Have you ever stood in waist-deep pow with your pants slipped down? Not me. And I don't even want to experience that. Or just want to imagine it. Brrrrr. Thanks to a clever powder belt, it will hopefully never come to that.
Most manufacturers work hard on the fit of their pants models. And usually with considerable success. Adjustable waistbands and elasticated drawstrings do the rest to optimize the fit of the pants. But nothing holds trousers on the hips as well as a belt. The manufacturers know this too. Whether normal pants, pants with bibs or even the Teletubbie romper - almost no hardshell pants come without belt loops.
And even if there really isn't too much freedom in product design when it comes to belts - after all, this accessory is rarely more than a strap with a locking mechanism - there are still a few subtleties that characterize a clever powder belt. First of all, it has to be robust and not too narrow so that the pants stay in place and the belt doesn't pinch. Then the buckle must allow for continuous length adjustment and maintain this. Furthermore, it must not be too massive and thick, otherwise there will be a struggle for dominance between the belt and the hip belt of the backpack. And if the belt material is woven in such a way that it allows a very minimal, elastic stretch of a few millimetres per meter, then you've found the perfect powder belt.
Well, at least if you like the taste of it. Of course, this point should not be ignored. Nevertheless, there are still countless options. Three models that particularly convince me are:
Fritschi Powder Freaks belt - flat folding buckle, very slight stretch and the print "Powder Freaks" - is there'a more fitting label?
H&M textile belt - well-holding bar buckle and design with contour lines. That's right, contour lines! Powder-sexy! Also available in pink - THE absolute in-color in certain forum-based internet skiing circles
Direct Alpine Harness Belt - small, light and with the double-back buckle of a climbing harness. The belt is extremely flat. Especially in its element when a climbing harness is also used
