Positives

  • Top Notch Waterproofing
  • Amazing Wind Proofing
  • Excellent Venting

Negatives

  • Very Expensive

Summary

The Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant isn’t for everyone, but if you rain ride and need one of the best waterproof pants, this is an excellent choice. Update 2024: The AK Hover 3L Gore-Tex Pro Pant hasn't changed so this review still stands. The only thing that changed is the price. 

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Type Shell
Gore-Tex Yes
Jacket to Pant Interface Yes
Vents 4 Open
Fit

Normal

Waterproofing Excellent
Breathability Excellent
Layer Count 3 Layer
Company Waterproof Rating Unpublished
Company Breathability Rating Unpublished
Manufactured in China
Warmth

Poor

Packability Very Thin
Construction Excellent

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Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant Snowboard Pant Written Review Review by The Good Ride

Ethics Statement: The manufacturer doesn’t pay us to write these reviews.  We do make money from the “Where To Buy” links, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average rider’s perspective.

How It Wears And Who It Is For

Burton AK 3L Gore-Tex Pro Hover Pant Review

How This Review Happened: Precious Good Ride dollars were spent to buy this and review it, but in the past, it was loved so much that Burton gave it.

James’ Pants Specs
Size: Medium
James’ Specs
Height: 5’10”
Weight 180-195lbs
Waist 32-33
Hips 40”
Inseam 30”
Upper Thigh 23.5”
Middle Thigh 21.5”
Calves 16.5”

Fit

The Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant is a little on the tighter side of medium, but it has an incredible range of motion throughout the pant. With the Volcom Gore-Tex 3L Guide Pant, it’s baggier from the knee to the boot but actually tighter in the thigh.

Construction

Excellent. I can’t find a fault, but I’m constantly impressed with how well it’s built. Usually, I can find a fault, so I’ll keep looking if I can.

Waterproofing/Breathability

In my open relationship with gear, I haven’t been able to find an equal when it comes to waterproofing. That being said, many are better when it comes to breathability. I’m okay with that because of the dual vents on each leg—one open (outer) and one with mesh (inner)—to make the Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant incredibly breathable.

Pockets

2 back pockets and 2 front. That is all I want from pants. I can’t put anything in my pant pockets below the waist anyway. They seem to sag to where my bony parts on the leg are and cause pain if I put anything hard in there.

Gaiters/Cuffs

Well built and sturdy. The Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant has a pretty cool adjustable rear cuff. It is great but it will never adjust all the way back down.

Buttons

2 buttons/ That makes it hold pretty well. I haven’t found a better solution yet.

Waist Adjuster

You have a lot of waist-width adjustability. I have my early season width and end of the season width but when they say 32-34 they mean it.

Liner

I don’t usually ride without a layer on underneath, but this Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant liner hasn’t worn at all after 100+ days in my oldest pant.

Conclusion

So if you see excessive wind, wet snow, or rain, this is one of the best pants I have ever come across. It’s so great to see Burton step up into the 3L Gore-Tex Pro world and make a pant that can hang with non-snowboard companies like Arcteryx, who told me they didn’t want to market to snowboarders a few years back. So it’s great to see Burton giving snowboarders who ride every day in rain to shine a pant that will handle it.

 
Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant Past Reviews

The 2021 Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant is almost the same as the 2020 except the material on the outside feels more smooth. It makes it so wet snow and rain have a harder time clinging to your pants. The fit and the rest of the design is very similar so if you can find last years on sale go for it.

The Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant is pretty much a perfect pant for my specs, how many days a year I ride and the conditions I ride in. It is so light, packable, breathable, windproof and waterproof that if you can swing the price higher than some snowboards it might be worth a go.

Size: Medium
James’ Specs
Height: 5’10”
Weight 185 lbs
Waist 32-33
Hips 40”
Inseam 30”
Upper Thigh 23.5”
Middle Thigh 21.5”
Calves 16.5”

Fit: This is a semi-tight fit but the cut is so well articulated that the pant doesn’t feel as tight as it is. This and the AK Swash Pant are two of my favorite fitting pants I’ve tried.

Construction: Not a single noticeable flaw but that is what is expected in this price point. It does have a crunchy sound to it compared to Gore-Tex Stretch and standard Gore-Tex.

Insulation/Warmth: More to come on this but with Gore-Tex Pro (highest level Gore-Tex) it is very wind and water-resistant so it will make good insulation better underneath.

Waterproofing: Can’t really speak to it yet but will after a few wet days.

Breathability: Same as above.

Packability: Very thin and packable.

 
Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant Specs

 
Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant Images

We try to get as many images of the Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant, but forgive us if they're not all there.

2020

Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant User Reviews

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