• Waterproof/Breathability: 20K/15K
• Shell/Insulated: Insulated
• Fit: Regular
• Category: Resort/Backcountry
• Size: S/M/L/XL
• Colour: Black
• Price: $330

In general, 686 as a brand is doing a good job when it comes to supporting good causes. Their new Hydrastash Quantum Thermagraph Bibs is a fine example of this, with 1% of all sales donated to the non-profit organisation ‘charity: water’, an organisation that provides drinking water to people in developing nations.

686 is introducing the first-ever bib pants with the Hydrastash technology. This means that there’s a refillable ‘bladder’ bag that is placed around your waist inside the pants. A micro-tube is then linked from the bag all the way up through the pants to your mouth. Riding with a bag of water around your waist might seem a bit odd, but the bag has been placed at the very centre of things so it won’t throw you off your balance.

“1% of all sales donated to the non-profit organisation ‘charity: water’, an organisation that provides drinking water to people in developing nations”

By introducing this concept 686 wants to reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles. The brand is also part of the Plastic Impact Alliance, meaning they pledge to eliminate single-use plastic from their trade shows, company events and their days spent up the mountain. This in itself, makes us want to invest in the Hydrastash Quantum Thermagraph Bib (we love environmentalism, we do).

For the fabric, 686 has used its exclusive infiDRY fabric, which is both waterproof and breathable. The 20K waterproofing vouches for the fabrics ability to keep the elements out whilst the 15K breathability means you’re not left with a sweaty situation internally.

As for the insulation, there’s plenty of that to go about as well. The Thermagraph Insulation system is developed around the human body with engineered zones of insulation and breathability that have been strategically placed to provide localised warming and cooling. The recycled Eco Vivo insulation is then placed where the body needs it the most: vital organs, spine, knees and seat.

Produced with sustainability in mind, the new 686 Hydrastash Quantum Thermagraph Bibs are a fine investment in terms of quality and also a great way to invest in something that drives a more socially responsible agenda.

The model in the photo is 5’10” (178cm) tall and wearing size L.