Patagonia Untracked Ski Bibs Review

For decades, Patagonia has been churning out hardwearing, sustainably minded, and good-looking apparel for a range of outdoor pursuits. The Untracked Bibs are part of their backcountry ski collection, providing reliable weatherproofing for harsh conditions via Gore's latest expanded polyethylene (ePE) membrane. The design also features a low-rise cut that offers great breathability and freedom of movement—ideal for long days on the skin track. While it's a little lacking in attention to detail for a bib at this price point, I'm overall happy with how the Untracked has held up throughout a season of resort and backcountry riding in Washington state. Below are my thoughts on the Untracked Bibs. To see how they stack up to the competition, check out our article on the best ski bibs. And to complete your kit, we’ve also tested and reviewed the Patagonia Untracked Jacket.
 

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

Patagonia’s Untracked Bibs live up to the claim of offering “unrelenting storm protection" with a burly, 3-layer Gore-Tex ePE construction that fends off even the harshest of weather. I tested the bibs throughout a season of variable wet-weather conditions in the Pacific Northwest—from light but sustained flurries to true deluges and strong gusts—and came away impressed with how well they sealed out moisture and wind. However, the Untracked does ride lower than many bibs, offering coverage up to just above the hips. This wasn't an issue for me (and likely won't be for many skiers) since I wear a hardshell jacket any time the forecast is even questionable. In fact, I ended up enjoying the added breathability afforded by the minimal coverage (more on this below).
 

In addition to the reliable waterproof membrane and quality durable water-repellent (DWR) coating, the Untracked Bibs come fully seam-taped with waterproof zippers on the vents for added assurance when the skies open up. Stretchy boot gaiters and long cuffs seal out snow at the ankles. Finally, Patagonia tacked on a built-in Recco reflector, which is a passive device that will transmit your location to rescue personnel (like ski patrol) in the event of an emergency.
 

Breathability

As I mentioned above, the Untracked Bibs offer coverage to just above the hips, riding lower than many competitors. This is a boon for breathability: The bibs' lack of upper allows for ample airflow, keeping me comfortable when hiking up the skin track or skiing in warm spring conditions. However, while the Gore-Tex membrane is more breathable than many in-house waterproofing technologies, I wouldn't call the lower portion of the bibs air-permeable. Generous side vents and a loose waistline help keep air moving—and I had luck unzipping the vents down to my jacket's hem to circulate air on top without sacrificing lower-body protection—but I'd opt for a thinner design for fast-and-light spring tours. Outdoor Research's Skytour AscentShell comes to mind with its 40-denier (D) construction (the Untracked is a beefy 80D), but the Untracked was perfectly serviceable for most winter missions.
 

Comfort and Mobility

For the most part, I found the Untracked Bibs to be comfortable and easy to move in. I thought the thin flannel backer was a particularly nice addition, adding a touch of warmth on frigid days and keeping sweat from plastering the bibs against my baselayers. The Untracked also features a generous fit, which makes it easy to layer underneath and offers ample mobility for skinning and bending over to adjust ski boots or bindings. My only comfort-related gripe has to do with the suspenders: They frequently slipped off my shoulders while touring, and carrying heavy objects in the pockets (like an avalanche beacon) only exacerbated the issue. The straps were also prone to loosening throughout the day, requiring frequent stops to make adjustments. While not a dealbreaker, the issue was certainly annoying and affected my efficiency on the skin track.
 

Build Quality and Durability

My issues with the suspenders extend beyond comfort, unfortunately—after just 20 days of use, the overlapping fabric under the strap adjuster tore. I chalk this up to friction between the fabric, and wider strap clearance would likely solve the issue. The rest of the design has held up flawlessly, however. After several months of aggressive use, the 80D shell is in perfect shape with no snags or tears, all of the seams are intact, and the zippers continue to operate smoothly. I also appreciate that Patagonia reinforced the inner ankle with beefy scuff guards for extra assurance against ski edges and other sharp equipment. Overall, it's not a perfect track record, and I did have slightly higher hopes for a bib in this price range, but I consider the Untracked to be overall well built.
 

Weight and Packability

At 1 pound and 6.9 ounces for the men's version, the Untracked lands about mid-pack in the wider ski bib market. For reference, Arc'teryx's venerable Sabre Bib Pant weighs around 3 ounces more but comes with additional torso coverage, while Helly Hansen’s Odin Mountain Infinity Bib—which also has a low cut—is about 2 ounces lighter. In my opinion, Patagonia could have committed to a more minimalist design—the baggy cut could be trimmed down, which would help with mobility, although I don't feel the Untracked's weight is much of an issue. It goes largely unnoticed both in and out of bounds, and it packs down reasonably small for stashing in a suitcase or duffel bag for travel.
 

Key Features

Storage: Pockets

The Untracked’s lack of upper does limit its storage, resulting in a minimalist layout that comprises two zippered pockets (one at either thigh). The right pocket also features a mesh pouch for stashing electronics, although it omits a clip for securing an avalanche beacon. In the end, lack of storage wasn't an issue for me since I often prefer to use my ski jacket pockets (at the resort) or ski backpack (in the backcountry) for storage, and I appreciate that Patagonia kept things simple to minimize bulk and heft.
 

Cuffs and Internal Gaiters

Overall, I like the cuffs and built-in gaiters on the Patagonia Untracked Bibs. The cuffs easily slide over my ski boots, and the stretchy gaiters do a great job sealing out snow, even when conditions are deep. The gaiters also boast a metal hook for securing them to your boots. I’m torn on this addition: It does offer some added assurance, but it’s prone to getting caught on boot buckles and limits mobility if secured too far down.
 

Drop Seat

I was happy to see that Patagonia included a drop seat for making bathroom breaks easier—a noteworthy trade-off in opting for bibs over standard ski pants. The zippers on either side (which double as vents) extend down the leg and allow the backside of the bib to open completely. The long opening does invite snow inside if opened too wide, and I had to be careful around snow-weighted trees, but I nevertheless appreciate the convenience of being able to simply unzip rather than awkwardly wiggle out of the shoulder straps.
 

Fit and Sizing

While I normally wear a men’s size large in ski bibs to accommodate my 34-inch inseam, I think a medium in the Untracked Bibs would have been a better fit for me. The midsection felt especially baggy and tough to cinch down considering the lack of functional suspenders. The rest of the fit (from the waist down) was similarly loose, although it wasn't as much of a nuisance as the waist. In the end, while the Untracked's fit worked well for layering—it easily accommodated heavyweight bottoms on cold resort days—it felt too big with just a light baselayer underneath. Given my experiences, I recommend trying the bibs on before you buy and plan to size down if you're on the fence.
 

Sustainability

Patagonia is well known for their sustainability initiatives, so it comes as little surprise that the Untracked Bibs are built with the environment in mind. Outfitted with Gore's latest ePE membrane and a PFAS-free DWR coating, the bibs are free of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are known as "forever chemicals" due to their inability to break down over time. The fabric is also constructed from 100%-recycled nylon that's bluesign-approved, meaning it's been deemed safe for workers, consumers, and the environment. Finally, the bibs bear a Fair Trade certification, which indicates Patagonia put extra money into production to ensure the fair and ethical treatment of workers (you can read more about the program here).
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Other Versions of the Patagonia Untracked

This review covers the men's Untracked Bibs, and Patagonia also offers a women’s-specific version for the same price. Beyond its more contoured fit, slightly lower weight, and different colorway options, the women's Untracked is largely identical to the men's. If you prefer pants over bibs, the Untracked Pants will save you $50 and 1.3 ounces in weight. And to complete your kit, Patagonia sells the matching Untracked Jacket in both men's and women's styles, which shares the 3-layer Gore-Tex ePE construction and comes well equipped for battening down the hatches in rough and rowdy weather (you can check out my review of the jacket here).
 

What We Like

• Low-cut, 3-layer Gore-Tex design strikes a nice balance between breathability and protection, allowing for great airflow alongside stalwart coverage along the legs.
• Comfortable and easy to move in with great mobility, a soft flannel backer, and a generous fit that makes it easy to layer underneath.
• Beefy, 80D shell fabric has held up well to a full season of aggressive riding at the resort and in the backcountry.
• Feature set is fairly minimalist but well executed, including two zippered pockets, large vents that double as a drop seat, reinforced scuff guards, and built-in gaiters with hooks for securing to ski boots.
• Built with Patagonia's typical focus on sustainability: The design is fully PFAS-free, uses recycled and bluesign-approved materials, and is certified to the Fair Trade standard.

What We Don’t

• I had some noteworthy issues with the suspenders: They frequently slipped off, required adjustments throughout the day, and showed significant signs of wear after just 20 days of use. 
• Not my favorite fit: The midsection is overly baggy and was tough to dial in due to the non-secure suspenders.
• Not a strong value at $649, especially considering the lack of torso coverage.
• Thick fabric covering the lower legs detracts from overall breathability—for fast-and-light spring tours, I'd opt for a thinner design.
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

The Untracked stands out in the ski bib market for its effective balance of protection and breathability, but the design doesn't come cheap at $649. For around $150 less, Helly Hansen’s Odin Mountain Infinity Bib features a similar build with a low-rise cut and reliable waterproofing. While the Untracked's Gore-Tex membrane is a step up in all-out protection, the Odin Mountain's Helly Tech Professional membrane puts up a worthy defense against the elements. The Helly Hansen also gets the edge in weight at 1 pound 4.8 ounces, features improved storage (including a beacon clip), tacks on a front snap for a more tailored fit, and features a stretchy fabric along the upper for a boost in mobility. It does lack a drop seat, but overall, we consider the Odin Mountain Infinity to be the better value.
 

Arc’teryx’s Sabre Bib Pant lands on the more premium end of the spectrum with truly remarkable attention to detail. Like the Untracked, the Sabre uses an 80D Gore-Tex ePE construction but features full torso coverage, resulting in a drop in breathability and a bump in weight (1 lb. 9.6 oz.). However, resort riders who frequent wet and rowdy conditions will likely appreciate the added protection, and the Sabre does come with more functional storage—including two deep thigh pockets and a handy kangaroo pocket—for divvying up the essentials. The Arc'teryx doesn't come cheap at $700, but we think the upgrades in features and refinement are worth the added investment for committed riders.

At the other end of the market is REI Co-op's First Chair GTX, which is proof that you don't need to spend upwards of $700 for proven Gore-Tex waterproofing. To be sure, the First Chair's 2-layer construction does limit it to the resort: It's far less breathable and heavier than most 3-layer competitors (including the Untracked) due to its hanging liner, making it unsuitable for the skin track. But for inbounds use, there's certainly a lot to like, and we appreciate that REI incorporated some mechanical stretch into the face fabric for sidecountry hikes and getting on and off the lift. It's best to keep your expectations in check regarding long-term durability, but for $269, the First Chair is a solid value for beginners, weekend warriors, and those willing to sacrifice some performance in the name of cost savings.
 

Last but not least, we like Flylow Gear's Baker Bib as a more stylish and durable design. Highlights include a burly (150D) face fabric that stands up well to all manner of abuse, a well-executed feature set that includes massive side and inner thigh vents, and a trendy freeride aesthetic. The Baker's beefy, full-coverage design doesn't translate as well to the backcountry—not to mention, it's pretty hefty at over 2 pounds—but we've had luck wearing it on mild-weather tours and frequent forays into the sidecountry. The Flylow's in-house Surface construction has also proven to be reliable in typical (read: very wet) Pacific Northwest conditions and will save you some serious cash compared to the Gore-Tex-equipped Untracked. In the end, we recommend the Baker for those who spend most of their time inbounds, but the Untracked is worth the upgrade for those who prefer to earn their turns and only ride the lift occasionally.