Flylow Gear Baker Ski Bib Review

Flylow Gear’s Baker Bib is a popular, time-tested design that deftly balances performance, styling, and price. This thick, feature-filled shell bib is purpose-built to tackle rough Pacific Northwest conditions and look good while doing so. It's not particularly backcountry-ready due to its thick fabrics and subpar breathability (Flylow appropriately designates it as an 80/20 resort and backcountry bib), but it handles deep powder and chairlift wear and tear with ease. All told, it's a reliable and comfortable design that performed well throughout a full season of riding in the Lake Tahoe area. Below I break down my experiences with the Baker Bib. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our articles on the best ski bibs and best men’s ski bibs.
 

Table of Contents

• Weather Protection
• Breathability
• Comfort and Mobility
• Build Quality and Durability
• Weight and Packability
• Key Features
• Fit and Sizing
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Weather Protection

Named after Mount Baker—a Washington volcano famous for its record snowfall and harsh, wet conditions—the Flylow Gear Baker Bib lives up to its reputation. This thick, 3-layer bib is outfitted with Flylow’s Surface membrane and a PFAS-free durable water-repellent (DWR) coating, providing stout weather protection in wet and gusty weather. I tested the bibs over a full season of resort skiing and backcountry romps in California's Sierra range and came away impressed with its ability to shed moisture and block wind. While Flylow’s in-house waterproofing doesn’t have the same bombproof reputation as Gore-Tex, I found it performed admirably on deep powder days. I even put the bibs through a shower test and watched them fend off the deluge without issue.
 

Bibs are my go-to choice for full-coverage protection in deep snow, and the Baker Bib excelled in this regard. The tall chest and snug-fitting back kept snow from reaching my baselayers, while the adjustable cuffs and elastic boot gaiters provided excellent lower-leg coverage. Further, the fully seam-taped construction and waterproof zippers effectively sealed out moisture, and I never worried about storing my phone or other valuables in the exposed pockets. All in all, the Baker Bib is a dependable companion in all manner of conditions, making it a top choice for "wet coast" skiers.
 

Breathability

Unfortunately, the Baker's highly protective construction comes at the sacrifice of breathability: Between its hefty, feature-filled build (especially at the chest) and in-house membrane, the bibs aren't well suited for working up a sweat on the skin track. Flylow attemps to mitigate this with inner and outer thigh vents (most competitors have just one location) and a long side zipper, which work together to release heat. I found the ventilation adequate for short and mild stints on the skin track, but bibs that use upgraded Gore-Tex or that feature thinner shell fabrics (such as Flylow’s own Smythe Bib) are better equipped to handle uphill exertion. In other words, resort-first skiers who dabble in a short tour now and again will find the Baker Bib serviceable, but dedicated backcountry skiers should look elsewhere. 
 

Warmth

Though uninsulated, the Baker Bib kept me comfortably warm when paired with lightweight baselayers in temperatures down into the low 20s Fahrenheit. Its loose fit (which I cover more in "Fit and Sizing" below) allows for layering more heavily when the mercury drops, and the full-coverage design does an admirable job at trapping body heat. The thick fabric also provides solid wind resistance, which is especially useful on chairlift rides. To be fair, I tend to run warm, but I found the Baker Bib sufficient for even the coldest of resort days this past winter.
 

Comfort and Mobility

The Baker Bib excels in the comfort department with a loose, freeride-inspired fit that allows for great freedom of movement. Tack on articulated knees and a stretchy backpanel, and I had no issues with restriction throughout the season, even when sitting down or bending over to adjust my ski boots or bindings. Dedicated backcountry riders may want to opt for a design with integrated stretch for added mobility, but I didn't find the Baker to be overly stiff on mellow tours. Additionally, the bibs feature a tricot backer that's soft to the touch and effective at wicking moisture—I experienced no discomfort when layering thin baselayers or even board shorts underneath in warm spring weather. Finally, the wide, elastic suspenders stay in place and go unnoticed underneath backpack straps.

Build Quality and Durability

The Flylow Gear Baker Bib has a tough, Carhartt-like feel with 150-denier (D) nylon throughout most of the body and 1,000D reinforcements at the knees and cuffs. It was immediately apparent that these bibs are built to withstand frequent chairlift rides and inspire confidence when skiing through tight trees. And my experiences have backed up my initial impressions: After a full season of use, the bibs are in excellent shape with no faulty components or obvious signs of wear. My only concern relates to the exposed seams along the exterior. While the bibs are seam-taped on the inside, sustained moisture could eventually compromise their waterproofing. But so far, I've had zero issues, and I still expect the Baker to have a very long and healthy lifespan.
 

Weight and Packability

With a listed weight of 2 pounds 1.6 ounces, the Baker Bib is far from a weight leader in the ski bib market. For comparison, you can go much lighter with alternatives like the Arc'teryx Sabre Bib Pant (1 lb. 9.6 oz.) or Flylow's own Smythe Bib (1 lb. 8.8 oz.). However, both of those bibs sacrifice features to keep weight low, making them more appealing for backcountry use but less ideal for frequent resort riding. Given the Baker's resort slant, it's not too surprising that it aligns more closely with designs like the Trew Gear Trewth Bib Classic (1 lb. 14.7 oz.). In the end, the Baker's weight and bulk didn't bother me while skiing inbounds, but I would definitely opt for a lighter design for long and arduous backcountry missions.
 

Key Features

Storage: Pockets

I’m somewhat torn on my opinion of the Baker Bib's storage layout. On one hand, the myriad pockets—including two hand pockets, one back pocket, one thigh pocket, and three chest pockets—are great for divvying up snacks and valuables when skiing at the resort. On the flip side, the excessive number of pockets contributes to the bibs' hefty and bulky feel. I also found the layout somewhat confusing and ineffective: For instance, the three chest pockets overlap one another, making it impossible to comfortably store items in all of them at once. Additionally, the back pocket went unused, and the hand pockets were ill-placed and restricted movement when stuffed with larger items. I prefer deep thigh pockets—like those on the Arc'teryx Sabre Bib—for storing heavy and bulky items like an avalanche beacon. In my opinion, a few small tweaks to the Baker's storage layout would go a long way.
 

Other Features

The Flylow Gear Baker Bib has a number of other features worth mentioning. I especially like the snaps along the cuffs for tweaking the size of the opening to accommodate various boots, along with the elastic gaiters that are easy to pull on and stay in place throughout the day. Further, the addition of a Recco reflector adds some peace of mind when exploring outside the resort boundary, and the side zipper was helpful for getting in and out of the bibs (although I prefer a drop seat for bathroom breaks). Finally, the reinforced knees are great for fending off snags and tears, although their thick weave does hold onto moisture more readily than the rest of the design.
 

Fit and Sizing

Though the Baker Bib has a relaxed, freeride aesthetic, I found that it fit true to size. Flylow provides a helpful sizing guide on the Baker's product page, which proved invaluable for determining my inseam length (the design is offered in short, regular, and tall inseams). The loose fit made layering easy, while the adjustable suspenders and Velcro waist adjustments allowed me to quickly fine-tune fit. Dedicated backcountry riders may prefer a slimmer and more athletic cut for better efficiency on the skin track, but the Baker Bib's fit lines up well with its resort focus and earns it some serious style points, in my opinion.
 

Sustainability

Sustainability is a key consideration for many leading outdoor brands, and Flylow Gear is no exception. In this case, the Baker Bib features a PFAS-free DWR coating that forgoes the use of harmful perfluorocarbons—"forever chemicals" that have been linked to a variety of health and environmental issues. The bibs are also certified as bluesign-approved, meaning they meet the highest consumer safety and environmental standards. We'd love to see Flylow incorporate recycled fabrics in a future update, but we nevertheless consider the Baker to be an intentionally built piece.
 

Other Versions and Women's Flylow Gear Foxy

I tested the standard Baker Bib for this review, which is uninsulated. Flylow also offers an insulated version ($430) that's packed with 40-gram (g) PrimaLoft Black Eco synthetic fill for a moderate dose of warmth on cold resort days. Rounding out the line is a kids'-specific version called the Youth Baker Jr Bib ($200). On the women's side, the Foxy Bib mirrors the Baker in many ways, including sharing the same 3-layer Tactic membrane, although its construction is thinner and stretchier for a slight boost in backcountry appeal (Flylow advertises it as well suited for 50/50 resort and backcountry use). For more information, check out our in-depth review of the Foxy Bib. Like the men's model, the women's Foxy is also sold in an insulated version for the same price.
 

What We Like

• 3-layer Surface construction and nice suite of protective features make the Baker Bib a very reliable barrier, even in heavy and extended precipitation.
• Inner and outer thigh vents and long side zipper promote enough airflow for sidecountry bootpacks and the occasional mild-weather tour.
• Freeride-oriented fit offers great freedom of movement and makes it easy to layer underneath.
• Thoughtful touch points—including a tricot backer and wide suspender straps—result in great all-day comfort.
• Built with last with a tough (150D) face fabric, beefy (1,000D) reinforcements along the knees and cuffs, and quality components throughout. 

What We Don’t

• Not an ideal backcountry companion due to its in-house membrane, hefty build, loose fit, and uncompromised feature set. 
• Storage layout could use some refinement: The overlapping chest pockets are bulky, the hand pockets restricted movement when full, and the back pocket went unused due to its location.
• Exposed seams are slightly concerning from a long-term waterproofing standpoint, although I haven't experienced any issues so far.
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

The Flylow Gear Baker Bib has been at the top of our ski bib lineup for multiple seasons, but the competition is increasingly fierce. PNW-based Trew Gear also knows how to make a stalwart bib, and their Trewth Bib Classic is well equipped to handle the rigors of resort riding in rough weather. Outfitted with Trew’s in-house, 3-layer PNW Classic membrane, the Trewth Bib puts up a reliable defense against sustained snowfall and wind. While it's a few ounces lighter than the Baker, the Trewth is still most at home at the resort due to its middling breathability (including fewer vents than the Baker). Both designs boast maximalist feature sets and generous storage layouts, although the Trew Gear lacks knee reinforcements. Deciding between the two might come down to colorway preference and price, but both are well built options from reputable apparel brands.
 

If you like Flylow’s styling but are looking for something more backcountry-ready, their Smythe Bib is worth checking out. Equipped with a stretch-infused 3-layer Intuitive fabric, the Smythe is more breathable, easier to move in, and significantly lighter than the Baker. It also features a more athletic (read: trimmer) fit and a pared-down feature set but shares a similarly attractive aesthetic. That said, the Smythe does make concessions in protection and durability: The thinner build isn't as wind-resistant, and the stretchy fabric is more prone to wetting out over time compared to the Baker's traditional hardshell design. Weight-conscious backcountry riders will likely find these drawbacks to be entirely reasonable, but those who ski at the resort with any regularity will be better served by the Baker.

At the very premium end of the spectrum is Arc’teryx's Sabre Bib Pant. While much pricier than the Baker at $700, you do get some notable benefits by spending up. The biggest draw is the Gore-Tex ePE waterproofing, which is reliably protective while offering better breathability than the Baker's in-house construction. We also prefer the Sabre's more thoughtful—albeit fairly streamlined—storage layout, which comprises a single kangaroo pocket at the chest and two deep thigh pockets. Other differences include a trimmer cut, a lower weight (1 lb. 9.6 oz.), and thinner fabrics (80D throughout the body with 100D cuff reinforcements), making the Sabre a nice match for those who split their time between the resort and backcountry. For skiers who don't venture outside the ropes more than a couple times a season, however, the Baker is perfectly serviceable and will save you a good chunk of change.
 

Finally, resort-only riders can save a lot by going with a 2-layer design like Patagonia’s Powder Town Bibs, which are priced very affordably at $299. While 2-layer bibs are generally less breathable and bulkier than their 3-layer counterparts, the Powder Town has served us well on countless groomers and the occasional sidecountry hike. Its H2No membrane has held up well in most inclement weather, and the 75D face fabric is a nice match for the rigors of resort life. The Powder Town does have a slimmer fit than the Flylow, although we found it to be very comfortable, easy to move in, and layering-friendly. Some integrated stretch and a slightly thicker shell fabric would certainly bump it up a notch (and bring it closer to the Baker in overall performance), but you'd be hard-pressed to find a better resort companion for less.