Blog Post Updated on May 4, 2022
686 Toolbelt: The Snow Pants Belt That Has Everything
It's the middle of September. Places like Utah and Jackson Hole are getting their first snow of the season. Meanwhile, it still feels like summer here in New Jersey and I'm sitting in my air-conditioned house trying to cool off. By setting my AC really low, I've been able to channel my own first snowfall. Time to start thinking about ski season and some of the new ski gear that's coming out.
Today we're going to give you a first look gear review at the new 686 Toolbelts. If you guys are looking for the best belt for ski pants then this is it. The original Toolbelt has been one of 686's signature items for about 25-plus years. It has screwdrivers and wrenches and bottle openers all situated right in the belt.
Why would want a screwdriver on your belt? When will you ever need a bottle opener on the mountain?
Truth is, you just never know. But if this ski pant belt is going to get you beers and then you will definitely want to open them.
Let me explain.
Be a Hero and Earn Beers By Wearing This Snowpant Belt
How is this ski pant belt going to give you beers? Let's just say you're skiing with your buddy and he's a snowboarder. You take the lift up, he gets off the lift and he feels something a little loose in his binding. Now he's probably thinking to himself, "oh yeah I have to go back down the mountain, find a snowboard shop and take 30-45 minutes out of my day to fix the binding.
That's where you come into play.
With the 686 Toolbelt you can be the hero of the day. Take your belt off and use the screwdriver or one of the wrenches to tighten that binding back up for him.
Now he's happy, so happy that he will definitely buy you a beer or two. Good thing you have a bottle opener. Talk about the best belt for your snowboard pants...hands down.
686's New Hook Toolbelt is Minimalism at its Finest
Let's take a further look at these two new snow pant belts. This is the first update that 686 has made to the Toolbelt in probably about the last decade. The Hook Toolbelt is made for minimalism. Constructed of nylon it is extremely lightweight. The Hook Toolbelt also has about two inches of stretch. You may not think this is a big deal but, trust me, it is. The weight of two nights of boozing and nachos can start to set in on Sunday morning. The Hook Toolbelt's stretchiness will still allow it to fit.
As far as the tool components go, there are only a couple to speak of on this snow pant belt. The Hook Toolbelt has a screwdriver and a bottle opener. That's about it. Put it on the hook just slides into the notch of your choice and boom, you're good to go.
The Premier Toolbelt is a Maximalist's Dream
686's other new ski pant belt is called the Premier Toolbelt. It has anything and everything you could ever possibly want. It may even have too much, but better to be safe than sorry. You never know what can happen on the mountain.
The Premier Toolbelt is really simple to use.
Unbutton it, take the belt buckle off and it opens up to become a flat head screwdriver and a Phillips screwdriver. There is even an Allen wrench.
This is just the tip of the iceberg though. Hiding behind the belt buckle, on the belt is another tool that comes out. This component has a ruler, a box cutter and six different wrench sizes.
Like I said this is a maximalist's dream and why it ranks right up there as the best belt for ski and snowboard pants.
The Best Ski Belt if You're All About Après
I've been wearing my original 686 Toolbelt for years. Now that I have these new ones, I'm definitely going to start rocking the Premiere this winter. It's always good to have, just in case, your buddy's snowboard breaks and you need to tune it up.
Even if nothing ever happens, at the end of the day when you're All About Après, like us, at least you'll have a bottle opener to open your beers. That alone makes the Toolbelt the best belt for ski pants on the market.
The Best Snow Pant Belt Deserves the Best Après Ski Clothing
When it comes to après-ski function and fashion, don't stop with your ski pants belt. Get yourself some après ski clothes to go with it. Our Signature Ski T-Shirt is the epitome of good times with good people. Pull up two Adirondack Chairs, pop the tops on a couple of cold beers with your 686 Toolbelt and relax. It's definitely the way to go.
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