About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the pants, which I purchased with my own money in December of 2016.

My take

The Burton Covert has been my go-to snow pants for the past six years; through East Coast rain and sleet to Utah’s deep champagne powder, no pants have held up better than these. They’re really the Swiss-army knife of snow pants: great ventilation offers comfort in any conditions, and deep pockets provide space for anything and everything.

About the pants I own

• Brand: Burton
• Model: Men’s Covert Pants
• Size Fit: Runs true to size with space added for layers

About me

• Height: 5’8’’
• Weight: 155lbs
• Pant size: Large
• Experience: 11 years of snowboarding

Test conditions

• When I bought these: December 2016
• Days used : 600+
• Where I’ve used them : NJ, NY, VT, NH, Tahoe, and just about daily in Utah
• Weather conditions used in: Night riding, rain, sleet, extreme wind, -10 degree day, Utah blizzards, Deep 2+ feet of snow, Sunny days, Exposed hiking terrain, Hot Spring days, Slush

How they perform

What I was looking for

At the time, I just needed cheap, black snowboard pants so that I could work as an instructor in NJ. I just wanted a cheap do-it-all.

Why I chose this gear

I went with Burton largely because of the sale that it was on, but also because it was such a reputable brand at such a low price. There were a lot of black pants out on the market, but these seemed to have great vents and a good number of pockets (which a lot of others lacked).

What I love about them

• Fit: The fit is exactly what I was looking for. They are a little on the baggier side but are great for needing to layer on the East Coast. I never had issues with being cold because I can comfortably fit layers underneath. Inner adjustable bands make the waist smaller with a better fit. The cuffs on the bottom of the pants also fit to the boot well, prevent snow from getting in, and prevent my pants from dragging in the ground.
• Comfort: These pants feel like they are barely on my legs, and just feel good overall especially in movement. Large adjustable vents allow me to stay comfortable all day, even if it’s just zipping them up a little on the chair and down a little when I start to ride.
• Warmth: The warmth of these pants is not crazy since they are not insulated, but there is plenty of room to wear layers underneath. It acts as a great shell to keep warmth in when I zip the vents up. Whenever I go to the mountain I don’t have to worry about my legs being hot/cold, I can wear just about anything underneath. They do get a little hot on sunny, spring days, especially being black. I usually have to revert to wearing shorts underneath as my base layer. The pants are not ideal for typically cold conditions, however.
• Breathability: These pants are incredibly breathable and allow for comfort all day in any condition. I would say that breathability is the best feature of these pants.
• Durability: I have worn these pants an incredible amount over the past six years, and they are still in amazing condition due to the durability of materials. I have gotten rips before but they are all because of me getting too close to trees and catching a few branches. I have been able to patch up the two rips I caused and they still feel new to me.
• Weight: Very lightweight pants. When I get home I forget that I have snow pants on.
• Ease of movement: Full range of motion in these pants on and off snow.
• Quality: The quality of these are great and feel amazing. It is definitely not meant for very wet conditions, but it will still hold up in just about anything. Relatively tear proof, and very slash proof regarding ski/snowboard edges.
• Special Features: The pockets are just what I want in snowboard pants. They are deep and felt-lined. The right pocket also has a slit meant for a headphone wire which adds a level of comfort riding. The cargo pocket seems small with nothing in it but can fit a whole lot. The inner adjustable waistband makes a comfy fit, even without a belt.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Waterproofing: The waterproofing on these pants is really not that good, but it got me through wet East Coast conditions plenty of times before. They will get wet in more rainy conditions/sitting on snow a lot. Dry snow is not a problem.

Favorite moment with this gear

My favorite moment with these pants was the entire two seasons I got to ride and progress with my brother and roommates. These pants are such a big representation of my time in Utah spent with the people I loved riding with the most. I could wear these day-in and day-out in any weather conditions and they would be there for me. When I was finally able to ride powder for the first time in my life, I was thrilled to find out that my pants could beast through any snow condition! From countless full 9–4 days to crazy hiking terrain, these pants never failed to impress me.

Value for the money vs. other options

These pants are so worth the investment. These are the most bang for my buck I have ever gotten and I would not recommend any snow pants more than these. However, there are tons of options out there. The North Face Men's Freedom Insulated Pants offer amazing waterproofing at a similar price point. The Flylow Men's Snowman Insulated Pants offer top notch waterproofing along with comfort, breathability, and better pocket security, but at a higher price.

Final verdict

With these pants, I never have to worry about warmth/comfort again. Whatever the condition, I know these pants will keep me comfy and ready for another lap. No need to worry about my lower body.