OUTERWEAR

[Spenser]

Need an Airblaster specialist
I need to know my size for a 3L Beast jacket and bib
I’m 1.73 (5.68ft) for 75kg (165lbs)
Thank you for your help

I'm almost the exact same size as you and my 2020 season beast bibs feel pretty loose on me in a medium. I can't imagine the cut has changed much in two seasons.

I'm not sure I'd buy them again, the ass wear in 60-80 days is disappointing

Wow it’s well used
Yeah medium seems fit,maybe @Spenser can confirm ?

Depends on fit preference. At that size medium will likely be "right" and is probably what many people would go with, but personally I would be wearing large because I like a more baggy fit. I tried on my friend's XL beast jacket today (2023) and it's probably what I'd choose at 5'11 180lb. A little bigger than my large Volcoms, but a large would probably be less than I prefer. Good length, but I'd bet a little slimmer. His bibs in XL looked like what I'd go for too, again just for baggier preference, but I didn't try them on.

[scrub]

My current outerwear dilemma involves Outdoor Research (I work in outdoor education and get decent pricing) and deciding if I should get the Kulshan Gore bibs for resort/touring or the cheaper snow crew bibs for the resort and a pair of the trail breaker pants for touring.

[J0_Zehp]

I'm almost the exact same size as you and my 2020 season beast bibs feel pretty loose on me in a medium. I can't imagine the cut has changed much in two seasons.

I'm not sure I'd buy them again, the ass wear in 60-80 days is disappointing

Wow it’s well used
Yeah medium seems fit,maybe @Spenser can confirm ?

Depends on fit preference. At that size medium will likely be "right" and is probably what many people would go with, but personally I would be wearing large because I like a more baggy fit. I tried on my friend's XL beast jacket today (2023) and it's probably what I'd choose at 5'11 180lb. A little bigger than my large Volcoms, but a large would probably be less than I prefer. Good length, but I'd bet a little slimmer. His bibs in XL looked like what I'd go for too, again just for baggier preference, but I didn't try them on.

Ipreferbaggy fit but not oversized, I have to try it on no choice

[kimchi]

Got the 686 Dispatch bib. These are a top contender. They're indeed a lot more impressive than the schlubby amateur-ish marketing photos. Initial impressions is AK Cyclic is bit more polished, little more articulated fit, but Dispatch fits me a little better (bit more generous through seat and thighs), is built more rugged, and has a more thoughtful expansive feature set. Material is a little less supple, but "supple" AK fabrics got me 5 pants warranties / major repairs in 200-250 days on snow-- actually 6, I just remembered I sent in a set of Swash pants twice lol.

I really appreciate that they have some very thoughtful touches for backcountry usage. Full wrap kick panels for splitboarding. A true beacon pocket that eliminates need for to wear a harness (and will keep beacon 50+ cm from my phone in pant pocket). Heavily reinforced waist loops so I can keep random useful stuff handy on a carabiner (gloves, mini-compass, etc.). Dispatch is probably a little heavy duty to be my primary touring pants, but I'd feel comfortable bringing them as my only set of bibs on a mixed resort/touring trip.

Only real downer for me is the color ways are boring. I'll probably just go black because the drab "Rhino Gray" is depressingly drab. Couldn't find the "Orion Blue" in stock at the local, but will hunt for them. AK definitely has them beat on color pop. But whatever, function >>> fashion. Couple minor quibbles other than that (not stoked on the use of velcro on high-end outerwear, wish they had adjustable waist), but really minor.

90% sure I'll keep the Dispatch, but performing due diligence on a few more options.

• Apparently Endeavor makes a $250 3L 20k/20k bib. I'm usually skeptical of snowboard brand outerwear (32 LOL), but guy on SBF who wrecked a set of Freebirds in 80 days told me his still look new after 120. If that's true, performance endemic brand performance for Montec pricing sounds pretty dope.
• Heard some good chatter from some Euros on FW Apparel. Fit, colorways, and specs on point, but not easy to find.
• Flylow Baker bib has a reputation for being unreal burly. Pretty easy to find, but they're very clearly and proudly ski first. I own Arc'teryx kit and my daily driver is a K2, so obviously that isn't absolutely necessary for me, but all else equal I'd still rather support snowboard-first brands.
• Norrøna Tamok looks dope and tough, but $$$$ and tough to source (at least with easy returns) without buying through either Backcountry or Moosejaw.
• Tried the Jones Shralpinist Stretch Bib. Meh. They are comfortable and fit nice (maybe even better than the Dispatch) but suuuuuuper thin and delicate. One of the tags say they're only 40D face fabric, which is insanely thin-- that's closer to the body of my ultralight backpacking tent (20D) than the Freebirds (78D). I might use those as dedicated touring bibs, but absolutely would not run them inbounds. Pocket placement is kinda whack too.

[eleveneightnate]

Got the 686 Dispatch bib. These are a top contender. They're indeed a lot more impressive than the schlubby amateur-ish marketing photos. Initial impressions is AK Cyclic is bit more polished, little more articulated fit, but Dispatch fits me a little better (bit more generous through seat and thighs), is built more rugged, and has a more thoughtful expansive feature set. Material is a little less supple, but "supple" AK fabrics got me 5 pants warranties / major repairs in 200-250 days on snow-- actually 6, I just remembered I sent in a set of Swash pants twice lol.

I really appreciate that they have some very thoughtful touches for backcountry usage. Full wrap kick panels for splitboarding. A true beacon pocket that eliminates need for to wear a harness (and will keep beacon 50+ cm from my phone in pant pocket). Heavily reinforced waist loops so I can keep random useful stuff handy on a carabiner (gloves, mini-compass, etc.). Dispatch is probably a little heavy duty to be my primary touring pants, but I'd feel comfortable bringing them as my only set of bibs on a mixed resort/touring trip.

Only real downer for me is the color ways are boring. I'll probably just go black because the drab "Rhino Gray" is depressingly drab. Couldn't find the "Orion Blue" in stock at the local, but will hunt for them. AK definitely has them beat on color pop. But whatever, function >>> fashion. Couple minor quibbles other than that (not stoked on the use of velcro on high-end outerwear, wish they had adjustable waist), but really minor.

90% sure I'll keep the Dispatch, but performing due diligence on a few more options.

Told ya they're sweet! I have the black ones, they've held up super well and go with pretty much any jacket (look great with my Limeade Cyclic). Love the reinforced knees and kick panels and all those pockets.

[kimchi]

Got the 686 Dispatch bib. These are a top contender. They're indeed a lot more impressive than the schlubby amateur-ish marketing photos. Initial impressions is AK Cyclic is bit more polished, little more articulated fit, but Dispatch fits me a little better (bit more generous through seat and thighs), is built more rugged, and has a more thoughtful expansive feature set. Material is a little less supple, but "supple" AK fabrics got me 5 pants warranties / major repairs in 200-250 days on snow-- actually 6, I just remembered I sent in a set of Swash pants twice lol.

I really appreciate that they have some very thoughtful touches for backcountry usage. Full wrap kick panels for splitboarding. A true beacon pocket that eliminates need for to wear a harness (and will keep beacon 50+ cm from my phone in pant pocket). Heavily reinforced waist loops so I can keep random useful stuff handy on a carabiner (gloves, mini-compass, etc.). Dispatch is probably a little heavy duty to be my primary touring pants, but I'd feel comfortable bringing them as my only set of bibs on a mixed resort/touring trip.

Only real downer for me is the color ways are boring. I'll probably just go black because the drab "Rhino Gray" is depressingly drab. Couldn't find the "Orion Blue" in stock at the local, but will hunt for them. AK definitely has them beat on color pop. But whatever, function >>> fashion. Couple minor quibbles other than that (not stoked on the use of velcro on high-end outerwear, wish they had adjustable waist), but really minor.

90% sure I'll keep the Dispatch, but performing due diligence on a few more options.

Told ya they're sweet! I have the black ones, they've held up super well and go with pretty much any jacket (look great with my Limeade Cyclic). Love the reinforced knees and kick panels and all those pockets.

Yea, gotta admit they are indeed sweet. I had a perception of 686 as baggy Socal street wear and budget 3-in-1 jackets but these seem really solid.

I'm considering that same Limeade Cyclic. Torn between the Limeade and the Jake Ossicone Blue.

[J0_Zehp]

I'm almost the exact same size as you and my 2020 season beast bibs feel pretty loose on me in a medium. I can't imagine the cut has changed much in two seasons.

I'm not sure I'd buy them again, the ass wear in 60-80 days is disappointing

Wow it’s well used
Yeah medium seems fit,maybe @Spenser can confirm ?

Depends on fit preference. At that size medium will likely be "right" and is probably what many people would go with, but personally I would be wearing large because I like a more baggy fit. I tried on my friend's XL beast jacket today (2023) and it's probably what I'd choose at 5'11 180lb. A little bigger than my large Volcoms, but a large would probably be less than I prefer. Good length, but I'd bet a little slimmer. His bibs in XL looked like what I'd go for too, again just for baggier preference, but I didn't try them on.

Have you noticed the same type of wear at the ass on your pants/bib?

[Spenser]

I don't on my Volcom 2L. Only place I seem to wear pants is the heel cuffs, even a pair I've used a lot and always splitboard in. I'm gentle on gear in general..

[J0_Zehp]

I don't on my Volcom 2L. Only place I seem to wear pants is the heel cuffs, even a pair I've used a lot and always splitboard in. I'm gentle on gear in general..

I was talking about Airblaster pants/bib

[Spenser]

Ah. Maybe a misunderstanding, I was talking about what I think I would wear in the beast jacket/bib, but I've never owned any. I just know a little about how they fit.