Why You Should Get Bib Ski or Snowboard Pants

If you’re a skier or snowboarder, you should own ski bibs. That might sounds like too broad of a statement to be true, but we’ll show you why it is. If you’re smart, you’ll stop reading right there, and start shopping for some snowboard bib pants, but if you still need convincing, there are three things that set bibs apart and make them absolutely essential. Bibs provide a combination of protection, storage, and comfort that is impossible to find in regular snow pants.

Have you ever crashed or fallen down on the mountain before? There are only two types of skiers in the world, those who crash, and liars. No matter which category you fall into, you should be wearing bibs. Crashing is an inevitable part of skiing and snowboarding. And even if you’re not regularly ragdolling off cliffs, or tomahawking in deep powder, we all fall down at one point or another.

The worst part about most crashes is snow creeping into that gap between the bottom of your jacket and the top of your snow pants. There is one thing that makes it worse, however, it’s a cold butt and belly, and soaked base layers to remind you of the crash the rest of the day. That’s where bibs come in. Bibs eliminate that gap, they cover your most vulnerable zones with a waterproof layer. Some bibs even work in tandem with your jacket to block that gap completely. For example, Patagonia ski pants work with Patagonia ski jackets to combat any ingress of snow by snapping and zipping together at the waist to make you completely invulnerable to snow. So protect yourself from snow up your shirt or down your pants, and get a pair of bibs.

Ski bibs also increase your storage options. Most good bibs will have specially designed pockets on the chest flap where you can keep snacks, your phone, or wallet, warm and easy to access. These pockets keep your gear from flapping around like it would in your jacket, and also make it easy to get to anything you need even if you’re hiking or skinning without your jacket on. Many bibs, including most North Face ski pants will also have a special pocket with a lanyard for your avalanche beacon. These will help keep your most important gear easy to access, and far from any other electronics that could interfere with its signal. Bib pants offer superior storage options to regular ski pants, and help you stay comfortable and prepared on the slopes.

Finally, bibs offer a level of adjustable comfort that it’s just impossible to reproduce with regular ski pants. Skiing and snowboarding are strenuous athletic activities, they require you to be able to move your body very quickly and smoothly. A regular pair of pants fights your body as you try to ski or board. Either a too-tight belt makes it hard to move smoothly, and bunches up your pants, or a too loose one means you’re trying to keep your pants from falling off as you shred down the mountain. Either way, your regular snow pants are holding you back from your true potential. Bibs solve this comfort conundrum. They keep your pants up, without restricting any motion, you get a comfortable, flexible fit, no matter what you’re doing. And never fear ladies - while bib detractors might argue that it’s harder to answer nature’s call when wearing bibs, manufactures have come up with ingenious zip systems, or unique straps that make it just as easy to get out of the bathroom and back onto the slopes as it is while wearing normal women's ski pants.

So ditch your old ski pants today. Wave goodbye to inadequate storage, uncomfortable belts, and frosty base layers. Get a good pair of ski or snowboard bibs and realize your full potential on the slopes!