About this Review: This review is my own honest opinion of the snow pants, which I bought with my own money in January 2021.

My take

The North Face Women’s Freedom Insulated Pant is a great pair of snow pants for all outdoor snow-related activities from skiing to snowboarding to snowmobiling. They will keep wearers dry, warm, and looking fly on the slopes.

About the pants

• Brand: The North Face
• Model: Women's Freedom Insulated Pant
• Size Fit: Runs large

About me

• Height: 5ft 3in
• Weight: 125lbs
• Pant size: Medium
• Experience: 4 years

Test conditions

• When I bought these: January 2021
• Days used: 15
• Where I’ve used them: Salt Lake City (Alta, Snowbird, Solitude) and Snow Trails (Mansfield, OH)
• Weather conditions used in: Frigid cold, heavy snow days, wet spring days

How they perform

What I was looking for

After scraping by with hand-me-down snow pants for my whole life, I was on the hunt to find my own pair that would last me a while and provide comfort while skiing. My main concern was warmth as I tend to run cold. I was hoping to stay within a reasonable price range.

Why I chose this gear

I am a fan of The North Face (TNF) and have not been let down by the company’s products or descriptions. I knew I wanted insulated pants, and these were an obvious choice once looking at women’s options made by the TNF. I took a look at Patagonia Insulated Powder Bowl pants, but could not justify the additional $80. I’ve also had some issues with the durability of Patagonia’s winter products in the past.

What I love about them

• Fit: I was debating between choosing the small or medium size. I usually wear small bottoms but knew I would be possibly throwing on a base layer or two depending on conditions. I settled on the medium size and have been happy with my choice. They do have Velcro on the sides, which makes for a customized fit. The mediums were a tad long for me, but they are perfect with my ski boots on. They also have elastic at the bottom that you can use to change the length a little. They definitely fit a little looser through the leg. I prefer a little bit of a looser fit as I like the range of motion it allows.
• Comfort: These pants are super comfortable. The adjustable waistband allows for a customized fit that keeps the pants up without feeling too tight.
• Warmth: The insulation in these pants have kept me nice and warm. I usually wear one or two base layers under these pants depending on the temperature. I typically run on the cold side and have been happy with how warm and dry these pants have kept me.
• Waterproofing: I have never once felt damp or wet in these pants. I have spent more time than I care to admit sitting in the snow and the waterproofing seam-sealed DryVent 2L fabric has kept me dry as a bone.
• Breathability: I run cold, so have not had an issue with breathability in these pants. They do have inner-thigh zip vents that can be unzipped if needed for more airflow.
• Durability: The material exterior DryVent fabric paired with the Heatseeker Eco insulation of these pants feels pretty high quality and like they will last me for quite a while. The bottoms have gotten a little muddy/dirty since they are a little long on me. One trip through the washer, though, and they look brand new again.
• Weight: The pants are pretty lightweight and easy to fold up and squeeze into luggage without taking up too much space.
• Ease of movement: I prefer a little bit of a looser fit as I like the range of motion it allows. I sized up to the medium and have not noticed any restriction on movement.
• Quality: The quality of these pants are high-end. They have great TNF tech all over from the StrechVent gaiters for a precise fit, DryVent fabric to keep you dry, and Heatseeker insulation to keep you warm. I have had a lot of The North Face gear that has held up well and these seem to be crafted similarly. I expect these to last me 5+ years.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Special features: The snap at the top of these pants is a little hard to snap. I’ve actually had it pop open a few times out on the slopes if I am bending over a lot. I decided not to tighten the side Velcro as tightly, and it seems to have fixed this issue though.

Favorite moment with this gear

I was waiting in a lift line at Alta and the skies opened up and dumped heavenly, flaky snow. The lift’s chairs were covered in snow, and these pants kept my butt toasty warm, and dry. I was able to enjoy myself to the fullest knowing at the end of the day I wouldn’t be wet and cold.

Value for the money vs. other options

The price of these pants seemed to be pretty comparable to other big-brand snow pants, like Patagonia Powder Bowl pants. I was ultimately looking for a little looser fit and liked the color options for this pair. I’m pleased with the quality of the pants for what I paid.

Final verdict

The North Face Women’s Freedom Insulated Pant is a high-quality pair of snow pants that have served me well and kept me comfortable skiing long days on the mountain. I haven’t had any issues getting too wet or cold which allows me to focus on my skiing. These are great all-purpose pants and I expect these to serve snowboarders and other winter outdoor activities. I will be wearing these pants as long as I can.