Jones Shralpinist GORE-TEX ePE Ski Bibs Review

After a long day outside leading a backcountry hut trip in Colorado’s Elk Mountains, I couldn’t hang up my ski bibs. It was 5 p.m. I was co-guiding six middle-school children on their inaugural hut trip, a culmination of an after-school backcountry program. 

There was one more task: I needed to shuttle a 14-year-old to the trailhead. They had a ski competition the next morning. Fortunately, the Jones Men’s Shralpinist Recycled GORE-TEX ePE Ski Bibs were up to the workload. Throughout testing, these tenacious, sustainable bibs endured long backcountry hours and back-to-back stormy days. 

In short: If you’re a splitboarder, mountaineer, or skier looking for the best backcountry gear money can buy, look no further. The Jones Men’s Shralpinist Recycled GORE-TEX ePE Ski Bibs ($750) set a standard for high-performing, sustainably made, bombproof backcountry ski bibs for men. No matter the output, these snow bibs are a true workhorse that keep you dry while giving you unrestricted mobility.

The design is packed with details that every backcountry enthusiast will love. Pushing the boundaries of sustainable manufacturing, Jones is one of the first brands to craft apparel with both 100% recycled materials and the GORE-TEX ePE textile — second only to Patagonia. 

Scope out our other favorite men’s ski bibs in the Best Men’s Ski Bibs buyer’s guide.

Tenacious Bibs That Withstand Storms & Guiding

The first morning of the students’ hut trip, over a foot and a half of new snow had fallen overnight — and it continued snowing all day. We got the first tracks in a nearby bowl. I showed the groms how to spray powder and where to regroup safely. 

After our epic tour, we built a jump next to the hut. We got carried away with the size — it even scared me — but of course, the “coach” had to test our creation. Despite my best efforts to backflip, I failed three attempts, including tomahawks and an underrotation. 

Despite such a long day outside and a mix of strenuous activities from setting the skin track to digging a jump, I was warm and dry underneath my bibs — unlike my completely soaked buff.

That evening, I had to make the 20-mile snowmobile journey through blizzard conditions to the trailhead to shuttle this kiddo back to civilization. The heavy, wet snow seemed to bounce off the face fabric as we puttered through the night. Despite the tough conditions, I trusted my Jones bibs would continue to keep me dry.

Before the field trip, I also spent many weeks testing these men’s ski bibs while training the teens at our local Beacon Park.

Shralpinist: 100% Recycled and Chemical-Free GORE-TEX ePE Fabric

The updated Shralpinist design uses fully recycled fabric and incorporates the latest-greatest ePE fabric from GORE-TEX. These ski bibs stand out as one of the only fully recycled products that use GORE-TEX’s progressive ePE fabric, which excludes PFAS chemicals. GearJunkie has confirmed and tested just one other snow jacket with this combo: the Patagonia SnowDrifter ski and snowboard jacket.

This innovative textile eliminates PFAS — the toxic chemicals long used in traditional manufacturing. GORE-TEX builds the fabric, membrane, and DWR finish without intentionally adding PFAS. The bibs rely on a 100% recycled 70D nylon 3L GORE-TEX ePE C-Knit shell and a 100% recycled solution-dyed nylon backer for structure and durability.

This fabric delivers a 30K/30K waterproof and breathable performance, ensuring comfort during high-output activities in harsh conditions. A PFC-free DWR finish boosts water resistance.

I put these bibs through blizzard conditions. I rode snowmobiles through snowstorms, dug pits with kids after school, shoveled backcountry jumps, and set skintracks. The design consistently resisted moisture and wind.

Pockets: Seriously Awesome

One of the defining features of a good bib is a plethora of functional pockets, and here, the Shralpinist shines. First are the dual-zippered chest pockets, each large enough to fit an iPhone 15 Pro Max — in an Otter Box Defender case. Both include a tether point for versatility when wearing a beacon. 

You’ll find two oversized zippered thigh pockets that offer plenty of storage. Inside both pockets is a beacon tether and mesh sleeves. The sleeves securely hold either a phone or a beacon, preventing them from sliding around the pocket during activity. For serious backcountry users, having a tether point in four different pockets is a valuable addition. 

It gives riders four secure options for placing a beacon 30 inches away from an electronic device, avoiding interference. I clip my beacon to the tether and keep it in the mesh right thigh pocket. I keep my iPhone in my jacket’s left chest pocket, where it’s accessible yet far enough away from my beacon. 

Lastly, this men’s ski bib has a unique mesh chest dump pocket typically found inside a jacket. This pocket was great for throwing skins, goggles, or gloves. It fit things I usually shove inside my bibs and hope friction prevents them from sliding down into my boots. This unique pocket was great for holding snacks and was easily accessible during the activity. Overall, these bibs for men boast some seriously functional pockets. 

Super-Sustainable Manufacturing Certifications

Regarding sustainability, the Shralpinist Bibs also stand out with Bluesign and Oeko-Tex-certified materials. These fabrics are free of harmful chemicals and safe for human use. 

Additionally, all Jones outerwear and apparel production facilities are certified by the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) or Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP). That means workers receive fair salaries and work in safe and clean environments. Beyond quality and durability, this means Jones is using the most responsibly sourced materials to create the Shralpinist Bibs. 

Premium Bibs: Who They’re For

These bibs are for top-tier athletes seeking ultimate alpine performance, but you don’t have to be a professional to use them. I found them equally at home carving at the resort in mellow conditions as bootpacking up couloirs in heinous weather.

Additionally, while snowboarders designed these bibs for their own needs, skiers can use them just as effectively. The circumference of the pant leg is not overly wide for sliding over ski boots. For those who want the best in terms of performance, functionality, and sustainability and can afford the premium price tag that comes along with it, there is no better option.  

Conclusion: No Better Alternative

When I first got the updated Jones Shralpinist men’s ski bibs for testing, I was unsure if they would be worth the seriously high price tag. But after countless days in the backcountry, professional guiding, instructing, and ripping the resort, the functionality, mobility, and performance blew my expectations out of the water. 

In terms of durability, while I felt these bibs show dirt easily, they have held up to severe abuse, including snowmobile-powered splitboard tours. Driving and playing with snowmobiles destroy outerwear — yet the Shralpinist’s fabric continues to hold up as it did the first day I tested it. Even if you manage to damage these ski bibs, the company backs them with a lifetime warranty.

In short, these Jones men’s ski bibs are a fantastic option for those facing extreme weather, multiday excursions, and for the rider who works or plays hard in the backcountry. The fabric is soft, durable, highly breathable, and waterproof. They fit great for unrestricted mobility and come packed with functional needs required for backcountry users. For the best of the best, there is no alternative.