Outdoor Research

Hemispheres II Bib Pant - Men's

excellent quality pants

Familiarity:

I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

Size Bought:

Medium

great quality pants! kept me dry in multiple days of powder, active snow and strong wind. definitely just a shell - no insulation, so get a good base layer or 2. 5'9" and about 188, the medium fit well - a little snug at the gut, but still fine, and well worth the 40% discount, otherwise i couldn't justify the sticker price for the few times a year I actually board. Height was no problem, I adjusted the shoulder straps and they were fine. I tried a couple other brands' larges, and they were huge. i can't see anyone <6' wearing them

Outdoor Research Hemisphere 2L Gore-Tex Bibs – Built for Big Dudes Who Shred

As a 6’2”, 285-lb snowboard instructor, finding bibs that fit without making me look like a stuffed sausage is no easy feat. But the Outdoor Research Hemisphere 2L Gore-Tex Bibs (XXL)? Absolute game-changer. First off, they fit great...no awkward wedgies, no feeling like I'm about to hulk out of them when I bend down to help a student strap in. The stretch panels actually move with me, which is clutch when I’m teaching lessons, chasing groms who decided to bomb the hill, or gracefully tomahawking through deep powder. The pockets? Oh, they’re glorious. I can stash snacks, an extra tool, and maybe even a burrito in there. Plus, the Gore-Tex keeps me dry no matter how many times I get tackled by an overenthusiastic five-year-old. Bottom line: If you're a bigger dude looking for bibs that fit, flex, and perform, these are the ones. 9/10, would recommend...just maybe don’t test them by sending an unintentional scorpion in front of your friends. while the bottom pant leg is "skier-esque" I guess they are still cool for boarders as well.

I like that they are lightweight and fully waterproof. Most importantly they seem very durable. I’ve worn them 7-8 times and they show no signs of wear. The fit was spot on. The stretch panels are a nice touch and the large vents are great when things warm up.

Bibs are awesome. Pockets in all the right places. I love the side zip on the leg. Water repellent is top notch. And the fabric is very light. I love how burly the leg cuff patches are. Other brands I’ve skied aka Fly low get the leg cuffs tore up. These OR’s are super strong. Layer up under as they are shell pants but they are great for uphill and downhill skiing. They’re great for all abilities if you’re looking for a product that’s quality and will last a long time.

Review

Bibs are stretchy and amazing I love them. Super durable and perfect shell bib

Light and comfy. Great solid and built solid. Good waterproofing too.

I have used these bibs a few times now including during a storm. I highly recommend the OR gore-text bibs. One item I would request if I were making them would be to include inner thigh venting along with the outer thigh, but that is all that would change. Great bib for in-resort or for touring.

Great bib.

Have only used them once since I have gotten them and love them so far. Previous bibs I owned you couldn't keep the suspender straps from coming undone, these stay in place and buckled. Used them at the resort and are a little on the chilly side but mainly got them for backcountry so they should be perfect. Pockets are great and bottom cuffs fit well over snowboard boots. Nothing negative to report.

Perfect light snow and wind product. Great ventilation and fit for skinning up and skiing down.

Good Bibs

I like the bibs and they kept me warm and dry. The only negative is that the bib comes up very high on my chest (I'm 5-10, 215, 32" inseam). Outdoor Research makes great stuff and I find that their gear last many, many, many years. Worth the investment.

Super waterproof and high range of motion.

This is probably the single most waterproof item I own, my first day out skiing with it, it was dumping rain at Whistler and I was wearing just this, a base layer, and a skytour ascentshell jacket, and when I went out inside for a drink, the bartender immediately quipped that I was the dryest person he'd seen all day. I didn't feel like I was as I was very cold, but I stripped off my layers and was completely dry inside. Needless to say I was super impressed. And the cold aspect can easily be fixed by adding a mid-layer, but honestly that's only a problem on the wettest of wet days. It also allows a wide range of motion. As a ski instructor, this is a must when working with children or exaggerating my movements to do ski demos, and this just generally makes life easier. This bib is so waterproof it's the one item I just leave in my car instead of bringing it inside to dry out every ski day. My only wish is that the side zippers ran further down the leg so I could also use this in the spring when it's much warmer out.