I have 2 full zip pants, and one with a partial side zip:
- marmot rain pant, precip eco full zip for warm spring touring/skiing, also glacier touring/skiing in the summer (38F and warmer)
https://www.marmot.com/women/bottom...-full-zip-pants---short/AFS_889169479502.html — these are a regular length and I flip the waistband to get them shorter
- marmot soft shell rom pant, partial zip for 28F and warmer as long as it’s not precipitating
https://www.marmot.com/sale/women/bottoms/womens-gore-tex-rom-pant/AFS_195115064655.html
- Arcteryx hard shell bib, full zip for colder conditions or if it’s precipitating. I think it’s The Theta SV bib, discontinued. I would probably replace with the sentinel bib pant (I have the first generation sentinel jacket) at some point in the future.
I’m slightly taller than yourself but I order the short versions for the second 2 for a shorter inseam (28”).
I did just get Helly Hansen bibs for resort:
https://www.hellyhansen.com/en_us/w-verglas-bc-bib-pant-63127 I sent them a question to ask how long the inseam was. I think they told me 29”…? Not sure
I have also acquired these over the past 8 years or so.
here’s what I can say:
- If touring in avalanche territory, find bibs with a pocket at the chest or below the chest with a d ring attachment… this is for the beacon.
- if beacon has its own case, this is a great spot for easy access to snacks
- pant should also have 1 or two pockets on the leg (also with d rings in the pocket) for the radio.
- has to do with interference with those critical devices (also no Bluetooth in the field for those reasons or be mindful of those required distances at the very least for devices to work as intended)
- I personally don’t like the side hatch of the Helly Hansen bib pant, but seems like the center zip cannot coexist with this pattern.
- I remove the suspenders for the soft shell and the rain pant is just a pant.
- suspenders: I keep them for the Arcteryx hard shell because they are comfy, I just have to remember to tuck in my top layers. Not a problem as the fit is ideal for this. I leave them hanging when walking up and in my transition I put them on as part of the transition to downhill. It’s comfortable this way, keeps powder and snow out — and I prefer this pattern by far however lack of pockets make this hard. There are small front pockets of the bibs and I pack snacks in there.
- suspenders: it’s not removable for the helly Hansen bib pant. However the pant has belt loops so you can opt to not use the suspenders, but would have to tuck them in or let them drape.
- there is roominess in the rain pant for flexion and also to accommodate more of a bum. there is no lining, so should be worn with a liner pant or short underneath. Can be a bit uncomfortable with the short and no lining on the pant, but it’s not a dealbreaker.
- There is not room in the soft shell rom pant however it is 4 way stretch. It is fleece lined. I often just wear a short under neath this. I have this to mainly not wear out my nicer hard shell pant and add some breathability that I don’t have with the hard shell when the conditions allow for it.
- Helly Hansen bib pant is also 4 way stretch, I got a size bigger bc I also snowboard and need to flex easily when riding. Not fleece lined like the softshell.
- Arcteryx hardshell has no lining.
if any Qs happy to answer
I also looked at Stio and outdoor research and read a lot of reviews
