Guest thomas_m Posted October 3, 2004 Report Share Posted October 3, 2004 As I got more comfortable with higher speeds last season(my first), the incidence of heelside washout and subsequent high speed, ass-first slides down the hill increased. The resultant 2 pounds of snow infiltrating said ass region led me to the conclusion that I needed to purchase bibs for this season... I'm looking at the Arcteryx Theta SK since they look to be the best combo of comfort and ruggedness (I'm expecting about 50 days this season). However, the high price is tough at $375. Anyone else tried the Thetas? Other brands/Models? TIA, Thomas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Gendzwill Posted October 3, 2004 Report Share Posted October 3, 2004 I'm a big fan of Mountain Equipment Co-op gear. They sell a really nice bib pant - I'd have a pair but unfortunately they had sold out when I needed to buy. Here's a link to their online catalog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ethanpt Posted October 3, 2004 Report Share Posted October 3, 2004 I have moonstone bibs and really like them. Wouldn't ride without bibs now. worth paying extra for better features- full length zips, pockets, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted October 3, 2004 Report Share Posted October 3, 2004 I bought some Arcteryx bibs last year (the SK's) and used them riding east coast ice, and thrashed through the trees and deep powder on a week long back country trip out west. They really are well designed and bomb proof. I was never wet, or had any posterior snow infiltration. I do agree the price is ridiculous (you should see the price tag in $CAD) but I love mine. They show little real wear after a hard season Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crucible Posted October 3, 2004 Report Share Posted October 3, 2004 I bought a first production run of the Arcteryx Alpha SV bibs when they first came out in 1996. I used them hard, both for snowboarding and for rescue work for the past seven years - in one year (1998), I had over 110 days in them. The bibs wear extremely well, fit like a custom pair of clothing, and have just the right placement and number of pockets to do the job right. They finally wore out last year, the waterproof zippers in the seat were abraded to the point that they were letting in water. I got a pair of Theta SK bibs as a replacement - and they rock. They're better for snowboarding specific activities because they have more reinforcement in the knees and seat. If you live on the west coast, Arcteryx has a factory outlet in Vancouver where they send their overstock and factory seconds- you can save 40-60 % off of retail. Well worth a visit if you're in Vancouver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest thomas_m Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 I'm in Seattle so it looks like time to take a road trip north! Thans for the beta. Thomas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik J Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 Red Lobster gives away bibs for free, plus you get a lobster with it. Not sure of the company though. Hope this helps.:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derf Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 What I wear is not necessarely a bib, it's pants with integrated suspenders. North Face Mountain pants or soemthing like that, water proof so I never was wet. They go high enough, so no snow when falling. And I also have some kind of waist cord on my jacket that prevents snow from coming in. Derf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AlpentalRider Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 I have a pair of North Face backcountry snowboarding bibs I bought in 98 or 99 which still work like the first day I bought them. They are perfect and typical North Face quality. I think they are gortex as well, or some derivitive thereof, and I have never felt wet or cold in them. All I do is wear thermal underwear and the bibs, and I'm set from temps in the 60s to -20. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shred Gruumer Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 Boy uz guys must be die messy riders I see with all the buffalo sauce on der mitts und face! I can't ride and eat wings at the same time.. afraid of chocking on the bone!.. hmm Aisling? heehe anyone? Woo, too much Stern in the morning really gets the imagination going! Porno,, Gotta luv it! :o sg:eek: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skategoat Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 I bought a pair of Arcteryx Theta SK pants late last season for around $200USD from altrec.com. I was thrilled to find these at that price because in the Toronto area, they are something like $500CDN. I checked around and no one could touch the altrec price. Also consider Mountain Hard Wear. I was torn between the two but decided on the Arcteryx just because I have the jacket. Ironic that I bought a Canadian product for much cheaper in the U.S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Gendzwill Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 I dunno, I've looked at the Arc'teryx gear and it looks swank and all but I'm not sure how to justify nearly double the cost over MEC products. The MEC stuff uses really good materials with choices of fabric for different budgets, the stitching is top-notch, the zippers are solid and design-wise they think of lots of little extras (like extensions on zipper pull tabs, little pockets for the zipper at the top to avoid chin-rub, volume adjustable hoods, etc etc). Also the price is always good - no need to wait for a sale. I bought a tent from them this summer that was better quality, for cheaper, than tents from outfits like North Face that were on sale across the street at Coast Mountain Sports in Calgary. Anyways, check out mec.ca and bear in mind that those prices are in Canadian dollars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skategoat Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 Neil: I am huge MEC fan. In fact, I've had a membership since the days when they were selling out of the second floor of a dumpy building on Yonge St. And you are indeed a wise man because I actually think the MEC stuff is made by Arcteryx. The jackets especially are too similar to be a concidence. Same zippers, etc. Also, MEC likes to use Canadian suppliers. After I paid $500+ for my Acrteryx Sidewinder jacket, I was pissed when I noticed that the MEC Zenith is practically identical for $340. Henry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason_watkins Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 I bougt some arcteryx Minuteman pants toward the end of last season. They're great. Best fit I've worn with the pre-sown bend to the knee, very lightweight too. We'll see how many seasons they last, but the overall impression is bulletproof. They've spoiled me, and now I covet a better jacket. They're the same material as the Theta SK, so check out the Minuteman bib version if you don't like the fit and features of the Theta. I found them at a signifigant markdown locally. Sierra trading post carries arcteryx closeouts sometimes, but they're often goofy colors. Sounds like a trip north would be the best deal for you. You should be able to try on the line and see what you like somewhere local to the seattle area before you decide to drive up though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Gendzwill Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 Originally posted by skategoat I am huge MEC fan. In fact, I've had a membership since the days when they were selling out of the second floor of a dumpy building on Yonge St. Got my membership when they were sharing a building with Textile Outfitters in Calgary (maybe 1988?).And you are indeed a wise man because I actually think the MEC stuff is made by Arcteryx Not sure who makes stuff for them anymore as more and more they put their own label on gear, and if it's a different label it actually is a different outfit (unlike say, Serata, which was MEC in disguise AFAIK). Anyways, I wouldn't be surprised if Arcteryx or other high-end manus were pumping out MEC product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Sub Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 not a soul usin gear by an actual snowboarding company huh? odd. I have a pair of TWIST bibs...UGLY fckin green. They've held up for along time, but get kinda wet now. I actually need new gear all around, but I prefer pullover jackets and havent been able to find one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Gendzwill Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 Originally posted by D-Sub not a soul usin gear by an actual snowboarding company huh? odd. Do any snowboarding companies besides Burton make any clothes worth having? Seems like they're all about fashion and very little about function. Baggy and low is not how I like my snowboarding pants. Or maybe they've changed since the last time I looked at them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skategoat Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 I think I tried on 20 different pants before ordering the Arcteryx. The problem with snowboard gear is that it's made for fashion not form. Baggy, military-type cut with 8 zillion pockets. It would take me 20 minutes to find my wallet in some of the pants I tried on. Most snowboard pants are insulated which I didn't want. And the materials and build quality is a cut above 1950's North Korean combat gear. Ski pants were a bit more appropriate but pricey and for no real reason that I could see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AlpentalRider Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 Originally posted by D-Sub not a soul usin gear by an actual snowboarding company huh? odd. When snowboard companies actually start producing products on par with the quality of North Face gear, I will consider making the switch ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Sub Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 Originally posted by Neil Gendzwill Do any snowboarding companies besides Burton make any clothes worth having? Seems like they're all about fashion and very little about function. Baggy and low is not how I like my snowboarding pants. Or maybe they've changed since the last time I looked at them. Dub makes some super functional gear, as do 686. Sessions too, actually. I wish 916 was still in business! I agree about the function before fashion thing, though you guys all seem to have a lot of money to toss around, north face and all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AlpentalRider Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 I don't have money to toss around, I'm just patient and don't go running out to grab the newest gear as soon as it comes out. My North Face bibs retailed for $389, but I bought them at the 50% off sales that North Face has once a year. For what I got compared to what was out there for around $180, I got a great deal on top of the line bibs. Those bibs are now going on their 7th season and they still look brand new with no loss of moisture resistence or anything. Matter of fact, the only thing I have ever bought for full price is a pair of North Face gloves that set me back $150 (The Claw). But these gloves have more then made up for that price tag because they are 6 years old and still look brand new. Compare this to me going through $60 snowboard gloves every 2 years, I'm glad I dropped the cash. Hell, I was even able to get my 05 softboot gear this year at a discount :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Gendzwill Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 What he said. I've got a pair of North Face bibs in PacLite GoreTex that I paid around $CDN250 for, new off ebay. My jacket is MEC in GoreTex, it was around $CDN300 but if you look for an equivalent in NF or Sierra Designs or something you'd easy spend $600. Plus I've been using them for 4 or 5 seasons and I expect to use them 4 or 5 more. They're black, so while they've never been particularily stylish they've never been unstylish, either. OK, the jacket is short (waist length) but that's the way I like it. I've got a pair of Sims Kevlar gauntlets that were quite pricey, but they've been going strong for over 10 years. If you don't mind using the same stuff a long time, investing in quality is worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crucible Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 I agree that the majority of snowboard clothing is crap. If you look at the few snowboard specific companies that are doing a halfway decent job, companies like Burton, Sessions, NWA and Arson, their much touted technical features are all things that have been standard features on most outdoor clothing lines for the past fifteen years. Features like seam-taping, double stitching reinforcement in high wear areas, articulated sleeves and knees, elasticated and closable cuffs, and well designed hoods are all standard features on even the most basic of mountain jackets and bibs. What I find more interesting is the number of high-end clothing manufacturers like Arcteryx, Patagonia, the North Face, and Marmot who are designing clothing for the snowboard specific market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Sub Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 maybe I need to start looking at this stuff I certainly prefer long lasting gear to the newest style. Hell, my jacket I use I got in 1992 I think! It gets wet now:) the bibs are from 95...but yeah..new gear would be good Ill check out some of these companies you guys mentioned buncha skiers;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave* Posted October 5, 2004 Report Share Posted October 5, 2004 For those touring thru Vancouver check out the arcteryx factory store,very good prices on old stock and so called "factory seconds" I have the minuteman pants not bibs and a few sidewinder jackets that I am extremely happy with. Definitely well thought out gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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