Bibs are a great piece of snowboarding equipment to have in your closet. I think bibs are more comfortable and effective in deep snow than regular snow pants, and I use them often. If you want a little extra comfort and waterproof protection, bibs are recommended.
I’m an avid snowboarder who has been riding for most of my life. I’ve used many different bibs during decades of riding and know what to look for in the best options out there.
The Burton Reserve is my pick for the best snowboard bibs. These are a great option from a trusted brand in the industry.
I’ll show you a handful of my other favorites in this post, so you can make an informed choice that best meets your needs.
Let’s dive in.
Contents
Who Should Get This
If you’re unfamiliar with bibs, they are basically snowboarding pants in the shape of overalls. It’s a different style than some beginner riders might be accustomed to, especially if they only know regular snowboard pants that secure around the waist.
Bibs come up over your shoulders, which provides more protection from the snow. That is why so many use them in deep powder situations.
That protection makes bibs ideal for the backcountry because they are tough, and the added material allows for more pockets.
I find bibs to be a bit more comfortable as well. So if you ride in the backcountry often or are simply looking for a new snow pant style, bibs are a great way to go.
Top Snowboard Bibs
Here are my top picks for the best snowboard bibs, along with a detailed review for each item so you know its pros and cons.
1. Burton Reserve
- Best for: Overall
- Key features: Comfortable, relaxed fit, strong, durable, Living lining, good pockets, well-ventilated
- Insulation: Shell/None
- Waterproofing: Gore-Tex
- Cost: $$$
The Burton Reserve is my top overall pick for the best snowboard bibs. These are a very comfortable and durable option that every rider can appreciate.
They have a relaxed fit that gives you plenty of room to move and won’t hold you back when you ride.
Gore-Tex material gives you superior waterproofing and helps to block out the wind, cold, and snow. The fully-taped seams also feature a Gore-Seam tape lock to add another measure of weather protection.
The Reserve also comes with mesh-lined vents to help cool you down and plenty of pockets to help you store any gear you want to bring along.
I don’t have much of a critique on these bibs, but they can be a little expensive if you don’t find them on sale.
==> You can also get it on Evo or Buckman’s or Skis.
2. Burton Avalon
- Best for: Women’s
- Key features: Slim fit, durable, comfortable, microfleece backer, four-way stretch material, thigh vents
- Insulation: Shell/None
- Waterproofing: Dryride 10K mm
- Cost: $$$
The Burton Avalon is the best women’s snowboard bibs. They have a solid construction made out of four-way stretch material for superior comfort.
A Dryride softshell fabric outer layer provides you with a 10K mm waterproof rating, which is solid and will keep you reliably dry.
A layer of microfleece behind the shell material provides a little extra insulation, which is nice on a shell-only model.
The slim fit gives you a close-to-the-body feel without being too tight. It won’t restrict your movements when you ride.
The chest pocket can feel a little awkward if you pack it too full of stuff.
==> You can also get it on DICK’S or Evo or Backcountry.
3. Flylow Baker
- Best for: Comfort
- Key features: Very comfortable, excellent waterproofing, built-in ventilation, durable design, many pockets
- Insulation: Shell/None
- Waterproofing: Intuitive Oxford Membrane 20K mm
- Cost: $$$$
If you want the best in terms of comfort, the Flylow Baker takes the title. These are some of the most comfortable bibs I have ever worn.
They have a free-flowing fit that just works. You won’t need to worry about them holding you back, and they also aren’t too baggy. They hit the sweet spot.
An intuitive Oxford membrane gives you an outstanding waterproof rating of 20K mm. So you will stay dry even in the deepest powder when wearing these.
The Baker also has a 1000D polyester face fabric that is super durable and strong. These will last for season after season of regular use.
The downside to all of this comfort and performance is that they are very expensive.
==> You can also get it on Evo or Backcountry or Jans.
4. Volcom Barkley
- Best for: Kids
- Key features: Affordable, relaxed fit, grow-tech, boot gussets, durable
- Insulation: Shell/None
- Waterproofing: 2-layer V-science 10K mm
- Cost: $$
The Volcom Barkley is a great kid’s snowboard bib. These feature a Grow-Tech design that will allow your little ones to grow into these instead of having to buy new gear every year.
They come with a relaxed fit that kids will find super comfortable. A high chest will keep snow and cold away to keep little riders nice and cozy.
Mesh-lined zipper vents allow the cool air to come in on those warmer days, and 2-Layer V-science material gives the bibs a 10k mm waterproof rating.
Even though they have Grow-Tech, you might want to order a size up, so your kid has extra room to grow.
==> You can also get it on Volcom or Evo or Buckman’s.
How to Choose Snow Bibs for Snowboarding
Here are some critical things to keep in mind when looking into which bibs to get for snowboarding.
Fit
Fit should be your first consideration when deciding which bib to get. Bibs are secured above your shoulder in the same matter that overalls would be. If you’ve never tried them before, it can take some getting used to.
I love the way bibs fit and wear them more often than regular snowboard pants. They can be more comfortable and free-flowing.
Both of those aspects are ideal for me because I don’t want any article of clothing to restrict my movements when I ride. You also don’t need to wear a belt with bibs, which adds to their overall comfort.
Added Protection from the Elements
Bibs offer extra protection from the snow and cold compared to regular snow pants.
If you’ve ever gotten a blast of powder down your trousers on a big snow day, you know that it can lead to wetness and discomfort for the rest of the day. Bibs make that scenario virtually impossible because they sit further up your chest and torso.
That extra length eliminates the risk of snow sneaking in the crease between your pants and jacket, and it also provides an added layer of warmth on your upper body as well. This extra protection is great for riders who run cold or who like to spend a lot of time in the backcountry.
Extra Pockets
Snowboard bibs also offer extra pockets compared to regular pants. There is a lot more material used in their construction, which means there’s more room to add pockets to the design.
This is great if you like to carry additional food or equipment when you ride. For backcountry snowboarding, a few extra pockets will allow you to easily pack extra fuel for long hikes or necessary safety equipment to keep you safe.
FAQs
Here are some quick answers to a handful of common questions about snowboard bibs.
Are bibs good for snowboarding?
Yes, bibs are my preferred style of snowboard pants. I like the added protection that bibs give you in terms of blocking out deep snow. They are also more comfortable than regular pants because you don’t have to wear a belt.
Are bibs or pants better for snowboarding?
This is really a personal preference. Some riders like bibs better (like myself), while others prefer regular pants. If you have never used bibs before, I recommend trying them out to see what you think.
Does Walmart have snow bibs?
Walmart does have snow bibs, but I wouldn’t recommend any of them for snowboarding. You could get away with using these options if you have no other choice, but they won’t be very durable.
Can you snowboard in Carhartt bibs?
Yes, but again, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it. Carhartt bibs aren’t explicitly designed for snowboarding, so you won’t get the features that some of the other options you’ll see on this list have.
Useful Tips & Resources
One downside to wearing bibs over regular snow pants presents itself when you need to use the bathroom.
Unlike regular snow pants that sit at your waist, you can’t always unbutton your bibs when nature calls. That can be annoying when you’re out in the snow.
Since backcountry riders often use bibs, it’s also good to remind yourself that safety always comes first. There aren’t any ski patrollers or fellow riders to help you in a bind when you are away from the resort.
Take a look at these backcountry safety practices for a quick refresher.
My Verdict
The Burton Reserve is my top pick for the best snowboard bibs. These are a very comfortable option that will give you excellent protection from the snow and cold. They are also very durable and have great value.
All of the bibs on this list are recommended and are some of the best models you can find.
I love to use snowboard bibs pretty much every time I ride. That is my personal preference, but I would recommend giving them a chance if you’ve only ever used regular snowboard pants before.
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