Redlands Okie
Veteran Member
Brand name i have been happy with carharts for sure, key brand for another. Something to think about is being able to wear the items.
First thing is FULL LENGHT ZIPPERS ON THE BIBS ! As in from the cuff to the waist ! Makes them so much more usable. No need to take off your boots to take the bibs on and off. You can also lower the zippers from the top to access your pants pockets or to cool down.
Do they FIT ? To long ? Room to wear some clothes under them ? If they do not fit then you just wasted a lot of money and effort. Many brand have limited selection of sizes. Carharts are often bought just like pants. Waist size and leg length. Shop until you find the right size. Yep it can be frustrating. But they will last for years so its really important they fit and not drag on the ground etc etc.
Zippers you can get hold of.
If the zipper gets full of mud or frozen snow can you still get it to work ok.
Elastic in the shoulder straps almost always goes bad but not much you can do about it.
Can you get the shoulder straps attached to the bib easily ? With gloves on ?
Elastic or stretchable material on the collars and cuffs wears fast. Also often it seems to hold on to splinters, sawdust, weeds etc.
Can you fasten the jacket buttons or zippers with gloves on ?
Often times you can add a string or some such to the zipper pull tab you make it easier to grab.
A wind flap in front of the zipper is nice. Behind the zipper is better than none.
Insulated is nice but limits the wear to the coldest times only. I prefer uninsulated and can wear my clothes in layers as needed. Also the uninsulated ones are easier to wash and dry and do not rip out on the inside liner for your feet and hands to snag on. Uninsulated or lightly insulated are also easier to repair if / when they get ripped or torn.
And i repeat myself but Last and VERY IMPORTANT. Full length zippers on the legs. As in from the cuff to the waist band. No need to take off your boots to take the bibs on and off. You can also lower the zippers from the top to access your pants pockets or to cool down.
You have a great idea and something that is useful
First thing is FULL LENGHT ZIPPERS ON THE BIBS ! As in from the cuff to the waist ! Makes them so much more usable. No need to take off your boots to take the bibs on and off. You can also lower the zippers from the top to access your pants pockets or to cool down.
Do they FIT ? To long ? Room to wear some clothes under them ? If they do not fit then you just wasted a lot of money and effort. Many brand have limited selection of sizes. Carharts are often bought just like pants. Waist size and leg length. Shop until you find the right size. Yep it can be frustrating. But they will last for years so its really important they fit and not drag on the ground etc etc.
Zippers you can get hold of.
If the zipper gets full of mud or frozen snow can you still get it to work ok.
Elastic in the shoulder straps almost always goes bad but not much you can do about it.
Can you get the shoulder straps attached to the bib easily ? With gloves on ?
Elastic or stretchable material on the collars and cuffs wears fast. Also often it seems to hold on to splinters, sawdust, weeds etc.
Can you fasten the jacket buttons or zippers with gloves on ?
Often times you can add a string or some such to the zipper pull tab you make it easier to grab.
A wind flap in front of the zipper is nice. Behind the zipper is better than none.
Insulated is nice but limits the wear to the coldest times only. I prefer uninsulated and can wear my clothes in layers as needed. Also the uninsulated ones are easier to wash and dry and do not rip out on the inside liner for your feet and hands to snag on. Uninsulated or lightly insulated are also easier to repair if / when they get ripped or torn.
And i repeat myself but Last and VERY IMPORTANT. Full length zippers on the legs. As in from the cuff to the waist band. No need to take off your boots to take the bibs on and off. You can also lower the zippers from the top to access your pants pockets or to cool down.
You have a great idea and something that is useful
