The “little brother” to the legendary PowSlayer, the Patagonia Untracked Bibs might actually be the more talented sibling. Built with quieter materials and offering near-equal waterproofing, these bibs feature a high-cut design specifically engineered to keep out the deepest powder. Over the course of a heavy season, they’ve taken a fair amount of abuse from me and still look nearly as good as they did on day one
The Patagonia Untracked Bib Review
- Shell Material: 3-Layer 100% Recycled GORE-TEX ePE Performance Fabric
- Features: Recco, Drop Seat, Bib
- Weight: 710 grams
- Size Tested: XL
- Tester Size: 187cm, 92 kg
- Country of Origin: Vietnam
Untracked
The name of these bibs are all you need to know what they are designed for, deep powder. 3 layer Gore-Tex handles the duties of keeping you dry, flannel backer keeps you warm, and the bib lets you go deep. You can drop the jacket based powder gaiter as these bibs go mid navel at the front and rise higher in the back. High enough for protection but not so high that you are going to overheat on the skin track. These bibs are as home in the backcountry as they are the frontcountry.
Gore-Tex ePE Performance
The Patagonia Untracked Bibs are constructed from a robust 3-layer, 80-denier recycled Gore-Tex ePE Performance Fabric. They are designed to weather the deepest storms, and they do so handsomely.
The new ePE (expanded Polyethylene) membrane represents the next generation of waterproof tech. It was engineered specifically to eliminate PFAS, the forever chemicals traditionally used in Gore-Tex garments that have been linked to significant environmental and health concerns. There was a lot of industry skepticism leading up to this release, but I’m happy to report that ePE stands up to its predecessors. It took at least two months of heavy use before I saw any wetting out on the surface, and a quick wash instantly restored the DWR beading to factory-fresh levels.
I have put roughly 80 days into these bibs so far. Based on the current lack of wear, I see no reason why they won’t last at least another 80, provided they’re kept clean and not subjected to abuse beyond their intended powdery limits.
Flannel Backed, but not plaid
The Untracked Bibs feature a flannel backer that significantly enhances the “hand feel” and adds a surprising element of warmth. If you’re the type to tour without tights, the flannel is incredibly soft against the skin; if you do wear a base layer, you can easily drop down to a lighter weight than usual. You really only notice the difference that flannel backer makes when you don’t have it.
After a year of using the Untracked exclusively, I swapped back to a pair of unlined pants for a resort day. While moving, my legs felt slightly cooler, but once I hit the chairlift, the difference was undeniable. I felt significantly colder without that thin thermal buffer.
When it comes to touring, the Untracked Bib doesn’t feel overly hot until the heavy spring warm-ups begin. At that point, as with almost any Gore-Tex shell, you’ll likely want to pivot to a softshell. Until then, the Untracked Bibs utilize massive two-way side zips to dump heat on the uptrack.
However, there is no mesh lining in the vents. If you crack them wide open mid-winter, be prepared for snow to get in, and in the spring, keep an eye on sun exposure for your legs.
Bibs, Belt Loops, and Drop Bottoms
I prefer my boarding pants with a bit of extra room, and the Untracked Bibs deliver. They feature a generous cut, accommodating up to a 40” waist (for reference, I’m a 36”). If you prefer to let the bibs hang lower or need extra security, Patagonia has included three reinforced belt loops.
Being a true bib, the protection is excellent, but there is one quirk: the shoulder straps have a tendency to come unhooked while sitting on chairlifts. To solve this, I added dual carabiners to lock the connection. It’s a simple fix that ensures you aren’t fumbling with your suspension mid-run. Unfortunately the stock buckles can not be removed nor can the bibs themselves as they are sewn at the back.
The sides of the bibs feature integrated stretch panels for better mobility. More importantly, the massive side zips allow for a “drop seat” configuration. When nature calls, you can access the “backdoor” without having to strip off your jacket or undo the bib straps—a lifesaver in the backcountry. While I’ve only tested this in the comfort of a proper bathroom so far, the design is clearly ready for “trailhead emergencies.”
The Untracked keeps it minimalist with only two low-slung, deep pockets. The right pocket features an elasticated inner sleeve and a lash point, presumably designed for a transceiver, though I found it to be the perfect spot to keep an iPhone secure and from bouncing around against my leg.
The Fit
The Untracked Bibs feature a moderately loose fit, striking a good balance between being overly baggy and “ski-mo” tight. The front of the bib sits just above the midline, while the back provides slightly more coverage, sitting a bit higher to keep out snow.
The cuffs are quite snug when pulled over larger soft boots, such as the 32 Jones, but fit loosely over slimmer touring boots like the Atomic Backland. Protecting the lower leg are reinforced “tough scuff guards.” While mine show some wear after a full season of heavy use, they are free of any deep cuts or slashes. Based on their current state, they look like they’ll easily survive several more seasons of mountain abuse.
The knees are fully articulated, allowing for a natural range of motion during deep lunges on the skin track or while driving into a turn. Even with the slightly looser fit, there is no awkward bunching or resistance, ensuring the bibs move with you rather than against you.
Overview
I originally went into this season hoping to review the PowSlayer Bibs, as their reputation tends to shadow the rest of the Patagonia line. Had I done that, I would have missed out. The Untracked Bibs are, quite simply, fantastic.
The waterproofing is top-tier, the durability is second to none, and they excel in nearly every condition the PNW can throw at them. The only real caveats are the loose bib hooks, which are easily solved with a couple of carabiners, and the personal choice of whether or not you want a flannel-lined pant.
If you spend 100% of your time on the skin track, a non-lined bib might be the better choice for total base-layer customization. Just keep in mind that any bib matching the waterproofing of the Untracked will likely introduce that “crunchy” shell noise.
If you spend your time riding lifts or live in a colder climate, that flannel liner is a godsend. It kills the chill of a frozen chairlift and adds a layer of comfort that unlined shells just can’t match.
The Patagonia Untracked Bibs come highly recommended for anyone looking for a quiet, bombproof, and thoughtfully designed winter workhorse.
Hit this link if you are interested in the Patagonia Untracked Bibs
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BlackSheep was provided with a free sample of the Patagonia Untracked bibs for this review. This in no way affected our editorial stance. This post also contains affiliate links; if you choose to purchase gear through these links, we may earn a small commission which supports our independent testing at no extra cost to you.
