Skiers/snowboarders - trying to find pants

[Triumph]

Has anyone ever been able to find a reasonably priced yet good quality ski bib? I know pants seem to be all the rage these days, but I just don't like them. I like something suspended rather than cinching at the waist, and I like the added snow protection when I biff. It seems like there are 2 options: $30 pairs at Dick's, or $200 pair at any good outdoor store if they have them. And the $200 ones probably aren't insulated.

Does anyone wear bibs anymore, and if so, where did you get them?

 

[ViviTheMage]

snowboard stuff @ http://sierrasnowboard.com/ @ 70% off has me hooked on getting gear...more then I probably need to, haha.

The last time I wore a bib was for snowmobiling in the -40F...that was in the late 90's when I was younger too. Now I use snowpants.

 

[spidey07]

Don't skimp on the bib or pants. I got my pants at a ski shop for about 170. They have some goretex insulation, very lightweight and the most important - completely water and wind proof.

 

[her209]

Shucks. I came into this thread looking for a video of skiers/snowboarders on the slopes without pants!

 

[PhoKingGuy]

I got a pair of TNF pants at sports authority on clearance for like 150 a few years ago, pretty damn good deal as they're insulated and waterproof. I rarely ski in temps below 20 or so, so its fine for me.

 

[Kntx]

Arson pants are very good. Add suspenders.

 

[Gooberlx2]

I dunno what chains are near you, but Sports Authority was recently having some pretty awesome sales on ski wear near me. I got some $160 retail pants for $70. Just shop around, it's a good time since all the stores will be trying to dump their '09/'10 gear...even better if there's still '08/'09 gear on their shelves.

 

[SearchMaster]

Heh - my mom picked up a bib for me at Goodwill many many years ago for $5 that I still use.

 

[FoBoT]

Shucks. I came into this thread looking for a video of skiers/snowboarders on the slopes without pants!

 

[ViviTheMage]

 

[NetWareHead]

Look at a company called arcteryx. Pretty much top shelf ski pants/bibs and other outdoor. Pretty expensive but pretty much the last pair of ski pants you will ever have to buy.

 

[The Stig]

It's hard to go wrong with Burton man...

have you looked on backcountry.com?

 

[spidey07]

Look at a company called arcteryx. Pretty much top shelf ski pants/bibs and other outdoor. Pretty expensive but pretty much the last pair of ski pants you will ever have to buy.

Good gear makes all the difference in the world. You stay warm, dry, really lightweight, no sweaty. Makes being on the mountain very pleasurable. But quality stuff isn't cheap.

 

[NetWareHead]

Quote:
Originally Posted by NetWareHead View Post
Look at a company called arcteryx. Pretty much top shelf ski pants/bibs and other outdoor. Pretty expensive but pretty much the last pair of ski pants you will ever have to buy.
Good gear makes all the difference in the world. You stay warm, dry, really lightweight, no sweaty. Makes being on the mountain very pleasurable. But quality stuff isn't cheap.

Yep...the ski pants I'm considering cost almost $500. Reviews have been 100% positive. I ski nearly every weekend, sometimes twice a week and bought a pair of $200 north face bib snow pants at the beginning of the season. Already put holes in them and they are starting to look like crap. I met a guy on the slopes with the exact same set of arcteryx pants I want. He surprised me by saying they are almost 5 years old...and they still looked new to me!

http://www.arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?Mens/Pants-Shorts#Waterproof_Shell if you are interested...

 

[Triumph]

ok you all missed the point! I'm having enough trouble paying $150-200 for pants, $500 is out of the question and frankly, just a plain waste of money. That extra $300 is good for 5 or 6 lift tickets.

 

[Key West]

As with anything in life, you don't have to shell out all that money just to find decent pants.

Go to Marshall's. I found a nice pair for $40 that's completely wind/water/temperature proof.

$500 ski pants won't make you ski better.

My total digicam setup is under $2000 and some of my clients love my photography over someone who spent $3000 on a SINGLE lens.

Slash would still rape regardless whether he plays a $200 guitar or $2000 one.

 

[slightlyhuman]

the-house.com

 

[spidey07]

ok you all missed the point! I'm having enough trouble paying $150-200 for pants, $500 is out of the question and frankly, just a plain waste of money. That extra $300 is good for 5 or 6 lift tickets.

The point is 200 bucks starts to get good pants. Don't skimp. It totally changes the experience and your comfort and mobility.

 

[Triumph]

Eh, I've never been sweaty and never been cold with the cheap pair of nylon bibs that I found at my dad's house, they're probably 25 years old and cost $15 new. But they are ripping and getting holes, and the strap broke. No surprise there. I don't need the "best", for me the "best" is the best combination of price and performance. And you know what else I hate? Looked at a $300 Spider jacket yesterday. Glanced at the tag...Oh! Made in China, imagine that! So I'm paying for a name!

I should just wear my motorcycle pants. They come with a zip out liner, are basically waterproof, could stand up to a 75 foot slide on asphalt, and cost $150. I don't know if they'll fit over ski boots, though.

Also Spidey, I'm mainly just really annoyed at the complete lack of options for bibs, at almost any price. Everything is pants pants pants. When did bibs become so passe? I'm not opposed to spending money, but the options for bibs just plain suck!

 

[ravana]

Burlington Coat Factory sometimes has them, depends on the area though.

 

[NetWareHead]

$500 ski pants obviously wont make you ski better but they will perform and feel better. Personally, I don't want to keep shelling out $200 for mediocre replacement ski pants every 2-4 years...those were the points I was trying to make. But feel free to cheap out, it is your $$$.

These are the pants I got at the beginning of the season which are already ripping and showing age: http://www.rei.com/product/785742

I don't know how hard or often you ski, but these pants saw good action 1-3 times a week ever week since November till present. I even wore them to hike. They are comfortable, have alot of pockets and thigh vents and are waterproof as far as snow is concerned. They are reasonably windproof although one day it was 20 and windy I felt cold. In regular cold weather they feel just fine.

I agree with you guys too. I love bibs...they keep the snow out of your pants and off of your back when you fall. I cant stand regular snow pants.

 

[Ballatician]

I went to a Walmart, yes Walmart, a half hour before getting to the mountains in Tahoe and found pants for like $25. Still working for me two years later.

 

[cheezy321]

check out sierrasnowboard.com as someone else suggested. That place always has some crazy good deals going on.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Try these.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

Go to a thrift store like good will or sa. Ive gotten like 15 pairs of ski pants and bibs for like 5 each. I go when they have half off days