Campman Outdoor Gear & Apparel

Flylow Gear is famous for plenty of products, like the Tough Guy Gloves or the Lab Coat, but the staple that cemented the independent brand among serious skiers is Flylow’s hard wearing bib pants.

The Baker bib, in particular, has achieved iconic status for its blend of legendary ruggedness and superior comfort. And while it still anchors Flylow’s outerwear line, there are more new options than ever, and each bib ski pant fills a specific niche.

Bibs are a popular choice for powder days, as they provide more coverage and protection from snow than normal ski pants. But far from being a pow day novelty, they’re the daily driver for plenty of skiers who appreciate the unrestricted feel that they offer on the mountain.

With so many options, you may find yourself feeling a little bit overwhelmed. If so, this article is here to shed some light on the best model for your ski season.

We’ve separated bibs by intended use, focusing on durable, non-insulated options for the backcountry or the resort, breathable touring-focused pieces that regulate temperature, and warm insulated bibs for the coldest days. Men’s and women’s bibs are listed together by intended use.

Everyday

Built for durability and comfort when riding the lifts. These bibs are made from fabrics that prioritize wind resistance and ruggedness. However, because they skip the insulation, they’re still light enough for laps in the backcountry as well. That also means that your layering system will be critical for staying warm on the chairlift.

Men’s Baker Bib

This is the bib that kickstarted the Flylow revolution, and it’s still one of the most popular bibs in the lift line.

There are two big reasons that these are so popular. First, the fit is fantastic, being baggy without overdoing it, and showcasing Flylow’s signature articulated knees, which allow for unrestricted freedom of movement. The second is that they’re burly, making them a top choice for hundred-day seasons, tree skiing, and mountain ops workers.

The 20k/20k waterproof breathable rating of the Surface hardshell fabric gives these three-layer shell bibs serious weather protection, and they’re still light enough for touring and hiking. If you want a proven classic that lives up to the hype, this is it.

Men’s Compound Bib

Can’t decide if you want to commit to the bib life? The Compound bib is the solution to your dilemma.

These super-burly bibs feature our favorite Flylow features, namely a just right baggy fit, ultra durable and breathable Intuitive Perm HD 3-layer fabric that’s tough enough for tree skiing, and perfectly placed pockets to keep your essential items close at hand.

What makes these unique is the removable softshell bib top. That’s right, you can actually zip off the bib portion and convert these to pants when it gets warm or you’re less concerned about getting snow in your midsection.

Men’s Tannen Bib

If you like the support of bibs, but you don’t like the extra heat they can hold in your core, these are worth your consideration.

The Tannen splits the difference between the low cut of ski pants and the suspender style support of bibs. The suspenders are non-removable, which ensures that they’re not going anywhere, even if you yard sale. Plus, they’re built with Flylow’s recycled Tactic 3-layer softshell fabric, which gives you more freedom to move without compromising the top tier 20k/20k waterproof breathable rating.

Men’s Firebird Bib

This is Flylow’s value-oriented option, which saves you a significant chunk of change while retaining most of the features that make the Baker so great.

Like the Baker, these have a dialed-in baggy fit and articulated knees, which gives you plenty of room to move. Where they differ from the Baker is in the material, which is still Stark 3-layer hardshell fabric for ruggedness but sacrifices some waterproofness and breathability. That said, the 10k/10k waterproof breathable rating means these are still very much up to the task of keeping you comfortable in stormy conditions. The signature fit and robust construction make these a smart choice if you’re sticking to a budget.

Women’s Foxy Bib

You could think of the Foxy as Flylow’s female-specific alternative to the Baker, but the choice of fabric might make these even better than the aforementioned benchmark.

These bibs have a fit that’s flattering but still a bit baggy. The slimmer cut is enabled by Flylow’s 3-layer Tactic softshell fabric, offering a bit of added stretch that the men’s version doesn’t get. Even with the added stretch, you’re still getting full strength 20k/20k waterproof breathable protection, meaning you don’t give up one iota of function. And as a bonus, you get extra freedom to move.

Women’s Moxie Bib

If you prefer a roomier freeride fit, the Moxie is the bib you want.

Like the Foxy, these are built using 3-layer Tactic softshell fabric with a 20k/20k waterproof breathable rating. You also get the same reinforced cuffs, articulated knees, and waterproof YKK zippers.

The difference is fit. Take your pick between a slimmer style or a straight leg cut and know that either way, you’ll be getting one of the best women’s bibs ever built.

Women’s Kimberly Bib

Want to find out if ski bibs live up to the hype? The Kimberly bib is a perfect place to start.

That’s because you’re getting Flylow’s signature fit and design with materials that make the price more approachable. But don’t think that means sacrificing function or durability. They’re built with a blend of two and three layer Stark fabric, which offers a 10k/10k waterproof breathable rating to keep you protected from wet snow.

When you start to heat up, the zippered vents at the inside and outside of the thigh make it easy to regulate your temperature. Factor in a few functional pockets and Flylow’s impeccable fit and there's a good chance these will become a prized piece of ski gear.

Backcountry Touring

Designed to keep you comfortable while earning your turns. These bibs are built from lightweight materials that prioritize temperature management and sweat-evacuating breathability to keep you from overheating on the skin track.

Men’s Baker Perm

Designed as an ideal touring bib, this is a more breathable version of the Baker you already know and love.

The secret is Flylow’s Perm fabric, which seriously ups the breathability, or the ability of sweat vapor to escape when you start to heat up. That makes these perfect for high output days where you’re pushing hard on the skin track. And while we generally prefer something less breathable for resort skiing, these also shine on spring days where conditions are warmer.

Otherwise you’re getting the same fit, same features, and nearly the same durability as the classic Baker, which makes these any easy addition to your gear rotation.

Men’s Smythe Bib

The full coverage fit of the Baker in a material that’s stretchy and ultra breathable.

If the Baker Perm is the backcountry daily driver, consider the Smythe bib your sunday sports car for when you need something lighter and faster so you can squeeze in that extra lap or two. The difference is a slimmer cut and a lighter weight design that maximizes your efficiency. A high cut front keeps your chest from getting soaked by snow, even if you don’t like using your jacket’s powder skirt.

If you’re the type who prioritizes speed on the way up and you’re tired of overheating, these will be exactly the bib you’re looking for.

Women’s Siren Bib

If you dedicate your entire season to earning your turns, these bibs are seriously badass.

There’s no need to compromise your comfort when you head into the backcountry when you’re wearing these lightweight and breathable bibs.

Like the Baker Perm and Smythe, these are built with Intuitive Perm 3-layer fabric, for a trustworthy 20k waterproof rating, as well as 0.02 cfm air permeability. They’re designed specifically to keep you from overheating, with a half-cut bib that gives you extra torso coverage without covering your entire chest. We suggest something less breathable for resort use, but if you’re serious about touring, you should really consider treating yourself to some Sirens.

Insulated

Made for frigid days and those who run cold. These bibs feature synthetic insulation that retains warmth even if it gets wet.

Men's Baker Insulated

With the Baker being one of Flylow’s classic products, it was only a matter of time before we got an insulated version for colder conditions and those who struggle to stay warm on the mountain.

As ever, the Baker name reflects a just right baggy fit, articulated knees, reinforcements at the knees and cuffs, and rugged construction that’s intended for back to back hundred day seasons. It also means reliable 20k/20k waterproof breathable construction. But the difference is the 40g Greenloft recycled insulation.

Because Greenloft is synthetic, it won’t lose its ability to provide warmth if it gets wet, and that’s critical when you start working up a sweat in sub-zero conditions. Between the trustworthy insulation and premium materials, these are the go-to for skiers who spend a large chunk of the season in cold conditions and need a rugged layer that won’t hold them back.

Men’s Snowman Bib

When the mercury drops and long underwear alone won’t cut it, these will keep you warm from first chair ‘til last.

These bibs are packed with 40g Spaceloft™ insulation, which not only retains body heat in cold weather, it also keeps working efficiently if you manage to get some snow down your pants. Built with 2-layer Stark hardshell fabric, they also have a 10k/10k waterproof breathable rating.

Although that’s a step down from what you’ll get with the Baker, these are intended to be worn on cold days when slush and wet snow really aren’t a factor, which makes it less of a concern. The benefit of course is they can also be had at a more modest asking price, which makes it easier to justify adding these to your gear rotation as an option for frigid days.

Women’s Foxy Insulated Bib

Much like the Baker insulated bib, these take Flylow’s modern classic women’s bib. Striking a fantastic blend of being sleek with enough room to move, these will be a revelation if you typically run cold.

The fabric is Flylow’s recycled Tactic 3-layer softshell, which boasts an impressive 20k/20k waterproof breathable rating, making it suitable for stormy days and spring laps alike. That also means these bibs have a touch of stretch for tweaking your grabs or hitting the boot pack.

Since they’re stuffed with synthetic 40g Greenloft recycled insulation, working up a sweat won’t compromise the warming abilities of these heavy duty bibs. Need the best you can get? Look no further.

Women’s Sphynx Bib

These toasty warm bibs will keep you from freezing on cold days, and unlike many other insulated bibs, they have a flattering form as well.

The magic to these bibs is mostly in the fit. These have a carefully patterned cut that looks and fits like the Foxy bib. That means you’ll still have room to move without restriction, and you won’t have to trade your comfort either. The 40g Spaceloft™ insulation retains warmth even if it gets wet, but that’s not likely thanks to the 10k/10k waterproof breathable rating you’re getting courtesy of the 2-layer Finish hardshell fabric.

Even better, they’re Flylow’s most affordable women’s bib, which makes it easier to justify adding a set to your ski wardrobe specifically for the coldest days of the season.

In Closing

Clearly, Flylow has a bib to cover almost every conceivable need. And while there are plenty to choose from, making the right choice is really as simple as defining what you need from your bibs. Just remember that non-insulated means no insulation, select your baselayers accordingly, and you’ll be on your way to blissful comfort this season.

About the Author

Garson Fields

Raised in New England, before transplanting to Utah to chase the freedom of the West, Garson is a mountain bike coach, sometimes racer, seasoned camper, and trusted authority on premium outdoor gear. He grew up skiing at Mad River Glen, later switching to snowboarding, and still has a soft spot for East Coast hardpack. He’s turned that passion and experience into a career in outdoor industry marketing, where he focuses on educating and empowering consumers of all experience levels.