Intro
It can be tough to find the right pants for a splitboard tour. It can be tough to find a pant that can be used both in the backcountry and in-bounds at a resort. Ortovox's 3L Deep Shell Bib takes care of both of those things.
Product Features:
- Adjustable waistband with optimized hook and loop fastener
- Integrated suspenders
- 1 Chest pocket
- Warming Softshell Merino Shield TEC insert in the back area
MSRP: $650
You can shop for them here.
What Ortovox says:
The wind- and waterproof DERMIZAX®NX high-performance membrane from Toray is lined with merino wool in areas of the body that are particularly sensitive to the cold, guaranteeing optimum heat retention and a comfortable fit. To protect the sensitive kidney area, these freeriding pants are cut especially high and can be optimally adjusted to fit using the hook and loop fastener at the waist. These lightweight freeriding pants have anatomically shaped knees and a comfortable cut to guarantee freedom of movement in any terrain. Ventilation zippers on the sides provide additional ventilation when the going gets tough. The zippers are also set toward the back and can be opened all the way up, making comfort breaks much easier.
What Snowboarder says:
There’s a very real problem that plagues many models of skiing and snowboarding outerwear that is meant to be interchangeable between the two disciplines of snow sports: The pants don’t fit the way they should.
Fortunately, Ortovox’s Deep Shell Bib Pants don’t fall into that category. For a company whose attention seems – at least from its website and social media presence – largely focused on two-plankers, these bibs have quickly become my go-to pants early in the season. Trust me, I was as surprised as you.
The Deep bib is advertised as a ski touring and freeride pant, due to its lightweight design, loose cut, and merino wool located in areas that are typically more sensitive to the cold. I wore these bibs for the first time on a brisk and windy 20-degree day in Pennsylvania with nothing but running shorts underneath. I also wore them during a 15-degree day in New Hampshire, and went splitboarding in them during a 30-degree day in New Hampshire. Even riding the chairlift in brisk temperatures with only shorts on underneath, I was never cold. Inversely, they breath well enough to take touring. If you’re headed on a multiday trip and can only fit one pair of pants in your bag, these are the pants to pack.
With Ortovox being a European company, I was worried about what we should all be worried about: Will they be baggy enough. But I sized up from my typical XL to a XXL, and looked more like JP Walker than Joe Sexton out on the mountain.
Photo: Josh Sullivan
What sets the Deep apart is Ortovox’s attention to detail. The wide, spacious thigh pockets helps avoid any potentially tragic situation in which a rider leaves his or her pockets unzipped and loses some valuables. There’s a built in carabiner that is meant for an avalanche transceiver, but can also be used for one’s keys.
The Dyneema-Cordura gaiters fit perfectly over my boots, and ventilation zippers on the side of the torso also give you a few different options to slide the bibs on and off. And if you want to size up to make them baggy, but you're worried about whether they'll fit your waist, don't worry. Velcro straps around the waistband allow for even more precise customization.
Related: Review: Vans Hi-Standard Linerless DX Snowboard Boot