Westcomb Chief Bibs (2010)

Details, details, details....

I'm not one to get too excited about pantaloons (aka pants): jeans, dress, khaki, snow, or otherwise.  But I must confess, I can't help but to be pretty impressed with Westcomb's hybrid softshell/hardshell Chief Bibs.    The design and construction of the versatile multi-snowsport pants reflect a sense of creative functionality with a "I wonder if anyone else has thought about that" sense about them.

FORM - first, regarding the construction details.  The Westcomb Chief Bibs use both hardshell and softshell fabrics, in strategic placement, providing the benefits of both types of technical fabrics.  About half of the construction is made with Polartec's Power Shield softshell fabric.  In particular the upper thigh, crotch, behind the calfs, and ankle areas.  The outside surface of the Power Shield has a soft-to-hand yet abrasion resistant face fabric that is stretchy, water resistant, and wind resistant.  (Note, this is not a membraned fabric so there is no claim to water or wind proofness).  The inside surface of the Power Shield is a low pile fleece...almost feels like flanel shirt material, but definitely Polartec's fleece.
The other half of the pants are made with an eVent waterproof and windproof membrane, hardshell fabric.  In particular the butt in back, and in front from the lower thigh extending to below the knee area.  This is an important detail because one aspect of waterproof membranes is that waterproofness is based on both volume AND pressure of water.  So the pressure of your butt sitting on a wet chair lift, or kneeling with your snowboard on a groomer waiting for your buddies to catch up can both compromise lesser "waterproof" fabrics.  Not so with eVent.  The result of a pair of pants that are waterproof critical areas, yet have a stretch comfort due to the Power Shield stretch fabric.  Finally, the pants have a high waist with a high back (for lumbar protection) made with the Power Shield fabric, but with a soft velour (really!) lining for comfort.
On to the details... starting at the top, the Chief bibs have removable, elastic stretch, suspenders with lightweight aluminum clips.  Along the waist there are 5 belt loops, which I've never used because of the suspenders.  There are 4 pockets with YKK watertight zippers.  The top two of the pockets are fleece lined hand pockets.  The other two are pockets are on the thighs, though I wouldn't consider these cargo pockets, as there are no pleats, and the pockets have a pretty low profile.  In other words, I can fit my wallet, or granola bar in them, but not a water bottle or apple.  On the outside of the the lower legs, from the knees down are YKK waterproof zippers.  On the inside of the lower pants, at the ankles, are Super Fabric patches to protect your ankles from sharp ski edges, and crampons.  A quick word about Super Fabric, to the touch, the synthetic fabric feels like a touch hide, like an armadillo, but I've read that is 20 times more puncture and abrasion resistant than leather.  I guess they tested the stuff at NASA for space missions... There are also internal nylon gaitors with a rubber lined, stretch elastic band to keep the powder from creeping as you hike through the snow.  Finally, at the very bottom, there is an elastic cord running through the lower hem line so you can draw in, and cinch down at the ankles once you in your boots and buckled in.  As I look really close, I also see a couple loops and do-higgy looking things that quite frankly, I have no idea what they do, but I'm sure they have a purpose that I'll have to ask the guys at Westcomb about.

FIT - As for fit, these are a pretty trim cut.  For reference, I am about 5'5", 145lbs, with a 29 inch waist and 29 inch inseam.  So I always wear a men's small, and pants are always long.  When I buy jeans, 29 x 29 or 30 x 30 (depending on style) from Express fit perfectly.  As for the Chief Bibs, they fit great around my waist, hips, and thighs.  The actual measured inseam of the Chief Bibs is between 31 and 32 inches.  That said if you're a trim 30 x 31 jeans wearer, you'll probably fit well in the men's small.  Sorry I can't speak to majority of the male population that wears M, L, and XL.

Also, as the pants are not really insulated, I find I have room layer up.  In particular, I usually wear Terramar undies, Burton Red d3o base layer impact shorts, then Westcomb Sphere midweight-stretch-fleece bottoms.  The fit is supportive...not really tight or snug, but not loose or baggy either.  Its a trim, comfortable fit, for which I'm sure the stretchy Polartec Power Shield makes a big difference.

FUNCTION - So, do they work?  I've worn these in mainly three distinct contexts.  Mostly boarding on the hills of the Midwest, in Michigan.  One multi-day trip out in Salt Lake City powder.  And walking my wife's dog.  First, the Midwest.  Here in MI, the snow is icy due to being partly man made, and partly due to the temperature fluctuations right around freezing.  This makes for wet, hard packed, snowy conditions.  Why even bother you folks from out West and Canada ask?  What other options do I have as it really is better than nothing.  Anyway, the eVent butt and knees have always kept me dry in critical areas, as expected, even in wet soupy weather.  And even the Power Shield areas did not wet through in the snowy, and sleet like conditions.  That was bonus, as Power Shield isn't technically waterproof, but they still performed well.
In Salt Lake, I was fortunate enough to get two out of three days on some powder.  Waterproofness wasn't an issue, but the windproofness, breathability, and ankle draw cords/gaiters did the trick as I never wetted out from the inside, never felt a mountain wind chill, and never had the Pow creep up my ankles as I hiked through flats due to poor navigational decisions made when tromping though the trees off the groomed runs.
Finally, as an example of high value, I also wore these regularly when I had to walk the dog in the long, snowy, West MI winters.  The great thing about the Chief Bibs is that I could slip these on over my jeans or khakis when taking the dog for a quick walk around the neighborhood.  Sure my jeans bunched up a little here or there, but in all, not really noticable as this was a fair trade off to be warm and dry.

MINOR ISSUE AND FINAL THOUGHTS - The only issue I have had is with one of the suspender clips.  Every-so-often, the clip will come undone causing for an uneven fit.  I don't notice when I'm actually riding, but when I'm standing in a lift line or something, I'll feel the pants riding high on one side.  Maybe its an adjustment thing that I haven't figured out yet, and it doen't happen enough to even consider it bothersome.  More so, its a very minor concern, among a whole lot of loving these pants.  As the Westcomb website suggests, I'm sure there are many other snow sports you could use these in, but as a middle aged boarder that was looking for a pant with some stretch, protection, and versatility, I couldn't be happier with these bibs.

(ps - I'll try to get some pictures up when I can)