Arc’teryx Sabre Insulated Ski Pants | Reviewed in 2025

New and Improved Sabre Ski Pants Design

Apparently, the existing Sabre shell pants weren’t checking all of the boxes, so this year, Arc’teryx decided to beef them up for those extra chilly days. 40 grams of coreloft synthetic insulation provides just the right amount of warmth, but not so much that you’ll roast during a demanding run.

Synthetic fibers ensure that you remain warm, even if your pants start to wet out.

Sabre Insulated Ski Pants Construction

There are three main components to the construction of the Sabre Insulated pants: the N80p-X GORE-TEX 2L, the Coreloft insulation, and the inner liner.

The N80p-X GORE-TEX 2L contains an outer layer as well as an inner GORE-TEX membrane. The outer is the face fabric that you see on the outside of the garment, providing durability, abrasion resistance, and protection from the elements.

The GORE-TEX membrane, on the other hand, is the waterproof and breathable membrane that prevents water from penetrating while allowing moisture vapor to escape.

Coreloft is Arc’teryx’s proprietary synthetic insulation, designed to provide warmth in cold conditions while maintaining lightweight and compressible characteristics. This insulation type has a notable warmth-to-weight ratio, it is breathable, and it packs down smaller than other synthetic insulations, all while providing exceptional warmth, even in wet and damp conditions.

Lastly, there is the inner liner, whose purpose is twofold: hold the Coreloft in place and create a barrier between your body and the GORE-TEX membrane. Made from a 20-denier nylon fabric with micro-ripstop weave, this lightweight fabric is comfortable, durable, and breathable.

Arc’teryx Sabre Insulated Durability

Always one of the most important considerations when shopping around for new outdoor gear, especially when said gear has the Arc’teryx price tag. Thankfully, Arc’teryx uses quality materials and solid construction to ensure that their products live a long and fulfilling life.

The main attraction is the 80-denier face fabric. Ultra-durable, this fabric is honestly overkill for most users. That being said, it is designed to take a beating over multiple seasons of hard use.

Increased stitch count and micro seam technology are steps taken in the manufacturing process that increase the durability of the Sabre Insulated pants. A garment is only as strong as the thread that holds it together, that is why Arc’teryx uses 2x the industry standard stitch count, increasing resistance to abrasion and blown seams.

By increasing flexibility, micro seams decrease bulk and stiffness, effectively reducing fabric wear, snags, and abrasions.

PowderCuff boot gaiters and Keprotec instep patches work in unison to keep the cuffs of your pants free of holes. The heavy-duty PowderCuff gaiters are particularly exciting, as my boot buckles have worn holes through countless pairs of pants.

Great Fit & Comfort

All too often, ski pants provide exceptional protection that comes at the cost of feeling stiff and restricted. Arc’teryx has successfully broken the mold, creating a pant that not only provides warmth and a dry shelter for your legs but are conducive to the movement necessary to ski laps from dawn till dusk.

Designed with Arc’teryx regular fit, the Sabre Insulated pants are patterned to provide space in the waist, hip, and thigh areas, allowing you to move comfortably and add layers underneath. The articulated pattern is designed to ease tension in the knees and seat of the pants, creating increased range of motion and freedom of movement.

Then there is the inner liner. Made from a durable yet lightweight nylon ripstop, this fabric is soft to the touch, breathable, and doesn’t catch when worn with base layers. The bottom hem has no expandable cuff for adjustability but is roomy enough to accommodate both ski or snowboard boots without having to stretch the fabric.

Sabre Insulated Tech Specs Elaborated

Not only do Arc’teryx pants look good, but that high cost comes with a handful of useful features specific to Arc’teryx products.

Articulated fit

Arc’teryx pants are designed to mimic the shape of the human body, creating garments that allow for enhanced freedom of movement, offer more protection, and are more comfortable. Complex patterns and intentional seam placements reduce resistance in high-wear areas like the seat and knees.

Ventilation

Venting is a must for any hardshell pants, especially when said pants have insulation. The Sabre Insulated pants boast two large lateral vents with a light mesh backer. Not only do the vents create cross ventilation, but they ensure that you don’t get a cold surprise when you take an accidental tumble. Furthermore, the vents come with two-way waterproof zippers, allowing you to hone in on how much airflow you want.

Pockets

Dual thigh pockets boast waterproof zippers, ensuring that your phone, beacon, and snackies stay dry, while a sewn loop in the left pocket ensures that your keys don’t accidentally take flight when rummaging for snacks on the lift.

High up on the thighs, these pockets are strategically placed to ensure that you don’t lose any range of motion when you pack them full.

Recco Reflector

As time progresses, Recco is becoming the status quo in the outdoor industry. A simple yet effective technology, the Recco reflector is sewn into the PowderCuff gaiter, and allows you to be searchable by search and rescue professionals.

Slide n Loc Attachments

Slide n Loc attachments work together with compatible Arc’teryx jackets to create a seamless barrier between your pants/jacket and the snow. Snapping together, this additional line of defense helps ensure that snow stays out of unwanted places.

Who are these pants for?

For any mountain lover and aficionado of sliding on snow!

The Sabre Insulated pants are waterproof, windproof and lightly insulated, perfect for those who want to reap the benefits of both resort and backcountry skiing (or snowboarding).

With 40 grams of Coreloft insulation, these pants might be a hard sell for the backcountry hardos, the argument being that insulation makes for unwanted weight, and too much warmth.

But hear me out, the cold hard truth is that the Sabre Insulated Pants are a whopping .4 oz lighter than their non-insulated counterparts, and the insulation eliminates the need for long underwear.

Wearable in the backcountry, these pants truly shine in resort settings when long lulls in lines or on the lift are status quo. Used in conjunction with a base layer, the coreloft synthetic insulation provides a cozy haven for your lower half, keeping you toasty when the weather turns sour.

Thoughts, comments, coupons, and complaints

As I am someone who runs hot, I approach insulation with a lot of caution, as it usually means a recipe for a sweaty disaster. The Sabre Insulated pants have completely flipped that mentality on its head, debunking my belief that insulation is bad.

40 Grams of Coreloft seems to be the ideal number, offering a pleasant amount of warmth that doesn’t feel overbearing in most conditions. That said, while the insulation is much appreciated in sub-par conditions, I would be hesitant to use these pants on warmer spring days, even with the exceptional temperature regulation gained from the side vents.

I am shocked and very impressed at how light these pants feel, and I can hardly tell that I am wearing anything more than a shell. These are sure to be my go-to pants, especially on colder days when warmth is worth its weight in gold.

Perhaps my only complaint with the Sabre Insulated pants is the lack of pockets. This seems to be a common trend with Arc’teryx that continues to baffle me time and time again. While two pockets are the bare minimum, with a $650.00 price tag, I want another option or two.