The Best Men’s Ski Bibs of 2023

The Baker Bib ($430) from Flylow Gear is a good choice for bad weather. When the slush starts dumping and the wind starts whipping, these hardy bibs are the perfect go-to.

Like other shell bibs, the Baker does not come with any insulation. Still, the thick and stiff outer fabric, three-layer Intuitive membrane, and fully sealed seams provide exceptional weather protection. Combined with a warm pair of base layer bottoms, these bibs can go just about anywhere.

One of our testers has owned the Baker for 3 years. During that time, he has put them to the test while splitboarding, resort skiing, and backcountry snowmobiling. All the while, these bibs have held up without issue.

The front-and-center accent-colored kangaroo pocket may be a bit stylistically bold for some, but all in all, these are top-class snow bibs.

For skiers and riders who prefer to stay within resort boundaries, The North Face Freedom Bibs ($199) offer high-end durability and performance for a great price. These bibs are well-constructed and stylish. Also available as pants, the Freedom Bibs are a comfortable, quality choice for skiers and riders of all levels.

On the weatherproofing front, these bibs boast The North Face’s DryVent membrane and feature a high cut that will keep powder out even on the deepest of days.

The fit of the Freedom Bibs allows for comfortable layering underneath, and the modern styling fits right in at the resort. Because these bibs lack stretch, they do feel mildly restrictive at times, meaning they aren’t ideal for backcountry skiing. We like the large side vents, which help regulate temperature on balmy days.

While these bibs won’t win any awards for high-end features or cutting-edge technology, they are fully deserving of a shout-out for their unbeatable value.

Since its release in 2018, the Outdoor Research Hemispheres II Bib Pants ($629) have received widespread praise for their backcountry-leaning design. After putting the latest version to the test, we certainly agree. These bibs are excellent backcountry outerwear.

The standout feature of the Hemisphere bibs is the stretch. Backcountry skiing and riding require plentiful freedom of movement. In these bibs, we found we could easily bend over to adjust bindings or remove skins.

Whereas most snow pants feel restrictive when bending, these stretch with you. Best of all, they do this without sacrificing waterproof protection. The GORE-TEX fabric, taped seams, and weatherproof zippers seal out snow and slush.

Side zippers open up from waist to knee, allowing you to shed heat while skinning or on warm mountain days. Plus, there’s a specific pocket with a clip that lets you keep your avalanche beacon within a moment’s reach. If you’re looking for a hardshell bib that feels like a softshell, the Hemispheres II Bibs might be the best ski bibs for you.

Only in the last two seasons has Jones, the iconic snowboard and backcountry brand, broken into the apparel scene. They did so with clout. The men’s Mountain Surf Bib Pants are a protective, ergonomic, waterproof bib made for versatile conditions with comfort and mobility in mind. In two decades of riding, our tester has never been more satisfied with a kit after spending nearly 50 days on snow in ’em.

But the key to this tenacious bib is also its commitment to sustainability. For starters, the bibs are Oeko-Tex standard 100 certified, meaning they’re free of harmful chemicals and safe for humans. The 4-way stretch polyester face fabric is 46% recycled and combined with 75-denier stretch polyester that’s 58% recycled. The interior liner is 100% recycled stretch polyester. Recycled polyester pull cords are on the zips. The face is also treated with a PFC-free DWR treatment.

The seat and knees utilize a strong 2-layer fabric, while the fabric around the torso and thighs is stretchier, and both have 20K/20K waterproofness and breathability.

In addition to RECCO reflectors, the bibs have two large zippered thigh pockets and an external zippered chest pocket with ample room for storage. An elastic, Velcro waist belt adjustment is built in, but it doesn’t need to be worn tight.

We wished that the Bib had slightly large zip pulls, so they were easier to tug with gloves on. Otherwise, we were extremely happy with this roomy, functional design. Read our full GearJunkie review.

From ski touring to park laps, the Stio Environ Bibs ($459) are simple and capable. All the modern hallmarks of quality bibs are built-in — fully sealed seams, 3-layer fabric, smooth, water-repellent zippers, and more. However, our favorite attribute of the Environ bibs is their top-notch versatility.

One standout feature of the Environ Bibs is the high-waisted elastic fit. This stretchy material around the midsection is supremely comfortable. It’s a feature that we expect from maternity pants more than ski bibs, but we absolutely love it on the Environ.

Large venting zippers along the outer legs allow for easy temperature regulation and sweat prevention. The reinforced inner-ankle adds durability while touring, and articulated knees won’t limit movement while hiking or shredding at high speed.

The styling is clean and understated. Stio describes the fit as “regular,” but we found the Environ to run just a tiny bit short for taller folks. Still, if you’re looking for a single pair of bibs that will support your varied winter interests, step into the Environ.

In stormy weather and rugged conditions, the Beta SV Bib pants ($575) are the best ski bibs you can buy. This special piece of outerwear combines the classic impenetrable benefits of a bib with the notorious build quality of Arc’teryx. We confidently recommend the Beta SV to all skiers, but its true domain is beyond resort boundaries.

“SV” stands for severe weather, and the title is well-earned. This bib is built with GORE-TEX Pro, the longest-lasting and most durable waterproofing technology on the market. Watertight side zippers allow for easy removal even with boots on.

For fair-weather resort skiing, this bib may ultimately be a bit overengineered and expensive. For ski mountaineering and touring, however, the Beta SV is among the best gear that money can buy.

For such a hardy piece of outerwear, this bib is surprisingly breathable. Even during grueling climbs, overheating in the Beta SV is rare — an impressive characteristic for a waterproof bib.

Other notable features include adjustable suspenders, a hidden RECCO reflector, and reinforced instep patches to protect against damage from ski edges and crampons. A few more pockets would further improve these bibs, but for the right user, they’re tough to beat.

For the price, the REI Co-op First Chair GTX bibs ($259) offer top-class weather protection and performance in and out of bounds. It’s difficult to find bibs with GORE-TEX waterproofing for less than $300, which makes these bibs a great value buy.

In addition to excellent waterproofing, the First Chair Bibs come with boot gaiters, two-way thigh vents, articulated knees, and plenty of pockets. These are shell-style bibs, meaning they provide minimal insulation and offer space for insulating layers underneath. In the backcountry, shell-style bibs such as these are ideal thanks to their temperature control capabilities.

Many skiers and riders find these bibs to fit fairly large. Also, the mid-height cut will let snow in while skiing in extremely deep powder. Most people won’t be bothered by this, but if you frequently seek out the deep stuff, you may want to look elsewhere.

‏The PowSlayer ($639) is the crown jewel of Patagonia’s snow bib lineup. For backcountry-inclined skiers and riders, the PowSlayer offers an ideal combination of style, practical features, and reliable weatherproofing.

These bibs are outfitted with a three-layer shell that guards a reliable GORE-TEX Pro membrane. The face fabric is made of 100% recycled nylon. In spitting rain or waist-deep pow, you can expect to stay dry beneath the PowSlayer.

Pocket space isn’t anything to write home about, but expansive, mesh-free side zips, a stretchy back panel, drop-seat configuration, and fortified cuffs make the PowSlayer a bib that can handle midwinter pow days, spring alpine missions, and everything in between. When the going gets warm on the skin track, two-way zippers along the thigh allow for some serious venting.

Though we love these bibs, they do have a few minor drawbacks. Sizing can be a bit tight at the waist. Also, the price tag is certainly on the expensive side. If used for fairweather skiing or riding within resort boundaries, these bibs may be overkill. However, for exploring the backcountry and slashing powder, the aptly named PowSlayers are the best ski bibs for the job.

Trew is a winter outerwear brand based in Portland, Oregon. In 2008, the brand released its first-ever product — the Trewth Bib ($439) — which continues to serve as Trew’s flagship model.

These durable bibs are made from bomber nylon that is reinforced in key wear areas. Like all high-end bibs, the Trewths come with a semi-breathable waterproof membrane.

Unlike most bibs, however, the Trewth breathes very well and remains comfortable even on strenuous hikes. If you do manage to overheat in these bibs, large side vents easily dump excess heat.

Our tester used the Trewths for resort skiing, split boarding, and backcountry snowmobiling, and they exceeded his expectations across the board. For such a relatively approachable price tag, these bibs offer more than their share of top-end quality.

The Helly Hansen Odin Bib ($500) is a burly piece of backcountry-leaning outerwear. Its three-layer construction provides ample protection from wind, and the solvent-free LIFA INFINITY membrane keeps wetness out.

Compared to a few other bibs on this list — such as the Outdoor Research Hemisphere II Bibs — the Odins are a bit on the thick and heavy side. In cold temps, this extra heft is welcome, but these bibs can become toasty on warm spring days. The dual-zippered vents provide good airflow when open.

We especially appreciate the pocket layout on these bibs. For backcountry purposes, the designated beacon pocket with an integrated D-ring is a nice touch.

To top it all off, Helly Hansen added a RECCO reflector in case you (or someone in your crew) find yourself in trouble.