Low-Rise, Breathable, Roomy Torso: Stio Environ Women’s Ski Bibs Review

We’d been waiting for the zones to open after a 2-day storm. Gold Hill, Revelation Bowl, and now, Black Iron Bowl. It didn’t take long for skiers to carve mesmerizing tracks into each untouched slope. So, as soon as we spotted hikers on the ridge below Palmyra Peak, we hopped on Lift 12.

Unclipping our gear at the top, we booted along the boundary line, looking for the freshest, deepest section. I watched a skier launch, land, catch an edge, and go boots over helmet. I was glad to be wearing a powder-capable kit, the Stio Environ Women’s Ski Bibs and jacket, as I dropped in.

The popular kit has a traditional style with hints of feminine articulation, so it’s not boxy. Stio made the bibs with durable, wind-blocking fabric that kept me protected on lift rides without overheating during in-bounds hikes. Even though the bib was low-cut, it still protected my base layers when I got tossed around in the pow — like the guy I’d just watched.

In short: The low-rise Stio Environ Women’s Ski Bibs ($459) ditches the skintight Euro-fit and offers a tailored but roomier upper half. The breathable upper doesn’t hug the body and offers enough room for a midlayer. The fabric is durable, wind-blocking, fairly soft to the hand, and withstands long days in the elements. A range of mindful details includes softly lined hand pockets, three zippered entrances, and tenacious kick patches. There’s a reason the Environ remains a fan favorite.

Compare the Stio Environ with the best women’s ski bibs here.

Stio Environ Women’s Ski Bibs: Testing Conditions

Based in Southwest Colorado, I tested these women’s ski bibs while snowboarding at Telluride Ski Resort. These extended pants easily withstood blizzard conditions with high gusts, low temps, and snowfall. I also found them comfortable for warmer days above freezing with a mix of clouds and sunshine.

Beyond the ski resort, I wore them on commutes. I also pulled them on while managing the snow in Crested Butte, Colo., shoveling and riding my cruiser around town.

Unique Low-Rise, Regular Fit

Some of the low-rise snow bibs I’ve tested take tight-fitting notes from trends in Europe. While that style suits the right rider and application (like racing and workouts), I usually wear — and prefer — a slightly looser feel and more adaptable cut around my waist. So, I appreciate the degree of roominess in the Stio Environ Women’s Ski Bibs.

The design is durable, comfortable, and low-cut without saran-wrapping my ribcage.

Instead of climbing above the chest, this mini-bib cut keeps things low-profile with a regular fit that’s not too baggy or boxy, nor tight. The wide elastic suspenders cross against the upper back and are easy to adjust with the sliders. But when I used the side zipper entrance, I often tangled up the straps.

Like the upper, the legs are not tight-fitting, either. They have a regular fit with slight articulation at the knees. The hem flares wide enough to easily slide over snowboard boots with a BOA closure system.

The internal gaiters also have a wide, grippy band (and no metal hook) that keeps snow out. They easily fold up to tuck the pant hem while walking to and from the bus.

Stio also now offers extended sizes with XS through XXL and a regular, short, or tall inseam option. 

Multiple Zipper Entrances & A Drop Seat

Not many women’s ski bibs have options to enter from three angles. Most ski bibs offer one longer side zipper that doubles as a drop seat.

The Environ has three zippers placed around the torso — from the front or either side. Both of the side zips also double as a drop seat, depending on which side you prefer to open. The zipper pulls and teeth are burly and easy to operate. I appreciated the additional reinforcement at the closure points. At the top of each size zip is a deep, easy-to-press snap adjacent to a 2-inch by 1-inch patch of Velcro.

The top of the central zipper also has a snap. That way, the zippers can’t slide open unexpectedly when you’re ripping through the pow fields or glades.  

There’s one snag I noticed: Each side zipper has two sliders or pulls. When I tried to close the smaller, lowermost pull, it would get stuck at the bottom of the track. Inside the pant leg, the edge of a rigid internal liner was perpendicular to the zipper, causing a hang-up. The zipper would feel like it was shutting, but was actually getting caught. When I wanted to close the vents, I needed to visually inspect the zipper pull to make sure it was actually snug at the end of the teeth.

Stormproof Fabric, Breathable Back Panel

Fairly soft to the touch yet enduring, these women’s ski bibs are made with the same textile that’s used throughout the Environ lineup — in the ski pants and ski jacket — which is a key ingredient. It’s Stio’s three-layer PeakProof fabric, made from 100% recycled polyester. The textile has a 20K waterproof rating, 10K breathability, and PFAS-free DWR coating.

That’s why these bibs performed really well while I sat on the ski lift during a snowstorm, from the early morning through close. I stayed dry, and the fabric blocked the wind well. The temps were around and below freezing when I ventured up hike-to terrain in these bibs. I tend to run hot, but I could easily drop the leg vents and didn’t feel like I was sweating too much in the bib. Also, the fabric had no problem continuing to perform multiple days in a row.

I also liked that the fabric easily moves with the body. The material around the upper torso — on the front and against the lower back — is made of a stretch-woven material that breathes very well and doesn’t cling or sag.

Several Nice Pockets, Kickpatches

In women’s ski bibs, I really appreciate softly lined hand pockets like these ones, with buttery fabric on the top and bottom. They’re also spacious, well-angled, and nicely placed. A third pocket rests on the right thigh, which is large enough to fit a big phone. That pocket is not lined with soft fabric, but it has an internal hang loop for clipping keys.

The bottom of each leg has robust kick patches — 7.5 in by 5.5 in — that are made of a 420-denier Cordura Dobby blend and topped with a DWR finish. But the fabric is foldable and can fit inside the rolled-up boot gaiters.

With a unique approach, these gaiters have a wide elastic band with ample inlaid grip. There’s a border on the top and bottom, and in the center, a large-lettered motto: “Let The Outside In.” There’s no metal hook, either, so you don’t need to worry about scratches on your hand or boot.

At the end of the day, I also liked being able to easily hang up the bibs using the wide hang loop inside the waistband.

Critiques: Women’s Ski Bibs

The bib’s three included pockets were adequate for resort days and commutes. Stio could consider adding another thigh pocket, but when you opt for a low-rise bib, you’re usually giving up real estate for pockets.

The only issue I really noticed is what I noted above, about the lower zipper pulls on each side having a tendency to get halted by a dense internal liner. They required extra attention to fully shut.

Other higher-reaching bibs with more pocket space, if that’s your preference, include options like the backcountry-ready Rab Khroma Kinetic Waterproof Bib and resort-shreddy Trew Chariot Bib Primo.

Stio Environ Women’s Ski Bibs: Who They’re For

Not every rider needs loads of pockets or really huge ones. Not every skier wants tight-fitting or trash bag-style bibs, either. The Environ hits a sweet spot when it comes to pockets — there are a few well-designed pouches on these bibs — plus an excellent fit that has a bit of articulation for ease and style.

This bib serves a broad range of conditions. The lower-cut torso is malleable and breathable yet offers some warmth on cold days. The lower fabric helps protect you in rough weather conditions and is durable, too.

If you’re looking for a mid-profile suspender that’s windproof, waterproof, and breathable with a regular yet slightly tailored fit, look no further than the Environ.