I looked high and low for the perfect women’s bib ski pants for the last 3 years. When I looked in 2016, there was very little available and I wasn’t ready to drop $400+ for what was available. I looked each year with no success until now! The Battle of the Women’s Bib Ski Pants was on!!
My criteria for the ideal bibs was; insulted (for on resort ripping), room to move, water and wind proof, and comfy straps.
Bib Pant Contenders
Billabong Riva Bibs
Burton Kimmy Bib
Arc’teryx Shashka Bibs
Orage Ridge Bibs
FlyLow Gear Foxy Bibs
Battling the Bibs
Unfortunately testing all 5 pants wasn’t possible in the same place. Game plan was try each pant then order online if needed. I am 5’5, 145 lbs, usually wear a medium or size 8-10 and wear a 32/DD. Bibs have a tough job to fit thighs, hips, butts, waists and boobs of many sizes and shapes. With my criteria set, I charged my way into the battle grounds!
Riva Bibs – A Tight Contender
The Billabong Riva Bibs were up first. I liked the price (cheapest of the lineup), the insulation, and the look. I tried the medium. Couldn’t even zip them up. I tried the large. Got them on but couldn’t squat or lift my legs high or lunge. They did stretch but I couldn’t stand feeling immobile in a ‘sexy’ pair of bib pants.
There were no XL sizes available in the store, so I left. I was really frustrated about the sizing (my first ‘I gotta wear 2 sizes bigger than normal?’ experience), and a few curse words may have passed my lips. Billabong was out.
Foxy Bibs – The No Show Bibs
I saw the Foxy Bibs in Outside Magazine back in 2016. The first women’s bib that caught my attention. I checked them out online that year, unavailable. 2017 rolled around, unavailable. Selling like hotcakes? Must be. I emailed FlyLow. No reply. I asked through my contacts at Get Out There Magazine. Nothing.
I just couldn’t get my hands on a pair! At $400 USD ($534 CAD) they are pretty pricey for an unknown brand. I loved that FlyLow worked hard on these pants, but was pissed I couldn’t get my hands on a pair. The Foxy Bibs were out.
Kimmy Bibs – Who’s Kimmy Anyways?
Uninsulated and high on the price scale, the Kimmy bibs were questionable from the beginning. I finally found a pair at the Ski Cellar in Calgary (all other places only had the Mens AK version). Nice pockets. Check. Size Medium. Check. Step inside, zip and ah, my boobs!
Kimmy and I are certainly not the same shape. Kimmy has thin thighs and no butt, a size 6 waist and a 30/A chest and must be 6 feet tall! There was no winning. Size large was still to tight on my chest and thighs, and there was no XL in store. Kimmy, you’re outta here! *I almost bought the Men’s Burton AK – they fit awesome, but weren’t insulated.
Cha Cha Shashka – Strong Fighter
Shashka’s come in at the top of the price scale. No surprise from Arc’teryx but I know they come with a stellar guarantee backed by an ethical company. And their Canadian.
Finally into a size I feel is reasonable (a medium) and with some great features, I did like these pants. I had to circle back to the criteria – on resort, cold chairlift rides, insulted – and consider that I already own a pair of Gore-tex pants. These pants are only 8 inches more than my other pair, not worth an additional $650. Bye bye Shashka.
Ridge Bibs – Mystery Contender
Knock, knock. Who’s there? Orage. Orage who? Orage you glad you found these bibs?!
I totally stumbled into these pants. The Ski Cellar in Calgary had them and the awesome sales girls there pulled out all the options. Beige, meh. Knee patches, meh. Insulated, yay! Cheapest on the list, yay! Still couldn’t get my ass into a medium, or a large! AHHH!! But the XL has the mobility I needed. So I bought them. Performance results to come!
GG Bibs!
The Battle of the Women’s Bib Ski Pants was a long, painful fight. Shots were fired (I ranted about the shopping experience on IG) and many pants failed the fit test.
I also learned some valuable lessons throughout this process;
1) big brands aren’t the be all end all. 30% of the tested pants were high profile brands who I expected more from. 20% were small companies, who have serious game.
2) stay open to possibilities. Orage who? #orage89 on IG is a Canadian based company started by a woman! Who still owns the company today. Read more here.
3) sometimes you just gotta be at the right place at the time. Don’t force the fight, battle it out. The true winner will surface in the process.