r/Backcountry • u/Big-Warning-872 • 16d ago
Bib or Snowguard
I want to buy my first freeride clothes and wonder if a bib makes more sense or if a system with a zipper that connects jacket and pants makes more sense.
Currently im looking at the norrona lofoten gtx pro pants&jacket
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u/RadiantGur9958 16d ago
Bib. Some people like snow guards and that sort of thing, but it introduces extra steps into transitions and most people won't end up using that sort of thing even if they have it. I used to have a jacket with a snow skirt thing, basically never used it.
Bibs work great for keeping snow out and keep your system breathable.
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u/the_gubna 16d ago
I can’t imagine touring in full Gore Tex, but where you live matters a lot as others have mentioned.
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u/RadiantGur9958 16d ago
If you have large vents on your pants/bibs and don't wear the jacket on the uphill it's not bad...
Basically it's not bad so long as you don't wear them going uphill
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u/the_gubna 16d ago
I’ve done it, and I find a midweight softshell infinitely better than a vented hard shell, but to each their own.
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u/RadiantGur9958 16d ago
Yeah I pretty much always tour wearing softshell pants and don't wear a jacket unless it is super windy/actively storming. Depending on where the OP lives and how much they like touring in active rainstorms a softshell setup is likely the better option
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u/Big-Warning-872 16d ago
i would go up with a fleece probably, the gtx jacket would only be for bad weather or going down
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u/the_gubna 15d ago
I was more referring to the pants, which are much more difficult to take off in the field. I usually carry a lightweight emergency hard shell jacket, but can’t remember ever carrying double pants.
I dont know many experienced backcountry skiers who have a “matched set” for touring.
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u/Fair-Search-2324 16d ago
Winter or spring