Obermeyer Steibis Shell Jacket and Bib Pants: Stay Dry Kit

A lightweight, 30k/30k waterproof, breathable 3-layer shell jacket/bib combo.

Who is This For

Backcountry and resort skiers will love the waterproof, breathable fabric and functional venting. Not best suited for those who need extra durability or need maximum wind resistance.

Field Testing

Scenario 1

Skiing | 18-25° F, 40-50 MPH winds | Nevada

Initial test days were spent resort skiing at 6,000–9,300 foot elevations during a series of cold storms that brought deep powder back to the Lake Tahoe Sierra ski areas. With the snowfall rates at one-to-three inches an hour (heavy, wet snow) and very high winds, there was zero visibility.

Generally, I’m on the warmer side of the scale, so I wear a base layer, a fleece, and a light insulated vest if temperatures drop into the low 20’s or upper teens. With the higher winds and low visibility, I opted for a middle weight down jacket instead of a vest under the Steibis Jacket and a heavier fleece pant over a base layer under the Steibis Bibs. I was comfortable, although I noticed my legs got a little cold sitting on the chair due to the extra breathability in the fabric.

While the bungees didn’t last on the hood, breaking on the initial adjustment over my helmet, the high collar, the full face balaclava I was wearing under my helmet, and the fleece buff over my neck and chin kept my face out of the wind while my mustache picked up an epic amount of ice. (I’d recommend a very light touch with this cord and hope this will be redesigned. Or, maybe I got a defective sample. I should add here that Obermeyer’s customer service department was very responsive.)

Scenario 2

Hiking | 30-50°F | Nevada

The second round of testing was a series of hikes in 30-50°F temperatures as warmer fronts followed the cold storms across the foothills, soaking Washoe County with a few inches of rain after a zero-precipitation March.

With a baseball cap on, the hood stayed up and out of the way and I could watch the rain water stream off the jacket and bibs without any wetting on the surface fabric. Amazing DWR.

With the Steibis Jacket layered over a base layer and wool sweater, I remained dry. The thigh vents on the bib pants and the side vents and dual slide front zip on the jacket helped me vent extra heat and moisture. I was impressed that Obermeyer’s fabric remained remarkably waterproof without wetting out on the surface.

Scenario 3

Hiking and Skiing | 18-50°F | Nevada

The Steibis Bib’s loose fit (I’m 6’2” and 190) matched well with other XL shell pants I’ve used before and comfortably layered over a base layer and over a base layer and heavier fleece pants. The bib pants adjust at the waist via velcro tabs, and the secure belt loops allow the bib pants to remain in place when it’s too warm to keep the suspenders and upper bib section zipped up.

The Steibis Bib features a sturdy, cut-resistant boot cuff protector, gaiters, adjustable cuff zips that snap securely closed, stretch fabric at the lower back to maintain a weatherproof fit, and a secure zip pocket on one side of the bib’s chest. There’s also a stretch fabric pouch on the other side. The shoulder straps are comfortable and easy to adjust, and I found the lateral leg vents easy to access when climbing in warmer backcountry skiing conditions.

The zippers on the thigh pockets were also easy to access, although the horizontal orientation and higher placement limited what I could fit and comfortably carry. I opted out from my usual assortment of wax bar, food bars, scraper, slope inclinometer, wallet, and car keys; that much gear would have created some binding while moving due to the fairly shallow, non-pleated pockets. Also, the pockets aren’t lined, and any sharp edges might damage the exposed membrane. Given the lower volume pockets on the Steibis Bib and potential risk of poking holes in the pockets, I put the bulkier and sharper bits into pockets on my ski pack and put some food snacks into the right thigh pocket and map and goggle lens cloth in the left.

For the Steibis Bib, I would have preferred a slightly higher back without a magnet loop to attach the jacket, heavier gauge suspender straps, and a mid-thigh placement for storage pockets and vertical, lined pockets closer to the hip, but overall I found the bib pants to be remarkably water- and snow-resistant, with functional venting through the dual zipper on the outer thigh. The overall comfort and function was excellent with no binding at knees or hips while skiing at the resort or in the backcountry.

The jacket and bib provided a wide range of comfortable layering options, thanks to extra roomy shoulders, adjustable wrist cuts, and several vents. I stayed comfortable while resort skiing in blizzards, hiking in the rain, and backcountry ski touring. The 2-way front zipper has smooth functionality and should provide lasting durability. The dual direction allows exceptional venting while still keeping the jacket from flying open in windy, cold high alpine terrain. Another stellar features: mechanical vents located on the back of the jacket, and shielded by an exterior venting flap, provide even more venting (even while wearing a pack).

Late spring skiing in the Sierra often equals sweating in intense sun as the air temperature climbs from the low teens into the low 50’s, mixes in some rain and clouds, then starts snowing hard as the daylight fades and temps drop into the 20’s (a whole season of weather wrapped up in one day). I found the 3-layer fabric to be extremely waterproof; the outer surface remained completely dry throughout days spent in heavy sleet and rain and while sitting in heavy, wet spring snow.

While the Steibis Jacket and Steibis Bib were not quite as windproof or as durable as some of my other technical shells that use Gore-Tex membranes (Patagonia, The North Face, Mammut, and Helly Hansen), the Obermeyer polyurethane membrane is lighter and made several of this season’s longest ski days a little less fatiguing. The breathability and water resistance were fantastic. Spot cleaning with cold water and soap, avoiding bleach and heat, and hang drying all help keep the DWR functioning.

The extra elastic that helps snug wrists under the glove gauntlet adds a slight gain in bulk and weight. I would have preferred all-velcro to save weight and bulk. I noticed that the seams had an fabric face without a second layer or a protective scrim, trading some wind resistance and durability for weight savings.

Fit

Too small

Slightly small

Fits well

Slightly big

Too big

I found a great fit in my usual size, and it was slightly loose, which provided a nice range of movement.

Materials & Construction

Material/Fabric: The Men’s Steibis Shell Jacket and the Bib Pants are made out of a nylon material called HydroBlock Prime that utilize100% Blue Thread™ Nylon and has 2-way stretch.

Sustainability Creds: Blue Thread™ is a nylon fiber made from recycled ocean waste

Bottom Line

Overall, I really liked the ease of layering underneath the Steibis Jacket and Bib because both stayed loose and non-binding. I loved how well the fabric shed rain and dealt with all the weird, heavy, dense forms of snow that make up storms in the Sierra in the late spring skiing season.

While the lighter weight accessory pocket zippers and the jacket’s bungee cords skew towards the fragile side of the scale, the waterproof and breathable fabric Obermeyer uses is worth yodeling about as it offers fantastic rain and wet snow protection.

Construction and hand finishing show attention to detail and I’d expect to get multiple seasons worth of use as long as some care is taken when tugging on the lighter gauge zippers.

Specifications

• Men’s Sizes: Steibis Jacket, XS S M L XL 2XL, Black ii, Walnut, Mauve Deep, Ivy Green; Steibis Bib, XS S M L XL 2XL in Black ii, Walnut, Mauve Deep
• Women’s Sizes: Steibis Jacket,XS S M L XL, Black, Mauve Deep, Summit Sage; Steibis Bib, XS S M L XL in Mauve Deep, Black, Summit Sage
• Weight: Jacket weight 835g Bib weight 787gms
• Price: $569 Steibis Jacket; $469 Steibis Bib

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