DC Collective Shell Snowboard Bib Pants for women review: urban cool to keep you warm on the slopes

Urban styling and a good range of movement make DC Collective Shell Snowboard Bib Pants a good choice for more advanced snowboarders

DC Collective Shell Snowboard Bib Pants
(Image: © DC)

Advnture Verdict

Lovely urban looks and a tailored fit make these shell bibs one of the smartest ski pants around – and 15,000mm of waterproofing won’t let you down in the snow.

Pros

  • +

    Stylish urban design

  • +

    Great pockets

  • +

    Good waterproofing

  • +

    Made with 47% Recycled Polyester

Cons

  • -

    Fabric not as stretchy as claimed

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DC Collective Shell Snowboard Bib Pants: first impressions

DC Collective Shell Snowboard Bib Pants are available in various funky colorways and patterns, including leopard print and faded denim. For our best women’s ski pants buying guide we tested out a smart burnt orange colorway model, with zebra-striped braces.

DC have long been the cool kids on the snowboarding kit block, and the Collective pant definitely wins style points; it’s definitely the most Instagram-friendly snow bib we reviewed. 

This is a ‘“shell” pant with no insulation, so it’s ideal worn over thermal base layers on warmer days, and the added range of movement and breathability you get when you lose the insulation will suit more advanced snowboarders and snow park lovers. 

Specifications

RRP: $293 (US) / £220 (UK)
• Waterproofing: Weather Defence 15K (15,000mm HH)
• Insulation: None
• Sizes: XS / S / M / L / XL
• Colors: Cathay Spice / Watercolor Tie Dye / Black
• Compatibility: Laid-back snowboarders will love the Collective’s looks and freedom of movement

DC Collective Shell Snowboard Bib Pants: on the slopes

Waterproof, with a good hydrostatic head (HH) rating of 15,000mm (see What is hydrostatic head? for more information), and taped seams, DC Collective Shell Snowboard Bib Pants should keep even heavy snowfall at bay. 

The soft lining is comfortable against the skin. We like the zipped legs and generous pockets, including a handy vertical chest pocket, and the wide side zip for popping the bib on and off easily. 

DC describe the Collective as stretchy, but we’re not sure we’d call it that – this bib has quite a tailored fit so you’ll need to get the sizing right, and the legs are cut slim. 

The bib’s hardwear also feels on the flimsy side, and may need replacing after regular use. If you’re not sure if the form-fitting leg design will suit you, consider ordering a size up. 

Sian Lewis

An award-winning travel and outdoors journalist, presenter and blogger, Sian regularly writes for The Independent, Evening Standard, BBC Countryfile, Coast, Outdoor Enthusiast and Sunday Times Travel. Life as a hiking, camping, wild-swimming adventure-writer has taken her around the world, exploring Bolivian jungles, kayaking in Greenland, diving with turtles in Australia, climbing mountains in Africa and, in Thailand, learning the hard way that peeing on a jellyfish sting doesn’t help. Her blog, thegirloutdoors.co.uk, champions accessible adventures.