CMP Boy's Ski Trousers 152 Review: solid budget salopettes that keep kids warm and dry

I’ve used these CMP boy’s ski trousers in size 152 for one full week in the Alps with my kid, plus a few wet, cold days at a local dry slope and some backyard snow play. So this isn’t a “tried them on in the living room” review. They’ve had proper snow, chairlifts, falls, and hot-chocolate breaks. In short: they’re not perfect, but they do the job well for the price.

The main thing: my kid stayed warm and dry. No complaints about cold legs, no soggy base layers at the end of the day, even after sitting on snow or falling repeatedly. For me as a parent, that’s the baseline: if the trousers fail there, I don’t care how cool they look. These CMP ones passed that test without drama.

Compared to more expensive brands we’ve tried (like Decathlon’s higher-end lines and some pricier ski brands borrowed from friends), these feel a bit more basic in terms of features and finish, but not miles off in real use. The waterproof rating (5,000 mm) and breathability (5,000 g/m²/24 h) aren’t top-tier numbers, but for a kid who’s not hiking backcountry all day, it’s enough. My son is mostly on lifts, short runs, then stopping, so overheating wasn’t an issue.

If you’re looking for a simple summary: good value, decent protection, a couple of small annoyances (fit and pockets mainly), but nothing that killed the experience. If you want fancy technical gear with loads of adjustments and vents, this isn’t it. If you just want your kid to ski, fall, roll in snow, and stay fairly comfortable without spending a fortune, they’re a pretty solid option.

In terms of value for money, I think these CMP ski trousers land in a good spot. They’re not bargain-basement cheap, but they’re also far from the price of big-name ski brands. For a kid who will outgrow them in a season or two, I don’t see the point in spending double or triple unless they’re skiing constantly. These give you the basics: waterproof, windproof, insulated, with bib and braces, at a price that doesn’t hurt too much.

Compared to some budget supermarket or no-name ski pants I’ve seen, these feel better built and more thought-out. The taped seams, edge protection, and decent insulation put them a level above the really cheap stuff that soaks through after a couple of hours. At the same time, compared to high-end brands, you obviously don’t get all the extras: no fancy stretch fabric, no ventilation zips, limited pocket setup, and not the highest waterproof/breathability ratings. But for most families doing one week of skiing a year plus a few sledging days, that’s fine.

The big plus for value is that they just work without needing extra gear. My kid only needed thermal leggings underneath, nothing more. We didn’t have to buy extra liners or thicker base layers to compensate. Also, the fact that they wash easily and seem durable means you can either hang onto them for siblings or resell/give them away after a couple of seasons, which stretches the value further.

If you’re on a tight budget and only need something for occasional snow days at home, you might find cheaper trousers that are “good enough.” If you’re going for a proper ski trip and want to keep costs under control while still having gear you can trust, these CMP trousers hit a nice middle ground. Not the cheapest, not the fanciest, but a sensible buy that feels fairly priced for what it delivers.

Design-wise, CMP went for function over style here, which I actually appreciate for kids’ gear. The cut is straight, with a high rise and bib that comes up to the chest, plus adjustable braces. That salopette style is honestly a lifesaver when kids bend, roll, and crash all day. No snow creeping down the back, even when my kid sat straight in a pile of powder. Compared to regular ski pants with just a waistband, this design is way more forgiving.

The braces are adjustable with standard sliders. They’re easy enough to tweak, even with gloves off, and they didn’t slip during the day. I didn’t have to constantly pull the trousers up or re-tighten anything, which is great when you’re already juggling skis, helmets, and snacks. There’s no fancy quick-release buckle on the front, but honestly, the simple solution works: kid pulls them on, straps over the shoulders, done.

At the bottom of the legs, you’ve got a built-in snow gaiter with an elastic hem that fits over ski boots. That part worked well: no snow going up the leg, even when he walked in deeper snow or kicked around. There’s also edge protection on the inner lower leg – a tougher fabric patch to handle ski edges. My kid clipped his skis together a few times and dragged them, and I didn’t see any cuts in the fabric yet, so that reinforcement is doing its job.

If I had to nitpick the design: I’d like a bit more adjustability at the waist. The size 152 was fine in length, but a bit loose in the waist for a skinny kid. The bib and braces compensate, so the trousers don’t fall down, but some internal Velcro adjusters or an elastic waist would have been handy. Also, more pockets would be nice: a side pocket for a ski pass or lip balm wouldn’t hurt. But these are minor complaints – the core design (bib + gaiter + edge protection) is solid for actual use.

Comfort is usually the deal-breaker with kids. If something itches or feels weird, they complain all day. With these CMP trousers, my kid didn’t really mention them after the first hour, which is honestly the best compliment. They’re not super soft luxury gear, but they don’t get in the way. Walking, bending, sitting on the lift – he moved normally and didn’t do that constant waistband-adjusting dance you see with badly cut pants.

The fit in size 152 on a slim, roughly 11-year-old: leg length was good, maybe a tiny bit long but not dragging on the ground once over ski boots. The issue is the waist width – it’s a bit generous for skinny kids. Without the bib and braces, they’d be too loose. Luckily, the salopette design means the trousers stay up even if the waist isn’t snug. Still, I would have liked some side adjusters or an internal elastic to fine-tune the fit. If your child is average or a bit stocky, you’ll probably be fine; if they’re very slim, expect a bit of extra room at the waist.

Warmth-wise, my son said his legs were “just right” most of the time. We had days around -5°C with some wind, and he wore just a single thermal base layer underneath. No complaints of cold thighs or knees, even after sitting on cold chairlifts. The windproof fabric helps, and the snow gaiters at the bottom keep cold air from shooting up the legs. On sunnier, warmer days, he didn’t boil, but if we had hit +5°C and strong sun, he might have started to get sweaty since there are no vents.

One more practical detail: getting them on and off. Because they’re pull-on with braces, bathroom breaks can be a bit of a faff, especially with layers underneath. It’s not worse than other salopettes, just something to know. Once on, though, there’s no rubbing, no stiff knees, and he could kneel to adjust bindings and get back up easily. Overall, I’d call comfort good, with the only real downside being the slightly loose waist for skinny kids.

The label is very clear: 100% polyester for shell, lining, and insulation. So if you’re looking for fancy fabrics, this isn’t it. But polyester has its advantages: it’s tough, doesn’t soak up water easily, and is easy to wash. After a week of skiing plus some extra snow days, I just threw them in the washing machine on a normal cycle, line-dried them, and they were fine. No shrinking, no weird warping, no peeling of the coating.

The outer fabric has a twill weave and feels reasonably tough. It’s not stiff like cardboard, but it’s not super soft either. For kids, that’s probably the right balance: they drag their butt on ice, brush up against lift pylons, sit on rough wooden benches, and so on. After our use, there were no tears or major scuffs, just some light marks that wiped off. The waterproofing is rated at 5,000 mm hydrostatic head. In practice, that means they handle sitting on a wet lift seat or kneeling in snow without soaking through. They’re not meant for hours of heavy rain, but for snow conditions they held up fine.

The insulation is also polyester, and I’d call it medium weight. My kid wore just thermal leggings underneath at around -5°C to -2°C, and he was comfortable. On slightly warmer days (around +2°C), he didn’t complain about overheating, but he did open his jacket more often. The trousers don’t have vents, so if your child runs hot and skis hard all day, that’s something to keep in mind. For a typical kid mixing skiing with breaks and slow lifts, it’s okay.

Inside, the lining is smooth and doesn’t cling to base layers. No scratchy bits, no weird seams rubbing on the knees. All seams are taped, according to the specs, and from what I saw, the taping is neat and hasn’t started peeling after washing. For the price, the material choice is simple but sensible: no stretch (they are explicitly non-stretch), but tough enough to handle kid abuse and easy for parents to care for.

Kids are rough on gear, and ski holidays are basically a durability stress test. Between dragging skis, sitting on concrete, and tumbling on ice, weak trousers usually show it quickly. After our use, these CMP trousers still look in good shape, which is encouraging. No loose threads around the main seams, no broken stitching at the braces, and no blown-out knees, even after a few hard falls.

The edge protection panels on the inner leg are doing their job. My kid stepped on his own cuffs with ski edges more than once – I checked that area after the trip and only saw cosmetic scuffs, not cuts through the fabric. That’s usually where cheap trousers fail first, so I’m pretty happy with how these held up. The snow gaiters are also intact, elastic still tight, and the snap closures still close firmly.

We washed them once so far, on a normal machine cycle as recommended. No issues there: colour stayed the same, no fading, no delamination of the inner coating that I could see. They dried overnight on a rack. Sometimes cheaper waterproof gear loses some of its water resistance after the first wash, but on the next snow day the fabric still beaded water decently. Over time, I’d probably refresh the DWR with a spray, but that’s the same story with most ski trousers.

Weight-wise, this model is around 500 g according to the specs (mine felt similar), which suggests there’s enough material and insulation to not feel flimsy. I wouldn’t call them bombproof – if your kid is sliding over rocks or climbing trees in them, they’ll eventually give up – but for normal resort skiing and winter play, the durability seems more than adequate. I’d comfortably use them for another season, and I wouldn’t hesitate to pass them on to a younger cousin once my kid grows out of them.

In actual skiing conditions, these trousers did exactly what they’re supposed to do: kept my kid warm, dry, and reasonably comfortable from first lift to last run. We had a mix of weather: light snow, overcast, a bit of wind, and some damp, slushy afternoons. At no point did I pull off his boots and find soaked socks or wet thermals at the end of the day. The 5,000 mm waterproof rating + taped seams seem to be honest numbers, not marketing fluff.

He took plenty of falls (learning to parallel turn, so lots of sliding on the sides and butt), and the snow didn’t work its way inside the trousers. The snow gaiters at the bottom gripped the ski boots well. Even when he stomped around in deeper snow off to the side of the slope, nothing went up the leg. When he sat on a wet lift seat, I checked the fabric later – slightly damp on the surface, but no moisture passed through to the inside.

As for breathability (5,000 g/m²/24 h), it’s fine for kid-level activity. He wasn’t drenched in sweat when we took off the trousers, even after a more active morning. This isn’t ultra-breathable mountaineering gear, but for resort skiing and snow play, the balance between warmth and breathability felt right. He did say he felt a bit warm when we made him hike a short uphill section carrying skis, but that’s expected with insulated trousers and no vents.

Durability after one week plus a few extra snow sessions looks promising. No ripped seams, no broken zips, no frayed cuffs yet. The edge protection on the inner ankles has a few scratches from ski edges, but nothing serious. I can see these lasting at least a couple of seasons for one kid, or easily being passed down to a sibling if they don’t outgrow them too fast. Overall performance: solid, nothing fancy, but reliable for typical family skiing.

Out of the bag, these CMP ski trousers look like standard kid salopettes: high bib, braces, straight legs, and a pretty classic ski look. Mine are in black, size 152, which is roughly for a slim 11–12 year old. No fancy prints or logos everywhere, just a small CMP logo and a clean, simple design. If you like loud colours, this specific black model is boring in a good way; if you want to spot your kid easily on the slope, you might prefer one of the bright colours mentioned in the Amazon reviews (like neon orange).

The first impression is that they’re light to medium weight. Not super bulky, but not thin rain pants either. The label says 100% polyester (shell, lining, padding), which matches what you feel in hand: smooth outer twill fabric, synthetic insulation, and a typical ski pant lining. They don’t have that luxury feel of very expensive ski gear, but they don’t feel cheap or flimsy either. Seams look clean, and the taped seams are visible on the inside, which is good since that’s what keeps water out.

In terms of features, you get braces, a high-rise bib, a snow gaiter at the bottom, and edge protection on the inner leg. There are pockets, but not many: two front pockets (slit style) that are usable for tissues or a small snack, and that’s about it. No cargo pockets, no lift-pass pocket on the leg, nothing fancy. For a kid, that’s usually enough, but if your child likes to carry half the house in their trousers, you’ll be limited.

So overall presentation: simple, practical, no nonsense. Feels like a product made to be used, not to impress on Instagram. You open the parcel, check the stitching, pull the zips a few times, and you’re basically ready to go. Nothing in the unboxing screams cheap, but nothing screams premium either. It fits the price bracket well.