long zip hard shell pants

How about EMS?  They are listed as having full length double zipper, no weight listed, priced at $80. Not a clear picture of the zipper – IMO for winter and pants: burlier is better.

Have fun in the snow!

. BLACK DIAMOND STORMLINE STRETCH FULL ZIP RAIN PANTS $140  9.77oz

Red Ledge Unisex Thunderlight Full-Zip Pant Full Side Zip Rain Pant  $38.49-$56.79(depending on size)12.77oz

I have an older pair of North Face GTX ski pants with zips from cuff to below the knee and thigh venting zips backed with mesh. Don’tknow if they still make something like them but it’s worth looking.

My ski pants are great for very cold or very wet weather but they need a good insulating layer under them for very cold weather. Fortunately I have some nice Thermolite insulated pants. Used them to -10 F. and was cozy.

Marmot Precip and go full zip. Outdoor Research Foray pants are great, but $175 and not any lighter. You can put full zips on while wearing snowshoes or skis and they come off like a magic trick. Full zips can be used for vents too.

For all day cruddy weather, put them on over long johns instead of pants. That is so much more comfortable and transfers moisture well. The rain shell slides over the base layer fabric making movement easier.

Thanks for the thoughts all.

I’m leaning towards the full zip Marmot Precip pants since the zippers should be reliable, they are cheap, and they are a reasonable weight (half that of my current pants).  The BD Stormline Stretch linked above also look interesting, but unless someone can chime in on how the water resistant zips function in the cold I might have to pass on them.  I was really hoping folks would like the Berghaus pants, but so far there has only been crickets about those.

I’m reluctant to spend a lot on rain pants as they take a beating with the cuffs exposed to mud, rocks, branches, ski edge and crampon cuts and the like. Sitting in rain pants is always a dangerous adventure and biking puts a lot of wear in the crotch. Ones with inner cuff patches are good for active use other than plain walking.

Bargains makes good quality gear, but I would go with full side zips for 4-season use or just live with shorter zips for 3-season hiking.

I have Berghaus Hillwalker pants. Full double zip, so you can vent from the top if needed. No insulation so they’re true shells. No pockets, and waist uses an elastic drawstring. They work pretty nicely as rain pants and are not difficult to put on while wearing boots. Haven’t tried ski boots, though.