Built with waterproof/breathable stretch fabric lowers and Schoeller soft and stretchy uppers, the Uncle Ben Bibs are built to keep the elements at bay while protecting your backside from unwanted snow. Stylish enough for resort duty but durable and efficient enough for backcountry skiing, the Uncle Ben Bibs are decked out with the following features:

• Waterproof and breathable (20k/15g) stretch shell pant
• Lightweight Schoeller® Dryskin Extreme bib upper
• Fully taped seams
• Zippered chest pocket
• Two zippered hand pockets and one cargo pocket
• Double-snap closure at waist
• Zippered vents at thigh
• Schoeller® Kevlar reinforced scuff guards
• Built-in adjustable gators
• 100% nylon Shelter Stretch shell
• MSRP: $220

Core Concepts Uncle Ben Bibs Review

The Uncle Ben Bibs were my pants of choice for an uber-cold day at Solitude Resort. I wore my mid-weight Kombi Bamboo/Charcoal Merino base layers and despite the single-digit temps, I was warm and cozy all morning. The Schoeller bib material is soft and comfy despite being form-fitting. Core Concepts did a great job selecting this fabric as it remains one of the premiere “softshell” fabrics on the market. As far as bibs go, these are unique in the fit of the uppers.

I’ve since used these bibs on several backcountry ski tours and various other snow activities (sledding with the kids, shoveling snow, etc.). Overall comfort is solid with excellent water-shedding capabilities. I really appreciate the brushed lining and stretch fabric for quiet comfort and flex when needed. The material has been bomber in spite of repeated snagging during carwash exits (scrub oak and maple branches).

While touring, these pants have provided excellent flexibility and freedom-of-movement throughout the stride. When the activity level gets ratcheted up, the side vents allow you to dump some heat, but could be a bit bigger in both length and opening, in my opinion. I appreciated the bevy of pockets (hand, single cargo and bib) to stash small items for quick access.

Speaking of quick access… don’t plan on anything quick should you need to use the bathroom as it entails a near-full disrobe to get these pants down. Clips on the straps would improve this so at least you wouldn’t have to take off your jacket and mid layer anytime you need to take care of business.

The only other gripe is something Core Concepts can remedy easily and it’s regarding the strength of the snaps at the bottom of the inner gaiter (see above picture). I repeatedly unsnapped these when trying to raise and lower them or to gain access to my boot buckles. Getting them snapped again almost always required glove removal (also see my glove above). Hopefully they can source a bit more burly snap in the future.

Good Uncle Ben

• Good breathability via leg vents
• High-quality fabrics with Schoeller, etc.
• Myriad of useful pockets
• Bomber scuff guard protects against sharp edges
• Zipper pulls are easy to grab with gloves on
• Strong fabric resists tears despite repeated snagging
• Comfortable fit that keeps the snow out
• Form-fitting upper minimizes bulk

Bad Uncle Ben

• Straps should have a buckle for quicker on/off
• A dropseat would be nice in lieu of fully disrobing to use the restroom
• Snap closures on inner gaiter are weak and unbutton anytime it is adjusted up/down on the boot
• Ventilation zippers could be longer/wider-opening
• Straps dropped off shoulders while shoveling snow

Bottom Line: Core Concepts Uncle Ben Bibs

For the money, these bibs are hard to beat. A few relatively-minor gripes (all things considered), but these bibs are solid performers. Should you not opt for the bib, the Uncle Ben’s are also available in a pant version.

Buy Now: Visit CoreLayers.com

The all-new Fury AR pants are built to offer a little bit of stretch, a tad more warmth, yet still be breathable on the hill. While the avalanche conditions in the backcountry have been sketchy, I’ve been able to use the Fury AR pants enough to get a good feel for how well they work.

About the Arc’teryx Fury AR pants

New to the line for Fall 2008, the Fury AR pants are designed to be slightly warmer and more breathable than a typical hardshell pant. With a slim yet highly-articulated fit, these Windstopper® pants excel at climbing and skiing in cold climates. They also feature a slight stretch in the fabric and are lined with moisture-wicking brushed knit backing.

Rounding out the Fury AR pants, Arc’teryx has included all the right features to make these pants at home in the backcountry.

Features of the Arc’teryx Fury AR Pants:

• Windstopper stretch fabric with brushed knit backing
• Highly-articulated fit for comfort
• Removable suspenders
• Keprotec instep cuff guards
• Powder cuffs
• Posterior thigh vents
• Colors: Black and Tarragon
• MSRP: $349.95

Arc’teryx Fury AR Pants Review

With winter hitting Utah like a linebacker, the mountains are now filling in (as is my driveway), so testing is now complete with the Arc’teryx Fury AR pants. Like most of Arc’teryx pants, the Fury AR’s are trim-fitting.  They aren’t so snug you feel like you’re wearing a pair of pants from the 80′s (or today’s unfortunate guys-wearing-girls jeans trend), but they are cut perfectly for backcountry pursuits with enough freedom of movement in design and fabric stretch.

The Fury AR pants are lined with a brushed knit backing.  This lightweight backing keeps the pants quiet and comfortable as well as wicks away moisture.  After wearing predominantly shell-only pants last season, it was nice to have just a touch of lining. The only downer of the backing is that it grabs your base layer as you slip them on. It reminds me of the flannel boards that were so popular as a kid.  Once on, there’s no noticeable friction between the pants and base layers.

A welcome feature is the rear thigh vents, which have come in handy on backcountry tours. While the pants do stretch and breathe extremely well, it’s always nice to have a blowoff valve and just let the cool air come in unabated.

Front hand pockets are tight, but good enough for a stick of lip balm and a set of keys around town.  The front cargo pockets are held closed by a small piece of Velcro and are only to be used for temporary storage. On the mountain, anything in those pockets became quickly annoying and was removed.

A pair of removable suspenders are included with the Fury AR’s, but I opted to remove them from the get-go.  The pants stayed up well, but I did wish for a tad higher back panel to keep my lower back covered in falls or athletic maneuvers.

The lower leg cuffs aren’t super wide, but I was easily able to slip them over both my Garmont Endorphin and Head World Cup boots. Rubber grippies kept the cuffs in place and scuff guards kept the pant legs cut-free. The exterior has also held up well to repeated tree-carwash abuse in the backcountry.

Good Fury AR

• Great fit for backcountry travel
• Windstopper Fabric offers just a tad bit of stretch
• Leg vents are awesome
• Brushed lining wicks moisture and provides some warmth
• Lower leg cuff holds things in place

Bad Fury AR

• Brushed lining can grab base layers
• Front cargo pockets are nice, but not practical while skiing
• Rear waistline should come up an inch higher

The Bottom Line on the Arc’teryx Fury AR Pants

Despite repeated abuse and backcountry adventures, the Arc’teryx Fury AR pants are still showing little signs of wear and tear. Comfortable enough to hang out in, yet trim-fitting enough to remain efficient in the backcountry, these pants are my “go-to” pants this season. I enjoy the slight stretch of the fabric and both the wicking ability and extra warmth offered by the lightweight brushed lining.

Buy Now: Search for Arc’teryx Fury AR Pants at Mountaingear.com