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Review: Raide Research TourTech Bib

Originally posted on Powder | By Max Ritter | Last updated Dec 2, 2024 12:31 PM ET

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Every time I test a new outerwear, I have a short mental checklist I go through where I look for specific features like pocket placement, adjustment, fit, and venting. I’ve worn a lot of ski pants in my day, and I’ve learned that what’s not there is just as important as what is there–meaning that there’s definitely such a thing as having too many features. The devil is in the details. When I first put on Raide Research’s new TourTech bib pants, I went through the same mental checklist, looking for all the features and how they were integrated.

The first thing that struck me was how well the pants balance a minimalist aesthetic with actual usable features–much like the LF30 and LF40 packs that have taken the backcountry world by a bit of a storm. It’s almost like Kyle Siegel, the designer and founder of Raide, actually spends a lot of time ski touring himself and gathering feedback from the Raide athlete team and testers. I actually met Siegel back in 2023 during a Pro 1 avalanche course where he clued me in on his plans for his new venture while we spent a week touring the Tetons practicing our avalanche safety skills. He told me about how his goal for the company was to solve problems, and focus on creating really well-thought-out tools for modern backcountry skiers.

A few years before we took that course, there was a running joke in the backcountry skiing world about a new trend affectionately called #freemo. With skimo racing on the rise all across the mountain west, we saw intrepid skiers taking their ultralight gear deep into the backcountry, only to break it or otherwise have the gear let them down. Then, starting largely in the mountain guiding community, the trend of #freemo (a play on freeride mountaineering and skimo) emerged, which combined some of the aspects of skimo (tiny backpacks, ultralight bindings, lightweight boots and uphill speed) with that of traditional freeride skiing (big skis, baggier outerwear, and aggressive skiing). Today, we’d call it fast and light freeride ski mountaineering, and that’s precisely who Raide seems to be aiming their products at.

After a season of just making packs, Raide is launching their new TourTech Bibs for men and women. The bibs are a combo softshell/hardshell affair, designed to take advantage of the best properties of both materials, with stretchy, breathable and comfortable softshell material on the top half and more durable and waterproof hardshell material down low.

In a Nutshell:

Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Lengths: Short, Medium, Tall
Fit: Relaxed fit
Material: Toray Primeflex two-way stretch softshell and hardshell material (PFAS-free)

Sizing and Fit:

Taking cues from the halcyon days of #freemo, the Raide Research TourTech bibs combine the best of both worlds of mountaineering-oriented softshell and technical freeride-oriented hardshell kits. They are available in four sizes and three separate lengths, which should cover the bases for just about anyone. Overall, the fit trends towards the baggier side of the spectrum, akin to freeride and resort kits. However, the way the material is cut allows for a really comfortable range of motion while skinning, bootpacking, and of course skiing, without feeling like there’s any extra folds of fabric in the way. I tested the size L in the Regular length.

Up top, the “bib” is low-profile, featuring about two inches of laser-cut perforated material above the waistline on the front and back, and stretchy suspenders that cross once in the back. I felt the suspenders to be a little too stretchy, and I had to tighten them quite a bit for them to stay on my shoulders. There’s also a built-in belt on the waist that keeps things tight.

The cuffs are large enough to fit over any boot, including larger crossover boots with big buckles, and there’s a neat zipper on the back that opens up for easy access to your boot’s walk-mode lever without having to pull the cuff up.

In the field with the Raide Research TourTech Bib:

There’s nothing like going on a few ski tours to put a new kit to the test, so off I went in search of some early-season powder turns on Teton Pass and at Grand Targhee Resort. I was stoked on the loose and stretchy fit the pants offer, both uphill and downhill, though it did take me a little while to dial in the suspender fit.

The minimalist pocket layout is basically perfect, with two large zippered drop pockets high up on the thigh. Both the left and right pocket have leash anchors and a mesh insert to carry an avalanche beacon–it’s nice to see some ambidexterity built into these pants, as many pants only have beacon attachments on one side. The beacon pocket is as effective as they get, and it’s large enough to comfortably fit a phone (remember to never carry your phone in the same pocket as your beacon).

The pocket layout also plays well with wearing a harness, as the thigh pockets sit just below the leg loops, ensuring easy access. The low-profile waist belt and lack of pockets on the bib also prevent uncomfortable bunching below a harness.

Venting is also well thought-out, with large vents on both sides. The right-side vent opens all the way to the top, doubling as a drop seat for bathroom access. At the cuff, the kickpatch material wraps around the whole bottom of the leg, promising to add extra durability (this is definitely what I would consider the most common point of failure for ski pants thanks to sharp metal ski edges and crampon spikes).

The cuff gaiter itself even has a clever hidden feature, with two small zippers inside that would allow you to pass the booster strap or top buckle of your ski boot boot through for easier access on transitions. In practice, I found that setting this up was more of a pain that was worth it, as I found it far easier to just pull the gaiter up a little when transitioning my boot from ski to walk mode–but it’s a cool idea and showcases Raide’s attention to detail and willingness to try new things.

Who is the Raide Research TourTech Bib best for?

Over the years, I’ve tended to prefer hardshell bibs for backcountry skiing unless it’s a warm spring day. I just feel more protected and comfortable with a bib, and have always preferred the slightly baggier fit most hardshell kits offer. Raide’s TourTech Bib offers the additional bib protection and the fit of freeride-oriented kits with the added comfort, flexibility, and breathability of softshell material. These will definitely be high on the list in my rotation for backcountry skiing outerwear this season.

If you’re a backcountry skier looking for comfortable and stylish bibs that are just as happy powder freeriding on storm days as they are on big spring ski mountaineering missions, the TourTech Bib and its less-is-more design will be an excellent option for you.

This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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