The thigh pocket of the [AK] Kalausi Bibs has a dedicated sleeve for beacons, as well as a rigid clip loop to keep it in place. Photo: Lindsay Gough / The Inertia
Every so often, someone raises the bar on outerwear, setting a new standard for the next phase of innovation. I don’t say that lightly. As a gear editor, I have the lucky job of sifting through press releases and sample offers to see what gear truly shines above the rest. After Burton sent me their new Kalausi jacket and bibs, I’ve been telling people that this indeed is a step above the rest in what it offers backcountry snowboarders. This well-made kit sets a new standard for lightweight freedom of movement, well thought-out design, and the necessary weatherproof protection to survive out in the wild mountains.
I took the bibs (along with the jacket) out to test if it lived up to Burton’s claims of it truly being something unique. Living in British Columbia’s Coast Mountains, it doesn’t get any wetter than here, so I’d find out soon enough just how waterproof it is or isn’t. The other tests would also come soon enough: how well it moves and how much/where I can stash extras. Read on to see how it went, and be sure to check out our review of the matching Kalausi jacket. To see how these pants stack up against the competition, check out our review of The Best Snowboard Pants.
Burton [AK] Kalausi Bibs
| Pros | Cons |
| Next-level design | Expensive |
| Super light | Upper third isn’t waterproof |
| Allows for unrestricted movement |
Best for: Backcountry die-hards who want a lightweight, easy-moving set of pants to crush the skin track
Maybe not for: People who prefer insulation with their outer layer, Resort-only riders where the big selling points won’t apply
First Impressions of the Burton [AK] Kalausi Bibs
The bibs came in a very small package, which initially had me wondering if they maybe sent a kid’s size by mistake. But that was just my own bias having never seen a pair of bib pants so light and can pack up so easily. This was by design, of course, and the true reality is that these pants are much different than others.
Next I noticed the lack of the rigid crinkle sounds one usually hears on a pair of 3L GORE-TEX pants. The material felt soft. I don’t want to compare it to natural fibers which are undoubtedly softer but it was certainly the “quietest” and thinnest pair of 3L Gore that I had ever laid hands on. But how it looks or even sounds is not as important as how it feels when putting it on, so that would be where the review truly began.
Kalausi On The Mountain
Usually when getting 3L GORE-TEX you have to sacrifice some freedom of movement for the material to truly protect from the elements. Not so anymore. With the ability to design the kit using the latest 3D modeling tech they are able to crunch complex algorithms on how the material needs to hang for unencumbered movement. I can say that they seem to have figured it out. The movement in these bibs felt the most unrestricted of anything else I’ve tried, which gives one less distraction while skinning up a mountain.
Notable Features
The main standout feature is the C-Knit GORE-TEX fabric that makes the waterproof shell. It really does feel like something else and is lighter and softer than anything else that has come before it with the same level of waterproofing and breathability. But that’s not all that sets these pants apart.
Another brilliant stroke of design is the bib upper. Instead of elastic shoulder straps to keep the pants up, it’s actually a vest of some sorts. While this section isn’t waterproof, it sure is breathable (often a gripe of bibs as opposed to pants) and the waterproof section still comes well above the waist and shouldn’t cause any issue when worn with a jacket. And not only does it look cool, but it adds storage space, and keeps the pants up much better than a strap that can come loose and fall down when riding hard.
Cross-ventilation is another huge selling point with these bibs. Snow pants often choose either inside or outside vents, but these bibs feature both, letting you open them up wide on the skintrack and get some cross ventilation going. The inner thigh vents also feature a mesh liner, to keep snow from getting in should you choose to keep them open while riding.
The final main feature of note is the large pants pockets which are designed to hold a transceiver, with a fixed loop to clip it in. This in itself is a huge deal, allowing you to keep your beacon secure in your pants pocket as opposed to using a chest harness. While there are tangible drawbacks to having your beacon in the pants as opposed to on the torso, it’s no doubt a preference for many. Now that you can clip it to a dedicated loop in your pants, it’s exponentially safer to do so now and the risk of losing your beacon when pulling it out has gone down considerably.
The Kalausi bibs provide unmatched freedom of movement, especially for being so weatherproof. Photo: Lindsay Gough / The Inertia
Drawbacks
It’s pretty hard to ignore the price tag on these. At $809, it’s only half of an outerwear kit and yet costs more than most snowboards. There is no doubt that these are premium pants that charge a premium for being something brand-new. New tech always costs a lot initially, and then the prices come down after supply increases. Is it worth it to you to have the latest and greatest tech?
While the vest-style upper support is light years above any elastic straps found standard on most other bibs, it might be overkill to some. It does offer support but the protection from the elements is not where other bibs are. But the idea is that if you need weather protection, you’ll be wearing a jacket so that’s fair enough. Depends on how rigid you need it, and for days where you’re digging jumps it might be a bit wetter than others.
These bibs definitely earned the shaka of approval. Photo: Lindsay Gough/The Inertia
Final Thoughts
The Burton [AK] Kalausi bib pants are designed for people who want the best performing gear out in the backcountry, and aren’t afraid to pay a premium for it. But what you’ll have is a well-designed, lightweight, and beautifully moving set of pants that will help you conquer the backcountry in comfort and style. Check out the review of the Kalausi jacket, here, and to see how it all measures up to the competition, check out our reviews of the Best Snowboard Pants and the Best Snowboard Jackets.
Editor’s Note: For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here. If you’re looking to build out the rest of your kit, read our reviews on The Best Snowboard Mittens, Best Snowboard Goggles, Best Snowboard Boots, Best Ski and Snowboard Helmets, Best Snowboard Bags and Best Snowboard Brands.
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