Favorite Hardshell bibs for ice climbing?

Mammut Nordwand pro hs pant. It’s not a bib but they do come up decently high on the waist. In my opinion, they have the best crampon protection. 2 large Velcro straps on the calf allows you to customize the fit depending on the boots you’re wearing (ie, touring/ice boots). Expensive but you can usually find a pair on sale for a good price. 

NW Alpine Farmer John bibs:

https://www.nwalpine.com/collections/mens/products/neoshell-salopette

My wife just got the women's version of these, they look pretty nice and the fit well over her G2s. Crazy expensive at retail price however. 

https://www.mountainhardwear.com/p/mens-routefinder-gore-tex-pro-bib-2024511.html?dwvar_2024511_color=010

I tried on every bib mentioned here. Went with the Rab.

Hi Folks, 

Just want to ressurect this to say that...as a tall climber with a long torso who struggls to find a jacket/pants/harness system that stays together and doesn't come all disorganized and untucked...I switched over to bibs and have generally found nirvana bliss and happiness.  

With bibs...the harness/jacket untucking problem has basically become minimal enough to be unremarkable.  And the lack of a waistband under the jacket and harness is really nice.  Plus the little bit of added warmpth.  Warm fussy feelings all around. 

Patagonia Dual Aspect hardshell

Arcteryx Beta SV bibs (older model)

Arcteryx 395A harness

For the bibs, full zips are important to me, because I don't walk in/approach wearing these...I put on the hardshell at the base. The best would perhaps be these bibs (older Arcteryx) or Patagonia Snowdrifter.  But I will need to have modifications done to both to make the leg openings slimmer, and install a full length zipper.  

For anybody looking, I tried to ME Tupilak, and I liked the overall design, but they ran really small for me...I tried an XL and it was like wearing tights.  No bueno.  

Bruno Schull wrote:

Hi Folks, 

Just want to ressurect this to say that...as a tall climber with a long torso who struggls to find a jacket/pants/harness system that stays together and doesn't come all disorganized and untucked...I switched over to bibs and have generally found nirvana bliss and happiness.  

With bibs...the harness/jacket untucking problem has basically become minimal enough to be unremarkable.  And the lack of a waistband under the jacket and harness is really nice.  Plus the little bit of added warmpth.  Warm fussy feelings all around. 

Patagonia Dual Aspect hardshell

Arcteryx Beta SV bibs (older model)

Arcteryx 395A harness

For the bibs, full zips are important to me, because I don't walk in/approach wearing these...I put on the hardshell at the base. The best would perhaps be these bibs (older Arcteryx) or Patagonia Snowdrifter.  But I will need to have modifications done to both to make the leg openings slimmer, and install a full length zipper.  

For anybody looking, I tried to ME Tupilak, and I liked the overall design, but they ran really small for me...I tried an XL and it was like wearing tights.  No bueno.  

I think it is worth saying that on me the patigonia bibs felt enormous on me even in a xs super baggy in the legs , I can’t speak to the Tupilak bibs but the jacket is the best I have ever used, zero and I mean zero hem lift when swinging.

Finn Lanvers wrote:

I can’t speak to the Tupilak bibs but the jacket is the best I have ever used, zero and I mean zero hem lift when swinging.

Slight thread drift, but agreed. I have the Tupilak Atmo and it is without a doubt the best hardshell I have ever owned both in terms of performance and fit. Sadly (like all great items) it was discontinued, but I believe the Atmo version has the same fit as the Tupilak, the only differences being weight and denier of the Goretex Thread. 

I just picked up some Kalais hardshell bibs from Verti Cal. They are light and have zips in all the right places. They run small - at 5.7 I take a large but if they fit the cut is very nice. Yes, will have to watch sharps with them.

Dallin Carey wrote:

Slight thread drift, but agreed. I have the Tupilak Atmo and it is without a doubt the best hardshell I have ever owned both in terms of performance and fit. Sadly (like all great items) it was discontinued, but I believe the Atmo version has the same fit as the Tupilak, the only differences being weight and denier of the Goretex Thread. 

Any idea what "Atmo" meant / means? I was wondering what the difference was between the two.

The Tupilak/Tupilak Atmo is essentially Mountain Equipment's version of Arcteryx's Alpha SV/Alpha FL (also discontinued). You have one burley, albeit heavy shell, that can stand lots of abuse (Alpha SV 100D, Tupilak 80D) and on the other hand you have a paired down, alpine focused, lighter shell. The Atmo and FL both used 40D. Bummer they are both gone. 

I know they aren't bibs. But does anyone have any experience with the patagonia triolet pants for ice climbing? What're yalls thoughts? I found some pretty much brand new for $150 and am debating pulling the trigger or waiting until I find some other full-zip bibs or pants. 

Alex Headley wrote:

I know they aren't bibs. But does anyone have any experience with the patagonia triolet pants for ice climbing? What're yalls thoughts? I found some pretty much brand new for $150 and am debating pulling the trigger or waiting until I find some other full-zip bibs or pants. 

Good price for good pants. 

Are these new? The North Face Summit Series Pumori GTX Pro Bib Pants

Seem like an interesting option

Not a full zip which makes it a hard sell for me

Even better than bibs is the full alpine suit, if you can find one that fits for a decent price! So sleek and streamlined. 

PS anyone wanna trade a size small for a medium?? 

Benshamjam Climbwell wrote:

In your search you may find the outdoor research archangel bibs. I have them, hands down worst piece of outdoor gear ive ever bought. Stay away, far away...

Why didn’t you like them? My partner and I got the last years model (the red ones) and love them. We only have about two months using them daily though

https://www.outdoorresearch.com/products/mens-archangel-gore-tex-bibs-277560s?variant=46534804308289&gad_source=1

mark55401 wrote:

Bibs are good in theory and sometimes in the field. Sometimes the design is self-defeating, however. If you have a lot of ballast on your harness -- screws, carabiners, and so on -- you might find that the harness pushes down your base layers under the bib (in the extreme, getting "de-pantsed"), compromising range of motion while on pitch and of course being uncomfortable. This happens with pants too, of course, but is more quickly & easily corrected with pants.

Ninja Suit (or generic onesie) and this will never be a problem again

Benshamjam Climbwell wrote:

In your search you may find the outdoor research archangel bibs. I have them, hands down worst piece of outdoor gear ive ever bought. Stay away, far away...

What was wrong with them?

jerryj wrote:

I just picked up some Kalais hardshell bibs from Verti Cal. They are light and have zips in all the right places. They run small - at 5.7 I take a large but if they fit the cut is very nice. Yes, will have to watch sharps with them.

Which one?  Can you provide link?

https://verticallstore.com/products/kailas-mens-icepeak-hardshell-bib

jerryj wrote:

https://verticallstore.com/products/kailas-mens-icepeak-hardshell-bib

Sigh out of large