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Ski Bibs: Yay or nay?

santacruz skier

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Photos look faded but the jacket is not faded at all. It's barely been worn - mostly b/c I have nothing to go with it. It is so well made.
 

santacruz skier

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Back to ski bibs, I'm a big YAY as will soon have 3 Foxy bibs ! It's hard to go back to ski pants after wearing bibs even though I have my cute plaid ski pants and magenta insulated pants as well as a few others.... hmm I may need to see about selling some of these as keep them all pristine and cleaned and waterproofed at TEC in Truckee!
 

Frankie

Certified Ski Diva
I bought a ski bib for our winter park trip and will say while it did keep me warm I hated the trips to the bathroom. The zipper and snaps are on the side and was hard to do. I hated trying to hold the straps so they wouldn’t hit the floor or end up in the bowl. Obermeyers - Malta Bib Overalls Lol.
 

leia1979

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I bought a ski bib for our winter park trip and will say while it did keep me warm I hated the trips to the bathroom. The zipper and snaps are on the side and was hard to do. I hated trying to hold the straps so they wouldn’t hit the floor or end up in the bowl. Obermeyers - Malta Bib Overalls Lol.
That's what kept me away from bibs for a long time. Is the side zip on that model just not long enough? The only bib I own is a Rab Chromakinetic, and the side zip can go all the way down to the knee, so I just pull the whole thing sideways and it's not bad at all. Burton (and probably some other brands) have a clever design where the straps all attach to the front side only so they aren't in the way.
 

Frankie

Certified Ski Diva
That's what kept me away from bibs for a long time. Is the size zip on that model just not long enough? The only bib I own is a Rab Chromakinetic, and the side zip can go all the way down to the knee, so I just pull the whole thing sideways and it's not bad at all. Burton (and probably some other brands) have a clever design where the straps all attach to the front side only so they aren't in the way.
The zipper was just a regular pant zipper but with all your base layers on it was hard to twist and pull up. I also kept my straps attached but they still were in the way. However, the bib did keep me warm. I’m kind of conflicted.
 

TiffAlt

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
The zipper was just a regular pant zipper but with all your base layers on it was hard to twist and pull up. I also kept my straps attached but they still were in the way. However, the bib did keep me warm. I’m kind of conflicted.
I feel for you because that was also something that killed me. Good news is that there are bibs that address this issue! Most have long zippers on the side of the thigh that allow the back to drop even more open than my previous bibs. Others have zips across the rear.

I'd look for lowish backs actually. My previous northface freedom bib had one longish zipper, but because the bib came up so high on my back, it didn't drop, just created a opening that required me to twist out of. With all my layers on, that really just wasn't happening with any sort of ease. My Flylow Moxie also only has a long zip, but the back comes up less high so it's a true drop on the backseat.

My post reviews some bibs that keep the bathroom ordeal in mind:

 
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jthree

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Photos look faded but the jacket is not faded at all. It's barely been worn - mostly b/c I have nothing to go with it. It is so well made.
It looks well made. Although similar to the Shred dog/Akova jacket I just got on deep discount. I always wear black pants so it would go.

Do you have measurements? Or a website with measurements?
 

leia1979

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I ended up trying an awful lot of bibs today. Sharing thoughts in case they help someone. I was looking for something with insulation after being cold in yesterday's wind chill.

I'm 5'5" and usually a US size 6. I often have to size up in ski pants because the hips or thighs are too tight.

My top choice:
Roxy Prism Gore-tex stretch bib in medium. This has a more exaggerated flare leg cut than most bibs, and I love it like my flare jeans. This also fit my waist better than most, and the pockets weren't in a too-tight-to-be-usable spot. At 40% off, it was a good price for a Gore-tex bib.

Honorable mentions (bought these at REI to try with my jacket at home but will be returning):
Obermeyer Bliss - The size 8 was a little snug in the hips, and I found it weird that the back didn't curve into the waist at all. Probably not the best option if you have a big difference between your waist and hip measurements. Also, whatever they use for their kick patches is a cat hair magnet!

Flylow Sphynx - Medium was a little looser than the two bibs above and was a tad baggy for my taste, but small would've been tight. I picked up the "night" color but didn't like it with my jacket. I had actually tried a black pair first that must've been last year's model. The previous year model's straps pulled funny on me and created a massive gap at the back of my waist. The current year model's straps are attached differently--a big improvement in my opinion.

Other try-ons:
686 Black Magic - Runs bigger than everything else I tried. Small fit me fine but the cut was too straight legged for my taste.

Helly Hansen Legendary - Had a more saturated navy shade than Flylow. Kind of an old-school style with the elastic waist. More insulated than the others I tried, and I didn't care for the velcro chest pocket.

Flylow Foxy - I've gained some weight, so I guess medium isn't so baggy anymore. I really liked the galaxy purple color, but it doesn't go with any of my jackets. Plus I already have a non-insulated bib.

Roxy Rideout - Similar cut to the Prism but made with a non-stretch 15K fabric, and the pockets, straps, and back are different. I liked it but preferred Prism.
 

floridakeysskibum

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I’m a yay! I just bought OR shell bibs this summer and love them! Yes you have a long zipper, either side to quickly run into the bathroom, plus they are a double zip, so they vent as well! I’m now a bib girl because of its ease.
 

KWlovessnow

Angel Diva
I’m a yay! I just bought OR shell bibs this summer and love them! Yes you have a long zipper, either side to quickly run into the bathroom, plus they are a double zip, so they vent as well! I’m now a bib girl because of its ease.
I also have OR bibs and have worn them for the last few seasons as my warmer weather kit. I also love them! Long side zip and stretchy suspenders make pulling the bibs to the side for the bathroom pretty easy. I second the huge vents which is why I love them when the weather is warmer.
 

K.LoSki

Certified Ski Diva
I think the more technical of women’s bibs tend to have the drop seat feature. Didn’t @ski diva once do a review of a base layer that would work in such a situation?
I have 2 pairs of bibs, ODR and Trew both have a zip area on the back for easy access for using the bathroom. FWIW i prefer the ODR bibs but the Trew's keep me more dry on a pow day
 

elemmac

Angel Diva
I just bought OR shell bibs this summer and love them!

I also have OR bibs and have worn them for the last few seasons as my warmer weather kit. I also love them! Long side zip and stretchy suspenders make pulling the bibs to the side for the bathroom pretty easy. I second the huge vents which is why I love them when the weather is warmer.

Love my OR bibs!
Any of you with OR bibs have the Skytour Ascent? Currently on sale for 50% off. I love everything Outdoor research that I own, so thinking about getting a pair. How do they fit? Your size and size purchased would be MUCH appreciated...if yours are the Skytours.
 

K.LoSki

Certified Ski Diva
Any of you with OR bibs have the Skytour Ascent? Currently on sale for 50% off. I love everything Outdoor research that I own, so thinking about getting a pair. How do they fit? Your size and size purchased would be MUCH appreciated...if yours are the Skytours.
I have the skytour ascent. I love them. They are on the roomie side but not necessarily baggy. For example i had to get a size up for a slightly snugger fit in my Trew bibs. The ODR ones i have are light, they do not keep me dry on powder days though, (hence why i got trews). The ODR have nice leg vents, easy access for the bathroom on the side/back. I love the beacon clip, i use it to clip my wallet and keys in for resort days. I got an XL, im 5'6 maybe 5'7?, size 16 jeans/33in. I'm not a small lady but they fit great, SO comfy.

Also, in my picture here im wearing those bibs.
 

AJM

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
As a recent convert to bibs they get a thumbs up from me :thumbsup:
Super comfortable and easy to wear I cant see me going back to pants anytime soon, sorry mine are boring black ... hey I'm a Kiwi its our national colour !!

IMG-20230908-WA0000.jpg
 

skinnyfootskis

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I bought a ski bib for our winter park trip and will say while it did keep me warm I hated the trips to the bathroom. The zipper and snaps are on the side and was hard to do. I hated trying to hold the straps so they wouldn’t hit the floor or end up in the bowl. Obermeyers - Malta Bib Overalls Lol.
Roll it and shove it in the back or other leg...then hope you don't roll getting off the can. Lol. It takes some contortions... ;)
 

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