OROS Immix Bib Review: Body-Mapped SOLARCORE Insulation Put to the Test
The women’s and men’s Immix Bib from OROS is new for this season and made for those extremely chilly days on the mountain, thanks to the brand’s proprietary zoned insulation. So how did its highly-warm-yet-minimal-loft fill fare on the frontside slopes?
I first put on a pair of bibs for snowboarding a few years ago, and I haven’t touched a pair of regular snow pants since. I’ve got three pairs of bibs that I alternate between, including the latest women’s Immix Bib by OROS. These bibs are insulated, waterproof, and have two-way stretch from a 20k/20k breathable and recycled polyester.
Now, I’m quite picky when it comes to my bibs, as the wrongly placed zipper or a missed but necessary pocket can be quite annoying. The Immix Bibs fared extremely well in their warmth and breathability, and overall they had quite a few good features that worked nicely on the slopes.
In short: While the OROS Immix collection is still very new, as far as insulated bibs go, it already stands out. OROS uses its own insulation called SOLARCORE, mapped across different areas of the core and extremities. We liked the insulation on the inside a lot, but we liked the bib’s stretchy fabric on the outside even more — enough to consider the OROS Immix a staple for resort days.
OROS Women’s Immix Bib Review
OROS Immix Bib
- Shell: Two-way stretch, recycled polyester with PFC-free DWR treatment
- Insulation: 2mm thick zoned SOLARCORE
- Waterproofing: 20,000mm/20,000g waterproof-breathable membrane
- Pockets: Six
- Seams: Fully sealed
- Zippers: YKK
- RECCO: No
- Key features: Adjustable elastic straps, quick-release strap, elastic lower gaiters, front and side full-length zipper
- Sizes: XS-2XL
- Price: $400
Testing the OROS Immix Bib
I was able to test the OROS Immix Bibs early this season, as Boulder, Colo., had both a few snowy days and some extremely cold and windy days. My other bibs are not insulated, so it was a pleasure to have these insulated ones, as I am always cold — whether I’m working hard on a winter hike in 20-degree temps with the sun out or cruising the runs on a bluebird day, my legs are often cold. And though sitting on a cold chairlift that’s dusted with snow does give my legs a nice break, it doesn’t bode well for keeping that warmth in.
I wore the bibs when I went riding at Eldora Mountain Resort in mid-teen temperatures with high winds, as well as numerous days working outside with temperatures ranging from the mid-teens to the high 20s. Each day, whether I was snowboarding hard or simply hanging outside in the snow, I stayed nice and warm — not too hot and not too sweaty, either.
I found that although the online sizing chart was accurate, the overall fit of these high-chested bibs runs small, even with the fit landing right in the middle of fitted and relaxed. In most outdoor gear and bibs, I am between a medium and a large for bottoms, but I definitely needed a large for these bibs, especially to have the comfort to bend and move, and to wear layers underneath. Make sure to measure and follow the sizing chart before ordering.
Warmth, Breathability, and Amazing Stretch
The designers at OROS really put their time into mapping out where the insulation should go on these bibs. The Immix Bib uses OROS’ patented SOLARCORE insulation, which was inspired by the thermal properties of a NASA material (not a new usage in the outdoor industry) and combined with a flexible foam so that you get warmth without bulk. This is all to say that I was extremely warm in even the coldest and windiest of temperatures, and never felt too sweaty or stuffy.
The bibs have zoned insulation in the seat, as well as on the front of the quads and shins, and a bit around the core. One note: This zoning varies slightly for the men’s and women’s bibs.
Other superb qualities of the insulation material we noticed on paper? SOLARCORE is made from recycled polyester. (No down here; in fact, OROS claims its fill is one-fifth as thick as goose down.) It uses a PCR-free, durable water repellent and still has plenty of stretch. Overall, the bibs will provide you with a warm and dry piece of gear, without the sometimes cumbersome down volume and without material that hinders movement.
With other bibs I’ve used, I found that stretchy, flexible material is often lacking. Instead of being able to seamlessly bend down to clip into my bindings or sit for an après drink, other bibs will get tight across my hips and legs, but that didn’t happen with the OROS bib. It stretched and moved with me both on and off the mountain.
Plenty of Zippers and Pockets
Bibs can never have too many pockets and these bibs aren’t lacking in that area. Most of them came in handy, while I was a little picky about others. There are two pockets on the front of each leg above the knees, as well as a pocket at each hip; both could have been a bit deeper (the first con in our book).
On the left side of the torso, there is a tiny horizontal chest pocket that is perfect for securing keys, cards, and chapstick. On the right, there is a deeper pocket that can be zipped from either side — this came in handy some of the time, but I prefer a larger chest pocket with a smaller internal stash pocket. Regardless, there were plenty of pockets to hold all of your items. Bonus: The two chest pockets are insulated, so the outside cold won’t drain your phone battery. Overall, if you like having choices in pockets, these bibs are a great option.
The zippers on the bibs were pretty on point. You’ve got internal venting zippers on the thigh, plus a torso-to-hip zipper on the right side and a middle zipper up the front. I found it convenient to have both larger zippers on the torso when it came to getting the bibs on and off. A few times during testing, I found that the side zipper moved a little; a snap to secure the top of the zipper may be a helpful upgrade in the future.
The shoulder straps meet in the middle of your back, much like a racerback bra. These straps laid flat, were easy to put on (didn’t get twisted), and stayed in place. However, with these bibs, I found it difficult to tighten or loosen the straps. Once I was able to get the straps adjusted, they were fine.
Only one side (right on the women’s bib, left on the men’s) has a buckle release, which was easy and quick to use. I’ve worn bibs that have one buckle, two buckles, and no buckles, and I don’t necessarily have a preference.
Conclusion
If you constantly get cold and are doing mostly inbounds skiing or riding, the OROS Immix Bibs are worth considering. The insulation feels so minimal yet so warm, while the breathable fabric leaves you feeling as refreshed as you can be after a day of going after it. I stayed protected from the cold, snow, and wind, but I was never too warm.
Plus, the flex in the fabric is clutch — especially for snowboarders who are bending and twisting on the reg.
The main stand out, though, if we had to pick? The composition and amount of SOLARCORE insulation provided a just-right level of warmth. These bibs are a testament to that hard-to-get, perfect balance.
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