outdoor research carbide bib review

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Wearing the Outdoor Research Carbide Bibs while Snowboarding

Outdoor Research Men’s Carbide Bibs Review

Combining heritage art, unbeatable comfort and bombproof construction must have been OR’s goal when they made their Carbide Bibs. The Outdoor Research Carbide Bibs can handle any weather, don’t crush your chest, and allow for wide fluid movement all the while looking super steezy.

Pertex Nylon

Start with that Pertex Shield 3L 100% nylon 40D outer, a material that seems to be leading the charge in developing cutting-edge waterproofing. The nylon 420D oxford scuff has done a damn good job handling slipping and sliding on this hard spring ice, and the rocks, and everything else. The dual side zips give enough ventilation for anybody to be healthy and the pocket options make this both a backcountry and a resort ski leg-covering.

It has a swing hatch, not a full drop seat (I’ve noticed full drops can start failing to come back up after a while) but enough access to “answer nature’s call” as OR says. Plus there’s an avalanche beacon pocket given the research saying possibly beacons are just as good if not better in pants, and extensive guide experience that points to the regular usage of both which no doubt OR got from many avy sages like IFMGA guide Martin Volken.

Basically, on paper these Outdoor Research Bibs should be bomb. So how are the Outdoor Research Carbides in some real testing?

I’ve worn these all season. In super cold days and throughout our warm Teton January. In the super-wet February and this March drought. The Outdoor Research Carbides have been my go-to pant. Bib. First off because they were so comfortable that if I was just wearing them on a long tour, they were doing as much heat dispersal through the top as through the side slits, much appreciated.

And it should be added that if you’re wearing them like that with the straps showing, you’re showing off your artistic appreciation. Their collab for a cause Arcade Elastic belts (super flexy) design was done with the Warli Tribe. An ancient Maharashtra, India, tribe who have been known for their artistry for over a thousand years, they designed this pattern. And proceeds from the use of this pattern support the Warlis. Pretty rad.

But seriously, the Carbides handled a day so full of windblown frozen rain that I never once had to think of the ventilation zips (and my fingers were irresponsibly white by the summit). And they were just as good on a bluebird, churning-leg pow day. In fact given their light weight, I was blown away by how much they repelled. Since that light weight made it great on the warm days. Plus with the hip pockets, the chest pocket, so many great pockets, they were better than all the other tight, “streamlined” premium waterproof bids out there.

My only issue is if you’re ever looking for your bibs to add warmth, I didn’t find these to be the ones.

Overall Impression

Are you looking for something that’s waterproof with the most cutting materials? Yeah, the Outdoor Research Carbide Bibs ($298.99) deliver that. Want something with steeze, especially some conscientious art that means something? They got that. The Carbides deliver. But while they move and look just as good inbounds, definitely make sure you layer up underneath on resort days.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

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Ryan Ariano

Ryan Ariano has been writing professionally for 20 years but he’s been snowboarding, traveling, and exploring much longer. His winters spent skiing Icelandic volcanoes, snowboarding the Japanese alps, and touring Teton high peaks have earned him a reputation for being tough on gear. In the summer, you can find him climbing routes above his pay grade, fishing the Golden Triangle, and running mountain trails. Somewhere in there he finds time to write about it.

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Best Ski Jacket for Women: Outdoor Research Carbide Jacket Review

Outdoor Research Carbide Jacket Review

In testing, this jacket wasn’t just good — it was damn near perfect. For skiing (both resort and backcountry) and other backcountry winter activities, the Carbide Jacket excelled. It’s got a three-layer Pertex Shield shell, two zippered hand pockets, two zippered chest pockets, an inner drop pocket, and a helmet-compatible hood.

In essence, this jacket is:

a technical shell with a women’s-specific fit
covered in pockets
comfortable

A few weeks ago, I was riding up a chairlift at Arapahoe Basin — one inch of fresh snow beckoned and excitement hung in the air. There was the usual chairlift chit-chat, then a female skier on the other end leaned over and said, “Excuse me, what jacket is that? I love it!” She was referring to the two-tone purple colors.

Since then, I’ve received this inquiry a few more times: “What jacket is that? It looks so light!” or “What jacket are you snowshoeing in? Is it breathable?” Yes, yes, and yes. Yes to the flattering two-tone design, yes to the lightweight, waterproof-breathable shell, and yes to the long pit zips that provide ample room to breathe on the uphill.

Jacket Features

This jacket has a bigger helmet-compatible adjustable hood and thoughtful details like a ski pass pocket and adjustable cuffs. It also packs down nicely. But if I had to pick just one praise for this jacket, aside from its overall look and feel, it’d be the pockets. Boy, does this jacket deliver great storage.

The jacket is fully seam-sealed with water-resistant zippers. The zippers lay and slide just OK, so this may be one area of improvement for the brand. The pocket placement for both the hand pockets and chest pockets is great, and I loved the ability to carry lots of essentials (phone, map, snacks, ski pass on resort days, etc.) in the jacket while carrying things like a beacon in the beacon-specific pocket in the corresponding bibs.

the author sliding her phone into one of the OR carbide jacket chest pockets

Testing the Carbide Jacket (and Bibs)

When testing this jacket on the uphill, I barely noticed it was there. It was comfortable, and the venting was plentiful (both the jacket and bib have long zippered vents on both arms and thighs). The matching Outdoor Research Carbide Bibs ($299) also performed well on the uphill, namely on a 5-plus-mile snowshoeing slog this November.

view of the Outdoor Research Carbide bib zippered hand pockets

The temps were mild, but between the wind and an hour of snowfall, I was very glad to have a waterproof shell.

The bibs also pair seamlessly with the style and elements of the jacket. Here are a few of the bibs’ features: a drop zipper down the side (for easy bathroom access), open venting on both sides, two zippered thigh pockets, and one chest pocket on the upper bib panel. The bibs are also finished with some pretty amazing (read: adjustable) one-inch suspender straps.

All in all, this lightweight, waterproof ski jacket and bibs will be one of my go-tos throughout this season.

Check Carbide Jacket Price at REI Check Carbide Jacket Price at Outdoor Research Check Carbide Bib Price at Outdoor Research

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Mary Murphy has been writing about hiking, running, climbing, camping, skiing, and more for eight years, and has been on staff at GearJunkie since 2019. Prior to that, Mary wrote for 5280 Magazine in Denver while working as an outdoor instructor teaching climbing, kayaking, paddleboarding, mountain biking, and the love of nature to kids. Based in Denver, Colorado, Murphy is an avid hiker, runner, backpacker, skier, yogi, and pack-paddleboarder.