Black Diamond Recon Stretch Bibs Review

Black Diamond has a long history in touring and mountaineering gear, so it’s a relief to see the brand deliver that in the Recon Stretch Ski Bib. In my opinion, the defining trait of this bib design is its four-way stretch BD.dry fabric, which gives it a noticeably more forgiving feel than traditional hardshell bibs. 

On long ski tours or bootpacks, the fabric’s flex, light weight, and mobility translate into less restriction and more comfort. And there’s far less noise than crinkly GORE-TEX fabric, which sounds like sandpaper against itself.

In short: The Black Diamond Recon Stretch Ski Bibs ($479) sit squarely in the popular do-it-all shell-and-hybrid category. These bibs aren’t the lightest solution for skimo-grade cardio kings. But for most recreational backcountry skiers and snowboarders, it balances coverage and comfort well with breathability and waterproofing. It’s also robust enough to pull double-duty at the resort if, like most people, you don’t want to have to buy two pairs of bibs given the high price tags on ski apparel these days.

See how our other top-rated ski and snowboard snow bibs compare in the Best Men’s Ski Bibs buyer’s guide.

Black Diamond Recon Stretch Bib Review: Construction and Performance

The Recon bib’s weather protection is solid for the price point. With a 20K/20K rating and fully taped construction, the Recon holds up to normal winter weather without feeling swampy on the climb. For most conditions, this level of weatherproofing will be more than enough to keep you dry and warm. Pacific Northwest skiers may want to max out on waterproofing with something like the Arc’teryx Rush Bibs.

If you run extra-hot while touring, a bib may not work well for you, no matter how modern the materials are. You could always consider touring-oriented ski pants with suspenders, which have a similar feel without as much upper-body coverage. 

But if, like me, you prefer the security, comfort, and storage of a bib, the breathable double-weave mesh upper material on the Recon helps release heat, while zippered thigh vents offer quick temperature control when the skin track steepens. 

The triple-zipper setup is confusing at first, but allows you to customize the size and positioning of your venting. I wish BD had included inner-thigh vents like TREW’s TREWth Primo Bibs for maximum venting when the going gets steamy.

Storage is practical and touring-oriented. The bib includes multiple zippered pockets (chest, hand, and thigh), plus the must-have device tether in the thigh pocket. 

The thigh pockets are kept fairly high on the leg and rotated toward the outside of the quad, which keeps your phone, or whatever, from slapping against your leg during skinning or skiing.

Fit and Comfort

The Recon bibs are full bibs that rise above your chest in front, which is a little surprising for a touring-oriented option. Often backcountry-first bibs cut lower to make them more breathable, but the advantage of full coverage is that the chest pockets stay higher and more convenient, and you stay warmer on cold descents.

This fit is slim from the hips through the chest with plenty of elastic and the four-way stretch material throughout. 

At first, the Recon felt somewhat restrictive to me. But I came to appreciate the advantage of a more tailored, athletic cut for skinning. The back of the bib doesn’t cover as high as the front, which helps with back sweat when touring with a pack pressed against you. The legs are more relaxed without being so baggy that they scuff together on the uphill.

Critiques

A couple of minor gripes: the boot cuff elastic is too tight for touring, and the pee zipper lacks a pull tab. Adding a pull tab to this frequently used zipper isn’t rocket science. But I’ll never understand why companies omit it, forcing you to either DIY or remove your gloves every time nature calls. 

The snow-excluding elastic on the boot cuff is another head-scratcher. It has an extremely tight fit that feels like a power strap going uphill. It requires more force than seems necessary to pull on over your boots. The cuffs have a snap that lets you open them wider, but I couldn’t find any advantages to this design over simply using a less-aggressive elastic and/or a wider circumference.

Big Value

At around $450, the Recon Stretch Bib undercuts premium GORE-TEX Pro bibs such as Arc’teryx’s $750 Rush Bibs and its own $679 Factor Bibs while delivering only marginally weaker weatherproofing and better stretch comfort. 

You’re not getting top-tier durability or expedition-level burliness. But the lighter build is better-suited to backcountry skiing and warmer temps.

For skiers who split time between resort laps and occasional tours, the Recon lands in a sweet spot: it actually delivers on the hybrid-performance promise instead of just slapping a device tether in the pocket of a GORE-TEX resort bib and calling it ready for the backcountry, as most brands are doing these days.

Recon vs. Factor Bibs

The Black Diamond Recon and the Black Diamond Factor Bibs are close siblings, but they target slightly different skiers. 

Since I’ve field-tested both for GearJunkie, I’ll try to help you decide between the two if you like Black Diamond but aren’t sure which is a better fit, literally and figuratively.

The Recon Bibs prioritize mobility, breathability, and versatility. The stretch fabric and lighter build make this pair better for touring, sidecountry laps, and active skiing. It can be cold on midwinter resort days, so smart layering is required.

For the Factor Bibs, the design leans more toward durability, warmth, and freeride-resort use, with a burlier construction and less emphasis on stretch comfort. The bibs are marketed as a hybrid option, but aren’t ideal if you ski tour more than a few days a season.

To me, the Recon feels more like a hybrid touring bib, while the Factor is a more traditional, stormproof freeride shell, even though both get billed as crossover options. 

The cost difference is substantial as well. If you’re trying to spend under $500 and don’t mind bottom-half layering as needed to stay comfortable in the lighter-but-cheaper Recon on the ski lifts, go that route, as these two are otherwise very similar bibs.

Bottom Line

The Black Diamond Recon Stretch Bib is a hybrid touring and resort ski bib built for motion. 

This men’s ski bib is not the toughest or most waterproof choice on the market. But its blend of stretch, breathability, and adequate waterproofing makes it a more affordable option for skiers who prefer a bib pant for earning turns.