Looking for baselayer bottoms with high back and low front

[susiqlu]

I'm a skinny yet applebottom'd adaptive skier. Sometimes I ski upright; sometimes I ski seated. I only have about 1-2 good skiing hours on days I make it out, so I also have half a day SITTING on the patio or in the lodge while the rest of my family skis / snowboards.

AND - I'm sick to death of bottoms that barely cover my butt yet come up to my bra band in the front when I'm standing up, worse when I'm sitting down. I'm sure anyone else who's curvy already knows : rolling down the front REALLY interferes with wicking / general comfort.

I'm likewise tired of looking at countless manufacturer photos that show only front and back, NO PROFILE photos to show me whether their bottoms are actually built to fit curvy women, or if they are simply the "small and pink" version of men's bottoms.

I've found a few bottoms that are "low rise", but they all look like they're low-rise in BOTH the front and back.

Re: the photo -- that curve is from lordosis, not padding, so the gap between my hips and floating ribs is small : only 8.5" dif. between my waist and hips. I do NOT need a Ziegfeld 12"-ratio, just a low front and a full-height back.

Is there ANY manufacturer out there that makes bottoms that are built like that?

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[drjoyous]

Hi Susiqlu--
Ain't it a b***h to have an awesome figure???!!!
Seriously--I don't know of an easy answer to your question, but here goes. I love the lower cut snowboard pants, but run into the problem that my back does get cold also. (I HATE anything like a belt around my waist, which is why i tolerate the cold for the lower waisted pants). I also have lower back issues from, well, getting old. Cold + lower back pain = no fun.

So I solved it this way--and perhaps you'll find this works for you as well. I went to one of those cheapie outlet stores (Ross, i think it was) and bought one of those work-out waist belts--you know the kind, the ones that promise you'll be thinner just by virtue of wearing their polypropolene workout belt. Anyway, mine had minor stabilizers in the back area, but you can get it just that way.

I wear that whenever I ski: it keeps me warm in the back, and keeps my spine warm so that my body/muscles are "ready" when i hit a jump or something. My DH also wears one for the same reasons: powder stays outa the pants, and when you sit down anywhere, you're still toasty. I wear it over my tee-shirt and under my other layers so it isn't yucky against my skin.

You might try that--it's a cheap experiment anyway.

 

[geargrrl]

a good alterationist could reset the waist for you.

Or, look at cycle tights. ?? maybe.

I made some for myself that solve just that problem.

GG

 

[num]

I have a pair that was tall all around, but I had them altered to lower the front because it was bunching, slipping and sliding. After having them altered, they fit perfectly.

Other than alterations, the only way I've found is to get them in a material that's tight, smooth and doesn't slip, and wear them really high. I used to hate having anything high waisted, but I've gotten used to it for base layers or tights if the material lays smooth and flat.

 

[susiqlu]

Thanks Divas

I'll give a call to the local "team shops" to see about getting some alterationist referrals for someone that's competent with sporting fabrics.

The belt idea sounds pretty functional too. If it can help keep my lumbar toasty AND give me a little more hug -- I'll try just about anything.

Yes, sometimes -- it is a b***h to have a figure! Too bad it's full of arthritis, stenosis, etc. I like to call it my "window dressing" : looks awesome but isn't terribly functional. LOL!

I'm just amazed that here we are in 2011, and so many manufacturers STILL think they can just cut the waist a little smaller, cut the shoulders a little narrower, pick a snazzy color, slap a ladies label on [name clothing here], and they're done for the day.

When I actually FIND someone with the figure of a tube sock, THEN I'll excuse the mfr's for making baselayers that are just as shapely as a tube sock. In the meantime, putting heavy layers over top of wrinkles and rumples and folds can lead to a lot of tender red skin by the end of the day. piffle.

If anyone else has any other suggestions, feel free to fire away. Clearance season is JUST warming up. On a fixed income, this is the only time of year that I even SHOP for snow gear because my figure is NOT built for low-end "list prices".

 

[geargrrl]

susiqlu, since you are new here you don't know that I am a qualified technical sewing specialist. Ski wear and technical clothing are what I do, more that 15 years experience working with North Face, Helly Hansen, Arcteryx and so on. If you use someone local to you, just be sure that they know what the heck they are doing.

www.specialtyoutdoors.com/about/whatis.asp

cheers

 

[susiqlu]

wow! thanks a rather impressive "resume"!

My mom is a seamstress and still skiing at 73, but ALWAYS ships her gear to a specialist for mods. Since I do have such a particular figure, I hope I can find a specialist within an hour-drive so that they can work directly from me, but if not - I may be contacting you. If I'm gonna spend $50 or $60 for technical fabric instead of $5 for a pair of Hanes [body tubesock], I'm not trusting it to just anyone. Still hunting for something that doesn't need huge mods of course

My comfort is already compromised enough by nature. Plopping into a hot tub because I had so much fun that my muscles and joints are screaming is a happy thing. Angry skin? That just sucks all the fun right out...

 

[mtngirl]

It is just because women come in so many different shapes... I have the opposite problem!

and Geargrrl, I didnt connect that you were the one who did the gear alterations here, and lived in the Spokane area, right?

My new Arc Teryx pants fit better than I have ever found ski pants to fit, but are still a little long, and the legs are looser than I would prefer, but it doesn't bother me enough to have to send them away to be fixed.. if I was in Spokane, would it be possible to meet up with you to get them made perfect .. ?

 

[geargrrl]

hem yes taking them in, not recommended unless it's not seam sealed softshell.

 

[mtngirl]

would hemming mess up the wear patches and gaiters? they are the beta AR... maybe best to just leave them alone, they arent ridiculous...

but I am going to start the soft shell search here soon... could you remove diaper butt and the extra room for the hips I dont have from soft shells that arent seam sealed?

I dont understand why I can find jeans that fit perfect, but never out doorsy pants... sweet and low Lucky brand, size 4, yummy... why cant they make ski pants that fit like that?

 

[geargrrl]

would hemming mess up the wear patches and gaiters? they are the beta AR... maybe best to just leave them alone, they arent ridiculous...

but I am going to start the soft shell search here soon... could you remove diaper butt and the extra room for the hips I dont have from soft shells that arent seam sealed?

I dont understand why I can find jeans that fit perfect, but never out doorsy pants... sweet and low Lucky brand, size 4, yummy... why cant they make ski pants that fit like that?

Mtngirl, I've been working on technical gear for 15+ years and I'm on a first name basis w/warranty at Arcteryx. Translate that to "no, it won't mess up your pants". You can check my website for referrals if you like:
https://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/about/comment.asp

 

[susiqlu]

It's a "close but no banana" world!

I just got an email from a friend who suggested

CW-X Insulator Stabilyx 3/4-Tight

Too bad the FULL length version has a ... low back.

The hunt continues...

 

[Stowski]

My profile is similar to yours but maybe with a little more "junk in the trunk" if you know what I mean! I wear Nike thermal running pants under my snow pants. I will never go back to long underwear. I can wear them to dinner when I'm finished skiing if I want. They fit like a dream. I am 5'3 115, small waist, ample bottom and I wear a small.

 

[Covie]

The North Face Onesie!

https://www.thenorthface.com/catalo...ens-activity-running/womens-ultra-onesie.html

Seriously I am buying this

 

[Covie]

It's a "close but no banana" world!

I just got an email from a friend who suggested

CW-X Insulator Stabilyx 3/4-Tight

Too bad the FULL length version has a ... low back.

The hunt continues...

I have the full length version that is fleece lined and I don't find it very low in the back. I'm quite shapely in the rump for my size... waist 26 hips 40

 

[honeybeeclimber]

Being a skinny but pear-shaped girl, I've had good luck with Merino wool bottoms, seems they stretch to fit and stay that way after washes - Icebreaker and Smartwool have both worked well for me. The lighter Smartwools are more durable than the Icebreakers but the heavier weight Icebreakers are silkier/smoother than the Smartwools.

 

[nopoleskier]

I've been wearing 'sporthill' 3SP XC pants.. pricey but last for Years- they cover everything. I buy the Mens Medium Long.(LL Bean Sells) I have a Long waist/legs. Rarely do I wear long underwear under these or I'm too hot.. only if below zero temps.... they are very warm and also can go to dinner after skiing. And if I have back pain try those stick on heat pads..they work great... I also LOVE my fanny flap.. piece of neoprene keeps the chairs coldness off me!

 

[contesstant]

I just saw some Mountain Hardwear tights that were described as "high back". Now if I can just remember which website! I'll do some digging...
FWIW, I am shaped similarly and also like to wear long running tights as my base layer.

Found them! https://www.mountainhardwear.com/Women's-Trekkin™-Tight/OL4908,default,pd.html

I know I saw them on sale somewhere, though. STP maybe? Note the description says "raised at the back to keep the lumbar region warm."

 

[altagirl]

I just saw some Mountain Hardwear tights that were described as "high back". Now if I can just remember which website! I'll do some digging...
FWIW, I am shaped similarly and also like to wear long running tights as my base layer.

Found them! https://www.mountainhardwear.com/Women's-Trekkin™-Tight/OL4908,default,pd.html

I know I saw them on sale somewhere, though. STP maybe? Note the description says "raised at the back to keep the lumbar region warm."

Those look awesome - unfortunately both reviews on the website say the waist is so loose that you can't keep them up without suspenders. Which puts you back to square one...