Comfortable, simple, and timeless, we’re huge fans of the OR Women’s Skytour Ascentshell Bibs. Photo: Amelia Arvesen//The Inertia
There was once a time when you’d find me wearing ski pants on the mountain, but that was before I experienced the life-changing magic of ski bibs. By extending up to the chest and over the shoulders, bibs provide even more coverage, warmth, and storage than their counterparts. All those years ago, I became a convert. This winter, I was reminded again why bibs are superior when I tested the Outdoor Research Women’s Skytour AscentShell Bibs ($399).
The classic-cut, no-fuss bib came with me on touring outings up Oregon’s Mt. Hood as well as to resort days at the mountain’s unpretentious Timberline Lodge. (And it got some extra time outside snowshoeing and ice skating in Québec because I couldn’t leave without them).
Bottom line: While it’s designed for backcountry touring, the Skytour AscentShell Bib is an all-around performer that you can also wear inbounds. Internal gaiters, adjustable suspenders, secure zip pockets, scuff guards, and a gusseted crotch are everything you expect in a bib, but the flexible materials, easy zippers and snaps, and drop-hatch design raise it to the top.
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Dual side zips are great for bathroom breaks and easy venting. Photo: Amelia Arvesen//The Inertia
First Impressions of the Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Bibs
Ideal for: Backcountry travelers and ultralight resort skiers who want a classic bib that will outlast trends, seasons, changing preferences, and maybe even our own lifetime
Maybe not for: Skiers who run cold. These aren’t insulated and offer the lightest amount of warmth.
The OR Skytour AscentShell Bibs aren’t showstoppers. They’re not going to turn heads with flashy designs or striking colors or the newest tech. But they are designed to take you from season to season, no matter if you rip or coast, and even if you’re hard on your gear.
When it arrived on my doorstep, the package was a lot lighter than I expected. Bibs tend to be heavier than pants because they have that extra bit of fabric to cover the torso. This one is lightweight and clearly durable, though, built for the unpredictability of the backcountry and thus entirely capable in the front country. I’m usually a size small and ordered a small in these. They fit true to size and exactly how I’d hoped: not too baggy and not too fitted, but somewhere in between to accommodate snapping into boots, hard charging the descents, and grooving over moguls. I’ll compromise on looking the most fashionable on the mountain for function any day.
Snaps at the top of each side drop-seat zipper let you use them as large vents, too. Photo: Amelia Arvesen//The Inertia
Notable Features
Price: $399
Weight: 549 g
Insulation: No
Best for: Backcountry, but plenty durable enough for the resort
Fit: Relaxed and roomy fit, but not baggy
AscentShell Air 3L Fabric
The 93% Nylon blended with 7% Spandex adds an appreciated stretch for the bending, twisting, shifting, and shuffling required for uphill and downhill skiing. The 40D x 65D stretch plain weave face with 100% polyester 50D translates to durability and flexibility. You don’t need to worry about branches snagging or ski edges slicing your new shell. The material didn’t even show scuff marks after I fell hard on my bum and slid while ice skating (See? I knew testing on skates would prove useful.)
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A few roomy pockets are far better than a plethora of small ones. Photo: Amelia Arvesen//The Inertia
Pockets, But Not Too Many
Women’s clothing, and especially outdoor gear, has historically lacked pockets. Brands heard our plea for more. And then they overcorrected, adding a pocket wherever they could fit one. Now, my complaint is that there are too many pockets, and I end up even more disorganized than when I only had one. There is a balance to be had, and the Skytour bibs strike it. Each thigh has one roomy zippered drop-in pocket for a phone, pass, or snacks. And a third zippered pocket on the chest flap secures an avalanche beacon with a leash, or stores a map, tissues, and more snacks. That’s all the pockets you need in a bib, in my opinion.
Full side zips on either side of the bibs enable a drop-seat for easy bathroom breaks. Photo: Amelia Arvesen//The Inertia
Drop-Hatch Design
As unsexy as it is to talk about, a bib that you can easily get in and out of—whether for going to the bathroom or for undressing at the end of the day—is harder to find than you think. Fasteners can be hard to reach or fussy to undo, forcing you to do backbends in a tiny restroom stall while the lines grow. We don’t need another excuse not to drink water. That’s why the Skytour’s drop-hatch design stands out. Pit stops are no problem with the easy snaps and zipper pulls on both sides – the latter of which doubles as thigh vents for expelling heat on the ascent – and their placements in the back are close enough to reach without awkwardly asking for help.
The back straps are comfortable and low-profile. Photo: Amelia Arvesen//The Inertia
Drawbacks
This was a hard one. As someone who gets hot and then cold easily, I’m a fan of lighter shell layers. They allow me to customize insulation based on the weather and my energy output. I’d rather pile on a midlayer and puffer over my baselayer than choose a warmer jacket. So the fact that the Skytours offer no insulation and top-tier breathability is an upside for me.
But for someone who runs cold – and doesn’t want to wear sweats in addition to baselayer tights – the Skytour could end up being too lightweight. These bibs are not for blustery, frigid days on the chairlift. But that’s the trade-off you get for being a top-performer when uphilling on the alpine trail, bootpacking in-bounds to get the freshest powder, and enjoying spring conditions.
Lightweight, stretchy, and comfortable, the OR Skytour Ascentshell Bibs deliver. Photo: Amelia Arvesen//The Inertia
Final Thoughts
If you want a bib that’s going to outlive you, the OR Skytour AscentShell Bib is your lifelong bestie for backcountry and front country adventures, and beyond. Its classic cut and design are everything you need in a bib that has just the right amount of bells and whistles. I found myself packing it for non-skiing winter trips – snowshoeing, ice skating, and sightseeing in French Canada, where it snowed several feet – because I love how they perform in snow. I am a fan of the relaxed fit, the easy in/out design, and the flexibility and breathability of the material.
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Editor’s Note: Wanna see how this bib stacks up to the competition? Check out our Best Women’s Ski Bibs review. Looking for a jacket to go with it? Here’s our review of the Best Women’s Ski Jackets. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
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