REI Co-op First Chair GTX Ski Bibs Review

REI Co-op’s in-house gear often strikes a nice balance between price and performance, and the First Chair GTX ski collection is no exception. I put the men’s bibs through their paces in Washington State last winter and came away with a lot of high praise. While not the highest-quality or most refined option, the bibs offer great coverage, reliable waterproofing, and functional organization for days spent inbounds—all at a very palatable $269. Below are my thoughts on the First Chair Bibs’ performance. To see how they stack up, check out our article on the best ski bibs. And to complete your kit, we’ve also tested and reviewed the REI First Chair GTX 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

Gore-Tex is the gold standard in waterproofing, and the REI First Chair GTX Bibs’ 2-layer membrane has been a very reliable performer in the wet. Combined with a durable water repellent (DWR) coating along the exterior, which causes moisture to bead up and roll off the shell rather than soak through, the First Chair has shown no signs of weakness in typical (read: wet and rowdy) Pacific Northwest weather. Additionally, the bibs are a great height for maximizing coverage, and the fabric flaps over the cargo pockets have been effective at sealing out moisture. My only complaint is that wind resistance is a little lacking, which I also found to be the case with the similarly built First Chair GTX Jacket I was testing alongside the bibs. While still perfectly serviceable for resort use, I was able to feel chilly drafts creep through the exterior on windy days and when skiing downhill at speed.
 

Breathability

While solid in terms of wet-weather protection, the First Chair’s 2-layer Gore-Tex build isn’t the most breathable design. That said, I’ve found it more than adequate for resort use, even when venturing into hike-to terrain beyond the ropes. Additionally, the bibs’ outer thigh vents are generously sized—running from above the knee to just under my armpits—and very effective at dumping excess heat. They also double as drop-tail adjustments to make bathroom breaks quicker and easier. 
 

Comfort and Mobility

I came away with mixed reviews regarding the First Chair GTX Bibs’ comfort. On the bright side, the design is relatively stretchy and easy to move in due to the generous amount of spandex (29%), supple knit panel at the back, and soft tricot lining along the upper legs. The elastic shoulder straps are also wide and comfortable, and the full front zipper makes it easy to layer underneath and adjust your layering system throughout the day.
 

That said, I found the bibs to be pretty restrictive at the hips. In fact, the binding is noticeable enough that I worry the stitches will start to pop soon. The fit is otherwise perfect, but the snugness detracts from the bibs’ otherwise comfy and unobtrusive feel, especially when hiking and skiing (more in “Fit and Sizing” below).
 

Build Quality and Durability

As expected for the price, the First Chair GTX Bibs are reasonably well built but fall short of more expensive competitors in overall build quality. There are certainly many positives to the design, including the thick and confidence-inspiring scuff guards and trustworthy buttons and zippers—all of which look and feel like new after extensive resort use. However, the shell fabric doesn’t strike me as particularly robust or durable. REI doesn’t publish a denier spec to denote fabric thickness, but I’d be willing to bet it’s thinner than many competitors. I also found the buckles on the shoulder straps prone to loosening throughout the day, and I worry that the stitches around the hips will start to pop as a result of the snugness and lack of stretch in this area. To be fair, my bibs are holding up well thus far, but quality is one area where I feel REI compromised a bit to keep costs low.
 

Weight and Packability

At 1 pound 12.9 ounces for the men’s version, the First Chair GTX Bibs are about average—if not a little heavy—among 2-layer competitors. For comparison, they split the difference between the similarly built Patagonia Powder Town Bibs (1 lb. 6.1 oz.) and Trew Gear Jefferson Bib (1 lb. 15 oz.) while checking in heavier than backcountry-focused alternatives like the Helly Hansen Odin Mountain Infinity (1 lb. 4.8 oz.). It’s a similar story with packability: The First Chair bibs are notably bulkier than 3-layer competitors like the aforementioned Odin Mountain but totally manageable for throwing in a suitcase or duffel bag for travel.
 

Key Features

Storage: Pockets

The First Chair keeps things simple in terms of storage with just two cargo-style thigh pockets. Both pockets are protected by generous fabric flaps that adequately seal out moisture and feature hook-and-loop closures. One of the pockets also has a zipper for securely stashing a smartphone or other valuables, although I prefer using my jacket pockets or ski backpack for those items.
 

Vents

As I mentioned when discussing breathability above, the First Chair features two generously sized vents running down the outside of each thigh. They extend from just above my knee to under my arms, resulting in excellent airflow and easy bathroom breaks, and feature a snap at the top to prevent them from flapping around when opened up fully. The snap also makes it easy to access your baselayer bottoms to remedy bunching or make any other necessary adjustments.
 

Other Features

In addition to the cargo pockets and nicely sized thigh vents, the First Chair has a few other tricks up its sleeve. First are the wide shoulder straps, which are made from stretchy elastic that goes largely unnoticed, even with ski pack straps rubbing against them. You also get a D-ring at the right hip for attaching a lift pass (or gloves if they have a connection point). Finally, like most ski bibs, the First Chair has internal gaiters that are lined with grippy elastic for sealing out snow at the cuffs, along with beefy scuff guards at the inside of each ankle for fending off scrapes and scratches from sharp equipment like ski poles.
 

Fit and Sizing

I went with my usual men’s size medium in the First Chair GTX Bibs and found the fit to be mostly spot-on (for reference, I’m 5’11” and 165 lb.). Similar to my experience with the matching First Chair Jacket, the bibs have a relaxed fit that’s not too baggy but allows ample room for layering underneath. As I mentioned previously, my only noteworthy complaint is that the bibs fit very snugly at my hips—enough so that the restriction is noticeable when hiking and skiing, and I worry that the stitches will eventually pop out from tension. Not everyone will have the same experience, but I strongly recommend trying the First Chair on before you buy. On the bright side, REI does offer a healthy range of sizes, including short (29.5 in.) and tall (35 in.) options to complement the “regular” 32-inch inseam length.
 

Sustainability

REI is a consistent leader in the sustainability realm, and the First Chair GTX Bibs are no exception. First, the design uses Gore’s latest ePE membrane that’s PFAS-free and more environmentally friendly than their standard ePTFE membrane. REI also opted for a nonfluorinated DWR finish, along with recycled and bluesign-approved materials that have been deemed safe for workers, consumers, and the environment. Finally, REI is a Climate Neutral Certified brand that’s making active strides to reduce and eventually offset greenhouse gas emissions.

Other Versions of the REI Co-op First Chair GTX

My review above covers the men’s First Chair GTX Bibs, which are also sold in a women’s version for the same price. Comparing the two, the women’s bibs are largely similar but weigh a little less at 1 pound 9.4 ounces and come in two inseam lengths (29.5 and 32 in.) instead of three, along with plus sizes up to 3X. To complete your kit, REI offers the First Chair GTX Jacket in both men’s and women’s styles, which cost $319 and boast the same 2-layer Gore-Tex ePE membrane for sealing out moisture (check out our review of the men’s version here). Rounding out the lineup, there are First Chair GTX gloves for men and women, along with unisex mittens for maximum warmth.
 

What We Like

• Proven Gore-Tex membrane, great coverage, and practical storage layout at a solid value.
• Wide, elasticized shoulder straps are very comfortable and go largely unnoticed throughout the day.
• Thigh vents are generously sized and great at promoting airflow on warm days or when accessing hike-to terrain.
• Sustainably built with Gore’s latest ePE membrane, a nonfluorinated DWR finish, and recycled and bluesign-approved materials.

What We Don’t

• I found the hips snug and lacking in stretch, resulting in noticeable binding when hiking and skiing.
• Shell fabric feels thin and susceptible to wear over time, although it’s held up well so far in testing.
• Not particularly wind-resistant—I was able to feel chilly drafts through the shell on blustery days and when skiing downhill. 
• Shoulder strap buckles are prone to loosening throughout the day.
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

REI’s First Chair GTX is a solid value for what you get, but there are a lot of quality alternatives to consider. First is Trew Gear’s Jefferson Bib, which is a little pricier than the First Chair at $319 but has some noteworthy advantages. First is storage, with the Trew Gear featuring zippered hand and chest pockets (two each), a zippered pocket at the right rear, and a cargo-style thigh pocket that’s protected by a Velcro flap. The Jefferson also tacks on a two-way front zipper for easier entry and bathroom breaks, along with a Recco reflector that allows rescuers to pinpoint your location in the event of an emergency. On the flip side, the First Chair wins out in protection with more premium Gore-Tex waterproofing (the Jefferson uses Trew’s in-house PNW membrane), checks in a couple ounces lighter, and features outer thigh vents that do a better job dumping excess heat than the Jefferson’s inner thigh vents. We still consider the Jefferson to be the more refined piece overall, but the First Chair isn’t far behind and will save you some cash.
 

For $30 more, Patagonia’s Powder Town Bibs look and feel noticeably more premium than the First Chair. In this case, Patagonia opted for their 2-layer H2No membrane, which we’ve found to be reliably waterproof and decently breathable. You also get a handy chest pocket with a horizontal zipper for securely stashing a phone or avalanche beacon, a cozy microfleece panel on the seat, and two zippered thigh pockets. Plus, the Powder Town manages to undercut the First Chair in weight by over 6 ounces, which is significant considering the similarities between the two designs. With all that in mind, we think the Powder Town outperforms its price tag, earning it our vote over the First Chair.

Next up is a cheaper alternative to the First Chair: The North Face’s $220 Freedom Bibs. Like the REI, the Freedom uses 2-layer waterproofing (in this case, TNF’s DryVent technology) and boasts a well-sorted feature set, including adjustable suspenders, built-in gaiters and scuff guards, and cargo-style thigh pockets that contribute to the freeride aesthetic. The Freedom also includes a couple extras that the First Chair lacks, including belt loops for customizing fit, along with two zippered hand pockets and a Velcro-equipped chest pocket—all for a few ounces less. The REI gets the edge in breathability with its upgraded membrane and outer thigh vents, which are more effective than the TNF’s inner vents at promoting airflow, but that won’t be a dealbreaker for most resort-goers. In the end, a final decision may come down to which bibs fit you better, but we think the Freedom is the slightly better value than the First Chair.
 

If you’re researching ski bibs, it’s likely you’ve come across Flylow Gear’s Baker, which is our top-rated design this year. While considerably pricier than the First Chair at $430, the Baker comes with a host of upgrades. The biggest is the Flylow’s 3-layer construction, which is much more breathable than the REI’s 2-layer design. You also get vents on both the outside and inside of the thighs for better temperature regulation, along with belt loops for customizing fit. Finally, as expected for the price, the Baker has a much higher-end feel than the First Chair. In the end, we think serious skiers will be better off with the proven Flylow, but we certainly understand wanting to save with the REI.

Editor’s note: We usually provide a live price comparison table below our outdoor gear reviews, but the First Chair is sold exclusively by REI Co-op. You can see the First Chair GTX Bibs page here and support us in the process. Thanks!