WHO THE FUCK CARES? Different people are going to have different opinions anyway. Most skiers seem to hate on them; they seem to be more of a snowboarder thing. Airblaster, I believe, started them at Mt. Hood. Do whatever YOU think is cool and/or practical, sans other people's opinions. Do you NEED the extra pockets that much? I know I can fit my mp3 player, smell phone, lip chap, gum, pipe, bag, and various other things all in my ski pants and jacket with room to spare.