Va Boom Plus Size Softshell Ski Pants
The Va Va Boom Softshell Ski Pants by Aussie brand Rojo are also made of a stretch bonded fleece softshell. These pants are slightly different in design with a looser leg shape, looking more like a pair of black pants as opposed to a pair of leggings. This allows maximum comfort and gives room for a little bit of stretching, all in a waterproof and breathable finish.
The Rojo Va Va Boom Softshell Pants are very similar to our Cartel & Pure styles but the Va Va Boom’s material is a little thinner, and the cut is a bit baggier in the leg style.
Raiski Solla Plus Size Softshell Waterproof Pants
New to our collection of soft shell pants is the Solla by Raiski, featuring a classy tapered leg design, we don’t recommend these for skiing as they don’t have a gator and won’t fit over your boots, but these beauties will keep you warm and dry on your outdoor adventures in comfort and style. Made with STORMWALL® high tech material is a lightweight solution that connects the surface and lining fabric together or adding coating to fabric inner surface. The Solla are our only soft shell to feature an adjustable waist with cord and the possibility to lengthen the leg length by 3cm.
A final note on fit...
Overall, the plus-size softshell women’s ski pants in our range are a relatively small cut when you compare your size to your other clothing. (So please don't!)
Our customers tend to buy them two and sometimes three sizes bigger than what they would usually wear. For example, if you wear size 18 jeans, don't be alarmed when comparing your measurements to our size charts provided. Your correct size may in fact be a size 22. They are a smaller cut pant with lots of stretches thus the differing size run. Having said that, depending on your shape, some women who don't fit into a size 26 in a different pant, will still fit into these pants in a size 26 due to their curves and the stretch and cut of this pant. They are loved by so many, but so hard to see how wonderful they are when looking on a website (which is why we have written this article for you)
We recommend these pants not only for snowy conditions but also for camping and sightseeing in the cooler climates. Don't rule these pants out, some customers like to buy 2 pairs and return the ones which don't fit as well. That's fine with us!
STILL, NEED HELP?
1. Use our Personalized Stylist (a real person!) with our Shop your Shape form
2. Get Measuring Help using our measuring article and video
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