Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Bibs Review

With “tour” literally in their name, it’s no surprise that the Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Bibs are a beast in the backcountry. The breathable, lightweight, and stretchy hybrid construction (hardshell on the bottom and softshell along the upper) has developed a cult-like following among ski mountaineers and backcountry enthusiasts. To be sure, it lacks the stalwart weatherproofing and crossover appeal of a thicker Gore-Tex design, but it's everything you need for the skin track and nothing you don’t. I’ve tested multiple iterations of the Skytour over the years, and the latest version has impressed me with its performance on fast-and-light missions up Mount Baker, Mount Rainier, and other Washington peaks. Below I detail my experiences with the OR Skytour AscentShell Bibs. For a wider look at the market, check out our articles on the best ski bibs and best men's ski bibs. And to complete your kit, we've also tested and reviewed the men's Skytour AscentShell Jacket.
 

Table of Contents

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

Performance

Weather Protection

The Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Bibs are designed for those who spend most of their time on the skin track, and as such, they prioritize breathability and freedom of movement over weather protection. As I touched on above, the bibs feature a hardshell construction (OR's in-house, 3-layer AscentShell Air fabric) below the waist, while the upper is a more air-permeable—but less weather-worthy—double-weave softshell. I'll speak to the hardshell portion since that's what gets the most exposure: In testing, I found the bibs were able to withstand light snowfall and intermittent drizzles, but they were quick to wet out on soggy chairlift rides and during downpours. The thin (40D x 65D) fabric is also prone to drafts in windy weather. I didn't find the non-waterproof softshell upper to be an issue since my top half was always protected by a hardshell jacket or ski jacket when skiing in inclement conditions.
 

Despite its lack of stalwart protection, the Skytour Bibs come equipped with a host of features to keep moisture and wind at bay. Fully taped seams and highly water-resistant zippers prevented moisture from reaching my baselayers, and long cuffs and elastic boot gaiters proved effective at blocking out snow when bootpacking or skiing through powder. All told, the Skytour has held up well to variable spring conditions on Mount Rainier—including one very wet and windy snowstorm— but I haven’t had as much luck at the resort. To be sure, the bibs can handle groomer laps on bluebird days, but a thicker design with a more protective waterproof membrane (like Gore-Tex) would be the better match for frequent inbounds use.
 

Breathability

With a thin, 3-layer AscentShell Air fabric along the lower legs and a softshell upper, the Skytour is one of the most breathable ski bibs on the market. The air-permeable weave dumps heat effectively on the skin track and kept me from overheating while carrying a full ski pack (the 40L Hyperlite Mountain Gear Crux) to camp. And when temperatures rose on the second day of our trek, the Skytour’s generous side zippers and long front zip allowed for exceptional airflow. I was impressed with how well the bibs handled intense sun on the Paradise Glacier—despite the heat-absorbing black colorway, I never sweat through my baselayers. I also have to give it to the fit: This semi-athletic bib hits a real sweet spot between form-fitting and loose, providing excellent airflow while also effectively wicking sweat.
 

Comfort and Mobility

The Skytour's stretchy construction offers great freedom of movement and comfort for both the up- and downhill. In fact, I never felt restricted wearing the bibs, even when transitioning, skiing, or even digging a snow pit to set up camp. The soft, elasticized suspenders stay securely in place with the help of grippy OR logos, the knit backer (which covers the lower portion of the bibs) is soft to the touch, and the semi-loose fit easily accommodated baselayer bottoms of varying weights, from my svelte Patagonia Capilene Midweight to Arc’teryx’s thicker Rho Heavyweight. 
 

Build Quality and Durability

Despite its relatively thin 40- by 65-denier (D) face fabric (the softshell upper is thicker at 90D), the Skytour Bibs have held up mostly well throughout a full season of use. For reference, they've been regularly exposed to sharp ski edges, ski poles, trees, and the occasional chairlift with only minor scuffing and a few small scratches to show for it. Plus, the beefy (420D) nylon scuff guards at the cuffs have prevented any tearing from my ski boots. That said, I do have concerns about the zippers, which are prone to breaking. The drop pockets on the legs are particularly problematic, causing issues on both the past version that I tested and the latest iteration covered in this review. In the end, I'm disappointed that OR didn't address the zipper quality during the last update. I also noticed the face fabric holds onto stains and dirt even after washing, which isn't concerning from an integrity standpoint but does lend an increasingly worn look.
 

Weight

In a men's size large, my pair of OR Skytour AscentShell Bibs checked in at 1 pound 10.4 ounces on my scale (they're listed a little lighter at 1 lb. 9.9 oz.), which lands them on the slightly heavier end for a backcountry bib. For reference, Outdoor Research's own Carbide Bibs have the Skytour beat at 1 pound 8.6 ounces, while Patagonia's similarly intentioned SnowDrifter Bibs are even lighter at 1 pound 6.9 ounces. A closer comparison is Arc'teryx's Sabre Bib Pant, which clocks in at 1 pound 9.6 ounces, although the Sabre is more resort-ready with a thicker (80D) construction that's better suited for frequent chairlift rides and aggressive inbounds riding. To be fair, however, the Skytour is still respectably light, and its stretchy construction feels airier and easier to move in the more robust Sabre. And in side-by-side testing with the SnowDrifter, the extra few ounces went unnoticed.
 

Key Features

Storage: Pockets

Apart from my gripes about the flimsy zippers, I am a big fan of the Skytour's simplistic pocket layout, which comprises four total pockets: two on the legs and two on the chest. The leg pockets are large, generously gusseted, and can accommodate larger and bulkier items without restricting movement. The left bib pocket has a clip for securing an avalanche beacon, though I prefer carrying my beacon on a chest harness for easier access. The right side chest pocket is secured with a small Velcro patch—undoubtedly a cost-saving measure—which generally went unused since I didn't trust it to securely stash valuables or electronics.
 

Cuffs and Gaiters

For the most part, the Skytour's cuffs and gaiters do an excellent job preventing snow from sneaking into my ski boots. The wide cuffs are easy to pull over boots and can be adjusted with a single snap. The gaiters are also effective for the most part, although I found the power strap slot—which is just a long, vertical hole in the gaiter—more annoying than useful. It's prone to catching on the top buckle of my boots, and I’ve often had to remove my gloves to wrangle it off during transitions. In my opinion, this feature wouldn’t be sorely missed in future updates.
 

Fit and Sizing

I opted for my regular bib size—a men’s large—and found the Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell fit as expected (for reference, I'm 6'3" and around 180 lb.). The bibs come in short, regular, and tall inseam lengths, and I'm glad I stuck with the regular size. As I mentioned, the Skytour lands somewhere between a true athletic cut and a relaxed fit: It's looser in the thighs than competitors like the Patagonia SnowDrifter and Arc'teryx Sabre but not prone to bunching like some roomier, freeride-inspired designs. While not the most flattering resort option, I like the middle-of-the-road fit for backcountry use. My only complaint is that the upper is a little too roomy for my taste, leaving a gap between my back and the bib. While I don't mind the extra space for breathability, I've had to exercise caution around snow-loaded trees to avoid getting a back full of powder or slush. I'm fairly trim and have narrower shoulders, so this likely won't be an issue for everyone.
 

Sustainability

The Skytour AscentShell Bibs were updated for the 2024/2025 season with a more environmentally friendly PFAS-free DWR coating that’s free from harmful perflurocarbons. With many states stepping up to ban these "forever chemicals," it's nice to see many leading outdoor brands rising to the occasion by developing less impactful water- and stain-resistant finishes. The bibs also feature bluesign-approved materials that meet the highest standards for consumer and environmental safety. The only notable omission is the use of recycled fabrics, which we hope to see in a future update.
 

Other Versions of the Outdoor Research Skytour

I tested the men’s Skytour AscentShell Bibs for this review, and OR also sells a women’s-specific version that's largely identical. We had the chance to test the designs side by side on Mount Rainier and came away with similar praise. However, there are a few differences worth pointing out: The women's model has a drop seat (which we prefer over the men's side zipper for bathroom breaks), forgoes a front zipper, has a single kangaroo pocket on the chest (with a beacon clip), and boasts a slightly more secure fit that didn't leave a gap for snow to enter. Rounding out the lineup, the matching Skytour AscentShell Jacket boasts a similar construction (40D x 65D AscentShell Air) but without the softshell fabric. For more information, check out our in-depth review of the men's Skytour Jacket.
 

What We Like

• Air-permeable AscentShell Air construction, softshell upper, and generous side zippers provide ample breathability for arduous stints on the skin track and warm spring outings.
• Stretchy fabrics and middle-of-the-road fit allow for great freedom of movement and comfort on both the up- and downhill.
• Feature set is well executed with enough room for stashing the essentials, nicely designed cuffs and gaiters, and reinforced scuff guards that are effective at fending off snags and tears from sharp equipment.
• While not the most protective design, the 3-layer fabric below the waist does a good job fending off light snowfall and intermittent drizzles

What We Don’t

• Relatively thin construction isn't particularly hardwearing and will succumb to extended, heavy moisture and strong winds.
• Zippers have a relatively fragile feel, especially those on the leg pockets, which I found prone to breaking. 
• The upper was a little too roomy, resulting in a gap between my back and the bib for snow to enter (though men with broader shoulders likely won't have this issue).
• Velcro-secured chest pocket went largely unused in testing since it lacks the security of a zippered opening.
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

The OR Skytour AscentShell is our favorite backcountry design this season, but there are plenty of competitive bibs to consider. From within OR's lineup, we also like their Carbide Bibs, which cost $100 less than the Skytour. The Carbide has a similarly thin build (40D) and boasts a 3-layer Pertex Shield construction throughout, which is less stretchy and air-permeable than the Skytour's hybrid AscentShell Air and softshell construction. On the flip side, it does give the Carbide the edge in wet-weather performance, making it better suited to handle wet chairlift rides and unexpected downpours. It's also lighter than the Skytour at 1 pound 8.6 ounces, although you only get two pockets for storage (compared to four for the Skytour). In the end, the Carbide crosses over a little better for resort riding, although we'd recommend frequent inbounds riders upgrade to a thicker and more durable option. For dedicated backcountry use, it's hard to beat the breathability and mobility of the pricier Skytour.
 

Moving up in price, Arc’teryx’s Sabre Bib Pant is a premium option for avid skiers who like to split their time between the resort and backcountry. Equipped with 3-layer Gore-Tex, the Sabre is both reliably weather-worthy and decently breathable, giving it well-rounded performance both inside and outside the ropes. In addition, the 80D shell and high-end touch points hold up well to long-term use and abuse, from frequent chairlift rides to navigating through tight trees. However, we prefer the Skytour's thinner and more air-permeable construction for heart-pumping days on the skin track. And the clincher for most will be price: At $700, the Sabre costs a whopping $271 more than the Skytour, putting it out of reach for many. If you're willing to pay the premium, however, it's hard to beat Arc'teryx's quality and attention to detail.

Next up are Patagonia's SnowDrifter Bibs, which are relatively new to their lineup but were quick to win us over in testing. In side-by-side comparison, Patagonia’s H2No waterproofing held up better to sustained moisture than the Skytour’s AscentShell Air fabric. While not as stretchy or comfortable as the OR—we found the SnowDrifter particularly tight around the thighs—the softshell upper does a good job maximizing mobility and breathability. Further, the SnowDrifter's 50D construction has proven to be dependably durable, and the zippers and other components have a similarly high-quality feel. Finally, while a little less feature-rich than the Skytour, the SnowDrifter checks in a few ounces lighter. Both designs have earned a spot front and center in our closet this season, and a final decision may come down to which fits you best.
 

Colorado-based Raide is a relative newcomer to the sky apparel market, but they've made a strong debut with their TourTech Bib. We’ve been testing the TourTech alongside the Skytour all season and found that we prefer it for redlining and tougher mountaineering missions in the Pacific Northwest. With a similar hybrid construction—softshell along the upper portion and more weather-ready hardshell along the lower legs—the TourTech offers a comparably strong balance of breathability and protection while managing to check in a few ounces lighter than the Skytour. However, the TourTech doesn't ride as high on the torso, translating to less coverage, and the softshell fabric extends past the butt, meaning moisture will penetrate the fabric on wet chairlift rides or when sitting on snow for extended periods. Finally, as the brand's first foray into the space, the TourTech does have some fit and finish issues: The suspender buckles are uncomfortable, and our tester found it hard to dial in a good fit. In the end, both are strong backcountry performers, but we give the overall edge to the Skytour for its proven track record and slightly more weather-ready build.