I am a hard-skiing Utah resident that has owned a number of bibs (and non-bib ski pants) in the past, and these Flylow Smythe Bibs are quickly becoming my go-to for both backcountry tours and resort riding in any type of weather.
I got these to replace a pair of competing bibs (the brand rhymes with "curtain") that I loved through several years of hard use but unfortunately tore while hitting a tree. I first looked at the new model of the same pants as a replacement, but decided I wanted to try something new. I’m glad I did.
The Flylow Smythe Bib is made of material that is lightweight, waterproof (even in the depths of a storm) and seems sturdy enough to handle normal amounts of bushwhacking. The fit is true to size, not too baggy, but also not restrictive or tight, and there’s plenty of room to move in all sorts of directions. I’m ~6’, 175 lbs, and was between sizes so I ordered a large and am happy I sized up, but if I wanted a slimmer fit I believe the medium would have provided that.
The pockets are plentiful, deep, and well-placed, and the zippers and seams keep out wind and water. The only reason I docked a star from the review is the venting – the side-entry zipper on the left doubles as a big vent with a corresponding vent on the right leg that is much shorter. It would be nice to have a bit of a bigger right vent or even internal leg vents, but that’s a personal preference.
Also, though I don’t put fashion over function in my outerwear purchases, I actually really appreciated the color options for these pants, as men’s ski clothing is often very loud and garish. Flylow’s fernet color is a nice, dark, subtle color that allows me to clandestinely disappear into the trees in search of powder stashes without drawing attention from anyone who may be looking to poach my favorite lines.
If you want a solid, lightweight but sturdy pant to keep you dry and warm without looking like you’re wearing your big brother’s outerwear, the Flylow Smythe Bib is a great choice.
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