A good pair of snowboard pants satisfies a few different needs: It has to be warm, keep you dry, look good, and not hinder your riding. That’s the absolute baseline. But for snowboard pants to ascend from good to great, you also need pockets that are functional, and craftsmanship that will wisthstand years of shredding hard.
Jeremy Jones knows a thing or two about what goes into a good pair of snowboard pants, having spent the better part of three decades riding more in a season than many people do their whole lives. As one of the world’s leading snowboarders, he has used his legs to climb, ride, fly, and slash in all kinds of snow conditions, from the dead of winter to the height of summer.
As the leader of Jones Snowboards, he also has a big say into the design of the gear. The MTN Surf pants are perhaps the most casual offering of pants or bibs in the Jones outerwear lineup, but that’s not to say that it isn’t incredibly well thought out, despite the simplicity.
I’ve been testing these pants for just about a year; having ridden most of last season in them through the highs and lows of the snowpack and weather conditions. I’ve worn other pants, and usually wear a pair of lightweight bibs in the backcountry, but these have been the go-to resort wear. I haven’t been counting, but I’d say i’ve done about 50-60 days in these, so it’s given me a good frame of reference to review and compare to other pants I’ve reviewed over the years.
Jones MTN Surf Snowboard Pants: Overview
Fit: Relaxed
Stretch: Minimal
Lining: Yes
Pockets: 2 thigh pockets, second internal pocket for keys/phone
Pros: Recycled materials, good pocket placement, durable, comfortable lining. Good windproofing
Cons: On the expensive side. Waterproofing isn’t as strong as Gore-Tex
Bottom Line: These pants have a good relaxed fit without feeling baggy. The recycled materials help you feel better for your consumer choices. The pockets have plenty of space and a nice internal pocket to keep your keys and phone in place.
Notable Features of the MTN Surf Recycled Pants
One of the best parts of these pants is the simplicity. You don’t really want any bells and whistles to go into snowboard pants, you just want them to do their job and not hold your riding back in any way. These do that job well. The relaxed fit is great to where the pants never bunch up when riding, hiking, or moving around in the valley. The lining is comfortable and feels good against the skin if it’s warm enough to not need a base layer. All in all, for an average-sized dude wearing a pair of medium pants, they fit as close to perfect as a pair of standard-issue snowboard pants can be.
And while simplicity is the name of the game for a good pair of snowboard pants, a big standout feature in the MTN Surf pants is the pocket placement. I was able to access the pockets while wearing a climbing harness, which is good news if you like to get gnarly in the alpine.
The other good feature of note is the lining. It’s enough to provide a smooth feeling on the inside of the pants and an extra layer of protection from the shell, but not being too hot like insulated pants. It’s more of an intermediary between a lightweight shell and an insulated pair that will get you sweaty.
Finally, as far as good features go, these pants need a special note on the design and craftsmanship. The price tag suggests a premium pair of pants, and how the pants are stitched together to avoid high-wear areas at the knee make for some smart design. The pants also feel rugged while still being relatively lightweight compared to other brands, and after close to 60 days of use, they are still holding up great with minimal wear. Add in the fact that it’s 100% recycled materials, and it’s a wise consumer choice to get a pair of pants that will last for more than a couple seasons.
Who These Pants Are For
The Jones MTN Surf Recycled Pants are for a primarily resort rider that gets a lot of days in. The ideal rider values simplicity but also durability, and doesn’t need anything too fancy for a pair of pants. It’s also for someone who wants to make wise consumer decisions and buy something made responsibly, and doesn’t mind paying a bit extra for that.
Who Should Pass On These Pants
If you ride a lot in wet snow, these pants probably won’t do the trick. Being 20K waterproofing, it will hold up to most conditions, but the wet/warm snow will eventually soak thorugh if you’re in it all day. Those who ride those conditions, like at Baker, Whistler, and Vancouver’s North Shore, know the value in getting the most waterproof gear you can, and these pants are not at the top of the waterproofing food chain. That said, it’s still really good for 90% of the conditions out there.
The only feature of the pants that could be considered a “drawback” are in the side vents. Some may love the fact that you can quickly unzip them and flush out hot air, only to be zipped back up again in a flash. Other people are perpetually overheating and might need some liner in the vents to make sure snow gets in. These vents aren’t the kind to keep it open all the time, at least if you’re riding in deep snow or spring slush where it will inevitably get inside if left open.
Final Thoughts
The Jones MTN Surf snowboard pants are one of the best options for an all around, do anything, comfortable and protective pair on the ski hill. They wouldn’t be my first choice in the backcountry due to their thickness, but they are lightweight enough where it wouldn’t really hamper you down too much. The material is solid, they have held up well over time, and are only showing minimal wear at the usual ends around the cuffs.
All the features like a gaiter, the internal pockets, and even the pocket placement are well thought out. You can tell that snowboarders are behind the design and it’s built to last. Yes the price is a bit more than other non gore-tex brands, but I believe the durability and wise stitching will mean the pants will hold up much longer than a more mid-range pair of pants.
The relaxed fit means you can do a lot in them and not feel bogged down. They don’t stretch, but the space inside gives you plenty to work with to shred hard and not feel any holdback. I’m a fan, and recommend these pants for anyone who takes riding seriously and wants something that will last.
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