I need bibs... shell pants bibs... HELP?

[summit]

Bumpity for new thoughts?

I was eyeing the Marmot Spire in desperation even though it doesn't quite fit the bill.

[Jack Burton]

"Right now I'm leaning towards the Marmot Alpinist Pant or maybe the Helly Hansen Odin Mountain Mk3."

One vote for the alpinist bib, water proofing was good for the better part of 3 seasons ~ 30 days hiking and another 50 - 70 lift served. Venting is very good and the never ending zipper is great when you gotta go.

[butterscotch]

what about the OR vanguard bibs? Meet all your requirements but full side zips. It has inner and outer thigh vents so it should vent well, but if you want to put on/take off the pants without taking your boots off you'd be out of luck.

[Cocximus]

I wonder... if I can glue a zipper to my jacket to fit the the removable bibs. Having an option between just jacket and pants, bibs and suit would be extremely versatile.

BTW wtf happened to all the 2 piece suits from the 80's? Bibs and flashy colors are coming back... who knows maybe in a few years we'll have tights ski pants again

[summit]

The Odins won't fit a beacon in the waist pocket.

Marmot Flight pants look like they would work... or the Trewth Bib (although might be heavy and certainly no removable upper.)

Frustration.

[neck beard]

Trewth Bib

The pair I saw being worn by someone else had giant plastic clips on the suspenders, way oversized for the function, that sat under his pack shoulder straps unless pushed out of the way. He didn't like that arrangement much, and I could see why. Those clips were monster, as in I've seen plenty of smaller waist belt clips. Perhaps it was an early model or something.

[That was Pontus]

Regarding the Trewths, mine are on their 2nd season & probably around 100 days. The elastic suspenders are totally shot, got some monster 2" wide suspenders from a workwear supplier that I'm stoked to try out. Everything else so far is bomber. Full zips are badass. Chesty pockets even more so. The zipped one fits a full snow study kit no problem, the others fit wallet & skin track treats. Could easily fit a Tracker DTS in the zipped one as well or in either thigh hand pocket (actually, if one was creative I think a 12 pack could be carried in all the monster pockets of the bibs alone...). No clips in mine though, so I don't. Can't comment on the newer models, other than there was a recent thread concerning the durability of the new 'bombastic' fabric on the cuffs.

[bean]

Arc'teryx Stinger bib? Not cheap but nor is most of the other stuff you're considering.

[AKbruin]

I'm pretty happy with my Stoic Bombshell bib, which is significantly cheaper than most the options. (I think mine were $140.) They have vents but not full-length zips. I think they meet all your other criteria though.

[bean]

I'm pretty happy with my Stoic Bombshell bib, which is significantly cheaper than most the options. (I think mine were $140.) They have vents but not full-length zips. I think they meet all your other criteria though.

I tried the Stoics last year and sent them back. Legs were slicing up pretty bad after only a couple days, and the crotch zipper was WAY too short. Maybe this year's is improved?

[AKbruin]

I tried the Stoics last year and sent them back. Legs were slicing up pretty bad after only a couple days, and the crotch zipper was WAY too short. Maybe this year's is improved?

I've got about 10 days on mine, and everything looks perfect. From what I can tell, the reviews have been strong, but who knows. We'll see how well they survive crampon use this spring, which has done in my other pants in the past. It might be that a $500 Arc'Teryx bib is the way to go, but that seems like a lot money for . . . well, pants.

[summit]

Those Trewth Bibs weigh nearly 1 pound more than my Revenants. That is a burly heavy pant and I'm wondering how packable it is for multiday spring ventures.

The best choice that didn't have 3/4 or full side zips was the OR Vanguard (at least it had thigh and crotch vents too). I want the 3/4 zip or full zip primarily for venting (skinning on 25deg bluebird pow days or walking in the late spring). But also, to have the option to take the pant's on and off without pulling boots.

The Stoic Bombshells fail based on the lack of venting and sidezips... they only have a crotch zip. Also, their fabric is not particularly breathable and I didn't like the fit when I tried them on.

The Arcteryx Stinger has pretty much zero features I am seeking: no beacon pocket, no desired vents, no mesh/softshell on the bib, no removable bib, etc.

Price is not an issue except that the new bibs have to have the features to justify replacing the Revenants.

[bean]

The Arcteryx Stinger has pretty much zero features I am seeking: no beacon pocket, no desired vents, no mesh/softshell on the bib, no removable bib, etc.

I don't have the bibs in front of me but I'm almost certain the front pockets are internal. I stuck my beacon in it comfortably. Or maybe it was the bib pocket I put it in...I'll have to look at it more closely later but I wasn't particularly concerned about it being lost from a rough tumble when I took them out last time.

The side zips go pretty far down, probably enough to put on/off over a svelte boot like the TLT5. It's plenty of venting for me because I'm not putting a hardshell bib on if it's so warm I need them full-open, I also DGAF about removable bib-parts (because I have pants for those occasions and the zipper required for that is uncomfortable to me) but you know your needs better than I do.

[Name Redacted]

I've got a pair of the marmot full zip, removable bibs, full zip(but the waist doesn't detach). Don't know what model, but they are light and fit really well. Pretty durable too. They are the same ones that the basin employees wear.

[That was Pontus]

Yea, the Trewth bibs are definitely not all that packable. I ditched the Cosmic (the lightweight, packable jacket of the line...) for that very reason and went with a soft-shell anorak.

Edit: First Ascent SEABA Heli Guide? Bib doesn't zip off, but it's got kneepads...

[summit]

I thought the SEABA looked like a good design, but I'd lose features vs the Revenant (zipoff bib) for nothing gained, particularly a beacon pocket.

Shredgnar: Ill ask, perhaps those are the Flight Bibs?

Bean: I'm thinking they must have changed the Stinger since you got yours because it looks hard to put on boots through this:



And you can only vent from mid-thigh to waist if you have a top layer on over the bib.

[Hugh Conway]

what a retarded design

[bean]

Bean: I'm thinking they must have changed the Stinger since you got yours because it looks hard to put on boots through this:

[/IMG]http://images.arcteryx.com/details/1000/Stinger-Bib-Sulphur-Rear-View.jpg[/IMG]

And you can only vent from mid-thigh to waist if you have a top layer on over the bib.

That's the one I have, I may have misremembered the width of the lower-leg. It feels roomier than the photo suggests though. I might give it a try later and let you know, but it's certainly not the bib for you if you plan to take them on/off out in the field with any sort of regularity. If I'm opening leg vents wide open I'm probably not wearing a jacket.

I think we have pretty different needs for hardshell bibs, the Stinger works well for me and is one of the few options I've found that actually fits me comfortably. I'm seeing why it's so f'ng hard to find the right piece of apparel that is exactly what I want/need, despite there being so many options.

[summit]

I think we have pretty different needs for hardshell bibs, the Stinger works well for me and is one of the few options I've found that actually fits me comfortably. I'm seeing why it's so f'ng hard to find the right piece of apparel that is exactly what I want/need, despite there being so many options.

Agreed and indeed

[Andyski]

Be aware that the OR Vanguard isn't your typical shell material. It's that Gore softshell shit that has a thin fleece backing, and is a bit thicker, and therefore warmer. Struck me and is marketed as more of a lift-served thing, though I'm sure they'd be totally fine for stormy or cold touring. The internal gaiters are also flimsy looking. The material looks like a something a hooker would wear as leggings rather than the full-on nylon everyone else uses. Seems an odd choice given how well-built OR stuff usually is, but maybe it's amazing.

I have the SEABA, and it's pretty nice. The waterproofing on the thighs didn't completely pass the Mt. Baker test for waterproofness, but otherwise has been fine. Nice bibs.

[neck beard]

what a retarded design

I'll say.

I'm going on 450-500 days in my Arcteryx Theta SV bibs which is quite pleasing. This season will take them to 600 days of use. However they are dying and I'm always searching for a perfect replacement. Need more thigh pockets in my life. Pretty much what Summit is after, though I do not care about removable bib and price does matter, or at least it causes me to delay the purchase one more season.

I'd be very happy with Theta bibs as they are with two good sized thigh pockets.

[splat]

Call me Aaron Im sewing some custom pants out of NeoShell. Want some? pm, email whatever. These are the shizzle

They are going to be good enough for an expedition headed to Alaska in April i.e. PIka Glacier, Little Switzerland, Trolls, Dragon Spine, Swiss Peaks and more, they should work for your purposes

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...ski-ride-pants

You sewing beacon pockets, MiCol?

[Dr.Evil]

Have a look at the Oakley Unification pant. They don't have a full side zip, but close. I have about 15 resort days in on them and so far I've been really impressed with the functionality and durability. I also really like the cut, more freeride then alpine, but not park rat baggy. I believe the cuffs are the same ones discussed here:

http://www.backcountry.com/oakley-un...-pro-pant-mens

[SchralphMacchio]

I think if the MHW Freeride Bib had 3/4 length zips then you would be in business. I bought the bib strictly for "resort use" due to thigh-vents only and no 3/4 or full zip (I have MHW Bokta full zip pants for big touring objectives) but then I found that the DryQ is so damn good at breathing that I can skin in the bib without dropping the suspenders and top flap (which I have always had to do in my other bibs). Pocket layout is really, really choice on these bibs.


I have always kept my beacon in the sternum "kangaroo" pocket in my MHW bibs. Fits perfectly and I girth hitch the leash cable to a belt loop in the bib. Locates the transceiver in my chest center (increasing the odds of a good strike), super accessible, and very well protected.
http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Men%...efault,pd.html


I'm looking at the MHW Drystein Pant and not sure it will work for you ...


http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Men%...efault,pd.html

[neck beard]

I blew a side zip down by the boot today, had to quickly emergency-stitch a staple with dental floss to stop the zipper from running all the way to my hip. Bad day for full blow out. Lots of deep snow, lots of stromin'. Going to have to sew the bottom 3rd of the side zipper closed. /blog

I guess my day of buying is coming closer by necessity. But I don't know what to buy.

Anyway...

I reckon that kind of front bib is way too hot in warm snow climates. No way to vent your sweaty stomach. I like the idea, but the fly should run the whole way to the top of the bib with a two-way zipper.

The MHW bibs look interesting, but why did they put two big press stud buttons on the waist? They sit under the plastic belt buckle and then all that lump goes under your pack waist belt. Call me fussy, but any pants, summer or winter, that are used with a pack should have totally flat buttons under the pack's waist belt buckle.