Good Ski Gear on a Budget

The biggest impediment to skiing is cost: The gear can be expensive, and that’s before you get to lift tickets. Despite all the hype around the latest and greatest gear, you can have a good day on the hill without breaking the bank: A $700 jacket is nice but won’t necessarily make you ski any better. At the same time, you don’t want to invest in something that won’t last, which we took into consideration when putting together our picks. Below are our recommendations for budget ski gear for the 2025-2026 season, including ski jackets, pants, gloves, goggles, helmets, baselayers, and socks. For more information, check out our ski gear reviews.

Editor's note: We updated this article on November 13, 2025, to update our recommendations. We also included more information on how, when, and where to find quality ski gear at a discounted price. We also ensured all prices, specs, and other information were up to date at the time of publishing.
 

Our Team's Budget Ski Gear Picks:

Men's Ski Gear

• Men's Ski Jacket: Columbia Bugaboo Interchange III
• Men's Ski Pants: Columbia Bugaboo V
• Ski Goggles: Smith Cascade Classic
• Ski Helmet: Smith Rodeo
• Men's Gloves: Gordini GTX Storm
• Men's Baselayer Top: Helly Hansen Lifa Stripe
• Men's Baselayer Bottom: REI Co-op Lightweight
• Ski Socks: Wigwam Snow Junkie Ultralight OTC Sock
   

Women's Ski Gear

• Women's Ski Jacket: Columbia Bugaboo Interchange III
• Women's Ski Pants: Columbia Bugaboo II
• Ski Goggles: Smith Cascade Classic
• Ski Helmet: Smith Rodeo
• Women's Gloves: Gordini GTX Storm
• Women's Baselayer Top: Helly Hansen Lifa Stripe
• Women's Baselayer Bottom: REI Co-op Lightweight
• Ski Socks: Wigwam Snow Junkie Ultralight OTC Sock

Ski Jacket: Columbia Bugaboo Interchange III & Women's Interchange ($210)

Your ski jacket is a critical barrier to outside moisture, cold, and wind. Instead of buying a separate shell jacket and midlayer, which drives up the cost, we think the best way to save money is with a 3-in-1 system (a jacket with a zip-in midlayer included). A bonus is that each piece can be worn on its own in mild conditions or for other applications.

Our favorite 3-in-1 ski jacket is the Columbia Bugaboo Interchange III, though at the time of publication, we found some sizes and colors discounted on Amazon. The Bugaboo is a proven design that repels moisture with its waterproof shell, features rugged construction, and is available in a range of color options and sizes. The downsides are that the fit is a bit bulky, there are no pit zips for dumping heat, and the fleece jacket is very basic. But paired with a decent baselayer, it should be comfortable and warm for most days on the hill. And on spring days, you can leave the fleece behind. Finally, if you prefer a one-piece system, REI offers the Powderbound Insulated Jacket (also in women's), which features built-in 80-gram synthetic insulation. For a complete list of options, see our article on the best ski jackets.
See the Men's Bugaboo Interchange III   See the Women's Bugaboo Interchange III
 

Ski Pants: Men's Columbia Bugaboo V & Women's Bugaboo II ($120)

A ski pant needs dependable waterproofing, a durable build, and decent comfort. The fancy 3-layer designs, lightweight constructions, and stretchy softshell fabrics are nice, but cost hundreds of dollars more. To be honest, they aren’t all that necessary for casual days at the resort. A burly pant that doesn’t get in your way will do the trick, and again, we turn to Columbia for that combination of price and performance. The Bugaboo V ski pants (and women's Bugaboo II) are waterproof, should last a long time, and are decently warm with 60-gram synthetic fill. We also like the REI Co-op Powderbound Insulated (also available in women's), which has a lighter insulation load (40g) but is a bit pricier than the Columbia. For more options, see our round-up of the best ski pants.
See the Men's Columbia Bugaboo V  See the Women's Columbia Bugaboo II
 

Goggles: Smith Cascade Classic ($42)

If you stick to groomed runs and ski when the visibility is decent, a ski goggle is an area where you can save a lot. High-end goggles can cost well over $200, but our favorite value pick is the Smith Cascade Classic, which is a far more wallet-friendly option. You skip the high-end triple-foam padding, and these goggles may not last for more than a few seasons, but the price is right, and they should do the trick for beginners and weekend warriors. It’s worth noting that the optics are on the dull side, so you’ll want to choose a middle-of-the-road lens color like the Gold Lite or RC36 for mixed conditions (a clear lens option is available for night skiing).
 
Another option is Smith’s Frontier, which gets you an anti-fog lens for just a bit more than the Cascade Classic. This will be a helpful addition for more aggressive skiers or those planning to wear glasses under their goggles. But for cruising, there’s a sweet simplicity about the Cascade Classic that just works. For a full list of options, see our article on the best ski goggles.
See the Smith Cascade Classic
 

Helmet: Smith Rodeo ($85)

Comfort plays a big role with helmets. The cheapest of the cheap can be uncomfortable with flimsy foam, little to no adjustability, and poor ventilation. To avoid these pitfalls, we recommend the Smith Rodeo. Smith is our favorite helmet brand, and their Rodeo is reasonably affordable and a good example of smart savings. Like many premium designs, the Rodeo comes with a twist-dial adjustment that makes it easy to fit this helmet on the go, and it avoids the massive look and bulky feel typically associated with entry-level helmets. The padding also provides good all-day comfort and decent ventilation to help you avoid overheating. Finally, if you pair it with one of the Smith goggles above, you'll be all but guaranteed to have a nice, integrated setup with no gaper gap. For more options, see the best ski helmets.
See the Smith Rodeo
 

Gloves: Men's Gordini GTX Storm & Women's GTX Storm ($83)

Outside of an uncomfortable boot, ski gloves are the fastest way to ruin an otherwise glorious ski day. This doesn’t mean spending a lot, however, as our top budget choice is the Gordini GTX Storm Glove. These gloves are comfortable in most temperatures and have a Gore-Tex insert for full waterproofing. There’s also a handy zippered pocket along the back of the hand for sliding in a hand warmer. It’s the type of glove that can be worn most days of the season, but the lack of a removable liner can be an issue on warm spring days (the slightly more expensive Burton Gore-Tex gloves do have one). If you’re really about going as cheap as possible, leather gloves like Kincos are the classic budget option for resort employees, but they’re not warm enough for us to recommend here for season-long use. For all of our top picks, see our article on the best ski gloves.
See the Men's Gordini GTX Storm  See the Women's Gordini GTX Storm
 

Baselayer Top: Men's Helly Hansen Lifa Stripe ($50) & Women's Lifa Stripe ($65)

Staying comfortable while skiing requires a well-tuned layering system, and the primary driver of comfort is your next-to-skin baselayer. You can go cheap here with a traditional cotton thermal, but we don't recommend it. If you work up a sweat, the cotton won’t draw the moisture away, and you’ll be cold, wet, and potentially miserable. Instead, stepping up to a moisture-wicking and quick-drying synthetic is the better choice. For these reasons, we like the Helly Hansen Lifa Stripe Top at the budget end. It’s true that merino wool will prevent stink better, but you’ll spend a lot more for the privilege. For more on this category, see our round-up of the best baselayers.
See the Men's Helly Hansen Lifa Stripe  See the Women's Helly Hansen Lifa Stripe
 

Baselayer Bottom: Men's REI Co-op Lightweight & Women's Lightweight ($40)

To complete your baselayer system, you'll need a pair of bottoms to go under your ski pants. Like the top, we recommend sticking with a synthetic baselayer, which is great at wicking sweat (and is generally cheaper than wool options). And if you're going with the insulated ski pants above, you won't need anything thick. REI's Lightweight bottoms are our favorite budget pick in this category. They're available in a range of sizes (up to 3XL for both men and women) and have a silky-smooth feel that slides easily under ski pants. And if you're worried about getting cold, you can spend a bit more for the Midweight bottoms (also available for women).
See the Men's REI Co-op Lightweight  See the Women's REI Co-op Lightweight
 

Ski Socks: Wigwam Snow Junkie Ultra Lightweight OTC Ski Sock ($24)

Thanks to improvements in ski boot design, you no longer need a thick, super-warm ski sock. Instead, just make sure your socks are tall enough to clear the top of the boot and won’t bunch up. And as with baselayers, try to avoid cotton. Our top budget ski sock is the Wigwam Snow Junkie; it fits well, is made with a merino wool and synthetic blend, and you won’t give it a second thought throughout the day. What makes ski socks cost more is if they're made with 100% merino wool, but we don't think you'll notice much of a difference, and you'll save half the price in the process. For more, see our article on the best ski socks.
See the Wigwam Snow Junkie Ultra Lightweight OTC Ski Sock
 

Totaling It All Up: About $650

For the entire setup above at full prices, you’re looking at about $650 (before taxes and shipping). But if you’re willing to put a bit of effort into finding sales, you can get the kit for considerably less. You can usually find most of this gear at a discounted price on Amazon, but it’s worth checking Evo and Backcountry. Taking advantage of holiday and Black Friday deals is another way to find great deals. And if you’re willing to hold out, most ski gear is heavily discounted at the end of the season (around March and April). But still, the full price of this kit here is considerably cheaper than just one high-end, uninsulated ski shell like the Patagonia PowSlayer at $799, and you’ll likely have just as good a time on the slopes.
 

The Other Gear You’ll Need: Skis, Boots, Bindings, and Poles

We covered all of the clothing and accessories you’ll be wearing on the slopes, but you’ll need skis, bindings, boots, and ski poles to complete your setup. 

Poles are easy to go cheap on. One standout budget option is Black Crows Meta ski poles, which cost $70 and feature a rugged aluminum construction that will hold up well over the long term. Other affordable but decent options include the Evo Merge ($50) and Rossignol Tactic ($60), but they're less durable and come with standard baskets (the Meta has wider powder baskets for areas that get consistently good snowfall). Upping your budget to the $100-$150 range will get you lighter aluminum or carbon-fiber shafts, ergonomic grips, and wrist straps that disconnect automatically in the event of a fall, but basic aluminum designs check all the boxes for casual resort riders at a fraction of the cost.
 

It’s tougher for us to recommend budget-friendly skis, bindings, and ski boots because they vary widely depending on your intended use, skill level, and fit. But we do have some advice for when you’re ready to start shopping. First, don’t feel pressured to have this year’s version of skis and boots. Barring some big change in ski design—which happens every five years or so—all you’re likely to get with the newest model is a change in graphics and maybe a modest improvement in construction. Sometimes it’s literally the exact same ski or boot with a different paint job. As such, try to buy early (or late) in the season to get last year’s stuff at big discounts. No matter the time of year, we’ve found Evo.com's ski sale page to be one of the best at selling ski gear at discounts. It often has hundreds of skis, boots, and bindings. Another option, and particularly for beginner skiers, is The-House.com's sale page. Finally, for those who want to take some guesswork out of the equation, Evo.com offers pre-built packages that include bindings and skis, though you’ll still need to have the bindings mounted at a shop (and have your boots on hand when you do). 
 

Another Way to Save: Buying Used

Finally, used-gear sites are another affordable—and more environmentally conscious—way to get started. REI has recently discontinued selling used gear online. However, its Re/Supply program is still available in-store and offers discounts on lightly used boots, bindings, and ski clothing and accessories. Other notable used-gear programs include Patagonia’s Worn Wear and Arc’teryx’s ReBird Resale, both of which are a nice way to save on otherwise spendy clothing from top-end brands. Finally, if you live in an area known for outdoor recreation, chances are there’s a local consignment shop that specializes in outdoor gear, which can be a good way to try things on in person and inspect the condition of used items before purchasing.
 

Where We Draw the Line: Cheap but Not Junk

The products listed above are not the absolute cheapest available. We’ve been intentional about recommending gear that keeps you comfortable and lasts. And an important distinction is that, even with a budget setup, you want the “system” of gear to work. For apparel, your ski outerwear should keep you dry, and your gloves should keep you warm. Your helmet should be comfortable enough that it’s not a huge impediment to your day. Having a missing link in the system can make for an uncomfortable experience, even when conditions aren’t all that bad (for example, don’t spoil the baselayer by wearing a cheap cotton shirt). But as we’ve shown above, a well-thought-out setup can be both affordable and offer decent overall performance. For a wider look at the market and a full breakdown of our top picks, see our ski gear reviews.
Back to Our Budget Ski Gear List  See Our Ski Gear Reviews