The Baker Bib and Foxy Bib put us on the map when they first debuted years ago. But we've come a long ways since then. Flylow now makes 17 different kinds of bibs. Here's the story of how we became bib people.
For years, we made ski pants. We built our brand on tough, unbreakable pants. It took until the fall of 2011 for Flylow to debut its first pair of bibs: the Baker Bibs. The inspiration for the first pair of bibs came from a competitive telemark skier named Paul Kimbrough, the son of an avalanche forecaster who grew up in Salt Lake City and studied environmental education at college in Bellingham, Washington.
Kimbrough, a hard-charging Flylow athlete at the time who beat up all of his gear, came to us with a request for a sturdy pair of bibs he could climb and ski mountains in. He wanted full-coverage bibs that would protect him even when it was pouring sleet in the Pacific Northwest or he was on a month-long road trip through Alaska.
“I was going big and falling a lot and was always getting snow down the back of my pants,” Kimbrough says. “I needed bibs and was constantly telling Flylow to make them. I wanted big vents for ventilation because I would usually ski inbounds for the first hour or two, then start hiking and I didn’t want to sweat it out with my knee pads.”
So, we did what we do best: built a way-over-the-top burly pair of bibs. That original bib was made from a stout three-layer hardshell fabric with adjustable suspenders and an expandable chest pouch. It had 1,000 denier oxford fabric reinforcements on the knees and a whopping eight inches of reinforcement around the cuffs. The thigh vents were spacious and could open on both sides. The fit was baggy enough to fit tele knee pads underneath. We added an obscene amount of Durable Water Repellent treatment to the fabric to ensure it would stay dry even in the wettest of conditions. Since Kimbrough skied at Mount Baker, Washington, we named it the Baker Bib.
“Flylow came through with the Baker Bib and I’ve used them ever since,” says Kimbrough, who’s now a climber and wilderness EMT in Utah. “They are the best thing since rockered skis.”
At the time, other ski apparel brands made bibs, but they weren’t exactly popular. Most were heavy, cheap insulated bibs or lightweight, flimsy bibs meant for European-style ski touring. Nobody was making a bib as beefy, breathable, and waterproof as ours. Clearly, there was a demand. For the next seven years, we sold out of Baker Bibs by November every year, before the ski season even really started. We couldn’t keep them in stock. (We now make a Gore-Tex version of the Baker Bib, an insulated Baker Bib, and a kids’ Baker Jr. in both shell and insulated versions.)
By fall 2016, we rolled out our first women’s bib, the Foxy Bib. It was an instant hit. We made it easy to use the bathroom (hello, generous side venting!) and gave women a solid bib that fit right and stayed warm and dry in all kinds of conditions. Those sold out every year, too—and continue to do so to this day.
We’re not saying we invented bibs or were the first to bring bibs to the ski market. But for years now, our bibs have won awards by every outdoor magazine and website that reviews such things. We are known for our bibs. And you will see them everywhere you see skiers.
These days, our bib lineup for men, women, and kids has expanded way beyond the Baker Bib and the Foxy Bib. (Although those classics are still ski bum favorites.) We have so many bibs now (17, to be exact), we had to make a bib finder to help people choose the right one for them. We have insulated bibs, air-permeable bibs, low-profile bibs. A bib for everyone, shall we say.
Press Box
“These are the burliest bibs we’ve ever used. The Baker Bib remains a phenomenal choice for those who are very hard on their outerwear.” —Blister
“Owning a pair of Flylow Foxy Bibs is like owning a Buick—once you’ve got one, you start to notice them everywhere. From the lift line to tailgates to the skin track, these bibs are taking over your local mountains thanks to their techy features and ultra-flattering fit. The 20k/20k waterproof-breathable membrane and hassle-free bathroom system add up to the most popular bibs in the biz.” —evo
“What makes the Baker Bib so great is its reinforced knees, so you can rip tricks without fear of ripping holes in your pants. Durability is key for this kit, so if you’re searching for an all-mountain outfit you can beat up for a few seasons, this is it.” —Freeskier Magazine
“The Flylow Foxy bib has had a cult following since it first hit the market, and you might just be able to attribute the resurgence in bibs across the market to Flylow’s awesome offering. The Foxy fits like most Flylow gear a bit work-wear-esque, which is perfect for skiers who like a little extra movement and room for gear and snack storage. Women who rock Foxys often swear off any other ski pant. Get 'em quick; they’ve been known to sell out.” —Adventure Journal
Pro Tip
Every pair of Flylow bibs has what we like to call cross-flow venting. Which means two thigh vents let air flow from one side of the leg to the other. Here’s a little secret. The best place to store a peanut-butter sandwich, or spare gloves, or a baselayer you no longer need is behind your calf, inside your bibs. Simply unzip the outer thigh vent, stuff your sandwich down into the gap behind your calf, and you’re ready to roll. You won’t feel it skiing and your sandwich won’t be a pancake come lunchtime.
This story appears in our new coffee table book, "Homegrown: Celebrating Flylow's Independent culture and grassroots vibe since 2005," which is on sale now.
Baker Gore-Tex 3L Salopette
Bavoir de boulanger
Bavoir Foxy
Salopette Siren Gore-Tex 3L
Bavoir Moxie
Bavoir Firebird
