When snow is dumping and the wind is blowing so hard that you can't even see top of the mountain, that's when the North Face Summit L5 Gore-Tex Pro Bib is at its best. The three-layer membrane, seam sealed to a perfection, merits a gold star for its breathability and enhanced waterproof qualities alone. But the durable performance it displays in the most extreme conditions--from howling winds to straight up ice shooting out of the sky--is why you're reading this today. And the rest of the alpinist features, including the articulated knees, integrated gaiters, and matte PU side zips, are the cherries on top.