Most Antarctic landings are wet landings. The Zodiac noses onto a stony beach, you swing your legs over the side, and you step into the Southern Ocean up to your shins. Add spray on the ride in and wet snow on shore, and it's your legs, not your jacket, that take the most water. Many ships lend you a parka. Very few lend you pants.
This guide covers men's waterproof outer pants only. What goes underneath is covered in What to Wear in Antarctica and our base layers guide. The rubber boots your ship provides have their own guide.
Quick Answer
For most men, a fully waterproof shell pant with long side zips, worn over your own thermal layers, is the most versatile choice. The Marmot PreCip Eco Full-Zip is the best value, and the Arc'teryx Beta is the premium pick. If you run cold, or you'd rather wear one pair instead of layering, an insulated snow pant like the Columbia Bugaboo V, The North Face Freedom or the Helly Hansen Legendary does the job well. Whatever you buy, make sure it says waterproof, not water-resistant.
Men's Waterproof Pants for Antarctica, at a Glance
6 Picks
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Best Value Shell
1. Marmot PreCip Eco Full-Zip Pant
The pair most travelers should buy
The PreCip Eco does the job at a price that won't make you wince when it meets a rock on the beach. The detail that matters most is in the name: the side zips run the full length of the leg. You can pull these on and off over rubber boots in a cramped mudroom without sitting on the floor, which you'll appreciate by the third landing.
| Waterproofing | NanoPro waterproof-breathable membrane, taped seams |
| Side zips | Full length |
| Weight | About 11 oz |
| Fabric | Recycled nylon ripstop |
Some reviewers find the inseam runs long. Check the sizing chart, and consider the short length if you're between sizes.
Best Mid-Range Shell
2. Outdoor Research Foray 3L Pant
Tougher weather protection, still packable
The current Foray is a three-layer pant, built from OR's AscentShell Dry fabric in 100% recycled nylon with a bit of mechanical stretch. Three-layer construction holds up better than lighter 2.5-layer rain pants when you're sliding over Zodiac pontoons and kneeling on gravel beaches. The 3/4-length side zips open wide enough to get over a boot, or to vent on a sunny hike up to a viewpoint.
- Weight: 13.6 oz, and the back pocket doubles as its own stuff sack.
- Best for: travelers who also hike in the rain at home and want one pant that does both.
Best Premium Shell
3. Arc'teryx Beta Pant
Light, quiet and very well made
The Beta uses GORE-TEX ePE, a newer PFAS-free version of the membrane that's lighter and thinner than older GORE-TEX. At 10.9 oz (size M) it's the lightest pant on this list, and the 3/4-length separating side zips make it easy to pull over boots. It comes in short, regular and tall inseams, which matters when the hem needs to sit over a knee-high rubber boot.
- Hem details: reinforced instep patches and eyelets for a shock cord to hold the cuff over your boot.
- Best for: travelers who will use a premium shell long after Antarctica.
Not sure what your ship provides? Some lines include waterproof pants or boots, and many don't. We'll tell you exactly what's covered on your voyage before you shop.
Plan My Antarctica Trip
Best Value Insulated
4. Columbia Bugaboo V Pant
One pair instead of layering
If you'd rather not deal with a separate shell and fleece layers, a waterproof snow pant is a perfectly good choice for Antarctica. The Bugaboo V is a long-running favorite: an Omni-Tech waterproof shell, 60g of synthetic insulation, and Columbia's Omni-Heat reflective lining. The internal leg gaiters help keep slush out of the cuff.
- The trade-off: there are no side zips, so it's slower to get on over boots, and it can run warm on a sunny deck.
- Sizing: available in short, regular and long inseams.
Best Insulated with Vents
5. The North Face Freedom Insulated Pant
Warm on the Zodiac, ventable on the hike
The Freedom pairs a DryVent 2L waterproof shell with 60g of Heatseeker Eco insulation, much like the Bugaboo. The difference is the mesh-lined inner-thigh vents, which let you dump heat on the uphill walk to a penguin colony and close them again for the ride back. Stretch gaiters seal the cuff, and the kick patches hold up to boot scuffs and rocky beaches.
Best Premium Insulated
6. Helly Hansen Legendary Insulated Pant
Ski-grade warmth that still moves
Helly Hansen has been making gear for Norwegian sailors since 1877, and it shows in how this pant handles water. The Legendary uses a fully seam-sealed HELLY TECH Performance shell over 60g of PrimaLoft Black insulation, with thigh vents for the walk up to a colony. Two-way stretch fabric makes it easier to swing a leg over a Zodiac pontoon than stiffer ski pants, and the hems are reinforced against rocks and boot scuffs.
- Sizing: S to 4XL, with short and regular lengths on many colors.
- Best for: men who run cold and want one warm pair they'll ski in afterward.
Men's Waterproof Pants: Quick Reference
Figures are from manufacturer and retailer listings and independent reviews. Models change, so confirm the current specs before you buy.
| Model | Type | Waterproofing | Side Zips / Vents | Insulation | Best For |
|---|
| Marmot PreCip Eco Full-Zip | Shell | NanoPro | Full length | None | Best value |
| Outdoor Research Foray 3L | Shell | AscentShell Dry 3L | 3/4 length | None | Rain use at home too |
| Arc'teryx Beta | Shell | GORE-TEX ePE | 3/4, separating | None | Premium, lightest |
| Columbia Bugaboo V | Insulated | Omni-Tech | None | 60g + Omni-Heat | One-pair simplicity |
| TNF Freedom Insulated | Insulated | DryVent 2L | Thigh vents | 60g Heatseeker Eco | Cold landings, hikes |
| Helly Hansen Legendary | Insulated | HELLY TECH Performance | Thigh vents | 60g PrimaLoft Black | Runs cold, skis too |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need waterproof pants if my ship provides a jacket?
Yes. Ships that lend expedition parkas rarely lend pants, and a waterproof outer pant is required for Zodiac landings on nearly every itinerary. Check your operator's gear list, but plan to bring your own.
Can I just wear my ski pants?
Usually, yes, as long as they're waterproof and not just water-resistant. Check the label. If they're insulated, you may want thinner layers underneath so you don't overheat on deck.
Do waterproof pants go inside or over my boots?
Over. Water that runs down a tucked-in pant goes straight into the boot. Wear the cuff over the top of the rubber landing boot so water sheds outside it.
Shell or insulated: which should I buy?
Buy a shell if you'll use it for hiking and rain at home, or if you like adjusting layers underneath. Buy an insulated pant if you run cold, or want one simple pair that goes on over thermals.
A Note on Fit
Try your pants on over the layers you'll actually wear, and sit down in them. A pant that fits over jeans in the store can pull tight over a base layer and a fleece on the side of a Zodiac. Shopping for women's pants? See Best Women's Waterproof Pants for Antarctica. For the rest of your bag, see our Antarctica packing guide.
Every polar line's gear inclusions are a little different. Tell us which voyage you're looking at and we'll send you a packing list matched to exactly what your ship provides.
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