Review: Flylow Siren Bibs
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In a nutshell
Flylow’s Siren Bib is a comfortable, lightweight, and breathable option that work well for high output mountain activities.
Size tested: Small
Materials: Intuitive™ Perm 3-layer fabric,
Vents: outer thigh vents (both sides)
Pockets: kangaroo pocket, thigh pockets (both sides), butt pocket (right side)
Weight: 567 g
The Flylow Siren Bib is available now.
Intro
In my opinion, bibs are a crucial piece of ski gear. A good pair of bibs will keep you warm and dry in all conditions, but should also be breathable so you can effectively regulate temperature on skintrack ascents and cold descents, they have smart pockets, and perhaps most importantly, will allow you to pee without taking all of your outer layers off. I don’t think these features are too much to ask for but I’ve really struggled to find a good pair of bibs in recent years. Luckily, Flylow came to my rescue this winter.
Flylow’s Siren Bib is a backcountry-oriented bib pant that is designed to be breathable on the uphill and warm / protective on the downhill. The Siren Bib also features smart pockets, a friendly fit, and the side zipper makes it super easy to pee without taking off upper body layers or a backpack.
Fit
At 5’4” and 115 lbs, I struggle to find bibs that I’m not just swimming in. The Siren Bib offers a comfortable, relaxed fit. I like that I don’t feel restricted when moving uphill or skiing down but I also don’t feel like I’m swimming in them.
The reinforced cuffs fit nicely over ski boots (both slim touring boots and normal downhill boots) and the cuffs can be rolled up into the powder cuff so they don’t drag or look too bulky over sneakers or hiking shoes.
The bib itself accommodates female anatomy nicely and isn’t too tight, even when squeezed over lots of layers on a colder day. The shoulder straps are easy to adjust but actually stay at the level you’ve adjusted them too so you don’t constantly have to fiddle with them or worry about them sliding down once you’ve found the right size.
Pockets and features
The Siren Bib features simple pockets that met all my needs. The thigh pockets are the perfect size for a phone, chapstick, or a voile strap and have enough room to actually hold something without restricting your thigh movement when the pocket is full.
The kangaroo pocket is a nice, medium size and features a beacon attachment. While I’m a harness beacon type of person, I appreciate that the Siren Bib is thinking about all the different uses of pockets and accommodating accordingly.
The zippered thigh vents are super easy to open and close while in motion and make high output activities feel really easy but also seal down nicely when you’re trying to keep as much heat in as possible.
Performance
I’ve put the Siren Bib to the test at the resort and in the backcountry and have been pretty impressed by how well they’ve met the challenge of different conditions. I’m a big fan of staying warm and dry while skiing, but I’m not a big fan of thick outerwear that doesn’t allow you to breathe.
The Siren Bib is warm and protective while still venting so you’re not wallowing in your own sweat. I often find myself using the thigh vents for uphill travel and then zipping them up during my transition to the descent. In the backcountry, I tend to pair the Siren Bib with a light baselayer set and a vest for uphill travel. In the resort, I’ll pair the Siren Bib with a heavier baselayer kit, an extra fleece, and a heavy shell. The ability to accommodate a wide range of temperatures and exertion levels makes the Siren Bib a versatile option for all types of skiing.
While I haven’t had the Siren Bib for a full season yet, they’ve already held up well under some tough conditions. I’ve worn them for a few more technical, ski mountaineering ascents that have involved some serious bushwhacking and some rock scrambling. The pants came away unscathed.
They also make peeing super easy. Over the past few seasons, peeing in the backcountry has been a nightmare. I’ve had kits that are super warm and functional but that I have to basically take fully off to go to the bathroom on the skintrack. Not only does this get in the way of moving efficiently through terrain, it also exposes you to cold, is a huge pain in the butt, and makes going to the bathroom in the backcountry a really cumbersome chore. But no longer! The looser fit and side zipper on the Siren Bib mean that I can unzip the side and slide the pants down low enough to pee while keeping on my shell and a touring back. This makes peeing easy and efficient.
The pants aren’t the most packable or lightweight so they may not be right for you if you’re looking for a light and fast option that packs down easily, but if you’re looking for a durable and versatile option for a variety of different ski pursuits, the Siren Bib has you covered.
What would a perfect day in the Siren Bib look like?
Honestly the Siren Bib would work well for most great ski days. A day of fresh powder laps at Alta? Definitely. A longer backcountry mission to get fresh turns in a tight chute? Absolutely. A basic walk in the woods with friends to get some fresh air in the middle of winter? Heck yes. Flylow’s Siren Bib is perfect for anyone who wants a one ski pant quiver and likes to ski as much as possible all winter long.
