outdoor research bib pants

Your Shopping Bag is Empty

Have an account?

Log in to check out faster.

Your Shopping Cart

Save 25% off at the Rain or Shine Sale. Limited time savings. Shop now

Ready to Ride?! Shop the New Freewheel Mountain Bike Collection

The Spring Digital Catalog is Here Explore Now

• United States
• Open media 1 in modal
• Open media 2 in modal
• Open media 3 in modal
• Open media 4 in modal
• Open media 5 in modal
• Open media 6 in modal
• Open media 7 in modal
• Open media 8 in modal
• Open media 9 in modal Mason is 6'1` wearing a size Medium
• Open media 10 in modal
• Open media 11 in modal
• Open media 12 in modal
• Open media 13 in modal
• Open media 14 in modal
• Open media 15 in modal
• Open media 16 in modal
• Open media 17 in modal
• Open media 18 in modal
• Open media 19 in modal
• Open media 20 in modal
• Open media 21 in modal
• Open media 22 in modal Mason is 6'1` wearing a size Medium
• Open media 23 in modal
• Open media 24 in modal
• Open media 25 in modal Mason is 6'1` wearing a size Medium
• Open media 26 in modal Mason is 6'1` wearing a size Medium
• Open media 27 in modal
• Open media 28 in modal
• Open media 29 in modal
• Open media 30 in modal
• Open media 31 in modal
• Open media 32 in modal
• Open media 33 in modal Mason is 6'1` wearing a size Medium
• Open media 34 in modal
• Open media 35 in modal
• Open media 36 in modal
• Open media 37 in modal
• Open media 38 in modal
• Open media 39 in modal
• Open media 40 in modal
• Open media 41 in modal
• Open media 42 in modal Mason is 6'1` wearing a size Medium
• Open media 43 in modal
• Open media 44 in modal
• Open media 45 in modal
• Open media 46 in modal
• Open media 47 in modal
• Open media 48 in modal
• Open media 49 in modal
• Open media 50 in modal
• Open media 51 in modal
• Open media 52 in modal
• Open media 53 in modal
• Open media 54 in modal
• Open media 55 in modal Mason is 6'1` wearing a size Medium
• Open media 56 in modal
• Open media 57 in modal
• Open media 58 in modal Mason is 6'1` wearing a size Medium
• Open media 59 in modal Mason is 6'1` wearing a size Medium
• Open media 60 in modal
• Open media 61 in modal
• Open media 62 in modal
• Open media 63 in modal
• Open media 64 in modal
• Open media 65 in modal
• Open media 66 in modal Mason is 6'1` wearing a size Medium

Men's Carbide Bibs

you're only $20 away from earning Free Shipping on this order

Couldn't load pickup availability

Product Details

The Carbide Bibs are a feature-rich, versatile resort and backcountry bib, utilizing waterproof 3L Pertex® technology and intuitive design details to create a dynamic outerwear solution for all terrain and conditions.

Infinite Guarantee®

Outdoor Research® gear is guaranteed to perform throughout the lifetime of the product.

Shipping and Returns

Free standard shipping on orders over $99 + easy returns.* Final sale products are non-returnable. 

Waterproofing 4

Breathability 4, durability 3, email me when men's carbide bibs in is back in stock., versatile waterproof performance for both sides of the resort boundary.

The Carbide Bibs are built to perform on both sides of the resort boundary. It is designed to adapt to whatever conditions and terrain are on the menu, whether layering up for a cold and deep day inbounds or staying fast and light on backcountry tours. They utilize 3-layer Pertex® waterproof protection, and their feature-forward and intuitive design details are geared for utility and versatility. Dual side zips make it easy to dump excess heat when sweating in the skin track, and an avalanche beacon-specific pocket keeps your most important safety gear within quick and easy access. These bibs are perfected with durable, stretchy suspender webbing that's as comfortable as it is functional. For those who prefer a single kit that punches above its weight for resort and backcountry functionality, the Carbide Bibs are an elite option.

• bluesign® approved Pertex® Shield 3L 100% Nylon 40D Face With Tricot Knit Backer
• 100% Nylon 420D Oxford Scuff Guard
• Fully Seam-Taped
• Movement-Mirroring Stretch
• Adjustable Suspenders with Quick Release Buckles
• Dual Side Zips
• Right Side Zip Extends From Bib Top to Knee forBathroom Access
• Bib Top Stash Pocket
• Avalanche Beacon Pocket with Clip
• Stretch Mesh Internal Gaiter with Power Strap Slot
• Tall Reinforced Scuff Guard
• Swing Hatch for Answering Nature's call

Beacon Pocket

DKeep your avalanche beacon secure with this specially-designed pocket for comfort, closeness, and safety.

Scuff Guard

DReinforced for exceptional durability against crampon punctures, rocks, ice, and other debris that might threaten to tear your pant legs.

Side Zip Entry

Easily slip on your bibs using a side entry that ensures a comfortable fit while skiing and riding.

Powerstrap Slot

Secure the power strap of your ski boots through this specially-designed slot in the gaiter, tightening your boot without having to adjust the gaiter.

Outer Thigh Vent

Easily vent out excess heat buildup without needing to remove your bottoms or other layers.

Suspender Clip

Secure releasable suspender clips make it easy to take bibs on and off or change layers.

Customer Reviews

Related items, recently viewed, size & fit guide.

*All sizing is based on your body measurement. We adjust the garment for intended fit and intended use.

Classic fit for comfort and ease of movement.

• New Arrivals
• Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
• Opens in a new window.

• Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry
• Sport Specific Clothing
• Bibs & Pants

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Outdoor Research Men’s Skytour AscentShell Bibs – Waterproof & Wind Resistant Outdoor Bib, Movement Mirroring Stretch, Durable Skiing Bib

Return this item for free.

You can return this item for any reason: no shipping charges. The item must be returned in new and unused condition.

• Go to Your Orders to start the return
• Print the return shipping label

Purchase options and add-ons

Product details, about this item.

• OUTDOOR SKIING APPAREL: Designed especially for backcountry skiers and snowboarders, the Skytour AscentShell Men's Bibs is technical apparel that supports faster and action-packed cold weather adventures from snowboarding, camping, downhill skiing, and other snow sports.
• FABRIC PERFORMANCE: Manufactured using an award-winning AscentShell technology, this snow bib is breathable, waterproof, and keeps you utterly comfortable with its 3L membrane stretch. All these features make it an ideal choice for adventures that require fast movement.
• WEATHERPROOF & LIGHT: This bib for skiing protects you in a lightweight and low bulk way. It has a more streamlined structure than Skytour jacket and pants and is tested by Outdoor Research ambassadors. It is trusted widely for its weatherproof capability and function-first design.
• ADDITIONAL FEATURES: This skiing bib has a left zippered pocket with a secure avalanche beacon clip, so you can stay safe and connected during the trip. It has a swing hatch to conveniently relieve yourself whenever you want. It has gusseted crotch and adjustable suspenders.
• OUTDOOR RESEARCH: We built a company from a feeling: the urge to get out. It's what drives us. Our tribe is devoted to exploring our outdoor passions and challenging ourselves in the mountains, water, and deserts of the planet we love so much.

Buy it with

More items you may like in apparel

From the brand

Best Sellers

Outdoor Research Products

Product Description

Our Story Starts with Ron Gregg

Outdoor Research founder Ron Gregg was a nuclear physicist who spent as much time as possible exploring the edges of the map. He referred to the outdoors as The Big Office, taking his work and research into the backcountry as often as possible.

In 1980, Ron watched his frostbitten partner get airlifted off a glacier on Denali. He’d spent months planning a new route in the purest style, skiing 100 miles from the road to the base of the climb. Halfway to the summit, their trip ended with the failure of a simple pair of gaiters. Stubborn to the end, Ron refused a seat on the helicopter and descended alone for two weeks, pondering what had happened.

Outdoor Research was born from Ron’s research-led approach to problem solving. He believed that the Research Method could be applied to solve the outdoor’s biggest challenges. Today, we carry that ethos forward.

Men's Skytour AscentShell Bibs

Fabric Performance

• Wind Resistant
• Electrospun Membrane
• Movement-Mirroring Stretch

Breathable Comfort

Skytour kit collection.

This is the lightest, most breathable waterproof ski and snowboard kit for human-powered adventure. Try on award-winning electrospun AscentShell technology with 3L stretch membrane for the best balance of protection and comfort.

• Best For: Light and fast adventures in the backcountry.
• Technologies: AscentShell3-layer breathable waterproof comfort.
• Hidden Features: Function-first design details for splitboarding and ski touring like an avalanche beacon clip, zippered outer thigh vents, swing hatch for answering nature’s call
• What else? Backpacker Magazine Editors' Choice Gold Award winner! Hailed as "A Shell for the Ages"

Winter Snow Collections

• Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10 x 3 x 8 inches; 1.75 Pounds
• Item model number ‏ : ‎ 283193
• Department ‏ : ‎ mens
• Date First Available ‏ : ‎ July 28, 2021
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09BDGVC7L
• #363 in Men's Skiing Bibs

Looking for specific info?

Customer reviews.

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

No customer reviews

• Amazon Newsletter
• About Amazon
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Press Center
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Start Selling with Amazon
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect & Build Your Brand
• Become an Affiliate
• Become a Delivery Driver
• Start a Package Delivery Business
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Host an Amazon Hub
• › See More Ways to Make Money
• Amazon Visa
• Amazon Store Card
• Amazon Secured Card
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Credit Card Marketplace
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices

Outdoor Research Hemispheres Bib Review

Or’s premium bib checks all the boxes for rough and rowdy backcountry use, including excellent protection, mobility, and comfort for long days in the mountains.

Brian McCurdy Photography

We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases. Read more about us . 

Outdoor Research Hemispheres Bib

Price: $599 Weight: 1 lb. 5 oz. (men’s large) Insulated: No What we like: Excellent protection, mobility, and comfort for backcountry touring. What we don’t: Pricey and low on storage. See the Men's OR Hemispheres Bib    See the Women's OR Hemispheres Bib

Outdoor Research Hemispheres’ kit garnered a lot of attention at its release in 2018 due to its claimed balance of weather protection and freedom of movement. To put it to the test, we hit the skin track and resort with the Hemispheres Bib, where it encountered everything from fresh powder to heavy, wet snow typical of the Pacific Northwest. In the end, it proved just as capable in the backcountry as it was on lift-assisted terrain and impressed us with its comfort, weatherproofing ability, and stretchiness. Below we outline our experiences with the Hemispheres Bib. To see how it stacks up, see our articles on the best ski pants  and best ski bibs . To complete your kit, we've also tested and reviewed the OR Hemispheres Jacket .  

Table of Contents

• Weather Protection

Breathability

Build quality and durability, key features.

• Fit and Sizing
• What We Like/What We Don't

Comparison Table

The competition, performance, weather protection .

Ski Gear Reviews

Best Ski Pants of 2024

Outdoor Research Hemispheres Ski Jacket Review

Scarpa Maestrale RS Ski Boot Review

Best Down Jackets of 2024

Best Winter Boots of 2024

Arc'teryx Sentinel LT Ski Bib Review

Salomon S/Lab MTN Ski Boot Review

Flylow Gear Foxy Ski Bib Review

Mobile Menu

Megamenu - desktop hamburger menu.

• Hiking Gear
• Backpacking Gear
• Biking Gear
• Camping Gear
• Footwear Reviews
• Climbing Gear
• Skiing Gear
• Winter Gear Reviews
• In-Depth Gear Reviews
• Hiking Shoes
• Hiking Boots
• Trail Running Shoes
• Mountain Bike Shoes
• Approach Shoes
• Climbing Shoes
• Beginner Climbing Shoes
• Mountaineering Boots
• Winter Boots
• Rain Jackets
• Down Jackets
• Synthetic Jackets
• Fleece Jackets
• Hardshell Jackets
• Softshell Jackets
• Windbreaker Jackets
• Ski Jackets
• Winter Jackets
• Hiking Pants
• Hiking Socks
• Trekking Poles
• Baby Carriers
• Running Vests
• Backpacking Tents
• Backpacking Packs
• Backpacking Sleeping Bags
• Backpacking Sleeping Pads
• Backpacking Stoves
• Backpacking Food
• Water Filters
• Altimeter Watches
• Handheld GPS
• Mountain Bike Helmets
• Mountain Bikes
• Mountain Bikes Under $1,000
• Mountain Bikes Under $2,000
• Gravel Bikes
• Bike Brands
• Kids' Bikes
• Hitch Bike Racks
• Camping Tents
• Rooftop Tents
• Camping Sleeping Bags
• Camping Mattresses
• Camping Chairs
• Camping Stoves
• Duffel Bags
• Rock Climbing Shoes
• Climbing Helmets
• Climbing Harnesses
• Climbing Quickdraws
• Belay Devices
• Climbing Ropes
• Climbing Backpacks
• Winter Gloves
• 4-Season Tents
• Ski Helmets
• Ski Goggles
• Ski Backpacks
• All-Mountain Skis
• Ski Bindings
• Backcountry Skis
• Backcountry Ski Boots
• Skis for Beginners
• Hardpack Skis
• Mirrorless Cameras
• Full-Frame Cameras
• DSLR Cameras
• Point-and-Shoot Cameras
• Travel Cameras
• DSLR Lenses
• Mirrorless Lenses
• Lofoten Islands
• Lofoten Hiking
• Hardangervidda
• Jotunheimen
• 10 Great Norway Hikes
• Public Huts
• Torres del Paine
• Chalten and Glaciares
• Lake District
• Patagonia National Park
• Milford Sound
• Abel Tasman
• Marlborough
• Great Walks
• Adventure Towns

Add adventure to your inbox

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use

© 2024 Switchback Travel. All Rights Reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission.

THE 10 BEST Moscow Flea & Street Markets

Flea & street markets in moscow.

• Gift & Specialty Shops
• Art Galleries
• Shopping Malls
• Antique Stores
• Flea & Street Markets
• Farmers Markets
• Department Stores
• Shopping Tours
• Factory Outlets
• Fashion Shows & Tours
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3rd Transport Ring (TTK)
• District Central (TsAO)
• District Eastern (VAO)
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Couples
• Hidden Gems
• Adventurous
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

2. Izmailovsky Market

3. Danilovsky Market

4. Central Market

5. Market Levsha

6. Dorogomilovsky Market

7. Chumodan

8. 818 Vintage

9. Moskvoretskiy Market

11. Svoya Polka

12. Flea Market

13. Cheryomushkinskiy Rynok

14. Freak Frak

15. Bloshinka

16. vernisazh, what travelers are saying.

• Danilovsky Market
• Izmailovsky Market
• Central Market
• Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)
• Market Levsha

Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

• Patriarch’s Pond
• Old Arbat Street
• Maroseyka Street
• Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography. 

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita. 

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

• Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
• Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
• Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
• Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
• After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
• To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

• Novoslobodskaya
• Mayakovskaya
• Elektrozavodskaya
• Komsomolskaya
• Ploschad Revolyutsii
• Dostoyevskaya
• Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem. 

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions. 

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev  and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

Click Here For More City Street Guides!

(A New Guide Posted Every Other Wednesday)

Comment Here! Cancel reply

For patreon exclusive educational content:.

Limited Edition Postcard Prints!

Street Photography Workshops

Donations Always Appreciated

I'll always keep Shooter Files free for everyone, but any donations would be greatly appreciated and help me keep it going. Many thanks to everyone following along!

Cheers! -f.d. walker

Search the Files

For Exclusive Patron Content: