The Plus-Size Technical Ski Bibs I’ve Been Waiting For: TREW Gear Women’s Chariot Bib PRIMO Plus Review

TREW Gear is making in the plus-size sphere with the Women’s Chariot Bib PRIMO Plus. Headquartered in Portland, Ore., TREW debuted its plus-size snow apparel in the 2022/23 winter season. Because I had previously lived in Portland, I already knew TREW for its exceptionally well-made outerwear. I’d heard rave reviews about the non-insulated Chariot Bibs — and was practically frothing at the mouth at the prospect of a plus-size option. 

I wasn’t sure if that dream would ever be a reality.

If your pant size also wanders past a U.S. 14/16, you’re probably very aware that finding stylish and technical plus-size outerwear is less than ideal. Even as recently as a few years ago, the plus-size snow outerwear offered across many brands was a single black pair of insulated pants available only online.

If you wanted bibs or anything remotely technical, it was pretty much impossible to find. Now, some brands cut corners on plus-size outerwear, offering fewer features and a lower-quality fabric — often at a more expensive price.

After testing TREW’s new plus-size Chariot bibs, it’s obvious that the extended sizes are no different than the standard design in terms of the quality, features, or price. Same awesome-made bibs — just bigger.

In short: With a size run of 1X-4X and multiple inseam options (short, regular, and tall), the TREW Gear Women’s Chariot Bibs PRIMO Plus ski bibs are a stylish, noninsulated, technical, and eco-friendly option for a larger-bodied person who wants one shell to rule them all. The design has ample pockets and functional zippers.

The fabric is waterproof and hardy yet unrestrictive for either in-bounds days or backcountry tours. For the full look, riders can pair these bibs with the TREW Gear Women’s Stella Jacket PRIMO Plus, a well-made plus-size jacket that I also field-tested and reviewed.

To see how these plus-size women’s ski bibs compare to our other dialed-in picks, read through the Best Plus-Size Ski and Snow Gear for Women or the Best Women’s Ski Bibs.

TREW Gear Women’s Chariot Bib PRIMO Plus: Plus-Size Ski Bibs Review

I still remember the awful ski kit I was wearing when I first heard the top-selling Chariot Bib would be available in plus sizes. I was taking my 3-day AIARE I avalanche training course. My snow pants were tattered, insulated, and of low quality. I struggled to feel comfortable in that heavy layer while doing my fieldwork — but that’s what I had. News of the plus-size Chariot Bib was a welcome relief.

For my initial test rounds, I snowboarded and splitboarded with these ski bibs for 4 days. I ventured from Salt Lake City, including 3 days in the backcountry. The weather here is generally cold and dry, and the snow is often described as champagne powder.

On all my test days, the weather was below freezing temperatures. Some days had excessive wind chill, and others had pockets of snowfall. It was never super stormy. I also did a backcountry refresher course in these ski bibs — which required a lot of digging, postholing, and traveling around in fresh snow. 

Plus-Size Goldilocks Fit

In this testing round, I found that this season’s updated Chariot-plus bibs worked very well for me, which is genuinely a first for a bib shell. The improved PRIMO material now has some give. And the brand adjusted the plus-size fit so that the 1X more closely parallels a U.S. 16/18.

I’d previously tested the first iteration of these bibs, and the biggest problem I’d noticed was that the previous 1X was too large. But the XXL was way too snug on the hips for reasonable movement as an avid snowboarder — especially with the previous material, which had felt quite stiff.

Many brands’ plus sizes tend to fit on the smaller side, in my experience. So, I definitely appreciated that TREW initially erred on the side of caution by making the 1X fit like a U.S. 18/20. However, that also meant that I was unfortunately in bib-limbo with the original Chariot plus. Until now.  

Thanks to TREW, I’ve found the Goldilocks of ski bibs! For riders needing larger sizes, don’t fret. The Chariot’s sizing extends up to a 55-inch waist and 59-inch hip, which equates to a U.S. 26/28, depending on the brand. 

Fit: Flexible & Zero Restriction

Now, the Chariots still didn’t fit me perfectly. But the PRIMO material allowed me to really feel great in these ski bibs.

I have a very hourglass figure, with a long inseam and short torso. On top of being plus-size, my proportions add to my struggle with finding the right snow pants or bibs. If I size up, I risk looking like a giant toddler. If I size down, the outerwear is tight in the hips, loose in the waist, and has too short of an inseam — not a huge fan.

For the Chariot Bib’s fit, this rang slightly true. There was a little less room in the thighs than I normally like and a little more room in the mid-section. That being said, the PRIMO material’s mechanical stretch did just the trick to allow me to move without any restrictions while riding and touring. 

Since the fit was slightly more snug on me, I could definitely feel the drop seat zipper on my backside. But that sensation faded over time. I also found that the extra space in the midsection was not bothersome for me and allowed me to layer up (beneath the bibs) with a puffy.

Luckily, these plus-size bibs also come in three inseam length options. If I were to purchase these bibs in the future, I would get the 1X with a tall 34-inch inseam (rather than the regular 32-inch inseam) to make sure the bibs extend past my ankles and over my snowboard boots.

All this to say, while these ski bibs weren’t an exact match for my body type, they have the ability to fit many body types with the way they are designed. The sisterhood of the traveling bibs, if you will. 

Top Construction: Weatherproof, Eco-Friendly Material

I was very impressed with the Chariot’s updated material from the previous iteration. TREW Gear’s proprietary PRIMO fabric is three-layer, meaning the textile has three different layers sandwiched together. This creates a high-performance fabric that is very durable, windproof, and waterproof with 20K.

Sometimes, an increase in fabric durability can cost you some flexibility. But the woven mechanical stretch in the PRIMO allows for movement without using any spandex-like materials. What I find even cooler is that this material is also environmentally friendly. PRIMO is made from 100% recycled nylon and is Bluesign-certified, so you know there’s no greenwashing involved. 

Lastly, these bibs kept me surprisingly warm with the waterproof and windproof technology. But don’t forget to wear a heavier base layer on the very frigid days, as you would for any other non-insulated shell. 

Pockets, Zippers, Drop-Seat: No Fuss

One of the best features I noticed in these plus-size ski bibs? The number of hefty pockets. On various ski tours with the Chariot plus bibs, there were moments when I honestly forgot which pocket I put something in. I consider that a good problem to have.

The bibs include five pockets in total — four with zippers and a D-ring for attaching an accessory like keys or a device.

The first two pockets in the upper bib’s torso are on either side of the chest. The right side has the largest D-ring (20mm) compared to the others (which are all 15mm). A smaller zippered pocket is on the right thigh. A secondary drop pocket with a Velcro closure sits below. The largest pocket is the zippered thigh pocket on the left side.

The zipper placements really seal the deal for the functionality of these plus-size ski bibs. There’s a center zip for dressing and undressing, which is a feature I really loved. You don’t need to unbuckle or move any straps over your head when you’re getting them on. That front zipper placement also feels easier to access than a side zipper, especially for those of us who are pear- or hourglass-shaped.

Not only that, the drop seat is magnificent for when nature calls. Seriously, no notes. And lastly, there are inner thigh vents that open directly to your base layers for ultimate air flow on the skin track. 

Critiques

It’s no secret that I have high marks for the TREW Gear Women’s Chariot Bibs PRIMO Plus as a larger-bodied snowboarder. That being said, every piece is accompanied by its drawbacks.

Fit & Adjustments

As noted above, these plus-size women’s ski bibs might not be perfect for someone who has larger hips and a smaller midsection, like me. However, the relaxed fit and mechanical stretch still allowed these bibs to function very well for me.

But I found the sliders on the suspenders awkward to adjust, especially while I was wearing the bibs. Additionally, there was a considerable length of extra suspender strap that dangled inside the bibs. It would be better if the excess strap could be fastened or secured somewhere within the bibs.

Material

The fabric was easier to scuff than I would expect for a material that is otherwise very durable. After two ski tours and one resort day, the pant legs had some minor scuff marks similar to what you would see on interior wall paint.

I suspect these were more visible because I chose the Dust Khaki color, which is the lightest color in the plus-size offerings. If you care about easily keeping your outerwear looking clean, I suggest choosing from the darker color options.

I also noticed that these bibs have a heavier feel, weighing in at 38.8 ounces. If you’re looking for an ultralight setup, this may not be the best bib for you.

Pockets

Because I prefer to keep my beacon in my chest pocket, I usually use a right-handed thigh pocket to store my phone to avoid device interference. However, the Chariot’s right thigh zippered pocket was too small for my iPhone Pro Max. I didn’t feel comfortable keeping it in the right thigh’s Velcro pocket. So, I resorted to using the large left thigh zippered pocket.

While only a minor detail, it made my phone slightly more difficult to access for navigation and in case of emergencies, as a right-handed person. Ideally, both zippered thigh pockets would be large enough to store a phone. 

Price & Colors

Although the plus-size Chariot women’s ski bibs really offer a lot in quality and functionality, they are certainly not a cheap option. They ring in at $519, and someone who is on a tighter budget would likely need to steer clear of these.

My final remark is that the Chariot bib plus-size line has fewer than half of the color options of its counterpart, the straight-size line. On top of that, this season’s colors are a little less fun than the previous years, offering the bibs in a light tan, bright pink, or black. While it’s definitely clear that TREW Gear has been committed to providing quality plus-size gear, one or two more color options would be another step in the right direction. 

Conclusion: Dream-Come-True Technical Plus-Size Ski Bibs

When I say I have been looking for non-insulated ski bibs since 2018, that’s not an exaggeration. There’s a huge size and fit discrepancy across brands, and some offer an XXL that equates to a size 10. Finding outerwear as a larger-bodied person can be a very disheartening process.

However, one thing is very obvious to me: TREW Gear is absolutely dedicated to the movement of size inclusivity in the outdoors. Its commitment is emphasized through size offerings. It’s also evident in the continuous tweaks of the designs. Here, TREW created its best plus-size Chariot bibs, yet. 

Whether you’re apple-shaped, pear-shaped, or identify with any other fruit shape, you’ll likely find that the Chariot Plus size bibs work well for you thanks to its relaxed fit, mechanical stretch, and wide range of size and inseam options.

These plus-size ski bibs have ample pockets and thoughtfully designed zippers and vents while using an ultra-durable, eco-friendly fabric. Although they are not the lightest of the bunch, the technical features and PRIMO material make these upgraded bibs my go-to option for backcountry days.

I personally prefer wearing insulated bibs on resort days. But the Chariot bibs are otherwise a great choice for resort laps, especially if you like the ability to layer up or down based on the weather. 

Ultimately, TREW Gear is changing the game for plus-size outerwear. With the brand’s new Women’s Chariot PRIMO Plus bibs, larger-bodied people finally have a technical and stylish option with a dialed-in fit for resort and backcountry adventures alike. I know I’ll be able to tackle my next avalanche course with ease.