The 6 Best Ski Bibs of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

If you only ever purchase one pair of ski bibs, let it be the Black Diamond Factor Bibs for women and men. This particular style excelled across all testing categories — from durability and fit to waterproof features and functionality. Designed with adjustable Velcro suspenders, drop-in thigh pockets, and a range of zippers that make the process of putting the bibs on and taking them off relatively easy, the ski bibs take into account nearly every situation and weather condition. Not to mention, the elasticized back panel, which is attached with snaps, allows you to pop into the bathroom without needing to adjust anything else.

Even though the bibs are fully waterproof, you’ll be properly ventilated thanks to the side vents. There are also cuffs and integrated snow gaiters at the ankles to prevent snow from getting into your boots, and we discovered the pocket placement is incredibly purposeful. You can put your card, keys, or cash in the front zipper pocket, one of the side pockets is padded for a cell phone, and there’s even a back pocket to hold smaller items (like hand warmers).

The Details: Size XS-XL women’s, S-XL men’s |  Nylon face, wool, and polyester | Waterproof

While style is subjective, our definition of the category revolves around fit. When evaluating each bib, we looked for gear that could be worn over layers without becoming too bulky. Enter the more flex1 Bibs for men and women from Norwegian brand Norrona. Outfitted with all the classic must-haves — pockets, zippers for ventilation, and fabric with decent give — the formfitting bibs are warm, waterproof, windproof, and designed for a tailored-fit with stretchy waist and adjustable shoulder straps. We were also impressed with the bibs’ durability. Even after back-to-back snowboarding trips and a wash, we didn’t find a single scuff or tear. And if you want to up the style ante? Go with a pair in bright orange.

The Details: Size XS-L women’s, S-XL men’s | Nylon, polyester, and elastane double-weaved material | Partially waterproof

The main purpose of shell bibs is to provide unbeatable protection from wind, rain, and snow — and the Ortovox 3L Deep Shell Bib Pants for men and women absolutely aced the weatherproofing category. Even after a few falls on a powder day, we stayed perfectly dry and warm. Moisture didn’t seep through the fabric, and the snow gaiters provided an additional line of defense. We also found that mobility wasn’t an obstacle. And if you’ve ever owned waterproof outdoor gear, you know that isn’t always the case. With the adjustable suspenders and waist, plus the surprisingly stretchy material, the bibs permitted the necessary range of motion on the slopes — even with the addition of the base and mid-layers.

The Details: Size XS-XL women’s, S-XXL men’s | Polyamide, polyurethane, polyester, wool, and elastane | Waterproof

After several ski trips wearing the Outdoor Research Carbide Bib for women and men, we loved the lightweight and easy to pack design of these durable bibs. The zippered vents and pockets go above standard issue thanks to their thoughtful locations: the avalanche beacon pocket is on the chest, where it can be reached if necessary, and the swing hatch panel removes the hassle of bathroom breaks.

As far as fit goes, we didn’t experience any issues, although there isn’t much customization. You can adjust the shoulder straps, and there are loops for a belt, but that’s about as much “tailoring” as you can do (without taking the bibs to a professional). Still, they come in a large range of sizes, so you should be able to find the right pair for your comfort and needs.

The Details: Size XS-4X women’s, S-3XL men’s | Pertex Shield and nylon | Waterproof

If you’re going backcountry skiing anytime soon, it’s a good idea to invest in bibs that are protective and high-quality, but not too heavily insulated. After testing the Rab Khroma Kinetic Waterproof Bib Pants for women and men over the course of several weeks, we identified them as the best ski bibs for this type of activity. Not only did they hold up to a variety of falls, crashes, and collisions, but they also came away without a scratch — and continued to stave off moisture and cold. We were also impressed by the functionality of the zipper thigh vents, front fly zip, drop seat, and internal snow gaiter. All things considered, you should feel confident wearing these to ski a variety of off-piste terrain.

The Details: Size XS-XL women’s, S-XXL men’s | Polyamide, elastane, and polyester | Waterproof

Advanced and expert skiers and boarders, as well as those who tackle multiple types of terrain, need ski bibs that offer a full range of motion. The Arc’teryx Women’s Sentinel Bib Pants definitely allow for all kinds of movement — but that’s just one of the reasons we rated them highly. We also appreciated the Gore-tex fabric, seam-sealed zippers, and reinforced stitching as we headed out into wet conditions. The performance fit was another win: the suspenders have good stretch without moving out of place. And even though the thighs are on the slimmer side, there’s no issue with adding a base layer; we’d just recommend adding a mid-layer jacket on top of the bibs versus underneath. At the end of the day, what sealed the deal for us was the instep patches. They prevent any fabric tear or shredding caused by the edge of your skis or your boots.

The Details: Size 00-16 women’s | Gore-Tex and flannel | Waterproof | Insulated (include if yes, omit if no)