Expert Review: Volcom Men's Freakin Snow Chino Pants
Published on 11/18/2022 · 4 min readThis review is my honest opinion of the ski pant, which I purchased with my own money in January of 2022.
Perfect conditions at Keystone. All photos courtesy of Emilio Carrizales
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the ski pant, which I purchased with my own money in January of 2022.
My take
The Volcom Freakin Snow Chino pant is a really good option for any level of rider that prefers pants over bibs. Very good durability and weather protection overall.
This pant is more flexible than I am capable of
About the pants
- Brand: Volcom
- Model: Freakin Snow Chino
- Size Fit: True to size
About me
- Height: 6’0”
- Weight: 220lbs
- Pant size: Large
- Experience: 2 years of snowboarding/skiing
Test conditions
- When I bought these: January 2022
- Days used: 30
- Where I’ve used them: Copper Mountain, Arapahoe Basin, Winter Park, Eldora.
- Weather conditions used in: Spring days, white-out blizzard conditions, wet snow, and cold, dry days.
How they perform
What I was looking for
I was looking for non-insulated pants that also had decent waterproofing and breathability. I did not want to spend a ridiculous amount of money on them either.
A good looking pant
Why I chose this gear
I picked the Volcom Freakin pants because it was in my price range and had a good waterproof rating. I compared these pants with the DC Snow Chino and Burton Cargo pants. I ultimately chose the Volcom pants because of the zip tech that would match my Volcom jacket.
Zip-Tech - gives great breathability
What I love about them
- Comfort: Overall, they’re very comfortable pants. I wear the large, and it could be a little less tight. I tried the XL, and it was too big. I think I’ll have to lay off the cheeseburgers for a bit.
- Warmth: This pant is non-insulated, which is great for me because I tend to overheat while riding. I have worn them in temps as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit, and I was completely comfortable.
- Waterproofing: It will hold up in a snowstorm, and one won't have to worry about snow seeping through. I am in Colorado, where it is drier than the East or West Coast. However, I would not wear these if one is dealing with wet snow/ rain conditions.
- Breathability: There are two vents on the inside leg of the pants that offer great ventilation when I get too warm.
- Durability: The durability of these is top-tier. The button on the pants is integrated, so I never have to worry about a button stitch popping off. There was no structural damage on the pant over the 30 days I've had them. They are built to last.
- Ease of Movement: The material is stretchy. I can twist and squat with my movements, and the fabric never feels overly stretched. One thing to note, there is no zipper on the ankle to widen the pant around my boot. The pant is flared enough, and the material stretches around my boot perfectly.
- Weight: Average weight for a pant. These are definitely much lighter than insulated pants.
- Quality: The material has very good stretch and range of movement.
- Special Features: The zip tech works with any Volcom jacket. One can attach the back of their pants and jacket to keep the snow out. No need for a bib if they have the Volcom combination.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Fit: A little snug, but most likely because I am a little heavy in the midsection. I wanted a pant that wasn't too baggy and had a good stretch. This is a perfect blend of both.
This button is never coming loose
Favorite moment with this gear
Last season I was in some icy conditions and kept slipping down on my butt. The zip tech that the Volcom brand has really kept all of that snow and ice from going down my pants and up my back. I would highly recommend these pants with a Volcom jacket if someone is not into bibs.
Value for the money vs. other options
At full price, these pants will run about $150. When on sale, they are closer to $100. The overall value is second to none for the price and what one gets with these pants. Other pants, like the DC Chino, lack the same amount of breathability and water protection for a similar price. Pants like the Burton Cargo pant lack the zip tech technology that keeps the snow out when one slips on ice.
Final verdict
The Volcom Freakin Chino is probably going to be my forever pant. The features and breathability of these pants are easily the best market price. For those that need more waterproofing, Volcom makes these same pants with GORE-TEX.
