I got my first pair of Arc’teryx bib pants second-hand from a since-burned-down thrift shop.
Jagged stitch marks and crudely applied seam seal held together large tears in the GORE-TEX. The suspenders were stretched out and the right leg pocket was crammed with cigarette butts. I could practically hear the former wearer’s raspy yodel after pinning it through a powder-choked couloir.
Many seasons later, the pants finally bit the dust. Having fought with those stringy suspenders on dozens of skin tracks, I was half-relieved to see them finally expire.
So when Arc’teryx launched their revised Rush Bib Pants this winter, I considered myself a good candidate to give them a whirl. I liked the sound of their key features: namely, the lightness and relaxed fit. I hoped the Rush would be a Goldilocks-like middle ground of my last two generations of gear: not too hot, not too cold, not too loose, not too tight…just right.
I got them just in time for a buddy trip to a ski cabin. We climbed 2,000 metres in two days, alternately got blasted by alpine winds and and found deep powder shots—with plenty of bushwhacking in between. The Rush Bib pants were everything I’d hoped they’d be: roomy, airy, efficient yet protective. I’d seen online complaints about the light GORE-TEX ePE fabric getting torn up, but I liked the supple feel. The pocket systems kept me organized and the improved suspender attachment meant I didn’t even notice the straps on my shoulders. I’m giving these my blessing.
The Rush Bib pants were everything I’d hoped they’d be: roomy, airy, efficient yet protective.
Perhaps someday in the future a thrifty skier or snowboarder will find these pants on a used gear rack. If so, I hope they’ll hint at the laps and laughs had while surfing the storms of the Alberta Rockies.
Key features:
- GORE-TEX PRO ePE fabric free from intentionally added PFAS provides lightweight, durable, waterproof, windproof, breathable protection.
- Four-way-stretch recycled softshell material on the upper bib provides extended protection from snow and wind.
- RECCO® reflector aids search and rescue in emergency situations.
- Keprotec™ instep patches provide superior protection against damage by boots, crampons and ski edges.
-Bob Covey
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