Expert Review: The North Face Women's Freedom Insulated Bib Pants

Published on 07/13/2022 · 4 min readThis review is my honest opinion of the pants which I purchased with my own money in April of 2018.
By Ski Expert Sydney Call

Powder Day at Telluride. All photos courtesy of Sydney Call

About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the pants which I purchased with my own money in April of 2018.

My take

The North Face Women's Freedom Insulated Bib Pants are especially good for deep powder days and not getting snow inside your clothes. They are also ideal for colder days because the insulation gives extra warmth.

About the pants

  • Brand: The North Face
  • Model: Women’s Freedom Insulated Bib
  • Size Fit: Runs true to size, except a little on the shorter side for long legs.

About me

  • Height: 5’9”
  • Weight: 145 lbs
  • Pant size: L
  • Experience: 20 years

Test conditions

  • When I bought these: December 2020
  • Days used: 30
  • Where I’ve used them: Targhee, Copper Mountain, Telluride, Jackson Hole
  • Weather conditions used in: Blizzards, and wet rainy days.

How they perform

Breathability
4/5
Comfort
4/5
Durability
5/5
Ease of Movement
3/5
Warmth
5/5
Waterproofing
5/5

What I was looking for

I was looking for a pair of warm bibs I could wear on colder days as well as powder days. I was also looking for a cute style and convenient front pockets.

Why I chose this gear

I bought these bibs because the price compared to Flylow or other brands was much cheaper. I really like the style of these bibs and the stretchy straps on top. The pockets in the front and insulation were also a huge bonus.

What I love about it

  • Fit: These bibs are fitted to your body and have curves to fit a woman's body. The length of these bibs runs short and they can be tight around the thighs.
  • Comfort: The inside is very soft even though it's made of nylon. The insulation gives the bibs a padded feel. For the 2 years, I have used these, they have remained comfortable.
  • Warmth: They are super warm because of the nylon and polyester insulation.
  • Waterproofing: I have worn these on really wet days and they have always remained waterproof due to the North Face DryVent technology.
  • Durability: They are extremely thick fabric making them very durable. I have had no wearing or tearing on these bibs since I bought them in 2020.
  • Quality: These bibs are thick and feel durable, the inside is soft and will keep you very warm. The seam strength seems very strong as it is double-enforced to make sure no snow or water gets in. The North Face also added reinforcement to kick patches and hem.
  • Special Features: I love the front pockets and the side pockets, there is a lot of storage in these pants allowing me to pack whatever I need like snacks, lunch, water, and my keys/wallet.

Issues I’ve encountered

  • Breathability: The fabric does not allow for much breathability because of the insulation. These bibs get really hot on long and warmer days. Even with the vents I still wouldn't recommend these for warmer days.
  • Weight: They are a little bit on the heavier side due to the fabric and thickness of the insulation.
  • Ease of movement: Since the fabric is thick, it makes them hard to move around in sometimes.
  • Comfort: Because of the thickness of the insulation, these bibs are tight in areas even in a size up.
  • Other: The sizing of these bibs was irregular. I am usually a Medium and had to order a size Large for length and they are tight around my thighs and still a little short.

Favorite moment with this gear

My favorite moment with these bibs was at the beginning of the 21/22 ski season at Grand Targhee. It was early season around Christmas time, but it had just been dumping snow for the last week. In the week they had gotten 6 feet of fresh powder. The night before I went, it had snowed 3 feet and it was waist-deep powder. I spent the day getting stuck in powder right next to the Tetons. These bibs didn’t let any of the snow into my clothes and I stayed warm all day!

Value for the money vs. other options

Compared to other bibs from brands like FlyLow or Burton, these pants are way less expensive. While The North Face Freedom Bibs are very warm, they are a little thick and make moving around more difficult than other bibs I have tried on from FlyLow. Compared to FlyLow bibs the North Face Freedom bibs also run on the shorter length side.

Final verdict

The North Face Women's Freedom Insulated Bibs are perfect for powder days and cold blizzards, but They are not perfect for taller people.

Sydney Call, Ski Expert
Sydney Call
Ski Expert
Hey y'all! I'm Sydney, but my friends call me Syd. I grew up in a small town in Idaho. I started skiing at 3 years old with my dad at Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole. I'm a powder chaser and you can always find me on the slopes if it snowed the night before (: I love skiing so much I became a ski instructor for kiddos in Colorado. On the side I'm also pursuing my Masters Degree for Wilderness Therapy to share my love of the outdoors with others. I hope to share that love with you by helping you find the best gear!
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Written by:
Sydney Call, Ski Expert
Sydney Call
Ski Expert
Hey y'all! I'm Sydney, but my friends call me Syd. I grew up in a small town in Idaho. I started skiing at 3 years old with my dad at Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole. I'm a powder chaser and you can always find me on the slopes if it snowed the night before (: I love skiing so much I became a ski instructor for kiddos in Colorado. On the side I'm also pursuing my Masters Degree for Wilderness Therapy to share my love of the outdoors with others. I hope to share that love with you by helping you find the best gear!

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