If you were to draw a Venn diagram and put cycling apparel in one circle, hiking in another, and Scandi-cool in the third, where they meet in the middle, the words Fjällräven cycling range would be written.

This isn't the brand's first foray into cycling kit. Its first was a Specialized co-lab that brought us adult rompers, anoraks and flannel. At the time, this radical take on bike kit firmly challenged even the more open-minded riders on what a new kit day should look like.

Four short years on, although Fjällräven has moved on from banana-yellow colour schemes, there has been a boom in bikepacking and 'gorpcore' fashion (yes, it's a thing), and we cyclists have become far more accustomed to wearing multi-use cycling attire.

This trend has been a springboard for the new Fjällräven Hoja collection, the brand's first fully in-house-designed, dedicated cycling and bike-packing line-up, with the Hoja bib shorts at its core.

But while they may well tick the on-trend box, do they tick the best cycling shorts box?

Technical details

Fjällräven says it has constructed the main body of the shorts using 70% polyester (recycled), 30% elastane, and, according to the brand, buying using what it calls a circular knit offers a structured and supportive fit. And thanks to hydrophilic properties, they also stay dry.

The upper torso of the Hoja bibs ups the polyester (and recycled) level to 92% polyester (recycled) and 8% elastane, which aims to create ventilated, comfortable straps.

Looking deeper into the brand's environmental credentials, it's one of the better ones for presenting an audit chain for its sustainable credentials; however, I haven't been able to, as yet, get sight of the source of the recycled fabric, as its last sustainability and CSR (corporate social responsibility) report was back in 2024.

It's safe to say, however, that the fabric will be PFAS-free and ethically sourced, in line with the usual Fjällräven standards.

In the middle of the Hojas sits 'floating' chamios. This reduction in secured layers, stitched or otherwise, means the shorts dry much faster, which is key when washing and wearing them on back-to-back riding days.

The other key feature is the drop tail for easy access for toilet breaks mid-ride. I'm pleased to see that Fjällräven has kept to its 'clean' design ethos and kept this as simple as possible by simply inserting a split design between the bibs and shorts at the back.

It's interesting to see that this is a feature on both men's and women's shorts, whereas it's normally just the reserve of women's. In fact, the only gender-specific feature is the sizing - notably the short length, with the women's leg measuring 22cm, one centimetre longer than the men's version.

Back to generic features, and you'll find a mesh cargo pocket on each leg and a very generous strip of high-vis fabric running parallel to the pockets on each leg, too.

Performance

Donning bib shorts for the first ride requires the chamois squish test. It's immediately apparent that the Fjällräven Hoja have done something radical here.

The seat pad is tacked in place front and rear, and that's it. You can feel the foam padding sections beneath the layer against your skin - but there are no thermally welded channels or stitched contours.

Sliding them on for the first ride, I worried I'd be taken back to my first pair of Impsport shorts, which had all the technical padding of a reusable nappy. After a hot, sweaty 10-mile ride on tougher-than-traditional 'gravel', my fears were eased. My backside returned friction-burn-free. It turns out we may have all been overthinking how much contouring our padding needs.

They also gave me enough protection for back-to-back riding days. Admittedly, I'm not riding more than three hours at a time, and I can ride pretty much any slimline saddle, cutout or otherwise. So the Hoja Body Geometry Contour Chamois will work for some people and not for others.

I can also confirm they dried quicker than a regular pair of bib shorts. For full transparency, I used a washing machine, not a mountain stream, and dried them on a washing line, not a rock, with a three-rider household - I could directly compare them with a pair of Lusso and Peal Izumi (both with foam contoured padding).

After a few more rides in the Fjällräven Hoja shorts, I realised I hadn't thought about the bib straps or torso elements. This instinctive reaction puts the shorts firmly in the excellent, comfortable-fit category. Not even noticing how the straps fit on my shoulders, across my back, or around my middle speaks to their comfort.

There's nothing fancy or high-tech about this upper design, which confirms my stance on all women's cycling shorts: 'stop over-complicating the structure'!

Even with a dropped seat for quick pit stops, a feature I usually detest, it wasn't an issue. The team behind the Hoja simply attached the straps to the sides of the shorts, not the back - and hey presto, you can pull them down while staying fully clothed.
I've not yet tested these shorts on full multiday rides in the wild.

So far, I've just put a few ride snacks on one side (right) and litter on the other (left). But they are huge and would take a jacket, phone, tools, etc. In fact, they're probably too big for me, as even lightweight stuff bouncing on my thigh annoys me; the idea of a multi-tool sliding around with every pedal stroke would be sensory overload and wreck my ride.

The only other thing I'm considering is size. I'm nearly always a medium in cycling shorts, but these are on the loose side; even after checking the size guide, they are generous. Something to consider if you want a racier fit.

Value

At £195/ $245, the Fjällräven Hoja Bib Shorts sit squarely in the premium tier of the cycling apparel market. They are competing directly with the very best in gravel bike clothing and have topped the prices of some of the top brands in the field, such as Assos Mille GT and Rapha Core Cargo.

So presenting value at such a high price point, in an already highly competitive market, is a tough gig.

Fjällräven has gone all out for bikepacking optimisation: Features like the fast dry time of the floating chamois and the seamless drop-tail functionality (in a non-convoluted way) solve real, tangible problems for adventure cyclists.

But if you're not looking for multiday unsupported rides, then these might be somewhat over-specc'ing your ride requirements.

That said, you will get a very comfortable pair of bib shorts with the Fjällräven stamp of sustainability and eco-friendly manufacturing; you won't be disappointed.

Tech spec

• Price: £195/ $245
• Weight: 197-233g
• Chamois style: Floating
• Storage: Two double-stretch mesh
• Leg type: Shorts
• Colours: Black
• Sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL

The Rapha Pro Team Cargo Bib shorts are built on the same foundation as the Pro Team Training Bib shorts, featuring some trickle down technology from the top-of-the-range Pro Team III Bibs and PowerWeave shorts, the former featuring in CW's guide to the best bib shorts.

Construction

A nice feature of recent Rapha products is that a good percentage of the nylon and polyester used in the creation of the products comes from recycled sources, more than 75% total. The body of this material is also designed to be compressive, but more gently so than the PowerWeave bib shorts. This is to improve comfort and muscular support over longer duration rides.

On the side of both legs, there is a large, rectangular cargo pocket with a doubled over hem to allow for easier access than a flat raw cut option. It sits a little prouder, but barely. These pockets are large enough to accommodate a rolled up jacket, or even the largest of smart phones. Rapha continues the European logos structure of placing the more visible white ‘Rapha’ logo on the left leg, or traffic side, while a colour matched version sits on the right side.

Wide elastic grippers are used on the legs to keep them securely in place. Both a standard, and long-leg variant of the shorts are available, adding around 3cm to the total length.

On the upper, the same wide elastic straps as those used on the Pro Team III Bibs are present. These are designed to offer a wider support platform and avoid any pressure points across the shoulders and back. The rear element of the straps is a mesh material to allow for greater moisture transfer and temperature regulation.

Six colours are available, along with the two leg-length options. Sizes range from XS to XXL.

The Ride

The Rapha Pro Team Cargo bib shorts are almost identical in design to the latest Pro Team Training bib shorts. They take a good amount of inspiration from the top-tier Pro Team III shorts, but don’t use the latest higher density chamois. For me, this isn’t a problem as it has plenty of thickness that's suitable for mixed surface riding.

These aren’t gravel shorts per se, rather more of a hybrid design. The materials are not abrasion resistant, instead they are standard road materials similar to the MAAP Team Bib Evo Cargo range. This is likely why they feature the two side pockets on the legs but not the gravel regulars of rear pockets on the lower back. However, I tend to use those in limited amounts as they can put pressure on the lower back if positioned too high. The exceptions for me are the MAAP Alt_Road 2.0 bibs and Albion ABR1 shorts.

A benefit of these shorts using thinner road materials is they breath better than the abrasion resistive materials, but then the pockets feature a dual layer of fabric so can get a bit warm. Indeed, Rapha gives a top-end temperature range for these of 25˚ C, which is when I found them a bit too warm. Mesh side pockets would alleviate this issue but potentially wouldn't be as secure.

However, pocket security is very good, with enough depth to house large phones, packable jackets, tool pouches, or copious amounts of food. It makes the shorts deal for long days on the bike where perhaps the starts or finishes are cooler, layers are required, and lots of food, too. I like them for stashing food packaging and rubbish rather than filling my pockets with these items.

While the level of compression is nowhere near as gripping as the PowerWeave shorts, like the Pro Team III, it's still impressive, something I appreciate during long days in the saddle. I also like the two leg-length options. I normally go for a shorter length, but current style is leaning more towards ‘just above the knee’ cuts, which the long length here achieves nicely. There is also a small amount more UV protection as a result.

Other features such as the leg grippers and the wide bib straps are just as effective. After extensive use the stitching, seams, and raw cut hems are all still in very good condition with no fraying issues. Pilling of the fabric material does not seem to be an issue on the seat area either, something I am seeing increasingly but primarily on thermal bib tights/shorts. I’ve personally tended to have great longevity experience with Rapha bib shorts, and based on my testing so far, I’d expect the same from these.

Value

While £195 / $275 is not cheap for a pair of bib shorts by most standards, in today’s market with most higher end offerings exceeding £200-250 and some breaching the £300 mark, the Rapha Pro Team Cargo Bibs represent a decent level of value given the quality.

Similar offerings in this functionality include the Castelli Unlimited range (£189), LeCol ARC Cargo bibs (£220 / $305), Albion ABR1 (£185), Q36.5 Adventure Cargo shorts (£220 / $290), and the subtly named Assos Tactica Kieskäfer Gravel Bib Shorts T5 (£160 / $210).

Out of those offerings, the Rapha shorts offer I think the best chamois overall for a mix of road and some off-road riding. The chamois is a little thicker than the Pro Team III shorts latest offering, not as dense, but that’s a bit more preferred for cruising on broken tarmac for me. The LeCol ARC are a bit more cushioned but do come with more pockets. But of course, that comes at a cost, and personally the pad is a little too high volume while the leg grippers are not as effective.

As mentioned , these aren't designed as a gravel-specific short and personally I tend to prefer road going options, as gravel shorts with abrasion resistive materials can get warmer. But then the trade-off is in the event of a crash, road short materials tend to rip - this is where the Albion ABR1 are so great, as the mesh pockets limit heat build-up, and the repairs team offers a fantastic service, which I have tested by crashing in the shorts and ripping them. This is also a service that Rapha offers, with a limit of 5 per year, and some items excluded, but bib shorts can be sent back for crash repairs with a 4–6-week lead time.

Conclusion

The Rapha Pro Team Cargo bib shorts are a solid performer. The large pockets are incredibly useful for long days in the saddle or stashing some extra spares when going on gravel rides. With the small price increase, I see no good reason to opt for the Pro Team Training bibs that these share all features save for the pockets.

I would prefer to see a rear pocket alternative and colour matched mesh for the pockets, but these are small requests. With free repairs, high levels of comfort, practicality, and style, and decent overall value, these are a highly capable pair of shorts that perform very close to their more premium Pro Team III siblings thanks to a great deal of trickle-down tech.

The Mille GTO S11 shorts are the latest iteration of Assos’ top-spec pair of shorts in the Mille comfort range, which feature in CW's guide top the best bib shorts.

As with all top-of-the-range Assos products, the shorts feature an enormous host of proprietary fabrics with names only the Assos marketing department could concoct. So, let’s get listing exactly what the difference between a kukuPenthouse and OSSIDIA are.

Construction

Starting from the hem of the legs up, we have the Inject leg grippers around the raw cut leg hems. These are more open than a traditional solid silicone band and claim to improve airflow around the leg while providing plenty of grip.

This is fitted to the OSSIDIA material used across the main body of the legs and designed to ‘wrap your large muscles in silky-smooth compression’, as it states on the website. It uses warp-knit construction for an incredibly thin yet supportive material. Moving up from here the cranKio Tec darting around the hips prevents any bunching of the material throughout the pedal stroke.

As we get to the waist, LOSANGA material is used across the crotch, which is non-compressive to reduce pressure and allows for greater airflow. This is paired with the famous kukuPenthouse chamois relief channel designed for male anatomy. The waist area here is also low pressure, or zeroPressure waist as Assos refers to it, making nature breaks easier and limiting constriction around sensitive areas.

The straps have been revamped to be thinner in construction, similar to those used in the Assos Equipe RSR Superléger S9; rollBar is the extended strap which gives it two attachment points at the rear to keep the chamois in contact with the body while pedalling both in and out of the saddle.

The chamois has many features. It starts with the GTO S11 insert, a dual-layer 21mm pad with additional support under the ischial bones, commonly referred to as the sit-bones. It feels similar to a dense memory foam. The pad is suspended with goldenGate 2.0, where the pad is attached at the front and rear, but floating in the middle so that it remains in contact with the body to eliminate friction. kraterCooler are the large perforations at the front of the pad to allow greater air cooling and reduction in humidity, while whirlKrater are the perforations across the body of the chamois, apparently creating a whirlwind of cooling air.

Standard and Long leg lengths are available, with a 3cm difference, while just black is offered as a colour option. Sizes range from XS to 3XL.

The Ride

While they are comfortable once on, there is nothing that really stands out about the Mille GTO shorts pre-ride. That all changes when you hop on the bike and becomes more apparent the longer you ride for.

The features such as the raw cut hems and new grippers work well, while the zero pressure waist does make for a comfy fit. The straps are also effective. It is only when you get into the riding position on the bike that all these features and elements really start to make sense though.

The legs stay in place well, even over stubble or hair, while the cranKio darting really does eliminate any folding of fabric around the hip during the pedal stroke. This removes elements of discomfort I often have come to associate with simply riding for longer duration, and over the course of a few 5+ hour rides, it was noticeable just how comfortable the Mille GTO were relative to other shorts.

This is further exaggerated in warmer weather. The compressive yet impressively breathable OSSIDIA material works wonders as it gets hotter, while the lighter strap construction and LOSANGA material at the front of the shorts really help with temperature regulation.

The more breathable panels at the front of the shorts also compliment the perforations within the chamois pad. There is a noticeable level of airflow at higher speeds and when you get out of the saddle. This will have the effect of reducing moisture in that environment, which in turn will help with hygiene and limiting gripes such as saddle sores.

The Mille GTO pad itself is fantastic. I have been a bit fan of the Mille seatpads for a while, and this latest iteration feels fairly similar on first impressions, but again, as you ride it makes more sense. The higher density material in the pad really comes alive once you get into longer rides, or ride on rougher road surfaces. Vibration dampening is second to none and, as with other features, limits the rate of decline in comfort compared to a lot of competitors. Having the centre of the pad somewhat free to move also means that there is far less chance of having your body move across the pad which can lead to friction and irritation. Instead, it does move with the body how Assos intended.

I like the lower secondary attachment point on the straps that is used across the Mille range of shorts and tights. I’ve actually found it useful as an external pocket for stashing lengthways a waterproof or jacket when not needed to free up pocket real estate.

Value

Undoubtedly, £295 / $410 for a pair of cycling shorts is a considerable sum of money. The Mille GTO S11 are an exceptionally good pair of shorts, but Assos has now trickled down a lot of the great technologies and functionalities, which actually causes a bit of a headache for the GTO shorts.

I’ve tested both the Mille GT and the GTS, and the GT are my second favourite in this range, very close to the pinnacle GTO shorts. The pad features the same floating structure, the materials are comfortable, and the strap design is very similar. The grips are not as effective, and in hotter weather it’s perhaps not quite as breathable, but it’s close. It also comes in a broad range of colours which I personally am a fan of. The biggest issue for the GTO however, is that the Mille GT shorts are just £135 / $210.

Comparing the Mille GTO with the Rapha Powerweave, Q36.5 Dottore, and other ~£300 shorts, the Mille GTO are now my favourite for longer warmer rides. But spending my own money, the Mille GT offer so much of what makes the GTO a great long ride pair of shorts, but for about 45% of the price. The gulf between the two in price is huge, but the gulf between the two in terms of performance is barely a small stream you can step over. It extends in excessively warm weather or very long rides, but for most people, the Mille GT will be an exceptional pair of shorts for potentially one of the best value offerings out there for cycling bib shorts.

Conclusion

The Assos Mille GTO S11 bib shorts are fantastic. It’s not that the baseline performance is standout, but rather the rate at which they continue to maintain comfort over longer rides and warmer conditions. Whereas competitors may start to deteriorate in comfort, the GTO maintain their performance level. The problem though, is that many of the features that make them so great have trickled down to the significantly cheaper Mille GT shorts, which themselves offer possibly the best value bib shorts on the market currently.

‘All bib shorts are created equal, but some are more equal than others’, to misquote George Orwell, and with their Premio Evo Bibshort Castelli aims to make the inequality greater than ever. Unashamedly premium, the shorts are Castelli’s most expensive and claim to offer the ultimate in ‘long-distance comfort, support, speed and durability’.

The Premio Evo range is concise to say the least, and consists of jersey, shorts, mitts, cap and socks, so no warm, windproof or waterproof garments. The shorts and jersey are, however, available in a women's version.

Castelli’s aim with this range isn’t, apparently, to make the fastest, lightest or most aerodynamic clothing - they have other products which cover these requirements, but instead to make the ‘best’ cycling clothing. This is an interesting take on things when so many products are pushed for their performance benefits, and clearly much more subjective.

Construction

First things first - the pad. I was a little disappointed to see that this headlining bib short uses Castelli’s Progetto X2 Air Seamless pad.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s a perfectly good pad, but it is available in shorts that cost less than half of the price of the Premio Evo, which puts an awful lot of the heavy lifting, price-wise at least, on the rest of the shorts.

The Progetto X2 Air is used in all of Castelli’s premium shorts and tights. It is composed of a seamless, bacteriostatic skin care layer with good airflow, and a multi-density, variable-thickness foam layer featuring perforated gel inserts. The outer edges of the pad are much thinner than the middle sections, with three labelled areas under the sit bones and perineum using even firmer cushioning.

So, if the cash hasn’t been spent on the pad, what is so special about the material and design of the shorts? ‘Gradient stretch woven fabric’ is the quick answer.

This means that within a single panel of fabric, the density and construction can vary without requiring a different piece of material. So, just three panels are used for the entire pair of shorts, ie. the leg panel is raw cut with rubberised yarns for grip, the thigh area has a lighter, stretchier construction to allow the muscles to move without restriction and the fabric around the pelvis has more integrity to provide compression and support for for the seat pad. The lower thigh also features light ribbing, although it isn’t clear whether that is supposed to be for aero gains or just visual interest.

The rear section is double thickness to avoid anyone’s blushes as the fabric is stretched thin over the backside. Strangely, this area has a subtle Rosso Corsa logo even though the Premio Evo doesn’t appear in the Rosso Corsa collection. Indeed, unlike the Premio Evo Jersey, the words ‘Premio Evo’ don’t appear on the shorts at all.

The feel of the fabric is best described as being like a very, very lightweight softshell, complete with slight rustle, just like the Premio Evo Jersey.

Fairly substantial bib straps are connected to a very light back piece that has perforations for breathability. The straps are 50mm wide over the shoulder, although they do narrow slightly where they join the shorts. The upper half of these bibs feels a bit anachronistic when compared to the lower half; a more modern, fully laser-cut construction, such as that found on the Santini Unico Edge Bib Shorts, would have felt more in keeping.

Branding is minimal in the extreme, with a small, tonal ‘Castelli’ on the left thigh, a tiny scorpion that will be covered by a jersey and ‘Castelli’ on the straps, which will also be under a jersey.

Black, Smoky Gray and Belgian Blue are the colour options for men, in XS to 3XL. Ladies have the same colour choices in XS to XL, although there is also a bibless version for women, too, but only in black.

The Ride

Pulling the Premio Evo Bibshort on, they felt great - the textured, rubberised hems didn’t catch or snag but felt very secure once in place, and the leg length was similar to my other favoured shorts, so no tan line mismatch issues! The stretch woven fabric felt tough, supportive and light at the same time, with a well-judged amount of give and compression.

The broad shoulder straps were comfy enough, but perhaps a touch too short on me compared to Castelli’s Espresso Bibshort, or at least, the elastic was a bit stronger (size large shorts, 186cm tall). However, the load was certainly spread across a nice, wide area. On the subject of sizing, the size Large shorts fitted exactly as I’d expected, so sizing is consistent with other Castelli shorts, as well as shorts from Santini, Sportful, Assos, and UC, among others.

100km plus rides in the recent heatwave didn’t faze the shorts, and neither did long, hilly rides in the Julian Alps and Dolomites. Indeed, no matter the temperature or exertion levels (Zoncolan anyone…?), the shorts remained the least of my worries. There was little in the way of unsightly sweat patches, and the grippers didn’t cause any irritation to my legs in the way that some silicone hems can under extreme conditions.

I have lots of experience with the Progetto X2 Air Seamless pad in everything from winter bibs to summer shorts, and although it is perhaps not my absolute favourite pad, it is reliably comfortable and worry-free. After well in excess of 10,000km wearing products that feature the Progetto X2 Air, I’d have no qualms heading straight out on a long, hard ride wearing new shorts with it in. Indeed, that is exactly what I did with the Premio Evo Bibshort, their first outing was 5 hours in the Peak District.

After quite a few wear/wash cycles, there doesn’t appear to be any wear or colour fading on the shorts, and I suspect that the stretch woven material will prove to be very tough and durable. In fact, were it not for the price, I think that these would probably make excellent gravel shorts as the fabric looks to be ideal for the rough and potential tumble of off-road riding.

Value and conclusion

If my words above seem slightly lukewarm, it’s because my every thought and consideration regarding the shorts was always tempered with the knowledge that they cost £300 / $350. That is roughly twice as much as the amount that I would consider high-end. Castelli’s own Espresso Bibshort is £175 / $200, with the same pad. So, no matter how nice the Premio Evo Bibshort is, it is a little hard to get super enthusiastic about it when the price is so high.

My conclusion, just as it was with the Premio Evo Jersey is, yes, the shorts are comfortable, interesting and innovative, but I would much rather have two pairs of £150 shorts than one £300 pair. If Castelli had used a different pad to differentiate the Premio Evos from their other shorts (and if that pad proved itself to be superb), then my answer might be different, but they didn’t.

We all want to be as comfortable as possible on the bike, but rarely, if ever, have I thought that it was the fabric of the shorts causing my discomfort. Thus, whilst the stretch woven material is unique and does work well, any slight improvement it offers over normal material is fairly minimal and doesn’t justify the triple figure jump in price, in my opinion.

However, I love that brands like Castelli make premium halo products like this that use different fabrics, technologies and construction methods. They create talking points and might end up with some of the tech trickling down to more affordable products. Furthermore, other brands such as Assos, Pas Normal Studios and SYN all have products around this price point, so clearly there is a worthwhile market for them.

I am going to give the shorts the same 4 star rating that I gave the jersey, for the same reasons; performance is great, but they don’t offer enough of a performance or comfort advantage over less expensive shorts for most of us to be able to justify the cost.

As I’m sure most of you know, the rule of thumb for brands making a gravel riding jersey seems to be to make it more relaxed and add in some merino wool. Where bib shorts are concerned, gravelisation usually involves the simple addition of a couple of thigh pockets to a pair of Lycra shorts.

Fortunately, the Adventure Cargo Bib Shorts from WorldTour sponsors Q36.5 have rather more to offer than just a bit of thigh storage. The shorts are based on their premium road-going Gregarius Pro Bib Shorts, but this is no bad thing, as these already utilise some interesting tech and fabrics, so they should be a great starting point for some premium gravel bib shorts.

Construction

At the business end of the Adventure Cargo Bib Shorts is a Q Lab Air Chamois. At first glance, this looks a little bit basic, but dig a little deeper and its secrets are revealed.

A large, soft layer sits against the skin, extending both sideways and forwards, underneath which sits a multi-layer pad. This comprises a ‘sliding-effect reduction microfibre’ layer, ‘shock-absorbing high-density foam’ and ‘high-density open cell foam’ for moisture management. The layers aren’t all bonded together, allowing movement between them as you pedal or shift about in the saddle; in particular, the skin-contact layer is actually quite loose to reduce friction against the skin. The padding does feel quite thin compared with some pads, though.

The rear panel of the shorts, as well as the panel that sits underneath the chamois, are both stretch-woven, rather than Lycra, which should greatly improve durability. Q36.5 claims that it also offers lumbar support for enhanced stability and power.

The two thigh pockets, de rigueur on gravel shorts, are 19cm deep with a turned-over inside lip for added security. There is also a small, angled pocket just below the strap attachment on the rear; this is not particularly easy to access and is perhaps a hangover from the Gregarius Pro Bib Shorts, intended for a race radio.

The straps themselves are quite wide and robust with Q36.5 branding.

It’s also worth mentioning that Q36.5 have a big commitment to sustainability. All the materials used in the shorts are recycled, and Q36.5 says that their RaceWear is all ‘exclusively sourced, developed and manufactured with Italian fabrics and hand-crafted within a 350 km radius from [their] Bolzano headquarters in Italy’. They also state that all the components of the shorts are proprietary rather than simply picked off a fabric or seat pad manufacturer’s shelves.

The ride

I confess that after opening the smart white box, I was a little dismayed at the feel of the seat pad. It felt a bit thinner and a bit more ‘basic’ than I’m used to, and I wasn’t convinced that it would suit me for long, bumpy gravel rides. However, a couple of 30+km test rides reassured me that it was at least OK, and so I jumped in at the deep end and took the Adventure Cargo Bib Shorts as my only pair of shorts for a two day, 260km ride around the Yorkshire Wolds.

My backside and I are happy to report that the Q Lab Air Chamois worked very well. Admittedly, I switched the saddle on the Standert Pfadfinder to one of my own, favourite saddles, and the ride was more lanes than trails, but even so, I spent well over 14 hours on the bike with no discomfort.

The fit of the size large shorts was just right, and similar to larges from Castelli, Assos and Santini, whilst the bib straps were just the right length to hold everything in place without being uncomfortable when standing upright. I guess it would have been nice for the straps to be a little lighter and more obviously breathable, but I have no actual complaints about them at all.

I’m never really sure how to judge a short’s compression qualities, but the Adventure Cargo Bib Shorts felt very good, with a nice weight of elasticity - enough to feel well contained but not enough to be restrictive or to be constantly aware of. I’m not sure that I can say whether my lumbar felt more or less supported than with other shorts that I’ve worn, but I do know that what Q36.5 is calling the lumbar area is one which seems to wear out quickly in other shorts, leaving riders on your wheel with an interesting view. By the feel of the stretch-woven fabric in this area (and under the seat pad), I don’t think that this will be an issue with these shorts, as the material feels very durable.

I haven’t used the race radio pocket, but the two thigh pockets were deep and secure - perfect for keeping my phone in between photos (although I’d be wary riding off-road with it there), or ensuring that snacks were within easy reach. Thanks to the nature of the pocket design, they stayed very flat against the thigh when not in use, so the shorts wouldn’t feel out of place on a road ride.

My only real criticism relates to the leg length and hems. Q36.5 hasn’t used any silicone gripper material, instead relying on textured fabric around the bottom of the leg. This worked well when the shorts were fresh on, with the length being broadly similar to other shorts. However, as each ride progressed and I got sweatier and/or the shorts got a little bit stretched, the hem began to drift up my thigh until by the end of the first day in the Yorkshire Wolds, they were 2cm higher than where they started. Not a really big deal, and maybe a non-issue for those with bigger leg muscles, shorter femurs or less tan-line vanity than me, but I did find it a bit annoying.

Value and conclusion

Hmmm. Tricky one. £220 is more than I would generally consider paying for shorts, but the Adventure Cargo Bib Shorts offer more than your average shorts. Pockets, interesting use of different fabrics and generally high-quality construction all add up to a worthwhile package. Add in their probable longevity (thanks to the durable fabric used on the bum), and I might be persuaded that they are not an unreasonable price. Or at least, I might be if they didn’t slowly work their way up my thigh over the course of a ride!

Are they £90 better than the Rab Cinder Cargo Bib Shorts, for instance? Maybe not, but they are better cut and use more targeted fabrics; cost notwithstanding, I would pick the Q36.5s over the Rabs every time.

All of which is to say that the Adventure Cargo Bib Shorts are a bit pricey, but they are also very good.

Assos is one of the best-known premium cycling brands. The Swiss manufacturer is renowned for its excellent products, technical fabrics and sometimes eye-watering prices.

Very broadly, their range is split into two, with Equipe products designed for racing and maximum speed, whilst the Mille (Uma for women) clothing concentrates more on long-distance comfort.

It’s fair to say that I used to be a huge fan of Assos cycling shorts. The annual trip to Mallorca always involved a ride to the Assos outlet shop in Alcudia to buy up more discounted S5 shorts (the ones with the turquoise pad), and at one point, I owned more than 10 pairs. When they finally got replaced with the S7 shorts, I tried them, but the leg length for them and subsequent iterations never seemed quite long enough. As these S11 shorts claim to have been extended in the leg department, I had high hopes that they would hit the spot once more.

Construction

Sometimes it can be a bit of a struggle finding technical details for a product, with scant information available about the fabrics or designs (Van Rysel, for example). Not so with Assos. It sometimes seems as if almost every stitch, panel and material has its own trademarked name and spec sheet. Still, behind the marketing blurb, there is usually some sound thinking and worthwhile benefits for the rider, so bear with me.

The pad (or GT S11 Insert, as Assos calls it) uses the ‘goldenGate’ design, which means that the pad is only attached to the shorts at the front and rear. This leaves the central section free to float and move more with the body rather than the bum moving on the pad, causing friction.

Snappily titled the Shock-Absord Damping Mono 12, the pad itself is on the thicker side at 12mm, as befits the shorts’ endurance aspirations, with foam cushioning that includes a 3-layer, perforated 3D Waffle for improved breathability. The front part of the pad (forward of the section that is sat on) is made from a very soft fabric for comfort without bulk, called Sundeck Tec by Assos.

Externally, the most obvious feature of the Mille GT Bib Shorts S11 (especially on this colour) is the rollBar. This has been used on their Equipe Racing Series shorts before, but what it does is extend the rear straps down to attach to the panel that contains the pad, as well as the upper hem of the shorts. Assos says that this adds stability to the pad and prevents it from moving when transitioning between riding in and out of the saddle.

New for the Mille GT Bib Shorts is the QUARTZ fabric used throughout. It’s a warp knit that is light and breathable, as well as offering permanent odourControl. 80% of the material is made from pre-consumer recycled polyamide.

Unusually for a premium modern short, the lower hems aren’t raw-cut, but are made using PILtec Plug-in as a separate band around the legs. This has a number of silicone micro dots for grip.

Men's shorts are available in XS to 3XL with Burgundy Red, Moss Green, Wild Brown and blackSeries as the colour choices. Women’s sizes are XS to 2XL in the same colours.

The ride

Northern England in February is not the ideal test bed for cycling shorts, but as the launch of the new Mille GT Bib Shorts S11 and jersey coincided with a winter sun trip to the Canary Islands, I was able to get a good few miles in without suffering frostbite.

Heading out for a 100km ride in brand new shorts is not always a great idea, but if there is one thing that Assos always seems to consistently nail, it's the pad, so I had full confidence that the S11 insert would be comfy, and I wasn’t wrong. Hundreds of kilometres (and a good few washing cycles) later, and the pad is still great, and my previous experience with Assos suggests that it will last many years.

I can’t quantify the difference the rollBar straps make to the pad's comfort, but the design logic is sound, and they spread the load and reduce strain on the rear panel. It does look a bit odd, though, with the straps poking out from beneath the jersey.

The straps themselves are in a simple A-frame, crossing at the back, although the strap construction is quite interesting - at the crossover point, the elastic changes, with the section over the shoulders and down the front offering considerably more stretch than the rear part. This adds stability to the rear of the shorts but allows for fewer restrictions when standing upright. It’s details like this that set Assos apart from other brands

As part of the shorts’ endurance-based design, the waistband at the front is noticeably looser than that on many shorts. This is great for less contorted pee stops and accommodating large Spanish lunches, but less useful for keeping everything in check for photos. The quick-drying QUARTZ fabric proved itself nicely breathable and pleasant to wear, and Assos promises that the black colour option won’t fade.

Initially, I thought that the new, increased leg length was perfect, but I did notice that over the course of a ride, the legs rode up a little, and for me, another centimetre or so in length wouldn’t have gone amiss - for example, the Castelli Espresso shorts are a better length for me. Some other shorts in the Assos range are offered in a long version, but not the Mille GT Bib Shorts. Overall, though, my usual size large was the correct size for me.

The PILtec Plug-in, or hem with grippers to you and me, was comfy and didn’t irritate my skin even after wearing them all day, but it did feel a little retro to look down and see a separate hem piece rather than a raw-cut edge.

Value and conclusion

The Mille GT range is made for long days in the saddle, and there is no doubt that they worked very well in this respect. As ever, the best compliment that I can pay to a pair of shorts is that I barely thought about them whilst riding. No adjustment, no rearranging, no niggling or irritation and no reaching for my emergency sachet of chamois cream.

The very pleasant surprise is that the Mille GT Bib Shorts S11 are ‘only’ £135 and are Assos’ cheapest bibs (and the matching Mille GT Jersey S11 Evo is their least expensive top). Now, this is still a reasonable amount to pay, but it is pretty much mid-range for good shorts, and for Assos, it can almost be called a bargain.

Whilst I personally would have liked an even longer leg length and maybe a slightly more compressive waistband, there will be many riders who prefer this new set-up, so I won’t knock any stars off for something so subjective.

Therefore, given the comfort, execution and reasonable price, the Mille GT Bib Shorts S11 get 5 stars.

More than any other piece of clothing, cycling shorts have the potential to make or break a ride. Most of us will have experienced the uncomfortable feeling of a pair of shorts that doesn’t quite work for us, and what begins as a minor irritation can, hours later, become serious discomfort and even skin damage.

With a 60-year history of cycle clothing production, it would be reasonable to conclude that Santini should have a pretty good idea about how to make the saddle-bum interface as comfortable as possible. The Unico Edge is its highest-priced offering, with some interesting technology and premium touches intended to make the shorts look and feel great.

Construction

At the heart of any cycling short is the pad, and Santini has used its C3 chamois in the Unico Edge, which it says is designed for endurance and 'long hours in the saddle’. This consists of a soft, sculpted face fabric that sits against the skin, a ‘carved foam’ layer, some gel inserts and a base material.

This gives it a three-tier effect with a lot of padding under the sit bones, a bit less under the perineum and just a thin layer elsewhere. There is also a channel between the two sit bone pads, meant for ventilation, I imagine. It's worth noting that this C3 pad is used elsewhere in their range, so it can be accessed at a slightly lower price point.

The most striking thing about the Unico Edge shorts is the lack of seams and stitching. Whereas more seams used to equal a better fit, modern technology means that the opposite is now true. On the Unico Edge, there is a single seam down the rear of each thigh and a central seam that runs front to back, and that’s it. Furthermore, the two thigh seams are thermo-welded, not sewn, so there is no potential for irritation from any stitching. The C3 pad is still sewn in place, though, and the central seam is also stitched (very neatly) together.

The legs are raw-cut, but more interestingly, they don’t have any form of grip, which will be great news for anyone whose legs have been irritated by over-enthusiastic silicone grippers.

The material of the shorts is more matte-looking and softer-feeling than normal. Santini simply calls it ‘Italian microfibre’, but it adds a very classy feel to the shorts.

The bib straps use a mixture of thermo-welding and stitching where they are attached to the shorts with a clean, stitch-free design; the whole strap system is laser-cut from a single piece of material. The inside of the straps is a psychedelic, tie-dye pattern that won’t improve your speed but looks pretty cool.

Equally, the iridescent Santini branding on the right thigh is not for performance gains, but adds to the premium feel of the bib shorts.

Santini offers the Unico Edge in 10 sizes, from XS to 6XL, and 4 colours.

The ride

Number one on the list of things not to do with any new gear, especially bib shorts, is to wear them for a long ride without a test ride or two. So, obviously, my first ride was a five-hour jaunt…Luckily, the Unico Edge Bib Shorts felt brilliant from start to finish and have continued to do so over many hundreds of kilometres at home and abroad.

The pad is noticeably thicker under the sit bones than many, measuring up at a maximum of 15mm, which is similar to the popular Progetto X2 Air used in some of Castelli’s top shorts. This fits with Santini’s rating of the pad as being suitable for eight-hour-plus rides; even on my fairly sparsely padded Selle Italia SLR Boost saddle, comfort was never an issue. I sometimes find that the thinner, outer edges of a pad can ruck up a bit and cause a little discomfort on longer rides, but this has not happened at all with the C3 pad. I’m pleased to report that all areas of my derriere have been blissfully happy.

The other area that can irritate with a pair of bib shorts is the silicone grippers at the bottom of the legs. I don’t normally suffer with this, but there have been occasions on very hot rides when the grip pattern has been nicely replicated on my thighs in red for a day or so. No such problems with the Unico Edge, as there aren't any grippers.

By and large, the lack of grippers did not cause the legs to ride up, as the tight, slightly compressive nature of the fabric holds the shorts in place. I did feel that after a few hours into each ride, the material relaxed slightly and maybe moved up a few millimetres; utterly inconsequential in terms of comfort, but detrimental for tan line crispness!

Being picky, the broad raw-cut bib straps were heavier-duty than on many shorts, meaning that they took longer to dry, but they did spread the pressure very well, and the length was spot on.

The size large shorts were perfect for me (186cm/73kg); the same size that I take in Castelli, Assos, Sportful and Universal Colours.

Value and conclusion

Overall, the Unico Edge felt very premium, both in terms of the pad and fabrics. The laser-cut and raw-edged design lifts it above more standard options, as do little touches like the iridescent Santini branding. There is no doubt that these are lovely shorts.

The bigger question is whether they justify their £220 price tag and provide good value. In my opinion, they do, with the caveat that I would rather have two £110 pairs of shorts to wear and wash on rotation than one more expensive pair, so long as the cheaper shorts are comfortable enough for my riding. However, if you are in the market for a premium-priced pair of shorts or don't get on with silicone grippers, then I very much doubt that you will be disappointed with Santini’s Unico Edge Bib Shorts.

The MAAP Alt_Road Cargo Bib shorts 2.0 are the brands latest iteration of its gravel specific pair of bib shorts as part of the gravel focussed Alt_Road line-up. The geometry of the shorts matches the Team Bib Evo template, but there are several key changes to fabrics and construction so as to make these bibs more specialised for off-road usage.

Construction

Much of the main fabric is made of a polyamide and elastane mix, but with a soft touch for added comfort. Where things differ are some of the side panels use a gridded woven fabric designed to aid compression and durability. It’s not specified that it is a tear resistant material, but is very similar in structure and feel to some cargo bib shorts that claim to be. Large silicone grippers are used on the legs to keep the shorts nicely in place as well.

Where things start to become more 'alt road' specific are the pockets. The are two large pockets on the side of the legs while at the rear there is a combination of central deep pocket, and two zip side pockets. These zips are the same YKK zip used across MAAPs entire range and are impressively easy to use aided by the long tabs for extra leverage.

The chamois is another area that has had the gravel specific treatment, and has also been used in the brands Aeon line as well. This off-road specific chamois uses the same geometry as the standard chamois, but features a higher density foam so as to provide better vibration dampening on rough terrain. A breathable perforated base foam layer is still used, with the high density foam layer added between this and the anti-bacterial top layer.

The straps are the same wide platform used across MAAPs range of bib shorts, but feature a smooth fabric central panel without perforations, whereas the Aeon and Team Evo use mesh like panel. Three colours are available, with sizes ranging from XS to XXL.

The ride

The MAAP Alt_Road 2.0 feels pretty similar to any other pair of MAAP bib shorts. The wide straps are supportive and have a good level of elasticity to help them stay in place without any loose elements. Meanwhile the cuff of the legs has a wide gripper and sits fairly long down the thigh. Even the chamois is very similar in terms of the shape to the Team Evo shorts. However, there are several differences too.

The aforementioned pockets help give the bibs their alt road moniker and I do like MAAP’s approach. The cargo pockets have a flat streamlined look and deep and wide pouches that sit low on the thigh. As a result it's easy to fit large objects like a smartphone or even a tool roll in them, while gels or bars stay fully enclosed. Having a compressive element to the materials here also keeps everything nicely in place in the pockets. There was no discernible moving around while pedalling.

That’s not it for the pockets though. As mentioned there is a central pocket at the rear that can house a smart phone or even a rolled up waterproof layer. It’s a great size, but admittedly does get a little in the way of whatever is in a jersey pocket that sits over the top. I still like Albion’s take on the rear pocket with a mesh tube sitting below the jersey hem for storing extra layers. However, I really like that MAAP has moved the zip pocket from the leg as it was on the previous Alt_Road 1.0 and instead fitted two smaller zip pockets on the rear of the shorts. This is ideal for tools, keys, gas canisters, and any little essentials that you want to remain secure. The YKK zippers are also incredibly smooth to operate and easy to grab thanks to the long tabs on them.

The chamois is MAAP’s gravel specific offering. I used these shorts in the Graean Gravel World Gravel Series UCI race, 100km with 2000m climbing on a big mix of shale, rocks, gravel, and mud. This sort of varied terrain is ideal for testing the comfort of shorts, and the chamois was an exceptional performer. I was already a big fan of it for long road rides having tested the MAAP Aeon shorts, but off-road, on what was fairly battering terrain, the vibration dampening proved to be exceptional.

My only real criticism of these shorts is that the material used on the side can get a bit warm in sunnier weather. It doesn’t breathe quite as well as some other fabrics, and there are two layers of it. The central panel on the bib straps is also not perforated unlike other shorts in the MAAP range, possibly to improve structural support with pockets located near there. In a 10˚C rainy Welsh gravel race this was of no concern, but in 25˚C conditions with high effort levels and low wind speed, you'll likely need to match these shorts with a highly perforated jersey.

Value & conclusion

The fact is, £250 / $320 is a lot of money for a pair of bib shorts. That’s in the region of top end offerings from most designer brands, and looking at the competition it is certainly above the going rate. The Albion ABR1 are a superb pair of cargo shorts, and at £185 undercut the MAAP by a good amount. I love the rear tube pocket that Albion uses, but personally the pockets on the Alt_Road 2.0 I find more useful overall, hence why I went for them over the Albion for gravel racing.

Rapha also has a very good value offering with the Core Cargo shorts at £150 / $195. They’re comfortable, and feature decent pockets. But they also face the same warm weather issue, and the pockets are not quite as secure, so for rougher gravel they are not as good.

There are other options in the premium category, with the Pearl Izumi Expedition Pro bib shorts coming in at $325, but even designer brand Pas Normal Studios undercuts MAAP with Escapism Cargo Shorts for £240 and £225 for its Light version for warm weather.

However, the MAAP off-road specific chamois pad is, in my opinion, the most comfortable off-road or gravel riding chamois available at the moment. While the zip up rear pockets are lifesavers for securely storing essential tools or valuables. These shorts come at a high price, but I think there is good reason to justify that for those who ride and race on rougher terrain.

The MAAP Alt_Road 2.0 bib shorts are a solid improvement over the previous generation with a far more practical pocket arrangement. For long rides or racing, it's ideal for stashing extra tools and food, while using jersey pockets for spare layers. A brilliant chamois and great fit boost their stock further. My only gripe is that they can get toasty in warmer weather, and the price is high. But I certainly recommend these for anyone doing long adventure rides or gravel racing.

The Rapha Pro Team bib shorts have been the brand's go-to pair of bib shorts for well over a decade now. In its third iteration, the shorts have gone through a large overhaul to enhance comfort as well as keep the style of the brand up to date. Let's see if they have the attributes required of best cycling shorts for men.

Construction

The shorts have primarily been built around the brand new bespoke Pro Team chamois. It is still a single density chamois pad, with this technology now featured across Rapha's entire road range, all the way down to the Core shorts. However this brand new Pro Team chamois is a denser and lower volume chamois than the previous single density offering. This has been done to reduce weight and bulk, reduce the chance of friction, and make the pad faster drying to limit moisture build-up.

Outside of that, the shorts are now made up of fewer panels to reduce the amount of seams and stitching while being designed to be both compressive and more supportive. A laser cut hem has also been used to enhance comfort with micro-silicone dots used for grip.

The straps are wide to help support the structure of the shorts better while mesh panels across the hip of the straps and between the rear of the straps further aims to maintain structure while enhancing breathability.

Sizes start at XS and go up to XXL. There are six colour options available, two of which are black but with different colour straps, while this Dark Purple and the Port options are updates added in the latter half of 2025.

The ride

I have long been a fan of the Rapha Pro Team bib shorts. I owned a pair of the first generation model and wore them to tatters over the course of 5-6 years.

This latest Pro Team III iteration is an incredible leap forwards from those shorts, and quite possibly one of the best pairs that I have had the pleasure to test recently; I wasn’t sure what to expect, as recent Rapha Pro Team items have left me somewhat underwhelmed, with the Powerweave bib shorts in particular a slight let down for the price.

Putting the Pro Team III shorts on, my mind was quickly put at ease. Whereas the Powerweave shorts are overly compressive to the point of discomfort, the Pro Team III are a far better balance between performance and comfort. The fabric has a compressive element, but not so much that it squeezes the legs into shapes. I also appreciate that a regular length is available, as I prefer a cuff higher up the thigh rather than the patella shrouding of the Long leg length that came as standard on the Powerweave model.

This compression supports the muscles well, but also does not constrict in any way whatsoever. The fit is beautifully managed with no excessive tightness or looseness anywhere, meaning that there is no fabric rubbing in any location that could lead to irritation. Raw cut leg cuffs are also fantastic and stay firmly in place on hairy or shaved legs.

Another big plus are the straps. They are a touch thick in some regards, and lack perforations, but they are far more breathable than the Powerweave ones, which got too warm. They share a lot in common with the straps used on MAAP bibs shorts, in that they spread pressure nicely over the shoulders for even distribution, and make for great all day comfort.

My favourite addition however is the brand new Pro Team chamois. I have always been a fan of the Rapha chamois, as the coverage avoids any friction, while the pad itself manages pressure well by using different thicknesses of the same density foam. This new chamois now uses a higher density pad, but anatomically remains the same shape and size so as to provide pressure distribution where it is required, and relief in areas where you don’t want as much pressure.

Paired with the straps and compressive material, it stays in place as your body moves allowing for a great rider to pad interface. This higher density material is also lower bulk, so when getting in and out of the saddle it’s a touch more comfortable. Vibration dampening is also superb, quite similar to the brilliant chamois that MAAP uses in the Aeon shorts, which I’m also a big fan of.

Having tested these shorts through summer UK heatwaves and into the beginnings of autumn, they are effective across a wide range of temperatures and conditions. Long 4+ hour days in the saddle have provided no cause for discomfort, while fast paced group rides test the shorts in a race style environment as well. Across every situation, they have excelled. I also adore the Dark Purple and Port colour options.

Value & conclusion

At £240 / $350, these are up there with the likes of the Pas Normal Studios Mechanism, Assos Mille GTS S11, Q36.5 Dottore Pro, and aforementioned MAAP Aeon model.

At this price point, there is 'much of a muchness' between shorts, with personal fit considerations often being the main factor. Colour preference and brand desirability are of course other factors, and in both those areas Rapha certainly performs well. From a pure performance and comfort perspective, the Pro Team III are as good as, or better, than the other competitors mentioned. The Dottore Pro is a little cooler in hot weather, but the leg cuffs can rise more, while the PNS Mechanism is a bit more difficult to take nature breaks while wearing.

There are of course more entry level priced options as well. Rapha’s own Core bib shorts are exceptional at £140 / $130, but the fabric is thicker and this is noticeable in warmer conditions.

While the Pro Team III bibs are expensive, in my experience Rapha shorts have a good tendency to be long-lasting in both performance and quality. So far that holds true here, and they have become the pair I gravitate towards for longer days in the saddle for both performance and how they look. They are not cheap, but I see them as being worth it in terms of value over time.

The Mechanism range is Pas Normal Studios (PNS) fast-paced, high-intensity kit range, sitting between the Essential range and race-focused Mechanism Pro range.

The brand has updated its Mechanism bib shorts for 2025, including a more resilient bib strap construction to prevent any elastic fraying, as well as being more perforated for better breathability. Will the changes secure their place among the best cycling shorts for men?

Construction

The shorts are made up mostly of polyester along with elastane and have been designed with breathability and aerodynamic fit in mind. Wide elastic straps provide pressure distribution while keeping everything in place along with wide elastic hems on the legs of the shorts.

A four-layer ultralight foam chamois is used, aimed at providing plenty of comfort. It’s fast drying and anti-microbial to reduce friction and maintain cleanliness. Using multiple foam densities is designed to offer better pressure distribution and support across the various parts of the seating area, across soft tissue as well as bony structures.

All the shorts use fully dyed fabrics and come in six colour options of the 2025 update and eight total. All versions save for the white, black, and navy come with contrasting white stitching. Sizes start at XXS and go up to XXL, and are true to size

The ride

As part of the update, the fit had been slightly altered so as to be better suited for a wider range of body types. Previously, some PNS bib shorts have pulled quite badly on the straps, which have felt almost too short unless very hunched over on the bike. With this update, the straps appear to be a touch longer, so feel more comfortable across a range of riding positions; however, being designed for high intensity fast paced sessions, they are at their most comfortable when riding in a low and tucked position.

In previous iterations, I found the elastic in the straps could fray over time. So far, the updated Mechanism bibs seem to be of a stronger construction, as well as featuring more perforations on the straps to reduce heat build-up. They’re wide too, so distribute pressure well, while at the rear, a panel in the centre keeps things in place without adding excess material. The straps also sit a bit more centrally on the body. I find this prevents any rubbing around the armpits, something I have encountered over longer rides with bib straps with a wider spacing. This, along with quite a high waist, does make nature breaks a bit more difficult, however.

Features that have been carried over for the sake of performance and comfort are the large elastic leg grippers. Using a cross pattern of silicone grippers, these are really effective at staying in place, especially if you don’t shave your legs regularly. Keeping everything nicely in place is essential for proper interface between the body and contact points.

The contact point in this case is the brilliant multiple-density chamois. PNS has been using the same four-layer foam chamois, and this ultralight one is incredibly comfortable. Having the different densities means there is limited bulk where you don’t need it, but plenty of support exactly where you do. It’s fast drying and anti-microbial, so for long days in the saddle, it’s ideal as well as being a consistent performer during short high intensity group rides.

On that subject, these shorts are specifically designed to be used across a wide range of summer riding conditions. The fabric is a bit thicker than some more specific summer shorts, but this never proved an issue, even in the high temperatures we saw this summer in the UK. What it does mean is that the shorts offer a nice level of compression, something that can be lost with more open-structured breathable shorts, such as the Rapha Pro Team Ghost bibs. This provides a good balance between comfort and muscle support that is great for high-intensity rides, while the breathable mesh at the front and rear of the body does well to dissipate heat.

The shorts are offered in a wide range of colour options, even a very smart white option. Most of these use a contrasting white stitching on the panels, matching many of the Mechanism jerseys. It breaks up the block colour nicely, and personally, I really like it. Having a wide range of colour choices and size options also makes it quite easy to personalise your style either with matching colours or by creating a contrast with your chosen jersey. Function is certainly first and foremost for cycling kit, but it’s nice when the form is a match.

Value & conclusion

Interestingly, the PNS Mechanism shorts sit in what I would call the lower end of the pricing spectrum for high-performance designer brand bib shorts. Rapha were the first to hit the £300 barrier with the Powerweave shorts, but now several other brands have breached this barrier. £230 is still a lot of money for a pair of bib shorts, but in the current market, and for a pair this comfortable, it could be deemed as reasonable.

The Rapha Pro Team III are £240, while the Q36.5 Dottore Pro are £250, with MAAP also in that region at £260. Castelli is a slight outlier with the Free Aero S at £199.99, as it has done brilliantly with its latest race range, bringing superb performance for the price. However, I would argue the PNS Mechanism is a bit more comfortable for longer rides, and the colour and size range is broader. Another nice addition of PNS is that if an item is purchased within two years and gets damaged in a crash or worn out, a 50% discount is offered on a new clothing item.

The Pas Normal Studios Mechanism bib shorts are a very solid offering. At £230, they are by no means cheap, but they actually undercut a good number of their competitors. Effective in a wide range of temperatures, the highlight of these shorts is the comfort, both for all-day riding and fast-paced high-intensity workouts. A huge array of colour options and a good size range are added bonuses. Only a slightly high waist that makes nature breaks difficult detracts from their overall appeal.

The Rapha Pro Team Ghost range is new for 2025 and has been used by sponsored World Tour teams in the hottest of environments. Much of the design is based on the Pro Team III shorts but with a few key changes aimed to enhance breathability and temperature regulation. Will this help them to perform like the best cycling shorts for men should?

Construction

Chief among the warm weather features are the new open mesh panels across the side of the legs and around the rear of the hamstrings. This helps to maintain a compressive function while at the same time being incredibly thin and perforated to increase airflow as well as moisture transfer and evaporation.

Silicone grippers have been exchanged for a new micro textured hem and there's a cross-back bib strap, which removes the need for a central panel to stabilise the straps, thus reducing the amount of fabric. The straps themselves remain solid fabric, aimed at distributing pressure over the shoulders.

Leg length wise, these are only available with a long leg, whereas the Pro Team III shorts come in regular or long fittings.

Another carry over from the Pro Team III is the new updated chamois. This uses a thinner but denser material than previous and a single density design to distribute pressure well over the soft tissue and bony structures without adding excessive bulk which can add weight, reduce breathability, and increase friction potential.

Colour options are just this iron grey colour while sizes range from XS up to XXL.

The ride

I’ve already become quite a fan of the Rapha Pro Team III shorts, which are what the Ghost have essentially evolved from. However, the only thing that really remains consistent between the two is the chamois pad, with almost every other aspect being brand new.

Once on, there are a few things that quickly become apparent. Firstly, the long leg is certainly on the longer side; the same length as the Powerweave shorts they sit just above the knee joint. I am personally more a fan of a shorter length for the sake of not having incredibly tanned knees and pale thighs. However, this has likely been done to improve temperature regulation.

It’s also noticeable that the new perforated side materials feel rather fragile, so I have been pulling the shorts up using the solid fabric panels which add structure.

This material is of particular interest as Rapha designed it using climate chambers to validate the claims of enhanced thermoregulation and temperature loss. In practice, it does dry out exceptionally fast, and appears to wick moisture from the skin quickly into the fabric, and then evaporate. This is the primary way in which we lose body height, through transport of heat from the inside to outside via sweat and evaporation, and why humidity and reduced evaporation ‘feels’ warmer. Kit items that can speed this process up essentially help cool you down faster or reduce the build-up of heat.

It's actually an exceptionally good material at this process, and although in structure it looks similar to some other hot weather kit items, the material is far thinner and appears to have greater moisture transfer properties.

In dry heat, it is amazing at helping reduce temperature build-up. In humid weather, this effect is a bit more limited, but then so is every kit item. These shorts remind me of the Le Col Pro Indoor bib shorts in terms of structure, but that mesh relied more on having less fabric to allow sweat to transfer and evaporate, whereas Rapha has used a material that speeds up that process itself.

The straps cross over at the back, in a similar fashion to Assos shorts. This keeps them in place but removes the need for a central panel of material, reducing weight and contact patches. I’m a big fan of this new pattern for the bibs as it works brilliantly for support and also temperature regulation. I think the straps however are a little at odds since they’re on the thicker side; not as thick or warm as the Powerweave straps, but not as light and breathable as say the PNS Mechanism shorts.

The chamois is a low volume, high density offering. and I’m a big fan of it. I’ve always tended to get on well with Rapha chamois, as the coverage is good and the support around the sitting area works well for me. Being lower volume but higher density, there is now a bit less material and reduced chance for any friction or bulk while also feeling a touch more planted and connected with the saddle. However, that higher density means that vibration dampening and comfort have not been compromised in any way. Using these shorts for 100km+ rides in the heat they have proven wonderfully comfortable.

Value & conclusion

With all this performance, comes a price, with £275 / $335 being on the upper end for most bib short pricing. It’s cheaper than the likes of the Castelli Premio Evo (£299.99 / $350) and Assos Equipe RSR (£315 / $400) but is a premium on the Rapha Pro Team III, in the UK at least (£240).

I would argue that the best value higher performance bib shorts are the Rapha Pro Team III and PNS Mechanism. However, the Ghost shorts fit into the niche of hot weather performance shorts, which also extends to indoor use.

Although the Ghost bibs are not perfect - I think the straps could be more breathable without impacting support - they are still the best performing shorts when it comes to moisture wicking and temperature regulation. If you struggle in the heat, have hot weather events as target events, or want a comfortable pair of shorts for hot indoor riding, then the Ghost is likely going to be one of the best options you could go for.

The Rapha Pro Team Ghost bib shorts are somewhat of a specialist piece of kit being designed for hot weather performance. However this usage stretches beyond riding in hot weather, as they are also ideal shorts for indoor training sessions where heat can build up quickly and temperature regulation is essential to comfort and performance. The only area these shorts don’t feel as optimised for hot conditions are the thicker straps, but they are very supportive and not the worst by any means. The innovative fabric and impressive comfort are what make these shorts stand out, even at such a high price, but the high premium over the Pro Team III shorts feels tough to justify.

Construction

The MAAP Eclipse Pro Bib 2.0 builds on the previous iteration by introducing specific fabric texturing in a bid to improve aerodynamic performance. This comes in the form of a front panel of material used on the shorts which features small protrusions aimed to reduce turbulence on the legs by keeping airflow attached for longer. This is paired with lightweight woven and compressive fabrics designed to provide better temperature regulation and muscle support.

Internal raw-cut and flatlock seams are used to reduce pressure points and friction. Elsewhere the shorts are kept secure with large silicone grippers on the legs and wide elastic bib straps. These are designed to spread the pressure load over the shoulders more evenly, while a bib and brace structure at the front dissipates pressure better across the front of the straps. A high airflow mesh is used between the straps at the rear for optimal support and breathability.

MAAP has continued to use its 3D Thermo Molded Multi-density chamois, which here uses a male specific fit to avoid pressure on various soft points. It has been created with Elastic Interface, and is made up of three layers. At the bottom is the perforated breathable foam layer, while high density inserts are placed on top of this for vibration dampening on or off-road. On top of all this is the moisture wicking and antibacterial layer which are OEKO-TEX® certified meaning they have been deemed both sustainable and free of any harmful substances.

Available in the grey Dark Shadow colour option in this Eclipse style line, plus blue and black options in other lines, the shorts come in sizes XS to XXL. All materials are UPF 50+ protective too, while large reflective logos adorn the side of the legs with a smaller reflective logo at the rear of the shorts.

The ride

Getting the MAAP Pro 2.0 bibs on was initially a bit of a struggle compared to some other shorts I’ve tested, but there's a good reason for this. These shorts offer quite a high level of compression, something that is commonly used in more race focussed offerings to provide support and potentially enhance blood flow to the working muscles. This is seen in the Rapha Powerweave, Q36.5 Gregarious Pro, and Santini Redux shorts to name but a few, and in practice, it does feel good on the legs when doing high intensity and repeated efforts. Another reason for this slightly tight sensation fit is that the leg grippers are again quite compressive but also large. This means that they don’t squeeze the leg uncomfortably, but also stay very well in place even on stubbly or hairy legs. These shorts certainly give a 'locked in' feeling.

Something else that aids this feeling are the bib straps. MAAP has always used wide and supportive elastic straps that distribute pressure very evenly across the shoulders and back. At 43mm wide they work brilliantly; the brace structure of attaching them below the top hem of the shorts aids this further and removes a pulling sensation from around the front. This hem also includes a raw cut edge at the front. It works well to reduce irritation, while also being flexible enough for nature breaks. Another feature of the straps I like is the perforated central panel at the rear. It allows for great breathability in a key area where this helps a lot, but also keeps that better support structure of the shorts overall.

Where these shorts differ from MAAP’s staple pair, the Team Evo bibs, are the fabric panels on the legs. A thinner material is used which has an almost papery feel to it, similar to Rapha’s Powerweave material but thinner still. Off the body it gives a diamond structure pattern, but when worn this stretches and reveals dimples spread across the legs. MAAP claims this is to improve aerodynamic performance by creating small increases in friction to reduce turbulence of air leaving the legs. It’s the same principle as used on aero jersey sleeves. The practical issue here is that the legs, specifically the thighs, move across different planes of motion and change the angle they are relative to airflow. This is why aero socks on the shin work well since the shin presents itself towards the incoming air at a similar orientation throughout the pedal stroke. It’s also why we don’t often see this dimpling on shorts around the thigh as performance is tricky to guarantee. MAAP doesn't actually share any data to back up aero claims, but this material does have the bonus of being a bit better at moisture wicking and cooler, so it is not without benefit.

Fortunately one thing that has remained consistent from the MAAP Team Evo bibs is the chamois. MAAP calls it the advanced anatomic multi-density chamois, and in practice it has proved to be one of my favorites.

Using a perforated foam layer, high density vibration reducing inserts, and finally a seamless bacteriostatic seamless cover results in a chamois that is great in warm weather, over rough road surfaces, and for long days in the saddle. A pressure relief channel in the centre means there are no hot spots on any of the soft tissue areas as pressure is maintained around the sit bones and supportive structures. It’s made in conjunction with Elastic Interface, the Italian chamois specialists, and it’s also nice to see recycled materials used in the construction. Oddly, the shorts as a whole do not feature as much use of recycled materials as a lot of other items in MAAP’s range.

Value and conclusion

Bib shorts are becoming ever more expensive, and the MAAP Pro 2.0 bibs are no exception. At £260/ $355 for the pair, they are right up there with the premium offerings from other brands. Rapha Pro Team III come in at £240 / $295, while the Powerweave with higher compression are still £300 / $380. Q36.5 also has the Gregarious Pro at £200 / $270, while the similarly performing Santini Redux are £214. This does place the MAAP Pro 2.0 at a slight premium above the others, and certainly the brand name does carry some weight in that area.

I think on paper, the Santini Redux offer better value, as the chamois is also a very high performer, while the compressive capacity is just as good. Where the MAAP Pro 2.0 does come into its own, is that the bib straps are potentially the most secure and supportive that I have used, with no folding or pinching even over long rides. Additionally the implementation of some aero principles into the shorts is something a little unique. Whether it is functional in that manner remains in question though.

The MAAP Pro 2.0 bib shorts are at the end of the day, an impressively performing pair of high intensity riding cycling shorts. They offer great levels of compression, breathability, and supportive fit thanks to exceptional bib straps. Add to that a chamois that has been comfortable in testing no matter what has been thrown at the shorts, and you have a really great all round performer. The addition of aero materials is certainly interesting, but there is not data to support the functionality. Also at £260 / $355, these are certainly up there in the higher reaches of bib shorts pricing, and better value alternatives are available for those shopping on a budget.

It's a brave brand entering the bib shorts market. Notoriously overcrowded, it needs a very strong USP (unique selling point) to stand out among the best women's cycling shorts. Sending a pair of black bib shorts with a sales pitch claiming they're the perfect everyday option for short to mid-length rides to a cycling tech writer means you're pretty sure of your product.

After one ride in the Velocio Women's ONE bib shorts, I could see that the brand wasn't overconfident. In fact, they have become my talking point to anyone who had the (mis)fortune of riding with me over the past month.

Construction

The Velocio Women's One bib shorts are designed specifically to support rides of short to medium length. As to exactly what this distance equates to is akin to the proverbial string length.

However, it's more about a categorisation of the brand's own shorts, with the Velocio Luxe shorts taking the lead for long-distance rides, the Concept shorts focusing on aerodynamics, while the Ultralights are the offering for lightweight, 'barely-there' shorts. Taking a closer look at the One bib shorts, Velocio says it has 'cherry-picked' the best features from all the shorts in the range for a versatile, everyday pair.

The brand states that the cut is more compressive than the lightweight fabric of the Ultralight shorts, but similar to that of both the Luxe and Concept, aiming to support muscles on mid- to long-term rides.

Made from 78% Polyamide and 22% Elastane, a percentage of the nylon is recycled from fishing nets. As with all Velocio products, the clothing is designed by the team in New England and manufactured in Piedmont, northern Italy.

Unfortunately, that's where the detailed manufacturing information trail ends, with no evidence to substantiate its recycling or sustainability claims. According to the brand, working with smaller factories allows for full control of the design process, enabling the brand to produce proprietary materials and chamois developed in collaboration with Cytech EIT.

At the bottom of the shorts, a wide raw-cut Lycra leg band provides what Velocio describes as a second-skin feel. The legs feed into the FlyFree system, with this roadside toilet feature breaking the bib element.

I recently mentioned in the Petrichor Projects 002 review that I am not a fan of this feature in women's specific bib shorts. While I greatly appreciate the simplicity of shorts without clasps, zips, or clips, I doubt many women on short or medium-length rides will use this feature, leading me to think that the shorts are somewhat over-engineered.

The bibs are held at the front by a mesh panel, complemented by a high waist that prevents peek-a-boo stomach exposure when not on the bike.

Again, this is another feature on women's shorts I tend to dislike. It feels like this weird layer of fabric, added with a base layer, bra top, and possibly a heart rate monitor, makes the outfit feel constricting and over the top. I often find myself remarking that I just want shorts, not an all-in-one outfit.

As for the weight, the shorts tipped my scales at 171g for a size small.

The ride

With regards to the degree of compression the bibs seemed to hit the perfect spot for the size small I was wearing; I'm usually a UK size 10.

I was perhaps a bit overenthusiastic on my first ride in these shorts, finding myself in the hills of the southern German Black Forest with a 60-mile ride ahead in 30°C/86°F weather. This was not only significantly longer and hotter than my recent rides, but as I pulled on the shorts on the morning of the ride, I realised I had forgotten to pack any form of sports bra or baselayer.

Faced with the choice of wearing an underwired bra all day or nothing, I chose the latter. Looking like an early Assos advert, I pulled my jersey on, and hoped I wouldn't forget about my lack of undergarment and subconsciously unzip my top on the climbs, and trusting that the mesh would be gentle on my more sensitive areas.

Descending was followed by full gas valley flats before an assault of near-mountainous climbing. I found myself increasingly respectful of the shorts. I started telling others on the ride how comfortable they were and how well-fitted they were, and to anyone who would listen, "I'm not even wearing a sports bra."

The mesh layer was ideal for sweat-wicking—I hate the feel of moisture leaking down my front—and consequently, I wear some form of vest even on the hottest days in the saddle. This built-in layer was perfect for transporting sweat away from my chest and stomach. It would also be ideal as an extra barrier for cool weather riding—some departure from my usual built-in layer preferences. Somehow, something I previously disliked quickly became a major selling point.

I was delighted to discover that, despite the naked top half, I suffered from zero chafing, not even a dab of Vaseline on my nipples to prevent friction rubs.

So caught up was I in the drama of dressing my top half for the ride that it wasn't until after I realised I had also forgotten to add any chamois cream to the pad.

Another impressive result—riding a bike and saddle I've never ridden before, in a pair of fresh shorts, and not even feeling discomfort in my nether regions. And it wasn't a short ride; if anything, it was quite long, proving that categorizing shorts by distance is merely a matter of the rider's legs.

Back home in the UK, wearing the Velocio Women's ONE bib shorts without a vest has become my main choice, although I've added a bra top more out of habit than necessity.

I've tried the easy-to-pee feature for the sake of the review and can confirm it works fine, but honestly, I haven't really needed to use it. Even when nature calls, I prefer to just remove my jersey rather than risk anything in my back pockets being accidentally folded into the toilet.

Value and conclusion

It's not often that I am so vocal about a pair of black cycling shorts, but the Velocio Women's ONE bibshorts truly stand out, and I keep telling anyone who will listen that they really are the best shorts I've ridden in many years.

They fit well, are comfortable and supportive, and after thirty years of bike riding, I have managed to stop wearing a vest on every ride - which on hot days is pretty impressive and eye-opening.

While they are the cheapest bib shorts in the Velocio range, they still fall into the mid-to-upper end of the market at $209 / £158.

I suspect that sustainability credentials influence this price point, so it's disappointing to see so little evidence supporting the brand's claims about the use of recycled materials. If the Velocio Women's ONE bibshorts were entirely traceable, they would undoubtedly have earned full marks.

The Q36.5 Unique Pro Bib shorts are the latest item to yield the Unique moniker from Q36.5. It's a label given to items that make up the brand’s experimental products that are the culmination of its technological pursuits. These are the ‘high end’ items that shoulder the development costs and will trickle down some of that technology across the lines. Let's see if they have what it takes to be regarded alongside the best shorts for cycling.

The construction

The bib shorts are primarily constructed of a similar material to the brand’s Dottore Pro shorts. This is a high-density woven fabric aimed to improve blood flow and reduce fatigue with a compression designed to offer supportive compression without restriction.

Silver thread is then woven into this for its fast drying, heat conductivity and antibacterial properties, as well as a claim to protect against 'electro-magnetic smog' (electromagnetic field definitions extend from static electric and magnetic fields, through radiofrequency and infrared radiation, to X-rays).

This fabric is then mapped and tailored to specific zones, as the brand refers to them as its 4-zone body mapping. This changes the weave density and pattern to provide cooling, support, or additional compression across different areas.

Reflective panels are placed on the outside of each leg for visibility, while the hem is bonded to prevent fraying or the use of silicone grips.

Q36.5 has updated the chamois to the new Unique model. Similar to the Q Lab Air, it features an additional foam pad layer to conform to both the shape of the saddle and the rider independently, allowing them to remain in contact without causing any friction. The outer layer is a slightly brushed material designed to reduce friction further and allow some breathability. The shorts are kept in place with a lightweight mesh fabric for the straps.

Sizes come in XS to XXL. Q36.5 also prides itself in making all its clothing in Italy and sourcing all materials from within a 350km radius of the factory to reduce carbon footprint as well as using natural, recycled, or biodegradable fabrics where possible. They also offer a warranty and repair scheme on their clothing items.

The ride

Putting the Unique Pro shorts on, they are quite notably different to most pairs of bib shorts that I’ve tried over the years. The papery thin yarn used to make them is very similar to the Rapha Powerweave shorts, as well as the Q36.5 Dottore Pro which uses a similar material to the Unique Pro. Where the Unique Pro differs is that near enough the entirety of the shorts uses this material. The brand’s 4-Zone body mapping means that there are several areas of the shorts that bunch up and wrinkle when standing, but become smooth once you get into a riding position.

There is an incredibly limited use of seams, with two large panels for the main part of the legs used, with two attachment points either side. There are no flat-lock seams, but the material being so thin means this doesn’t really have an impact on comfort at all. These panels are also woven to different densities to provide either compression on the legs, support around the lumbar spine, or longevity around the seat area. It’s an impressive feat of fabric engineering that’s for sure.

The real star of the show however is the chamois pad. Dubbed the Unique Chamois, it does appear to be just that. Rather than the single layer of padding found in the Dottore Pro Q Lab chamois, the new one uses a dual layer system. This results in a system designed to hug both the saddle and the body, to avoid movement and friction which can cause discomfort. Add to that the brushed upper layer that is antimicrobial and very low friction, and the system is impeccable.

The chamois is certainly higher volume than I am used to riding, but this also comes with an incredible level of vibration dampening. So much so that over rougher road surfaces, where I felt the vibrations significantly more in my arms than I did the seat area, whereas normally it feels fairly consistent between the two. Over longer duration rides this also has a positive effect with regards to comfort; it’s a tactic that is employed in the new MAAP Aeon line where it has used its gravel seat pad in its road shorts.

I was already a big fan of the Q Lab Air chamois in the Dottore Pro shorts, and this updated Unique Chamois builds on that pad and improves it. These are possibly the most comfortable pair of shorts for really long slogs in the saddle. But that’s not solely down to the chamois. Another key benefit of the woven material is that it has an exceptionally high level of moisture wicking. A key cause of both saddle sores, and heat buildup, is the inability for sweat to dissipate. Having very fast drying materials that allow for greater rates of moisture transfer and wicking means you cool down faster, and the chamois stays fresher, ideal for longer rides in the summer. The use of silver thread in the weave is apparently another key factor responsible for this greater exchange of thermal buildup, allowing for faster cooling levels.

While the level of compression delivered isn’t as powerful as the Rapha Powerweave’s vice-like grip, it does result in a pair of shorts that feel more supportive as the ride goes on as well as during some harder efforts.

Another great improvement are the new straps. Made from a thinner material, the breathability has been greatly enhanced, an issue I’ve sometimes had with more compressive design shorts from Rapha, Q36.5 and MAAP. These new straps are still just as supportive, but reduce the buildup of heat nicely, while a cut-out rear allows for a good level of heat exchange. There is also the low pressure waist, where the fabric weave is less dense so as not to put any pressure around the gut and allow for easy nature breaks.

Elsewhere zero silicone on the leg grippers results in zero irritation while also staying securely up even on hairy legs. There are also reflective rear leg panels. I can’t comment on how the silver thread deals with electromagnetic smog however. The theory is that the huge amount of electronic devices has an impact on our muscles’ contractile function, but the thread works well enough for temperature regulation to warrant its inclusion.

Overall these are just an exceptionally well performing and comfortable pair of shorts that are as close to perfect as you could want for long warm days in the saddle. But there is one massively glaring issue. The price.

Value & conclusion

The £300 barrier is well and truly broken here. In fact for US customers the price is $470. Similar shorts such as the Assos Equipe RSR, Rapha Pro Team Powerweave, and Castelli Premio Evo bib shorts are still at least £50 / $50 cheaper. While the Powerweave shorts are designed in a similar manner with a more paper like woven material, the Q35.6 Unique Pro does a better job and provides greater comfort all round, as well as being cooler.

The Powerweave still offers the highest levels of compression I’ve used, but the thick straps detract from the performance a fair bit by getting very hot in warm weather. For long duration rides and especially rough road surfaces, the Unique Pro are the best performing shorts that I’ve used with second to none vibration dampening and brilliant moisture wicking.

However, the price does mean that there are plenty of shorts that perform not too dissimilarly, but for a relatively far lower price and offer much better value. The Q36.5 Dottore Pro bib shorts for example use many of the same materials and technologies but for £100 cheaper. £350 for a pair of bib shorts will never be good value, unless they pedal for you frankly. Even with all the additional technologies and features.

The Q36.5 Unique Pro bib shorts are a technological marvel and a statement as to just how comfortable a pair of bib shorts can be when every element of them is heavily thought out and engineered for an exact purpose. The chamois is the best I’ve used for long hot weather rides, while the material is compressive yet comfortable. There is just one glaring issue that cannot be avoided, and that is the price tag. A pair of shorts this price will never represent good value, not given how much less you can spend to get a pair of shorts that do most things almost as well. Where the Unique Pro shorts excel is as an experimentation into what’s possible, and I look forward to seeing the technology trickle down. If you can’t wait for that though, and the price doesn’t scare you off, then you won’t be disappointed by these shorts

When cycling-apparel veteran, Claire Goodman, set out to create a pair of cycling shorts, it was with the proviso that everyone would be able to find their size, regardless of what that size was.

We spoke to the founder of the size-inclusive, technical clothing brand Petrichor Projects in depth last year about her goal of creating a pair of the best women's bib shorts. But can one design truly fit all of us? Is it possible to scale from size XXS to XXXL while making the perfect pair of shorts for everyone?

Construction

There are three main points of interest regarding the anatomy of a pair of cycling bibshorts: the shorts, the bibs, and the pad.

Deconstructing the shorts into these fundamental parts is an effective way to understand Petrichor Projects' design and construction process. Starting with the shorts themselves, the 002 women's bib shorts use what the brand calls 'a matt, mid compression fabric.'

It's composed of ECONYL, a fabric made from 'regenerated nylon yarns.' This fabric is generally considered more sustainable than traditional nylon and regarded as a better alternative to using virgin nylon. We would need a standalone feature to discuss ECONYL's full credentials so, in summary, its yarns are made from 100% nylon waste rather than recycled bottles.

The issue with the latter was discussed when I explored the problem of greenwashing in the cycling industry. Although it's worth noting that ECONYL will still shed microplastics through washing and wearing.

Turning to the athletic performance of the fabric, Petrichor Projects claims that it's supportive and comfortable, without transparency, and boasts a UPF 50+ rating.

There's also a right-side leg pocket and a couple of reflective tabs at the rear of each leg, along with a reflective logo on the left.

Inside the shorts sits a 'pre-shaped' anatomic cut Elastic Interface chamois. The brand states that the flat surface pad uses gradual areas of transition to create a high-density insert. The top layer offers natural antibacterial properties and is made from recycled fabric, engineered with increased airflow at the front of the pad. The garment also reaches OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification, which indicates that a textile product has been tested for harmful substances and is safe for human health.

Holding the shorts up is the all-important bib element. The up-and-over arm fit of the wide strap has been constructed to sit beside the breast area to minimise pressure points.

The very interesting tech on offer here is the shorts' 'easy pee' design, which enables the right-side strap to detach from the shorts thanks to a magnetic clip. A handy fabric loop has been added to the strap to assist with strap relocation post-use.

Putting the shorts on the scales, they hit the 165g mark. To put that into perspective, the size medium Assos Women's UMA GTV Bib Shorts C2 are 185g, the 150g Velocio Women's Ultralight Bib Shorts, and 210g for the size medium Endura Women's FS260-Pro Bibshort.

The ride

Pulling on the PP002 women's bib shorts, I immediately noted the compression. They are just the right side of supportive and provide a feeling of being held together rather than restricted.

The brand has placed the side pocket in just the right location. However, if you plan to pair them with overshorts, you'll need to wait for Petrichor Projects to release a specific corresponding pair to maintain access, as none of my overlayers' access points aligned.

In general, the fit is excellent. The bibs lay nicely in position and aren't even noticeable once on, in a good way.

When it comes to the padding, I personally found it too big for the size of the shorts. Due to its high density level, it wasn't the most malleable and failed to conform to my body shape. I'm 5ft6"/ 167cm and around 60-odd kilos, size UK 10/small. I've measured myself according to the Petrichor Projects size chart, and I've got the right size shorts, but the padding isn't quite right for me.

This comes with a huge caveat that padding in shorts is of course very personal – just because I find the pad too large doesn't mean that everyone else will. Passing the shorts to similarly shaped and sized Tech Writer Rachel Sokal, she found the shorts' padding way more comfortable, proving that it really is horses for courses.

What we both agreed on, however, was our joint struggle with the easy-to-pee feature. We're both not fans of the feature in general, and due to the high back of the Petrichor Projects PP002, and lightweight straps (that also frustratingly magnetically shut on themselves), we both found that a certain level of arm flexibility and a mirror was required, or in some cases, we felt you might even need external assistance.

Rachel and I have discussed the easy-to-pee shorts in general and after some back and forth, have concluded that once you have figured these out, they are the best on the market; so if you really require the feature, the Petrichor Projects PP002 will be the pick of the bunch.

We also agreed that our favourite element of the PP002 women's bib shorts was the leg finish. The printed-on silicone holds the legs perfectly in position, reducing the need for additional hems and bulk. This, teamed with the length of my thighs, made me wish that the rest of the shorts were just as perfectly tailored for me.

Value and conclusion

These are on the high-end option of easy-to-pee shorts, for US customers its the UK price, plus taxes, although shipping is free, at £165 they are almost double the price of some of the cheaper options on the market, such as the previously mentioned, Endura Women's FS260-Pro Bibshort DS.

The price point also feels a little contradictory to the brand's ethos of cycling inclusivity, which originated in the belief that mainstream performance wear was elite and priced out for many riders.

I really wanted to love the Petrichor Projects PP002 women's bib shorts. It's rare to find a female-led independent cycling apparel brand doing good things and making ethical decisions rather than opting for the cheapest or easiest choices.

Unfortunately, the pad fit just wasn't right for me so they won't become my go-to pair of black shorts. However, I would urge everyone to try them, as this wasn't an issue for CW's other female Tech Writer, so may be perfect for you.

The MAAP Aeon Bib Shorts are pitched at endurance riders who want kit that goes the distance - and looks the part while doing so.

Priced firmly in the premium bracket, they promise all-day comfort, top-tier materials, and subtle but useful features. I’ve tested them extensively across a range of UK conditions to see whether they’re actually worth the asking price, and whether they can compete with the best bib-shorts.

The short answer, these are a great set of bibs, offering comfort and practicality - that is, if you've got the cash.

MAAP Aeon bib shorts: construction

From the off, these feel like a proper bit of high-end kit - just what you would expect with MAAP. The fit is close - definitely a race cut - but not uncomfortably so. That said, if you’re between sizes, I’d recommend going up. I’m 6ft with a slim build and the size small was ever-so-slightly on the short side when it comes to short length.

The fabric choice is where MAAP really shines. The Aeon uses a textured, compressive material that feels soft, breathable, and incredibly well-made. It’s particularly good in warmer weather - on rides in the mid-20s and sun, I never felt clammy. On cooler days (around 12°C), they were just about fine, though I wouldn’t be reaching for them first thing on a chilly morning ride.

The most important component of any good bib short is the chamois, and MAAP impresses here too. Borrowed from MAAP’s Alt_Road range, it’s a high-density, 3D thermo-moulded pad that offers excellent support over long distances. No soreness, no bunching, and no signs of wear after multiple long rides. It’s on par with the best from Le Col and a definite step up from the Rapha Core Cargo bibs which I have previously tested, especially when you’re well into hour three or four in the saddle.

Seamless leg grippers are another highlight. Instead of a stitched band, the silicone is woven into the fabric, creating a secure fit without any pressure points or irritation. They stay put brilliantly without tugging at your legs, and they don’t leave marks - even if you’ve got hairy legs like me.

The rear pockets are more divisive. They’re relatively small with tight openings, which initially made me question their usefulness. But in practice, they work well for stashing items you don’t need to access on the move - like a rain cape or spare food. They’re secure and don’t bounce around, which definitely helps with comfort on longer rides. Just don’t expect to reach back mid-ride without a faff; realistically, you’ll want to stop to get into them.

But I actually think that is perfect for their purpose. These bibs are designed for long rides, and those pockets are to add a little bit of extra storage as a result. So it makes total sense to be able to stop, ditch the empty wrappers in your jersey pockets, and reload with more food, move a raincape around, whatever it may be.

MAAP Aeon bib shorts: the ride

Out riding, the Aeon bibs quickly prove their worth. They’re lightweight, move well with the body, and most importantly, they just disappear under you - which is exactly what good kit should do.

On warmer days, they’re spot on. The ventilation is excellent, and the material doesn’t hold onto moisture. Even on longer efforts, everything stays dry, supported, and comfortable. The pad remains impressively consistent, with no discomfort creeping in late in the ride.

Compared to bibs from Pas Normal which I have tested in the same price category, the Aeons feel noticeably more comfortable in terms of both fit and fabric. They might not have such accessible pockets as something like the Rapha Core Cargos, but they are certainly comfortable, and practical. Comfort-wise, they’re also right up there with Le Col’s top offerings - no mean feat, considering those are some of my all-time favourites.

In terms of versatility, they’re best suited to mild to warm conditions. In cool spring temperatures they’re just about fine, but if you ride early mornings or into autumn, you’ll probably want something a little more insulating.

MAAP Aeon bib shorts: value and conclusion

Now, the big question: are they worth £240?

It’s a lot of money for a pair of bib shorts, and there’s no avoiding the fact that if you are focusing purely on value, something like the Rapha Core bib shorts will yield more value for money. But for those who want something premium, both in looks and performance, these absolutely deliver.

They’re comfortable, beautifully made, and refined in all the right ways. The chamois is first class, the fit is dialled for performance without being punishing, and the detailing (like the leg grippers and minimal seams) is excellent.

But you are paying for the badge, too. MAAP has carved out a reputation as a high-end fashion-forward brand, and the Aeon range reinforces that image. For riders who want kit that looks and feels class, these will hit the mark.

Few things can spoil a ride as quickly as a poor pair of cycling shorts. As the interface between your bum and the saddle, they are perhaps the single most important piece of cycling clothing and not something worth skimping on. Castelli offers more than a dozen different options, but these shorts are part of their recent and comprehensive ‘Espresso’ collection. This range concentrates on quality, fit and low-key aesthetics. It is aimed at committed riders rather than racers, whatever that distinction means, and I have been extremely impressed with other items from the collection I have tested.

If nothing else, Castelli must take the record for the most number of colours available in a pair of bib shorts. There are no fewer than eleven colours for men listed on Castelli's website and six for women, so whatever colour your jersey, bike, shoes or helmet there should be the perfect colour available (although Clay would be a brave choice for shorts!).

Sizes for men run from XS to 3XL and from XS to XL for women (the women’s version gets a drop tail function for easier toilet visits).

Construction

It used to be that the measure of the best cycling shorts was the number of panels it had, with panels equalling better fit. Modern fabrics have made this concept redundant, and the Espresso Bibshort only have two vertical seams on the legs for a minimalist look.

The Espresso Doppio fabric feels slightly heavier weight than something like Castelli’s Free Aero Race shorts, with a matte finish and almost a stretch-woven feel to them which promises decent durability. The hems are raw-cut with well-spaced vertical silicone grippers, a smaller-than-usual Castelli Scorpion on the left one and small reflective tabs. Lightweight mesh straps, with the brand’s name spelt out in the perforations, suggest that breathability won’t be an issue.

At the base of the straps on the rear of the shorts is an open, stretchy pocket that measures 12cm x 12cm. This sits underneath/behind any jersey pockets.

If a pair of bib shorts is the most important piece of cycling gear, then the seat pad is the most important element of the shorts. Made to absorb vibrations and cosset your derriere for hours on end the pad must also keep your skin dry and chafe-free whilst perched on a sliver of leather and carbon. Castelli’s Progetto X2 Air has been around for some time now, and is used in all of their premium shorts and tights. It is made up of a seamless, bacteriostatic skin care layer with good airflow and a multi-density, variable-thickness foam layer with viscous padding. In practice, this means that the outer edges of the pad are much thinner than the middle sections, with three labelled areas under the sit bones and perineum using even firmer foam - the Viscous Comfort Zones apparently.

The ride

First, and by far the most important aspect of any shorts that I try, is the tan line test; the Espresso Bibshort passed with flying colours. That is to say, their hem lined up with other shorts that I wear from Castelli, Universal Colours and Assos so that any tan lines remain sharp and unsmudged. The fairly sparse but effective vertical silicone leg grippers also kept the hems firmly in place so they didn’t ride up as the day progressed without irritation.

The Espresso Doppio fabric looked and felt great - slightly compressive and a touch more substantial than some Lycra with a nice, non-shiny finish. The material is maybe slightly mismatched if paired with Castelli’s lightweight Espresso Jersey, with the very airy jersey fabric seemingly made for warmer temperatures than the shorts.

Sizing was on par with other brands too - large fitted me at 176cm/74kg and although the shorts felt snug, once on and in the right place there was no hint of restriction. Likewise, the light mesh straps were long enough to allow me to stand up straight without them pulling me forward.

While Castelli’s venerable Progetto X2 Air seat pad is not quite my absolute favourite pad, it is great for a day or two (in different shorts!) or up to six hours on a ride. However, after that, I do start to feel a bit of slight discomfort around the edges of the pad where it is thinner. Of course, pad fit and comfort are purely personal and as Castelli uses the Progetto X2 Air in all their top-end shorts and tights the feedback must be very positive overall.

On shorter rides, the pad is very comfortable with good moisture management and a pleasant feel against the skin, although I can’t claim that my nether regions are delicate enough to tell the difference between the 15mm padding and the 9mm sections!

I know from long-term ownership of other products with the Progetto X2 Air seat pad that multiple cycles through the washing machine do nothing to reduce the pad’s effectiveness.

I never really found a use for the rear pocket - it’s reasonably deep but open, so I wouldn’t put anything valuable in it and as it sits against the small of the back whatever is in there is likely to get pretty damp and sweaty. I guess something like arm warmers discarded after a cool start would be OK, or a couple of gels, although anything in there is going to bulk out the jersey pocket above it. Maybe if you were riding in a non-pocketed jersey then it might be handy.

Value and conclusion

Castelli in general, and the Espresso collection specifically, tends to hit a sweet spot where you know you are paying a bit of a premium for quality materials and thoughtful design, but you can see (and feel) where the cash has gone. This is certainly the case with the Espresso Bibshort with its classy aesthetic and refined materials.

£175 / $180 is a chunk of money, but it is at the low to mid-end of premium brand shorts, with Assos for example, topping out at £305 / $400 and PNS bib shorts not even starting until £210 / $240. For something so crucial to on-bike comfort it is well worth paying to keep your bum happy.

Part of Specialized’s Prime collection for both men and women, like other SWAT products, these cargo bib shorts are for riders looking for innovative storage solutions beyond the conventional pockets in the jersey. For bag shy cyclists out on a day trip, these extra pockets can provide welcome storage solutions by spreading the load, and increasingly this style of short is seen as de rigueur for gravel riders by manufacturers.  

The shorts come only in black and are available in five sizes for men (S – XXL) and women (XS – XL). 

Specialized Men's Prime SWAT Bib Shorts construction

Judging by appearances, the Prime SWAT bib shorts are essentially the Prime range’s normal cycling bib shorts, plus four extra pockets. 

There are two cargo style pockets sat on the side of your thighs, which are sufficiently capacious to easily hold a phone (my iPhone SE fitted fine, but larger phones on smaller legs might struggle) or a snack or two. Additionally there are two hidden pockets which sit either side of your spine on the lower back. I call these pockets hidden, as I wouldn’t have realised they were there if not for visiting the Specialized website. I didn’t find these especially useful, given I’d usually wear a top making them inaccessible on the ride, but they could be handy for storing something soft such as gloves or a spare gel. They feel somewhat superfluous unless you tend to ride without a jersey and therefore need the space. 

Those pockets while handy, will cost you £35/$20 more – so probably only worth it if you feel your current ride is suffering due to the lack of minimal storage they offer. 

While pockets are always pleasant, the important thing about any cycling short is, of course, the chamois. Fitted with Specialized’s Triple Density Body Geometry Contour 3D Chamois, means you have less padding around front of crotch, so no full nappy look when wearing, and more substantial padding where it matters for each seat bone.

The main body and leg of the shorts are made up of 46% Polyamide, 38% Polyester, 16% Elastane, and with one seam per leg designed to provided a supportive but not restrictive fit. The cuff is elasticated and has two vertical tablet style silicon grippers that you fit and forget about once on.

The waistband is fully sown, and I found stayed up easily and without discomfort even without the straps. The straps themselves are a good width designed for comfort at 4.5cm, with a tricot suspender anchor designed to hold them in place.

Branding is unobtrusive in daylight, with Spesh’s distinctive “S” on the back of the right hand cargo pocket, and some wording that sits above your left hip but likely for most obscured by clothing when riding.

The branding is made of the same material as the two 10cm long reflective stripes on back of each thigh – a welcome addition for those riding in the twilight and night time hours.

The ride

At 5’ 8” with a 32” waist and 38” chest I went with the medium fit as advised by the sizing chart, and was not disappointed by the fit which was true to size. 

In fit, the shorts are the right side of snug without being restrictive. Changing into them in a toilet cubicle after a meeting one day wasn’t as much of a dance as it can be with tighter shorts. A bit of adjusting of straps, pad and thigh grippers after getting them on was all I needed for the duration of all my rides with no mid ride faff and adjustment required.

While the single seam on outside of each thigh helps prevent any irritation on the ride, unfortunately there is an incredibly long instruction tag. Despite removing most of it, a bit remained which scratched a wee bit on initial rides, and only stopped after the shorts had gone through several washes.

My incompetence with tag removal aside, on the legs, the shorts feel like a second skin. This is aided by the silicon grippers at the cuffs which gripped and did not shift, all without being restrictive. Post ride, while of course there were the tell-tale gripper imprints, these were much fainter than other shorts in my wardrobe and seemed to fade more quickly.

Similarly the waist just simply fitted well and there was no pressure on the belly during the ride or off the bike. The tapering of the chamois, where it is thicker where your seat bones meet the saddle, but thinner towards the front of your crotch made it very comfortable in the saddle. I genuinely had no complaints even on the roughest of terrain after multiple miles in the wet and dirt.

My one complaint about the chamois was for when there were periods of hike-a-bike. Disconcertingly (and apologies for the image this might conjure) the chamois would frequently be sucked between my cheeks. While this might be my peculiar body design, this has not happened to me before with other shorts. Given where you might end up wearing such shorts, when out gravel riding or bikepacking, walking with your bike could well be on the cards, so I did find this a touch disconcerting.

As you’d hope with nice wide straps, the pressure was evenly spread across the shoulders and genuinely from start to finish I barely the short’s presence. A good sign.

How these shorts will hold up in the warmer summer months is not for me to say given I tested them in one of the wettest late winters and early springs of recent memory. I’d warrant the dual layering for the lower back pockets could become wee heat wells, but riding in temperatures between 5 and 15 degrees celsius, with waterproofs at times, I never suffered any discomfort and felt they managed to keep me at the Goldilocks of temperatures when in motion.

Testing shorts in on British “gravel” in such seasons is not ideal, so at times I teamed them up with a pair of Rab Cinder Kinetic Waterproof pants, and was pleased to find the side pockets easily accessible through the trousers’ vents. Based on such compatibility I would envisage this to be the case with many trail trousers.

Equally despite the horrid conditions they’ve encountered, multiple washes later they’re still holding up strong with no loose threads or real signs of wear.

Value and conclusion

At £165/$220, the Specialized Prime SWAT Bib shorts sit somewhere between Endura’s GV500 Reiver bibshort (£139.99) and Rapha’s Cargo Bib shorts (£240/$310 – though their well respected CORE range is priced at £130/$165). 

Given the pocket premium of £35/$20 compared to Spesh’s pocketless Prime bib shorts, you do need to be sold on the benefits of pockets if you find the Prime range works well for you. 

These are of course a premium product made by a reputable firm, so it does feel a bit churlish to get hung about price. They are incredibly comfortable and my short of choice at the moment, but I’m not sure they’re nearly £100 more comfortable than my other favourite bib shorts made by Howies.

I also see these very much as day ride shorts, and despite their comfort would probably not consider them for multi-day bikepacking trips. That’s down to personal preference and the inconvenience of bib shorts for rides where nature comes a calling.

For those fortunate enough to be able to spend £165/$220 on a pair of shorts, I do not think you will be disappointed. While I’ve only been testing these for two months, they’ve put in the miles in grotty conditions and I envisage they will last long and well. 

For those who would prefer to spend half that amount and get a similar short, then the Specialized/Fjällräven Adventure Bib Shorts are still available, offering similar features (in the green colour) and reduced to £80 - in the UK - while stocks last.

We tested the men’s version of the MAAP Team Bib Evo bib shorts a couple of years back. Now it’s the turn of the Women’s Short Team Bib Evo, the shorter legged version of the standard Women’s Team Bib Evo bib shorts. We’ve got lots of other women’s bib and bib-less shorts in our best women’s cycling shorts buying guide.

MAAP Women's Short Team Bib Evo: construction

The Short version is an exact replica of the Women’s Team Bib Evo aside from a 5cm shorter leg length. The Short Team Bib Evo comes in six sizes and two colors (black or light grey). If you want more choice in your life the standard length Evo comes in 11 different colors.

The Evos have a compression-type cut and use an anti-abrasion and thinning material to save your future dignity. The main material is designed to be breathable and moisture wicking, and the bib section has ribbed-mesh to add to the breathability. Unlike the men’s version we previously reviewed, the material doesn’t have any sun protection or water resistance.

The bib section is a traditional design with two broad elastic straps and no easy-pee design to complicate things. There’s a multi-density chamois which is unique to the Women’s Evo bib which sits neatly in the shorts.

In line with MAAP’s ethos, the bibs are constructed from bluesign materials that are produced by sustainable methods. Though unlike some of MAAPs other products, the shorts don’t contain recycled materials.

MAAP Women's Short Team Bib Evo: The ride

The Short Team Bib Evos have a sturdy compressive feel to them. The four-way stretch material happily accommodated all my lumps and bumps and nothing felt too stretched or loose.  The Shorter leg had a high-mid-thigh finish (I’m 5’6” with fairly proportioned legs and wore a small). If I was 20 lbs lighter and 20 years younger this new shorter cut might be for me, personally I prefer the standard length and to keep my thighs under wraps.

The multi-density chamois performed well and coped well with several hours in the saddle. Its dense structure keeps the bulk low which minimising the risk of additional pressure points. I particularly liked how the thickness tapered at the sides which provided a little protective padding around the saddle without causing any chaffing.

The broad leg hem elastic and silicon gripper do a good job, holding the legs firmly in place and preventing the shorter leg riding up my thigh. It is quite a heavy duty band though; personally I prefer something with less dense material and silicon.

All the other flat locked seams were perfectly comfortable. On the downside there were a couple of areas of stitching which hadn’t been properly finished; either leaving tail-ends or – in one instance – not being properly overlocked off so starting to unravel which is a bit disappointing.

The non-thinning Lycra does give the shorts a heavier feel than many others but they weren’t unduly warm. Whilst I can’t vouch for their performance on hot summer days they’ve been surprisingly comfortable on some hot and sweaty indoor rides.

I found the bib section extremely comfortable. The front has a low-ish cut so you don’t feel overly tucked in and the simple broad elastic straps are really comfortable. I was a little sceptical about how the ribbed mesh of the bibs would feel but it was pleasingly unnoticeable.

MAAP Women's Short Team Bib Evo: value and conclusion

At $295 / £225 the MAAP Short Team Bib Evo are a little pricier than the Café du Cycliste’s Adeline ($273 / £209) and Velocio Ultralight bib shorts ($260 / £196).

Objectively there’s nothing negative to say about the MAAP Team Bib Evo Short, they have a nice fit and the chamois performs really well. The bits I was less keen on – the leg gripper and general styling - were about personal preference rather than hard facts. But given they cost twice as much as any of my other bib shorts (like the Sportful Classic and Rapha Core), there was nothing that made them stand out either. Even accepting that more sustainable materials and practices will have a higher price tag than mass market ones, the cost of the Evos still feels steep. If I was paying this kind of money I’d expect really high-end finishing and quality control too which wasn’t the case on the set I had on test.

We’ve reviewed a few sets of Velocio women’s shorts and tights recently including the Signature bibs, the warm weather Ultralight bibs and the Foundation bib tights. This time it’s the turn of the short-legged bibbed version of the Foundation as part of our testing in the hunt for the best women’s bib shorts.

Velocio Women's Foundation: Construction

The Foundation bib short is designed to be a more affordable version of the high-end Signature bibs, designed for shorter rides. They have a five-panel compression fit design for comfort and "to promote performance and recovery" (the science behind these claims is less certain).

The main fabric is 78 per cent recycled Lycra which is quite a high proportion in comparison to other manufacturers (many of which don’t include any recycled fabrics). I was quite surprised by the thickness of the material which could make them a bit warm for summer days.

The FlyFree easy-pee design appears very simple. There’s an elasticated band at bra-level across the straps at the back and a slightly gathered seam at the rear of the shorts to provide enough material to pull down and over your bum.

Sizes range from XXS to 3XL (from 90 lbs / 41kg to 240 lbs /110 kg; 4'11" / 147 cm to 6'+ / 183 cm+).

Velocio Women's Foundation Bib Shorts: the ride

In the past we’ve found the fit of Velocio shorts to be a bit on the small side. This was also my experience, partly in the shorts overall and definitely in the tightness of the leg gripper elastic. Although the band wasn’t uncomfortable, the resultant thigh bulges were certainly ungainly and undesirable. They’re also a little shorter in the leg than my preferred style which didn’t help the bulges.

Despite looking a little on the small side, the Foundation shorts were really comfortable. Velocio do state the apparent small sizing is part of the compression design of the shorts, this was certainly my experience (although I’d still have preferred a little more give in the thigh gripper).  

Once on the bike and riding there was nothing that was noticeable about the Foundation bib shorts. This may sound a little damning but is exactly what I want from bibs; they just fit and do their job. The ‘balanced compression’ was exactly that, everything just felt good and fitted nicely.  

As it’s designed to be I found the chamois great on rides of around a couple of hours and even longer on rides that I wasn’t stuck in one position. I have slight reservations about the stitching used on the chamois, with just a single row of zig-zag stitches it is much more prone to coming adrift than in some other shorts.  

On the subject of wear and tear, I also noted some early wear to the bib strap elastic which has lost some of its elastic properties and appears overstretched. I fall mid-way in the height recommendation for the size and the straps didn’t feel overly tight so I wouldn’t expect to be seeing signs of fatigue at this stage.

The FlyFree design for a quick wee stop is simple and effective, probably the best of all the designs I’ve tried. I really liked that there wasn’t any apparent compromise to the fit and feel of the bib shorts as a whole, there was just enough leeway in the material where and when you needed it.

Pulling the shorts down is straight forward although wiggling back in was a bit trickier. I think this was mainly due to the ‘compression’ fit of the material which made them a bit awkward to pull back up, a bit like if you were trying to put on a pair of tights by hauling them up from the top rather than working your way up from the bottom. Simply unzipping my top and working them up a bit made life a lot easier.

Velocio Women's Foundation Bib Shorts: value and conclusion

At $129 / £105 the Foundation Bib Shorts are Velocio’s most affordable option, closely matching the price of the Sportful Women's Classics ($140 / £105) and Rapha Women's Core Bib Shorts ($134 / £110).

Of these three sets of shorts, the Velocio are the only ones which feature an easy-pee design. It’s simple and effective design is useful when you want it and completely unobtrusive when you don’t. The other major pro of the Foundation bib shorts is that they’re made from a high proportion of recycled materials which puts them way ahead of other shorts and manufacturers.

As the name suggests the Sportful Classic Women's bib shorts are designed just to do the simple things – like fit and comfort – without additional features like cargo pockets and easy-pee systems.

We reviewed these alongside other fuss-free bibs from Rapha (Women's Core Bib Shorts) and Velocio (Women's Foundation bib shorts) as well as the rest of our best women’s bib shorts.  

Sportful Classic: construction

Sportful Classic Women's Bib Shorts are made from a fairly lightweight lycra (210g/m2) with flat stitched seams and have an open mesh bib. As well as an absence of seams around the waist, the silicon leg grippers are directly on the end of the main short fabric which removes any hems, seams or extra layers which might cause discomfort.

The chamois is Sportful's Bodyfit Pro MD made from a multi-density, two-layered foam.

There are six sizes in the women’s fit, XS to XXL. Sportful is an Italian brand and the kit tends to come up smaller than many US and UK brands so its good practice to check the size guide. I came out as a medium and found the fit to be true to the guide.

There is a choice of six colors, although that’s somewhat misleading. In fact the Classic comes in black only but with a choice of color for the block of reflective dots on the outside of the left leg.  A subtle design tweak rather than full-on color choice.

Sportful Classic: the ride

I was instantly won over by the feel of the Sportful Classic Bib Short. It’s lightweight, fits (me at least) brilliantly, and doesn’t have and bulky or bulgy seams as some other shorts can do. There's a gentle compression from the lycra which has a nice soft feel. 

The Classics have quite a long leg which I really liked, both aesthetically and for its feel; it gave my lower thigh a gentle hug of reassurance that it never before knew it needed. It is also an excellent length for reducing any unwanted fleshy mid-thigh bulges.

On the subject of thigh flesh, I was really impressed by the hemless leg openings and silicon grips. Sportful’s fabric manages to be – simultaneously – the best for comfort and grip and minimal restriction than any other pair of cycling shorts I’ve worn.

I found the chamois really comfortable too; not too bulky, not too minimal and firm padding in the right places. It was as comfortable to wear on short rides as those three hours plus. They were even comfy on two to three hour rides on the indoor trainer where usually things get a bit disagreeable as you stay in such a static position.    

In the same way the shorts gave my legs a cuddle of reassurance, the bibs seemed to do the same whilst actually being quite minimal in design. The front came up to just below my belly button so held unwanted bulges without feeling like a pair of maternity knickers. The mesh fabric of the straps and back means you’re not adding in the way of layers. My only slight reservation with the bibs – and in fact the whole bib short – is that the straps felt a little short for my fairly average height (5’6” / 167cm in a medium size).

Sportful Classic: value and conclusion

At $140 / £105 the Sportful Classics sit at a busy price point of more-affordable high end bib shorts. I reviewed these alongside the Rapha Women's Core Bib Shorts ($134 / £110) and the Velocio Foundation Bib Shorts ($129 / £105).

By way of comparison the Sportful Classics had the lightest fabric, the longest leg and the meshiest bibs. I personally found them the most comfortable, both the shorts/bib and chamois, although this was a very close run thing with the Rapha bibs.

Launched in 2021, the Core Collection is Rapha kit that is designed and priced for everyday wear. As a traditionalist who sees Rapha as high-end kit that should only be worn on fanciest of Sundays, I was rather fearful of damnation as I took a footloose and fancy-free attitude to riding in the Women’s Core Bib Shorts and comparing them to the rest of the best women’s bib shorts.

Rapha Women's Core Bib Shorts: construction

Made from a dense-knit fabric the Rapha Core Bib Shorts are robust and modest, there’s no translucent patches to worry about on the thighs or bum. Seams are flat-locked and positioned to minimise the risk of chafing. The silicon leg grippers sit on an elasticated band.

The dual density chamois is size specific so not overly bulky or scant regardless of the size and is very neatly flat-lock stitched.

The Core Bib Shorts are available in six sizes from XXS (waist 24” / 61cm) to XL (waist 34” / 86cm) and three colors (black, navy or burgundy).

Rapha Women's Core Bib Shorts: the ride

As they’re designed to be, the Rapha Core Bib Shorts are relatively middle ground in terms of cut and feel. Not too high, not too low, nothing fancy and nothing overly clever.

The chamois is dual-foam Classic chamois is quite dense, a style that I favor. It’s well contoured in the shorts so sits evenly too. My bum was perfectly happy on rides of over four hours and even after a couple of hours on the indoor trainer.

The ‘dense-knit’ material is relatively heavy but not so much that it hits you in the face (or bum); they have a nice feel and are well contoured without any rucking and the seams sit unnoticeably. As the lycra is more robust than lighter-weight shorts the Cores have been great on the commute, under baggies and on off-road rides.

In terms of coverage, the leg is fairly long in length. I’m 5’6” with a fairly standard length limbs and they came an inch or two above my knee. The silicon gripper on the leg band did its job without any unwanted tightness and bulging.

The front of the bibs sit quite high so give a “well-tucked-in” feel which is emphasised by the double thickness broad waistband. The bibs themselves are the same material as the shorts which means they aren’t as lightweight as many other meshed materials (like the Sportful Classic). There’s a nice stretch to the bibs which combined with the broad shoulder straps makes them very comfortable.

The thicker material and cut of the bibs does make the Rapha Core Bib Shorts warmer than many others so they’re not the best on hotter days or longer rides.

Rapha Women's Core Bib Shorts: value and conclusion

At $134 / £110 the Rapha Core Bib Shorts is the cheapest in Rapha’s collection by a good way. You need to spend half your money again for the Pro Team Training Bib Shorts ($210 / £165).  By this measure, the Core Bib Shorts are a great option for most riders and are certainly the more affordable option in Rapha's range.

Away from the Rapha collection, the Core Bib Shorts perform very similarly to offerings from other manufacturers at this price point. Cut-wise the Cores are similar to the Sportful Classic Bib Shorts ($140 / £105) - that said, the Core’s more robust material makes them better for everyday riding. The material of the Velocio Foundation Bib Shorts ($129 / £105) is similar to the Rapha Cores although they have a shorter leg and less extensive bib coverage which makes them feel a little less practical.

The Van Rysel Ultralight Racer Shorts sit in what is, for many, an unexplored niche - indoor-specific cycling clothing. 

After testing these shorts – aimed at both hot weather and indoor training – I have been suitably impressed at their comfort and effective cooling. These are well-built for the demands of indoor training and come highly recommended as one of the more affordable avenues of grabbing some of the best indoor cycling clothing.

Van Rysel Ultralight Racer Shorts: construction

With breathability being the aim of the game for these shorts, Van Rysel has opted for a modest thickness of chamois. The Endurance HD 2.5 pad is made from a high-density foam and features a central channel for improved blood flow. 

It did perform well given its thickness, but truth be told it is still incomparable to – for example – Le Col’s higher end shorts. Although it is a bit of a donkey and race horse comparison in terms of price, it’s still an important consideration. 

My feeling is that on much longer rides some discomfort would crept in – so really the emphasis on these shorts is for shorter, more intense rides, be them indoors or out.

In terms of fitting, the silicone leg grippers did a great job of holding the shorts in place, even on my skinnier legs. My usual size small was slightly tighter than usual, but I would personally always err on the side of a race cut, so the absence of bunching up was absolutely welcome.

Van Rysel Ultralight Racer Shorts: performance in the heat

Ultralight shorts with perforated cooling panels isn’t what would spring to mind when considering winter training – at least for me. But I have to admit the Ultralight Racer Shorts do deserve wardrobe real estate, especially for keen indoor riders.

Probably the worst part of turbo training is sweat management – seemingly however many fans you dedicate to your indoor setup, you still end up roasting hot in a gruelling session. So whilst to some extent it will always be 'damage limitation' for a product like this, I did notice a real worthwhile difference – especially in use with a fan.

The two types of mesh make up the majority of the shorts, excluding the crotch area, which has a more densely woven fabric. There are larger holes on the outside of the leg and a finer mesh on the inside/back of the shorts. In combination with a fan indoors, this noticeably helped sweat wicking over a standard set of bib shorts. And it’s worth mentioning that although mesh placements are liberal, they're still dignifying!

Although our autumnal testing period has led to the majority of testing being in an indoor setting, I did brave some outdoor riding too, even in temperatures of 15 degrees and below. As someone who really feels the cold, this was pretty bold for me, but I was pleasantly surprised once again. 

On a ride with higher intensity, I did manage to stay warm which is a good mark for the versatility of these shorts. Rather than just being confined to indoor sessions and only the very hottest days, they should be usable for the whole summer and a little more on either side.

Van Rysel Ultralight Racer Shorts: durability

One real concern I had with these shorts was the durability. By all means there is a trade off here, any perforated fabric is always going to be more at risk of snagging, but over the test period at least the Ultralights have stood up very well. 

I was pleasantly surprised at the confidence with which I could pull the shorts up and even being hard on them, there’s not a mark in sight. This is a testament to the mesh material itself - 65 per cent polyamide and 35 per cent elastane, the latter giving a nice level of support without any peculiar marks after wearing.

Speaking of peculiar marks, though, it’s worth mentioning the obvious - reduced UV protection. Van Rysel make a point of mentioning this on their website, and you really should put on an extra spray of sunscreen before wearing these on a hot day's riding outdoors in the summer.

Van Rysel Ultralight Racer Shorts: value and conclusion

Decathlon and its now rebranded cycling division, Van Rysel, has a reputation for strong value and this is another continuation of that. Retailing at $99.99 / £64.99 the Ultralight Racer Shorts show value for money, especially if you do a lot of hot weather or indoor riding. The styling is nice too. The gentle nod to the Van Rysel brand on the short grippers is subtle and is easily paired with any jersey without clashing.

The Ultralights are also one of the best value breathability-focused indoor options, and are similarly priced to dhb's Aeron Turbo Shorts ($90.00 / £70.00). 

If you are looking for an option with a higher spec chamois, it's going to set you back a lot – Le Col's Pro Indoor Bib Shorts cost $210.00 / £180.00 for example. 

In all, the Van Rysel Ultralight Racer shorts offer subtle styling, adequate comfort and brilliant ventilation – all at a very modest price point.

Riding indoors can be a hot and sweaty affair. Many people choose to wear old kit that’s seen a fair few rides already, while others plumb for a more modern approach: indoor training-specific clothing. 

The Aeron shorts from dhb are such an item of clothing, designed to help keep you cool whilst training indoors on the bike.

They combine a slightly higher-rising cut on the legs with different types of material to help heat escape and keep your body cool. It’s explicitly aimed at people who indoor train regularly and, as such, has a chamois pad which is designed for the rigours of indoor training. 

To further limit the amount of materials used, the Aeron Turbo shorts utilise a 'waist short' design, as opposed to the more traditional 'bib short' arrangement. It's an increasing trend for the best indoor training kit – but if you do prefer the straps, then do check out Le Col's Pro Indoor Training Shorts as a bibbed alterative.

When I initially tried the Aeron Turbo Shorts, I was a bit concerned about how well they would stay up without the shoulder straps – and whether they would ride up on the thigh, too. Happily, though, they performed their job well.

dhb Aeron Turbo Shorts: construction

The shorts are made up of two materials. Whilst both these materials are constituted by a Polyamide (Nylon) and Elastane (Spandex) mix, the ratio changes slightly from the main fabric to the side panels, which are designed to keep you cooler. The side panels contain more spandex and are not quite see-through but dark enough to be discrete.

The lightweight and highly-breathable material is also quick drying and wicks sweat away from your body to help keep your temperature down. With the addition of a fan, this cooling is amplified and helps keep you focused on the bike.

The chamois itself is constructed in a way which is more comfortable on the turbo. When riding indoors, we tend to move on the bike much less than we would on the road, often sitting for longer periods of time, As a result, the chamois has a more challenging job to perform. Despite the challenge, the Elastic Interface NICE HD Super Air pad, rises to the mark.

dhb Aeron Turbo Shorts: the ride

With the shorts cut slightly shorter in the leg to aid with the cooling, my concern was that the silicone gripper wouldn’t grip properly, the shorts would ride up, and I’d forever be pulling them down. 

However, I’m happy to report no such issues in this area; whilst they did move up a little, I wouldn’t say I was pulling them down every two minutes, nor did it distract me from my rides.

Similarly for the rear of the shorts, despite the lack of bib straps, they stayed perfectly in place and I didn’t ever feel as if I was exposed.

I have to say, that for the duration of the turbo session, the shorts did as described, they helped to keep my body temperature down. I didn’t ever feel as if I was overheating on the bike. They were comfortable to ride in. 

At times I did feel I needed to get out of the saddle to help aid blood circulation and comfort, but that can be the same with most shorts after an elongated seated effort.

dhb Aeron Turbo Shorts: value and conclusion

There’s no shying away from the cost. These are $90 / £70 for what used to be Wiggle’s bargain brand. But they are much cheaper than Le Col Pro Indoor Bib Shorts which cost $210 / £180, and are a similar price to Van Rysel's Ultralight Racer Shorts ($99.99 / £64.99). 

If your riding is indoor-specific, turbo training or spin classes, these Aeron Turbo Shorts would be good value for money compared to the competition. 

A decent pair of bib shorts is a must in every cyclist’s wardrobe. Without them every ride becomes harder; a poor or ill-fitting pair can really spoil your day. They should support you where you need supporting, compress you where you need compressing and look good, but otherwise be completely forgettable.

Nothing Assos makes fits into the budget market, so if you’re going to spend a lot of money on a pair or two then you’ll want them to last. In my experience Assos products do last, though the Equipe RSR Targas are significantly different from others I’ve used.

Assos RSR Targa bib shorts: construction

The one thing I’ve never liked about Assos is the amount of packaging around a new pair. It might add a feel of luxury, but these days brands must address what will doubtless become waste.

Once you’ve found these shorts among the cardboard and tissue there’s not a loose thread in sight, they appear perfect in their build, just as you’d expect from Assos - and for the price. The look and feel matches that luxurious packaging, but there’s something different. The fabric feels dry, not rough, but like the crepe paper I remember from primary school. 

This fabric is key to this updated model of Assos’s top of the range shorts. Recently relaunched, Assos says these shorts are, “engineered for riders who demand the fastest and lightest equipment, which pushes second skin aerodynamics… Introducing a proprietary fabric which actively reduces fatigue and increases speed.” They call it Superskin. 

Marketing twaddle? We’ll talk about that later, but these are clearly made for speed with an aggressive cut and the kind of long legs you see professionals riding, which personally I prefer, despite my stumpy pins.

At first the didn't stretch like other shorts, even my older Assos ones, but this changes after each wash. The lack of a conventional gripper around the cuff - there’s series of silicone dots instead - exacerbates this lack of stretch, but the gripper works.

Those used to the old S7 model will remember the old model's pouch in which a bloke stored stored what a bloke keeps down his shorts. That disappeared with the original S9 pad, and these RSR Targas have an updated, lighter version of that which apparently has more compressive fabric, sporting perforations around the edge to aid ventilation.

The ride

Let’s start with that pad. I was disappointed to lose the pouch design I mentioned, even if it looked slightly kinky, but I don’t miss it. With this S9 you need to make sure everything is in place, but once you’re sorted the pad is super comfortable. Better than before.

The lack of bulk and those perforations certainly help, they really are cooler. The shorts are lightweight all over, though nowhere near as light as the Superlégers I tested as indoor training shorts over the winter - they’re not see-through - but they are definitely summer shorts.

Let's talk about the fabric and Assos's claim they "reduce fatigue and increase speed."

I like to think I'm not one to fall for marketing twaddle and I've argued with myself before writing this, but I've done a fair few rides in these shorts and every time they impress me. Not only are they comfortable, I have genuinely found myself feeling fresher when wearing these than any other shorts. 

I’ll let you into a secret - I’m not very fit at the moment, but I believe they have added significantly to my rather poor endurance. Assos boasts that the new fabric allows for better compression and I’m willing to believe it is that which has gifted me some extra fitness. After all, riding is believing.

The lack of fitness I spoke about is accompanied by some unwanted bulk, but I’m happy with the same size I’ve always had with Assos shorts. They may have a little less give, but they fit absolutely perfectly, even if the dry feel I spoke of does make getting them on over knee warmers a bit of a chore. The fabric also seems to help prevent slipping forward on the saddle when pushing on.

The straps fit me perfectly, and having been sceptical about the lack of a back panel of old Assos shorts and more conventional models, they are super comfortable and ensure the shorts are kept in place, there’s no movement.

Other than that they’re completely forgettable, so they may be the perfect shorts.

• Price at the time of review £255/$350
• Weight 170g
• Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, XLG
• Colours Black or Flamme d'Or
• Contact www.assos.com

Invani have only been in existence a few years but they have the credible mindset of being unmoved in what they want to be, even in the face of pandemic obstacles: providers of high-quality clothing at attainable prices and items that are durable.

With more awareness around fashion’s role in the climate crisis, reducing wardrobe clutter and sourcing environmentally-friendly materials is at the heart of what makes Invani.

When they offered me their black bib shorts to test, I was excited to marry their philosophy with that of my own, and after a few months on test I was delighted to find that their words are replicated in their products.

Invani men's bib shorts: the construction

Upon unboxing the bib shorts, and reading a welcome letter from the company’s founder Ed, I was immediately struck by how stylish the shorts looked. Sure, they’re not massively different to other black bib shorts, but one can feel on first touch that the fabric of which 78% is nylon and the remaining 22% elastane – has been hand-picked, chosen for its elasticity and desire to hug the rider. 

Ideally for myself riding in such hot climes, the fabric has a UPF 50 rating, a very useful feature that ensures there is limited risk of burning.  

The straps and leg grippers are both constructed from Italian fabric, too, and the latter - that are 5cm in height - are a simple design with Invani’s funky, bold white logo stretching around the side.

No matter how good the fabric is, a pair of bib shorts is ultimately reliant on the quality of the chamois pad, and Invani are not naïve to that. With that in mind, they have sourced their chamois pad from Elastic Interface, a supplier who have impressed Cycling Weekly down the years when paired with other bib shorts.

The chamois boasts several density foams that allows for comfort and, they say, helps aid blood flow.

I opted for a small man’s version, measuring 90cm at the hips and 44cm at the thigh. I chose the black colour scheme, but the navy option looks a smart option, too.

Invani men's bib shorts: the ride

I had two desires that I wanted to satisfying when I first got my hands on these bib shorts: first, as a bike guide, I need bib shorts that are a comfortable fit for long days out in the saddle and without barely any rest days. Secondly, given that I would be testing them first in the intense Spanish summer sun of Andalucía and then in Greece, they had to respond to the heat well and not leave me bathed in my own pool of sweat. 

It took me a few rides to really settle into the bib shorts because the elasticity felt weak and untrustworthy, but within a few days the shorts had suitably stretched to my body shape and soon I was marvelling at how the bib straps had seemingly transformed completely and now I was able to stretch them significantly before rebounding back to my figure without being too loose.

Being black, any white, salty residue could show up easily, but it’s an event that has never occurred. Given that I have been riding in temperatures approaching 40 degrees on some days, that’s a seriously impressive feat.

On occasions I found the bib shorts lacked high-end breathability, and would have to shuffle around slightly to avoid the fabric digging into me, but it has to be said that this only occurred on a handful of occasions and for a matter of minutes. Most probably the consequence of a bakery stop than material weakness.

The shorts evidently wick away the moisture and sweat expertly, and even after jumping into the sea after long rides while still wearing the bib shorts, I have been impressed by how quickly they dry.

The padding never felt uneven and I was able to maintain the same position throughout the riding, never once suffering with a sore backside.

Invani men's bib shorts: value and conclusions

Being someone who is constantly moving around, I share Invani’s philosophy of reducing the amount of clothing one requires, and I have been very impressed with these snug-fit, smart-looking bib shorts.

Coming in at just £95, they are at a price that most can afford, and knowing that they are durable, the price tag seems a bit of a steal.

I have been unable to test them in colder or wetter conditions, but they have become my go-to selection on guiding days that last all morning and into the early afternoon in the baking summer heat. What’s more, the stylish cut and groovy logo add the premium element that we all secretly crave.

RRP: £95 with worldwide shipping
Sizes: S-XL
Colours: Black and navy
Website: www.INVANI.cc

At the dawn of every season, the Cycling Weekly tech office is flooded with clothing. Fabric cascades from the letterbox, and we do our utmost to put as much of it as possible through its paces whilst continuing to be thorough. But unavoidably, there will always be a few pieces that quickly become favourites. The offerings from Santini have become my firm friends. 

This year, Santini sent in its Tono Sfera women's bib shorts (£129/$150) as well as the Redux Istinto bib shorts (£209/$240). I’ve tested both - and for a race effort, I’d choose the latter for its super close fit, but on a sunny relaxed summer ride - where comfort is the aim of the game - the Tono Sfera shorts have been an absolute winner. Paired with the Delta Pietra jersey, these have been a go-to for everything from post-work rides to club runs and video shoots (see below for a moving depiction of the shorts in action). 

Santini Tono Sfera bib shorts construction

Santini calls these its ‘unbeatable comfort bib shorts’. There are a lot of good bib shorts out there (Assos' T.Laalalai scored very well, and won our last women's shorts test), so unbeatable feels like a stretch to me - but they are very good.

The focus has been on ‘light compression’ - the fabric hugs close enough to feel supportive and confidence inspiring, but it’s not got that constrictive quality of an aero garment. Santini has called on external fabric experts Polartec, using its Delta material for its quick drying and breathability. I’ve yet to find kit featuring Polartec fabric that isn’t impressive - so seeing the expert brand name there confirms, in part, why these have been quite so good. 

These shorts have a UPF50+ rating too, if you're lucky enough to be riding somewhere sunny.

The leg gripper measures 6cm in height, providing plenty of space to spread compression, and is silicone printed to keep it in place.

As for the chamois, this is a GILevo construction with a gel core. Comparing directly to the C3W chamois on the Redux shorts, it feels a little narrower and less bulky.

The bib straps are a breathable mesh, with a story inscription on the inside. There's no easy comfort break solution, with Santini opting for the traditional y-shape.

I opted for a size small, and at 166cm/56kg found the fit spot on. You don't have to opt for the grey pictured, these come in black and blue, too.

Santini Tono Sfera bib shorts: the ride

In case it wasn't abundantly clear, I really like these bib shorts. I've ridden them on gravel rides, where the position is much more upright and setback, as well as club runs with some substantial climbing efforts. 

The chamois, as mentioned, does not feel as thick as the C3W on the more expensive shorts. It's possible it might 'bottom out' sooner than the more robust alternative, but I think you'd need to ride a really long way. I've ridden in these for 4-5 hours without feeling like I needed more padding.

The balance of compression, comfort and breathability really is spot on. Whilst Covid means we're stranded in the UK, and not able to get out to the warmer temperatures, at a pre-storm muggy 25°c these kept sweat at bay. The elasticity creates a snap-to-fit feel, but without hugging too close. 

The grippers stay in place, and don't dig in to create the dreaded Michelin man effect at all.

My only criticism is the lack of comfort break solution. Santini does offer the Legend shorts, which feature a central clasp. Interestingly, these are £119 - so the omission doesn't appear to be cost based. This is a case of personal preference, so maybe Santini's designers aren't big fans of adding clutter up top. Case in point, CW tester Hannah pulled the overhead strap out as a con.

Santini Tono Sfera bib shorts: value and conclusions

At £129/$150, Santini's shorts are more expensive than an offering from an in-house brand, like the dhb Aeron's at £75.

However, they come with a premium feel that really can very comfortably compete against much more expensive pairs - like the Assos T.laalalai shorts_s7 bib shorts (£165) and Rapha Classic Women’s bib shorts (£170). 

If you're after a go-to pair of bib shorts, with a premium feel alongside a not-jaw-dropping price tag - and you're not too fussed about having a clasp/droptail/other - then these are a great investment. 

• RRP: £129/$150
• Sizes: XS-XXL
• Colours: grey, blue, black

Saddle discomfort is a major issue for female cyclists, putting many women off and even resulting in pros (and some amateurs) opting for surgery. Not content with the current market provision 0f women's cycling shorts, Endura enlisted the help of former British Cycling physiotherapist, Phil Burt, to create a saddle system charged with overcoming the problem.

The Endura Women’s Pro SL EGM Bib shorts are the product of extensive research; the manufacture of 250 chamois samples as well as prototyping for a group of 15 women from a range of backgrounds. Endura, and Burt, have really put the work in here looking to technologies outside of those traditionally used within cycling.

The resultant pad is somewhat heavy duty. It wasn't quite perfect for me, and I wouldn't recommend it for all riders, but it could be a real game-changer for those experiencing ride-ruining pain.

Endura Women’s Pro SL EGM Bib shorts: construction

Endura and Burt's research told them two important truths: women's soft tissue varies more than men's, and women have a combination of wider hips and narrower public rami, which results in a tendency to roll forward, causing pressure to soft tissue.

In order to address this, Burt looked to advances in medicine, eventually opting for the medical-grade silicone elastomer used between an amputee's artificial limb and stump. Unlike traditional foam, this doesn't 'bottom out'. It also doesn't wick sweat very well, which is why the silicone was embedded in liquid form into pockets within Endura's existing continuous variable profile (CVP) pads.

The elastomer is distributed at key pressure points, whilst the foam provides a smooth transition and also sucks up sweat and funnels it to the outer layer.

Of course, a good chamois in a bad set of shorts won't see the light of day. Endura embedded the pad into a well-fitting housing, with a Zipless Dropseat function, which allows the back to be pulled down for comfort breaks.

The front portion features a white mesh, with a rather elegant looking cross-strap rear, whilst the leg grippers have raw edges and silicone to keep them in place.

Endura Women’s Pro SL EGM Bib shorts: the ride

Wiggling into these shorts for the first time isn't the standard procedure, and the printed instructions that came with the shorts did help. However, once you've got the hang of stepping through the straps it's easy, and not dissimilar to low backed-evening dresses.

The pad does immediately feel different when compared to a traditional construction - it's much less malleable, and doesn't fold as easily as standard foam.

On the bike, I had very mixed experiences with the chamois. Riding on the Specialized Oura women's saddle (now discontinued), I found I was sitting very comfortably. However, on the Specialized Romin Evo saddle (unisex, replacing the Oura), which is usually my go-to perch, I found that the chamois was far too hard. The Oura cut-out has a slightly more ovalised shape, and the edges are softer - by design and also through wear. Effectively, on the Oura, the cut-out housed the relevant soft tissue so that the chamois wasn't pressing against my skin whilst on the Romin Evo the hard pad was acting as an unwelcome interim layer and creating pressure all of its own.

I also tested the shorts on the Specialized Power saddle on my track bike (I do seem to use mostly Specialized saddles!). There, the central pressure was fine though in this aggressive position the front of the pad was quite wide. Burt said that Endura is looking at developing a TT option in the future.

Pressure mapping provided to me by Burt shows that for some women, this chamois clearly reduced discomfort. Having discussed the shorts with other women who have tried them, some (like me) said they found the chamois far too hard, whilst others said it was a truly game-changing comfort revolution. It really depends on your shape, and the issues you're having.

Whilst I can't adjust my body shape to suit the test, I would hazard a guess that those who frequently experience labial pain and swelling (often called 'flap mash') may find these shorts a very positive investment. For me personally, pain tends to be more central, and I don't get on with anything hard pressing against the skin. I had exactly the same experience with the Specialized MIMIC saddle technology - for some women, it's revolutionary, for me, it was uncomfortable.

Any what of the body of the shorts? No complaints here. The leg grippers don't squeeze or cause discomfort but stayed in place.

The low back is a nice touch and the droptail design works well, there's plenty of stretch for comfort breaks and this far surpasses the previous zip design which always had me in fear of riding home like an escapee hospital patient. At the front, the mesh upper offers breathability and modesty should you wish to unzip on a climb.

My only negative point would be that the use of a high front and low back confuses the 'base layer' question - some racers like to wear one as an extra layer against their jersey, which can help reduce road race in the event of a crash. That said, I can't see adding a light sleeveless baselayer adding too much extra heat.

Endura Women’s Pro SL EGM Bib shorts: value

At £129.99, Endura is pitching these shorts right at the middle of the market. They are cheaper than competitors also on test this spring, such as the Assos T.laalalai shorts_s7 bib shorts (£165) and Rapha Classic Women’s bib shorts (£170). If you're looking for something more value-orientated, check out the likes of the dhb Aeron women’s bib shorts (£75) which we rated highely.

The Aero VPDS bib shorts sit at the top of POC’s tree, promising maximum performance – and with a price tag of £270, you wouldn’t expect anything less.

Founded in 2005, this Swedish brand has built of a reputation in producing high quality helmets, eyewear and appeal.

The construction: POC Aero VPDS bib shorts

The fit of these shorts has been optimised around an aggressive race position, with a low cut at the front to minimise bunching when hunched over the handlebars. For better muscular support, a strong and stretchy fabric has been utilised to provide compression.

At 8cm wide, the leg grippers are larger than most – but unlike the overwhelming majority of grippers, they don’t feature any silicone inserts on the inside to help keep the shorts in place. For those with sensitive skin, this could be a very welcome feature.

Although the chamois is made by Elastic Interface, POC has customised some of its elements. 3D moulded VPDS silicone inserts are added to the main body of the chamois, with the intention of providing greater comfort on long rides, while the chamois material itself extends much further up the front of the shorts than in other designs.

A stretchy mesh back combined with wide and flat elasticated bib straps hold the shorts in place and nicely distribute the forces to minimize any feelings of the straps cutting in. Although the leg grippers might not be silicone back, the bib straps are – which somewhat mitigates how good these shorts might be for those with sensitive skin, although the use of a baselayer would solve this.

The ride

The compressive element of POC Aero VPDS bib shorts was really quite nice. They feel more secure than what you get from most other brands, and you really get the sense that you’re being held in. Just how much this helps from a performance perspective is a little more ambiguous, but the feeling is at least good.

I found the silicone grippers on the inside of the bib straps a little more trouble than they were worth. Pulling on the shorts, they tended to get stuck wrapped around on themselves, requiring a couple of second each to straighten them out. This wouldn’t be too bad if there were a tangible benefit, but I didn’t really notice any difference between these and a normal set of straps when out on the road.

On the other hand, the absence of silicone grippers from the legs was really quite great. The very wide elasticated bands held the shorts in place without a problem, while still not being so tight as to cut in. On long rides, I never got any feelings of tugging from the legs and I didn’t have the same experience of an imprint being left as other shorts can do.

Also on long rides, the chamois did a great job at cushioning and isolating me from the road buzz. But the chamois material stretches very far up the front of the shorts – much further than I would ever wish to sit – and I found this resulted in a rather cramped feeling that I found quite distracting during hard efforts.

Value

At £270, the POC Aero VPDS bib shorts were never going to stack up well in terms of value.

We loved the Assos Cento Evo Bib Shorts awarding them a 9/10 and crediting them with being one of the best bib shorts on the market today, with one of the only criticisms being that the price is rather high. But that £225 looks a veritable bargain compared to the price of the POC’s.

Even Le Col – a brand which no one would say pitches itself as a budget option – tops out at only £180 for its most expensive set of shorts, the Hors Categorie Bib Shorts II, which also received a 9/10 in our review.

But even both of those options aren’t incredible value compared to the flawless Endura Pro SL Bib Shorts, which at just £119.99 earnt themselves a 10/10 and a place our 2020 Editor’s Choice awards.

The Lusso DRS bib shorts are the Manchester brand’s range-topping pair. Despite the low price compared to the bigger brands’ flagship shorts, they really are exceptionally good. Even if you don’t feel you need to reduce your drag (DRS means ‘drag reduction system’) the textured fabric looks distinctive, the cut is spot on with a perfect leg length and the pad is exactly right too – neither too hard nor too soft. Plus they’re actually made in Manchester.

Lusso DRS bib shorts: construction

The fabric of the shorts has an almost carbon-fibre like weave – this is just on the outside; they’re smooth on the inside. Lusso says this is the latest aero fabric from Italy and features a golf-ball effect that keeps the air attached to your shorts for longer. Obviously we’re not able to prove this ourselves, and Lusso doesn't publish any data either, but it is widely known that a textured surface keeps the boundary layer turbulent, causing it to stay attached for longer than on a smooth surface, so it could be worth a few watts and it definitely won’t slow you down.

Lusso also claims compressive properties for the fabric, and the legs of the shorts sure enough do hold quads and hamstrings in a very secure grip which, again, could be beneficial.

There are 75mm-wide grippers at the bottoms of the legs, which spread the pressure evenly and don’t feel significantly tighter than the fabric itself. There’s a silicone band on the inside and reflective dashes around the outside.

The panel layout is actually quite traditional for such a striking-looking pair of shorts, with all seams flatlocked as you’d expect.

The bib section is made from what Lusso calls AirTech and consists of two fabrics: the straps have a mesh section between the hems while the rear section is very stretchy with small perforations.

The pad is by Italian OEM chamois manufacturer TMF and is claimed to be comfortable for eight hours and beyond.

Build quality is excellent – stitching is very neat. The overall look and feel is high end.

The ride

As a frequent Lusso wearer, I’ve learnt that for me it works to size down. I’m 178cm and 69kg and the size small fits better than the medium – according to Lusso’s size chart I could go with either.

The smaller size ensures that the chamois stays in exactly the right place, which is the most important thing about a pair of bib shorts, and the bib straps are very stretchy so there’s no danger of them cutting in. Leg length is also generous: with the size small there’s no danger of the hot pants look.

So to sum up, with the correct size selected, the fit is excellent and the cut is just right.

Sometimes it’s the luck of the draw and depends on individual anatomy as to whether the chamois sits in the right place, and with the Lusso DRS I’m in luck. The section with the extra shock absorption is under my sitbones when I’m on the saddle, where it should be, and there’s not an excess of padding towards the front waiting to chafe.

The only thing wrong with the chamois for me is that it’s bright orange – I’m all in favour of the black pads that we’re starting to see more of, specced by brands such as Rapha and La Passione.

I can’t claim to have ridden for eight hours lately, but judging by the comfort of the chamois in the Lusso DRS shorts my legs would give in long before my bum.

As for the performance of the fabric, we’re still in the middle of the chilliest April since 1970 as I write, so I can’t claim to have tested its wicking or breathability in actual hot weather, but I have worn the Lusso DRS shorts on Zwift and can confirm that they stay comfortable when very sweaty – you wouldn’t know the seams are even there – and the pad wicks efficiently: it has a brushed surface that is preferable to the smoother type that gets slimy (sorry) very quickly if you’re riding indoors.

I've found they work well with a variety of saddles – or at least I haven't found a saddle that they don't work with.

As for durability, the Lusso DRS shorts have been through a few wash cycles and in these photos they are as they are now rather than when they arrived. I’m very pleased with the way they’ve worn: no peeling logos or dye that’s run into the white bibs, and crucially the chamois feels as though it's supplying the same cushioning as it did when it was new.

Value

Lusso always manages to nail value, and they’ve done it again. With shorts such as the POC Aero VPD costing £270, they are looking like even more of a bargain. The Assos Cento shorts also come in over £200.

Dipping under the £200 barrier the Le Col Hors Categorie II shorts cost £180, while the Specialized RBX Adventure bib shorts are cheaper by £20 (and have more pockets).

To sum up, the Lusso DRS bib shorts are a premium pair of shorts that offer something different with their ‘drag reduction system’ and are priced very competitively indeed. Their performance-to-price ratio has to be one of the best out there.

Rapha's Classic women's bib shorts are a quintessential part of the London-based brand's range - they've been in the collection from the beginning, though they've seen several redesigns.

The current iteration boasts the inclusion of more sustainably sourced fabrics, with the main material being recycled Nylon. The leg grippers have also been subject to a return to the drawing board.

Rapha Classic Women's bib shorts: construction

In the current iteration of these bib shorts, Rapha appears to have taken its styling inspiration from the traditional Victorian-style bathing suit. They're just missing the blue and white stripes.

Joking aside, the comprehensive upper that Rapha has provided offers a high level of coverage and also does away with any waistband discomfort. The back is fairly cut low, and paired with the mesh fabric this creates a good level of breathability and stretch. I'd usually wear it alone, though I paired it with an extra base layer for the pictures. This style of upper means you do get an in-built base layer, but there's no easy way to take a toilet break - you'll need to remove all of your upper body layers.

The higher density stretch fabric on the short legs is distributed over multiple panels to spread out compression, something I favour over the style used on the Rapha Souplesse bib shorts, which intentionally use minimal panels. The stitching is flatlock to avoid chafing.

The chamois is the most important element of a pair of bib shorts, and I'm pleased to report that Rapha has done an excellent job here. The pad used is quite heavy duty, so it's ideal for long days out in the saddle, but it doesn't feel too bulky when folding over the bars to achieve a more aggressive position. It does feel quite wide when you're walking around off the bike.

Designed to be an 'all-round' pair of shorts, we really rate the chamois comfort these bibs offer - we're just not quite sold on the new grippers, and the price seems a little elevated for an everyday bib.

In terms of the grippers, Rapha has bulked these up in this iteration. The cuffs are wide, and thick, with silicone strips on the inside. They've taken on the aesthetic of a rather burly tyre - and a non-folding one at that. These do keep the shorts in place, but they're quite unlike anything I've seen before in a cycling short.

Rapha has placed a major focus on sustainability in 2021, the main fabric features 58 per cent recycled Nylon and 42 per cent Elastane, whilst the upper is 73 per cent recycled Nylon and 27 per cent recycled Elastane. This is part of a long term strategy for the brand and we fully applaud its progress.

Rapha Classic Women's bib shorts: the ride

The upper is high stretch and pulls on nicely, and the extra coverage means that there's no awkwardness if you're unzipping your jersey on a long hot climb. It does make toilet breaks more difficult, though. How much that bothers you is going to come down to a personal trade-off.

So far, so good - provided you preference a full upper over a halterneck or drop tail design. The only thing that really let these shorts down was the grippers. Pulling the shorts on, these seemed to protrude from the edges of my mid-thigh initially, a bit like the trumpet of a daffodil. Thankfully, when shuffled into place I managed to get them to sit flat against my skin. However, being so thick they don't feel quite like they're designed to conform against the contours of the human body as per a standard gripper. On the plus side, they do keep the shorts in place and they don't dig in. Being so robust, I can't see these grippers losing their grip over time either, and once snapped in place they're fine, they're just a little rigid.

The chamois is dual-density, meaning the padding is distributed to be thicker where it's needed, and it's also size-specific, so that riders are more likely to get the coverage they need in the right size.

In true Rapha style, there's an inspirational story sewn onto the lower back, in this case telling the story of Yvonne Reynders and her journey from coal carting to World Championship glory.

Whilst it is a high-density pad, it dries quickly, as does the material on the legs and the upper. The material on the legs is soft but feels strong, and I can't see any chance of this inky black fabric losing its opacity any time soon.

These come available in sizes XXS to XL, I opted for the Small and found the fit spot on (I'm 166cm and 56kg). I've got the black version, but they come in purple with a white upper and red with a mustard yellow upper.

Rapha Classic Women's bib shorts: value

At £170, the Rapha Classic Women's bib shorts are pitching themselves against the likes of the Assos T.Laalalai S7 women’s bib shorts as a luxury item. For those seeking something a bit more value-orientated, we thoroughly recommend the Rapha Core bib shorts at £85. However, sticking with the item on test, these shorts have a little bit more of an 'everyday' feel than the price tag implies. The comfort offered by the chamois means I'd be inclined to reach for these ahead of a long day out on the bike, but to be a premium product, the grippers really do need some improvement.

When women ask me which shorts they should buy, I usually tell them to go for Assos if the budget allows. Not only are Assos's chamois gloriously comfortable, but I've never seen a product from the brand fail prematurely. The 'con' has always been the price, but when considered alongside competitors the T.Laalalai S7 women's bib shorts aren't more costly.

The T.Laalalai S7 women's bib shorts have been around for years, even as far back as the hugely unpopular marketing images which Assos used to publish (which are now well and truly a relic of the past), and far back enough that I've run out of amusing quips to make about the somewhat excessive use of Laa's and Li's in the name.

Assos has more recently launched the Dyora S9 shorts. These contain newer tech, and we rated them highly, but the older wardrobe staple still has a lot to give.

Assos T.Laalalai S7 women's bib shorts: construction

As the name would suggest, the S7 shorts from Assos make use of the S7 chamois. Comparing this with the S9 version, the pad appears to be very slightly less bulky. It does, however, still use the brand's 'waffle' construction chamois, with a three-layer foam insert that is thicker than most and features a dimpled surface.

As per the S9, you also get the Golden Gate tech: this means that the pad is stitched only at the front and rear and the centre floats, which means it moves with the rider. You can put your hand in the gap between the short fabric and the chamois and observe the foam construction underneath the surface of the pad.

The body of the shorts uses Assos's 'type.439 fabric' - this is soft but compressive, with extra elastic on the legs.

The bib upper is what really differentiates the S7 shorts from the S9. The latter uses a traditional design, which doesn't allow for easy comfort breaks. You'll need to take your jersey off to go to the toilet, which can be a pain when you've got loaded pockets, sweaty or cold skin. This is paired with the 'A-Lock' straps which aim to keep the chamois in place when you're out the saddle. On the S7 shorts, you lose the A-Lock development, but you do get a mesh rear panel with a 'mono bib' at the front and magnetic clasp. This means when you want to go to the toilet, you can unclasp the centre and feed the strap under your jersey.

Use of this system also means you get a less defined waistband, which will suit riders who find this can cut in.

The leg grippers also differ from the S9. Whilst the newer shorts have elasticated cuffs the whole way round, the S7 shorts have elastic, with silicone grippers, at the outsides and a folded seam on the inside.

Assos T.Laalalai S7 women's bib shorts: the ride

I have no quibbles over the comfort of Assos's chamois, at all. For me, these have always been the best and they continue to hold that position. As per most of Assos's kit, the upper can feel a bit short when you're standing, but as soon as you lean into the riding position this is resolved.

In terms of the body fabric, the T.Laalalai S7 women's bib shorts offer an excellent combination of stretch and compression. I tested the size small and they fitted perfectly (I'm 166cm and 56kg). The fabric wicks sweat away from the skin and dries quickly - so there are no worries there. Since the pad is thicker than that in most shorts, it tends to take longer to dry after washing - but in use, the top layer pulls sweat away from the skin, which is all that matters.

The leg grippers on these shorts have always concerned me: based on pictures they look quite narrow, which led me to believe they might dig in and create the dreaded Michelin Man/muffin leg effect. However, the combination of high elastic content on the outer and the softer inner meant that this worry was unfounded - the grippers held the legs in place without riding up.

As noted in my review of the Assos women's tights, I really think the brand needs to redesign the position of its clasp. Where it sits currently, you have to flip it over your head. At best, this is an unnecessary faff. At worst, it can end up in the toilet. Assos has been offering this option for longer than most, so kudos for that, but competitors who have joined the party later (Rapha and Specialized to name two) have all put the clasp at the rear - which just makes sense.

Assos T.Laalalai S7 women's bib shorts: value

Very often, Assos loses marks for its pricing. However, at £165, these actually compare favourably against other models on test this spring - such as the Rapha Classic Women's bib shorts (£170). Of course, there are more value-orientated options on the market: we really rated the Odlo Element Women's waist shorts at £50, and for a middle ground the Endura Pro SL women's big shorts come in at £129.99, though we found the chamois "a bit marmite". You don't need to fork out over £150 for quality bib shorts, but Assos is not pricing its gear higher than competitors. Not only that, I've never owned a piece of Assos clothing that hasn't outlasted all other cycling kit in my wardrobe.

Endura’s new gravel and adventure range seeks to bridge the gap between road and mountain bike clothing. The GV500 Reiver Bibshorts are intended to be efficient and comfortable over long distances but robust enough to cope with the rigours of off-road riding.

The construction: GV500 Reiver Bibshorts

True to the billing, the material of these shorts certainly feels robust. The side panels even benefit from a doubling up of the fabric to provide some extra protection—for both you and the shorts—should you have a bit of an ‘off’.

But for all that, there’s still a good amount of stretch to the shorts, not pinching or cutting in, but instead being gently compressive. With the back of the shorts rising quite far up to provide space for the rear pockets, you even get the benefit of a little lumber support.

Coming now onto the pockets, there are four mesh panels which make up the cargo capacity of these shorts. All bar one of these panels have stitching down the middle partitioning them in two halves. This makes seven pockets where there might overwise have just been four—but it does mean that six of the seven are really quite small.

The pad is Endura’s own 600 Series pad II, which is the model down from the top end 700 series pad that features in the Pro SL Bibshort, which we gave a 10/10 in our review. But we have still been impressed by the comfort of the 600 series in the past.

The leg grippers are of a particularly grippy silicon and the leg length is reasonable, not fashionably overly long, but still quite modest. It also has grippers on the back of the shorts to help keep your jersey from riding up.

The ride

Pulling the GV500 Reiver Bibshorts on, although the robust materials still have quite a lot of stretch to them, it feels like a bit more force is required for this, compared with a lightweight set of road shorts.

Although I’m not against exploring past my limits from time to time, I haven’t yet fully tested how well the shorts stand up to a crash—but should that change, I’ll make sure to update this review.

The robust fabric didn’t cause any problems and the fit was pretty much spot on, with the wide and flat elasticated bib straps keeping everything nicely in place—far superior to the mesh sort which have hardly any stretch and can dig in if not wide enough.

The silicon grippers in the legs and on the back kept the shorts and jersey locked in place, even when having to walk up a near vertical bank due to a short cut gone wrong. The chamois has been perfectly comfortable even one rides nudging four hours in length over the bone jarring surfaces of the South Downs Way.

The mesh pocket on the right-hand side was excellent, easy to stuff a phone, gloves, or anything into, with just the right amount of stretch and compression being offered by the mesh.

The other six pockets I could hardly use due to them being halved in size by the stitching down the middle. They work quite well for each holding a singular bar or gel, but I couldn’t get much use out of them for much else. The small size also meant I found it quite difficult to actually fish out items that sat lower in the pockets.

Value

The Specialized RBX Adventure Bib Shorts are £100 and have much more useable pockets, as well as a chamois that is pretty much equal in terms of comfort. The RBX shorts do have the downside of the bib straps being a little short and not so stretchy, and so aren’t so suitable for taller riders with skinny hips.

The Rapha Core Cargo bib shorts are £110, so £9.99 cheaper than the Endura ones and they proved to be very comfortable, both in terms of the chamois and in the construction of the shorts themselves. They also have very useable and large cargo pockets.

The Specialized RBX Adventure Bib Short W/ SWAT is designed for just that: adventuring. Intended to be comfortable over long distances, they also offer additional features – which mainly take the shape of pockets. Many, many pockets.

These might be a necessity because you’ve swapped your Lycra jersey for a plaid shirt sans rear pockets and now need somewhere else to store your stuff about your person. But even with a traditional cycling jersey, a little extra storage space never goes amiss.

SWAT stands for ‘Storage, Water, Air, Tools’ and it’s a design principle Specialized expands throughout its range – including bikes. Those with the technology feature neat compartments inside the frame which provide additional carrying capacity.

Specialized RBX Adventure Bib Short W/ SWAT: construction

Starting with the RBX Adventure Bib Shorts’ party piece, let’s talk pockets. Two large, mesh pockets can be found on each thigh. These are more than capable of swallowing a phone, wallet, and various other things thanks to the high degree of stretch in the material and the degree to which it wraps around the legs.

Up around the lower back, there are two more large pockets, with these ones having a proper base to their design – expanding the volume that they’re able to carry. Further round on each side there’s a couple more modestly sized ones, with the one on the right also incorporating a zipped compartment for valuables.

As regards the rest of the bib shorts’ construction, the chamois is an Elastic Interface item, which are used by a number of brands to great effect. The Lyra has a gently compressive action and feels a little more robust than what you get on some other more race-oriented shorts.

The legs follow the current fashion of being a little longer in length, but thankfully they aren’t so long as to start interfering with the knees. A wide elasticated leg gripper is used with a silicone backing to hold them in place.

Keeping the shorts pulled up are a pair of mesh bib straps, but these don’t offer much stretch and seem a little on the short side for the size.

The ride

Popping on the RBX Adventure Bib Shorts, the short and un-stretchy straps were instantly noticeable, cutting into my shoulders when stood up straight.

But I wouldn’t want to size up with them as they do fit so perfectly everywhere else. The Lycra provides just the right compression, the chamois stays in place very nicely, and the leg length is just about right — any longer certainly wouldn’t be.

But that said, when hunched over in the riding position, the issue of the straps largely abates. It is only when stood up straight that the straps do dig in.

Now, if this were a set of aero shorts, this would make the length and stretch of the straps essentially a moot point. But as the purpose of these shorts is for adventure and exploration – activities which tend to involve a lot more time off the bike than you’d typically spend in a set of bib shorts – I did find this an issue.

Although I can’t complain too much because as I touched on, in all other respects the shorts are absolutely wonderful, with the thigh pockets being particular highlights. Their size and support make them so useful in countless moments – far more than just being a handy place to store your phone.

If you’re anything like me, your jersey pockets end up being quite full of layers and nutrition in a pretty complex arrangement – not lending themselves to quick and easy access. Although I prefer to keep the thigh pockets empty when riding, it means I have a blank canvas to pop in the most important things that I’ll need immediate access to when off the bike.

I can definitely see the application of the large rear pockets if riding with a baggy top, offering the same stable storage as a traditional cycling jersey. But I didn’t end up using these much, as I generally prefer a tighter fitting jersey and using the jersey’s pockets and the shorts’ pockets simultaneously doesn’t work so well.

But when they are used, the rear pockets of the shorts offer a large carrying capacity and the zippered pocket is great too for keeping things safe.

For the actual activity of riding, I was most impressed by the comfort of the RBX Adventure Bib Shorts. The chamois did a good job at filtering out some of the road buzz and caused no chafing at any point. There were also no awkward seams or stiches causing hotspots or irritations.

Value

At £100 the Specialized RBX Adventure Bib Short W/ SWAT are actually quite reasonably for a set of cargo bib shorts. The Cuore Pioneer Cargo Bib Shorts cost £185 but we weren’t overly impressed with the comfort.

For just £10 more than the Specialized shorts, at £110, are the Rapha Core Cargo Bib shorts. We found these to be perfect in terms of comfort – so impressed were we that they earnt a place in our 2019 Editor’s Choice awards.

However, the Rapha shorts don’t offer quite as much storage as these Specialized ones do, so if you are smaller than 177cm but still take a size small and want some additional pockets, well, the choice is clear!

The Le Col Hors Categorie Bib Shorts II are uncompromising in their mission to provide a maximally comfortable pair of shorts that won’t hold you back from any effort.

This is clearly apparent in the quality construction and feel of the shorts – but it’s also evident in their RRP, which sits towards the upper end of the price bracket for bib shorts.

Le Col Hors Categorie Bib Shorts II: construction

Immediately when first picking up the Hors Categorie Bib Shorts II, I was struck by how different the Lycra felt compared to most other shorts. It’s a lot softer and a little thicker than you might be used to, imparting a luxurious feel and the impression that these will last and hold their shape for a long time to come.

The Chamois is made by Dolomiti and promises to be fast wicking, quick drying and to dampen vibrations. A wide elastic is used for the leg grippers so as to distribute the force over a greater area and not cut in, with hundreds of tiny silicone dots keeping the legs locked firmly in place.

With the leg length, I felt that a good balance has been struck. They are on the long side as is currently trendy, but they don’t take the fad too far and still sit high up enough above the knee so as not to be irritating.

In terms of fit, I found that the shorts conformed perfectly to my body, being lightly compressive and not digging in at all, but equally nowhere were the shorts baggy at all – absolutely spot on.

The wide elastic of the bib straps felt smooth against my skin and distributed the pressure evenly across my shoulders. Although, I did find them to be a little on the long side – they hardly need to stretch when I put them on.

There are a couple of reflective details for increased visibility and the Le Col logos are quite discreet, making these a very easy set of shorts to pair with other items of kit. Which is a very good thing too – considering their price, you’ll be wanting to get a fair amount of use out of them and wouldn’t want kit choices to limit you on that front.

The ride

At first, I was a little sceptical about how comfortable the chamois pad would prove to be. I generally much prefer a smooth design, rather than one where that padding comes in pockets. Those little ridges I find can lead to irritation on longer rides.

I needn’t have worried – I got on brilliantly with the pad and my fears amounted to nothing. On long rides, the pad remained perfectly comfortable with no irritation transpiring at all. The distribution of the padding was excellent as well, being supportive of the sit bones and without excesses of padding coming too far up the front of the shorts. Regarding the wicking and drying, the chamois certainly lived up to its billing. Even in hot and steamy indoor rides, it always felt fresh and airy.

Although the bib straps did feel a little on the loose side when putting on the shorts, this caused no issues when out on the road. Even when putting in some, shall we say, dynamic efforts sprinting up a few short climbs, the shorts stayed firmly in place.

This could have been due to the excellent fit of the shorts themselves necessitating very little extra assistance from the bib straps to keep them in place. Alternatively, the very small amount of stretch the straps were subjected to could have been all that was needed to keep the shorts pulled up. Either way, it worked out fine for me at 177cm in a size small.

In all, there are no criticisms I can make regarding how these shorts feel to wear, the material, the leg grippers, the chamois, they all performed exactly as you would wish.

Value

When compared to some of the competition, the price tag of the Le Col Hors Categorie Bib Shorts II certainly isn’t outlandish. Velocio’s Ultralight Bib Shorts come in at £178 for a similarly high-performance set of shorts which greatly impressed when we had them on review.

And making Le Col’s offering seem a veritable bargain are the Assos Cento Evo Bib Shorts, which we found to have sublime comfort levels, but do cost a wallet-clenching £225.

However, just because there are a few (many) shorts with similarly high prices does not mean the Le Col Hors Categorie Bib Shorts II should get a free pass in terms of value.

There are similarly excellently performing shorts out there for far less money, such as the Endura Pro SL Bib Shorts, which are every bit the match of these pricier shorts, but with a much more palatable price tag of £119.99.

If that still seems a bit steep, our recommendation would be the Van Rysel RR 900 Bib Short, which may not have the brand cachet of other labels, but still had no real cons to speak of.

Both the Endura and Van Rysel shorts were awarded a full 10/10.

Descending down a steep hill, it’s quite easy to reach speeds which are comparable to those reached on a motorbike, which makes it really quite surprising that the only element of protective clothing most of us wear is a helmet.

>>>Read more: Cycling and safety

This is largely down to the fact that the requirements a cyclist has from their clothing are a lot more exacting than those astride a motor-powered vehicle. Breathability, unrestricted flexibility and lightness are quite difficult features to marry with impact and abrasion resistance.

But having gone through the experience of a cycling accident which left him with broken bones and various abrasions, Exeter-based Chris Battin founded ArmaUrto with the intention of providing cycling kit that can both perform and protect.

Vipar Bib Shorts: Construction

The most important element of these shorts is surely the inserts. These are 4mm thick and can reportedly dissipate up to 80% of impact energy – meeting the standard for an EN1621 rating, which is the system used for assessing the protection of motorcycle clothing. This does make the Vipar Bib Shorts quite unique, because as far as I’m aware, there’s no other bib shorts on the market that meet this standard.

Total coverage would be quite restrictive and as lightness and pedalling efficiency are still a priority, the inserts are only present on the hips as this is the area that most impact and injuries occur. Although not tested as part of the EN1621 rating, the abrasion resistance is also very high, being able to withstand a run-in with a palm sander without much trouble.

The leg grippers are very wide so as to distribute their force evenly and not to cut in. In terms of leg length, I think they are spot on for my personal aesthetics, not following the trend of extending right down to the knee but sitting at a happy mid length.

Interestingly, I’ve been told that there is a plan to also produce some knee warmers that bring a protective covering to this vulnerable joint. Working this feature into a set of ¾ length tights was decided against, as shorts make a better option for maximising the conditions that they can be worn in.

The ride

Immediately when I pulled on the Vipar Bib Shorts, the solidity of the inserts against my skin was noticeable. But once out on the open road, their presence quickly passed from my mind – it was genuinely easy to forget that these were protective shorts.

The inserts are quite low profile, so although you can see them if you know to look, I really didn’t feel like I stood out as wearing body armour.

The fabric was nice and compressive and also fleece lined, which has been very welcome riding these through the winter, although could be a little warm come the summer. The back is a nice wicking mesh which never felt clammy against my skin, even when I’ve misjudged the weather and gone out way overdressed.

The wide leg grippers did a good job at holding up my leg warmers and stayed firmly in place themselves, never creeping up my legs. I didn’t have any issues with them cutting in either, they really were faultless, as leg grippers go.

Unfortunately, the chamois does let these shorts down. It felt like it was shifted too far forwards, with a lot of the padding covering an area at the front which I really wouldn’t be resting my weight on. When on gravel bikes with particularly high front ends, I also found that my weight was resting at the very back of the pad at the rear interface with the shorts.

The fit isn’t so bad as to put me off using these shorts in contexts where I would really value a bit of extra protection, such as on technical off-road rides or in fast-paced circuit races. But it does mean I would be less likely to use these shorts for day-to-day riding, which is a bit of a shame because I find that accidents tend to happen when I least expect them.

Although I have had a couple of spectacular falls – along with some embarrassingly minor ones – while riding on the slippery chalk and roots that are the foundation of the South Downs, unfortunately I wasn’t wearing the Vipar Bib Shorts for any of them.

Value

There aren’t many shorts on the market to compare the Vipar Bib Shorts to. The closest match I’ve found is the Alpinestars Paragon V2 Bib Short, which are £150 and have more of a mountain bike focus, with bulkier padding and back protection, which could be a bit much in the context of road cycling.

The next closest alternative are the Santini Impact Bib Shorts, which present something of a misnomer as the shorts only offer abrasion resistance rather than impact protection. As a result, these are closer to a set of normal bib shorts that the Vipars but do sacrifice some of the safety. At £170 RRP, the Santini shorts are also significantly more expensive.

We haven’t yet tested those other two shorts, so can’t vouch for their performance. But as the Vipar Bib Shorts do perform well on the whole and are a little cheaper, the value is quite high.

Velocio's aim with the Concept bib shorts is bold and ambitious: to make bibs that a pro rider would wear if they weren't contractually obligated to pull on shorts from their team sponsor.

After testing them out and accompanying me as I clocked up the miles, I can say with confidence that the New England-based company has not just met its objective, but surpassed it. These bib shorts are quite simply fantastic.

Construction

The foundation in any pair of bib shorts is the chamois, and Velocio have gone back to the drawing board to create a chamois that is designed to 'float' so that it can move with you as you pedal; it's along the same lines as the goldenGate concept that Assos uses in its high-end shorts.

The pad is only sewn to the shorts at the front and the back so that each side can move independently of the other. The foam is multi-density, and it's contoured to match your family jewels; there are men's and women's versions.

When you hang the shorts from bib straps, the chamois appears pancake flat, but this allows it to fully conform to your body when you pull the bibs on. 

>>>Best cycling shorts

Speaking of the straps, they are 4.5mm wide and very elastic. With raw edges, they are lightweight and sit comfortably over your shoulders. The back section of the bib straps is perforated lycra, which is an interesting departure from the usual open back used by the brand, and thus doesn't breathe quite as well.

The women's version does have an open back however to facilitate Fly Free design which allows for bathroom breaks without the need to disrobe in the process. 

Using a highly compressive material on the front three-quarters of the short, the back section is a lighter, more breathable lycra. The seams are also offset, specifically the one that runs up the inner thigh, which is the usual culprit of chafing - not that I witnessed any with these pair of bibs.

The leg bands, meanwhile, are made from microfiber and backed in silicon to prevent them from going anywhere.

Ride

When you first pull the Concept bibs, they feel quite a bit different from just about any bibs I've previously worn, specifically the chamois conforming around you. It's quite thick but it doesn't feel like you're wearing a diaper off the bike.

When you get on the bike, it's supremely comfortable for many hours at a time. I'm not convinced that you can necessarily feel the 'float' in the chamois, but I can say that I never felt it shift. That's largely due to the material underneath that stretches it to its limit.

The ample padding does well to take the sting out of square edges and vibration that can accumulate over a big day in the saddle, and it does well to manage moisture. I never experience the dreaded swampy sensation. 

The thicker fabric that makes up the bulk of the bib creates a surprising amount of compression and muscle support. They are one of the more compressive shorts I've worn to date, and the fabric makes an unexpected level of structure for its weight. It's not to the level of recovery thighs or similar, but enough to keep the deadness out of your legs. 

>>>Velocio clothing range: how to find the right kit for you

While there is no doubt that the leg grippers will help to keep knee and leg warmers in place during the cooler months, I would bet that you could remove them, and the lower hem on each leg would stay put through the duration of a ride, still allowing for sharp tan lines. 

Due to my home base being in the Southern Hemisphere, I haven't had the chance to test them out in cooler temps, but I can say with certainty they handle the heat and humidity of the Australian summer without missing a step. They don't offer quite the wicking and breathability of the Ultralight bibs, but they aren't far off. 

Value

As good as the Velocio Concept bibs are, the price is jarring: they cost $289 / £249 / $359. That puts them in an upper echelon of bib shorts in regards to the damage it does to your bank account, only topped by a select few things from Assos, Rapha, Santini, and Giordana.

If you're looking at bib shorts in this range, I do think Velocio's Concept bibs provide some of the best comfort and performance of any bibs I've worn to date. However, I have a hard time paying this much for bibs, full stop. 

But, for some, only the best will do, and if this is you, Velocio's Concept Bibs won't disappoint.

NoPinz is not a brand that holds back from innovation, and for 2020 the manufacturer responsible for the number pocket skinsuit has brought forward another seeming game-changer: SubZero indoor training kit.

One of the major struggles of indoor riding is overheating. To combat this NoPinz has created a capsule wardrobe of kit featuring internal pockets expressly designed for housing frozen gel packs.

The notion of shoving ice packs down the back of cycling kit is not a new one: pros are often seen wearing ice vests ahead of time trials in hot climates. However, NoPinz seems to have been the first to have designed garments with this purpose in mind.

The range consists of shorts, 'suits' (like tri suits), and sweatbands (which we will be reviewing soon). The shorts - available in men's and women's fit - can be purchased on their own for £109.99 or, as reviewed, with the gel packs included for £139.99.

NoPinz SubZero bib shorts construction

The SubZero shorts come with 'FreezePockets' at the shoulder blades and lower back. The backing of the pocket is thick enough to prevent chill burns once the frozen gel packs are inserted, but not so thick that the cooling goes unfelt. NoPinz recommends replacing the gel packs every 40-60 minutes for maximum effect.

The shorts themselves are made of extremely breathable fabric, with the majority of the lower leg covered by a lightweight honeycomb mesh. A bit like a mesh base layer, skin can be seen through the holes, though there's a healthy degree of elasticity providing compression. Of course, modesty is protected with heavier weight fabric at the central panel.

The leg grippers are pretty narrow, with a plasticated strip to keep them in place. This doesn't create the flattering look of a wide band, but then these aren't for wearing outside.

Inside the shorts is a pad NoPinz says is optimised for indoor cycling, with extra padding and improved moisture management vs a standard chamois.

NoPinz sent me the kit in a size Extra Small, based on my height and weight (166cm, 57kg). I would probably have asked for a Small but the sample fitted perfectly so I'd suggest customers use the scale provided on the website rather than their typical sizing inclinations.

NoPinz SubZero bundle: the ride

Testing this kit wasn't a simple 'dress up and go' procedure.

During my first test ride, I froze the gel packs overnight and slotted them into the pockets before getting on the turbo for a one-hour high-intensity session.

As soon as I turned the fan on to begin my warm-up, I became acutely aware of the cold patch at my lower back, which was being further chilled as the now icy circulating air seemed to catch and stick to it.

Once the intervals began, I was warm enough that the gel pack ceased to niggle at my consciousness and became a welcome addition.

However, the window was brief. Nearing the latter half of my session, the packs were beginning to melt, rendering them little more than a slightly warm extra layer against my skin.

For round two, I was more organised. Rather than slotting the gel packs into my kit at the start of the session, I loaded them into the accompanying cool pack and placed them on a table next to my turbo set up. I completed my warm-up without the chilling aid and slotted the packs into the kit just ahead of the first interval.

This approach was much more successful – the packs were welcome from installation and stayed cool throughout. Of course, were the session longer, I'd want to swap in a new set as the minutes ticked by into a second hour.

Would I use this kit again? If I was just aiming to get a workout done when the world is too wet, dreary or locked-down to pedal outside, probably not. However, for a Zwift race where overheating is a major limiting factor, I absolutely would. I'd just need to hope there was a long enough lull in the race to swap the gel packs should they melt to oblivion.

The shorts themselves retail at £109.99 alone. The pad is comfortable and, clearly, the fabric is breathable, though the near-naked appearance means you'd not be able to get additional use from these by wearing them outside. The leg gripper is a little basic but these absolutely rival the more expensive Wahoo x Le Col pair that we awarded 9/10 – so if you're just looking for breathable indoor shorts, purchasing a pair without the packs could be an option. You could even pop some frozen peas into the pocket...

As you can probably work out from the name, the Attaquer All Day range is designed for big rides.

Sydney-based clothing outfit Attaquer crashed onto the scene in 2013 with bright and colourful cycling kits that stood out from anything else available on the market at the time. These weren't your kits that were just loud for the sake of being loud: the designs were eye-catching, but still looked great.

>>> The best bib shorts

While the first run of kits was cut around the silhouette of a WorldTour racer, as the brand has matured it has branched out into more subdued designs and fits tailored to those of us who don't train 30 hours a week. 

Attaquer came in the early part of a swell of small boutique clothing brands that have since come and gone. Attaquer is still here seven years later because of the quality of the materials and the standard of finishing that keeps its clothing from disintegrating after a few washes or a trip over the bars. 

Attaquer All Day bib shorts: construction

As with any pair of shorts, the most crucial piece of the puzzle is the chamois. Sewn inside the Attaquer All Day bibs is a two-piece, well-padded, articulated chamois. Thick, dense foam is used throughout, with the most substantial found in the area that supports the soft tissue forward of the sit bones. The front panel is perforated and comes up high enough to provide a degree of modesty off the bike.

The shorts feature six panels of lightweight stretchy Lycra that is velvety soft on the skin. Everything is held together with four-stitch flatlock seams, and the hem is finished with a 33.5mm jacquard leg gripper with the words "Be your alter ego" written in silicone letters on the interior. 

The bibs' waist comes up above your belly button, and thankfully there is no fear of your stomach playing peek-a-boo if you're wearing a jersey that's a bit short in the front. 

Up top, the bib straps are made from a lightweight mesh that has plenty of stretch in every direction and doesn't chafe or pinch. For this version of the All-Day bibs, the pockets on the bib straps have been replaced with a sewn-on plastic tag.

Like the All Day jersey, the branding and design of the Attaquer All Day shorts is pretty subdued with small logos on the side of each leg and around the leg band. There is also a small reflective strip on the back of the left leg for some added visibility. 

Attaquer All Day bib shorts: the ride

Other than the pad, which does add some heft to these bibs, all of the fabrics used are lightweight and yet provide structure and hold the shape of the shorts. While the Lycra doesn't offer quite the level of compression you get from some other bib shorts, the All-Day bibs provide enough to keep your muscles happy.

Attaquer says they have a 'race fit', but compared to some of their other garments the fit is a bit more forgiving, and I didn't have to think slim thoughts to pull them over my derriere. They are true to size, and you probably won’t need to worry about possibly sizing up. 

Earlier I noted the pad is comparably thick compared to many bib shorts in my kit drawer, width the bulkiest of the padding seeming in front of where it should be, but it works. From big road rides to 60km mtb adventures and some very long Zwift sessions, the Attaquer All Day bibs have excelled in just about every situation I have worn them. The only downside is the chamois doesn't dry quite as quickly as some thinner pads, but this is only something you will notice if you spend a bunch of time off the bike. 

Value

Priced at £189.95/$259/AU$353 similar to the All Day jersey, the All Day bibs are not cheap, but still come in well below the ultra-premium offerings. For the level of comfort and quality on offer, it's money well spent. Given that I've taken a pair of slides in the gravel while wearing these shorts and they still look brand new offers a decent insight into the durability.

Cargo bib shorts are becoming more popular as gravel riders snuff traditional jerseys with pockets for technical jerseys that don't have the capacity to carry anything.

It means that the rider needs space somewhere on their body to store a few essentials, and cargo bib shorts - a mainstay in mountain biking for quite some times - are being spotted more and more by gravel riders.

The Cuore Pioneer bibs are the Swiss clothing manufacturer's response to the need for increased carrying capacity, taking inspiration from military cargo pants.

Construction

The Pioneer bibs are an amalgamation of a few of the brand's other models, tying together the best bits from each to create the cargo bibs.

The shorts' lower panels borrow the gripper-free laser cut helm from the brand’s flagship Gold X1 road bibs. Cuore worked with a fabric mill to design an entirely new textile that offers stretch and moves with your legs as they pedal without shifting, offering pleasant compression in the process.

The bib straps are borrowed from the brand’s silver level shorts and has mesh paneling that manages moisture well and doesn’t chafe.

On the back of the bib straps are two mesh pockets that are more or less the size of jersey pockets and provide ample room for snacks or tools — their layout is comparable to those found on the brand's Two-in-One skinsuit.

Cuore says it has designed the back of the shorts so that even with the rear pockets full loaded, it doesn’t pull on the shoulders. The left leg features a pouch made from the same mesh, while the right thigh has a pocket made from the same lycra as the shorts.

Most of the seams throughout the six-panel bibs are flat-lock stitched for improved durability and to prevent irritation. However, the seam on the inside of the thigh is thermobonded instead of sewn so that it lays entirely flat, as this is a common place for chaffing to occur.

While all manner of pockets, bells and other whistles are great, if the chamois is no good, you’re not going to want to ride in them for long. My test sample of the Pioneer bibs has the brand's MB2 silver level chamois; however, Cuore tells me they intend to spec these bibs with the MS2 gold level pad, which is better suited to the endurance focus of these bibs.

That said, the MB2 pad is articulated and sees multi-density padding that’s generously thick through the high-pressure zones.

Branding is minimal: a logo under the mesh pocket, a black logo on the butt, and 'Cuore' written on the right leg pocket.

This particular pair of Pioneer bibs is one of the brand's off-the-rack garments; however, they can also be fully customized - everything from full sublimation, upgrading the chamois to custom tailoring, like shortening or lengthening leg length.

Through Cuore’s custom program, you can also order a single custom item — though it’s a bit more expensive to go this route.

Ride

Over the years, Cuore have become a favorite of mine in terms of fit and comfort in the saddle, and the Pioneer bibs live up to the lofty standards.

Even without a leg gripper, they stay perfectly in place, and there is no silicon over overly-tight ribbon tape digging into your legs. It doesn’t roll at the edge, nor is there any undo bunching; the shorts are tailored to fit snug.

The pockets are larger than they appear - I certainly struggled to fill their capacity. The lower back pockets are well-supported, holding the load secure and close to your body, so it doesn’t bounce or swing as your ride.

Given that these pockets compress whatever you’re carrying up against your body, anything in them will be exposed to sweat, so pack wisely.

This is less of an issue with the leg pockets, as they see quite a bit more airflow. They're large enough for a smartphone and sit close enough to the leg to prevent swinging around as you pedal.

THE Embody MB2 chamois is comfortable for many hours of riding on rough roads. However, when it comes time to hike a bike, I noticed a bit of pinching as I trudged up steep inclines with my bike.

The base of the padding that cushions your sit bones has a hard outer edge, and when you drive your knee as your hike, this stiff edge digs into the soft spot on your inner thigh — but it’s only something I experienced tramping up something that was too steep to ride.

However, this is a bit of a moot issue, as the MS2 pad that you will find Cuore plans to spec in these bibs has no such edge. Having ridden in the Cuore Silver bibs and the Gold X1, both of which feature this chamois, I can say with authority it will keep you sitting pretty over many hours and moves well with no pinching or biting while running, hiking, and walking off the bike.

Value

Priced at $190 / €185.00 / AU$190 for the off the rack version, the Cuore Pioneer bibs are in the realm of what you would expect premium bib short. The bulk of these bibs borrow from two of Cuore's best shorts, including the gripper free design and of Gold X1 bib, which are nearly $100 more expensive, and you get pockets; so there is quite a lot of performance on offer here.

The Velocio Ultralight bib shorts are a pared-down version of its Signature bib, made with lighter-weight fabrics to contend with high summer riding conditions. 

The brand has its roots in women's-specific clothing but has evolved over the years and now has a full range of men's kit. Velocio says the Ultralight bibs are designed to "provide an antidote to the heated seats of summer riding."

Construction

The New England-based outfit has redesigned the Ultralight bibs for 2020 with a new 140g/m2 stretch woven fabric. In plain English, this means it is thin and lightweight, but this is one of the few garments in Velocio's range that is not made from recycled materials. 

When it comes to shorts made from very light fabric, opacity is always an issue. While a material may be fully opaque at rest, when stretched it may offer a full view of what's underneath. That person in lightweight bibs or a threadbare pair that are past their use-by date, providing anyone sitting on their wheel with an unwelcome eyeful – no one wants to be them.

>>>Best cycling shorts

My riding buddies are happy to report that the Velocio Ultralight bibs maintain their non-transparency on the bike. This is thanks to the fabric's structure, which is woven rather than knitted, like most Lycra. It creates a marginally rougher texture, but once you've pulled them on it's not something you notice. 

The tight weave of the fabric also facilitates a surprising amount of compression for its weight. It's not quite to the level of the brand's Lux or Concept bibs, but plenty to keep your muscles happy after many hours in the saddle. 

Inside, you'll find an Elastic Interface chamois designed specifically for Velocio. Here they've used an ultra-soft face fabric and dual-density perforated foam. The men's and women's versions get different pads to best accommodate the unique architecture of either sex's sitting area. 

The bib straps are made from a seamless piece of 4.5mm wide elastic microfibre that crosses over your back. Many brands opt for overly complicated mesh straps that see multiple materials and panels of this or that, but the simplicity of Velocio's design just works. It's also what facilitates the FlyFree design found on the women's bibs, so that female riders can take comfort breaks without having to completely disrobe in the process. Due to dudes having external plumbing, this feature isn't extended to the men's version.

At the hem on each leg, the Ultralight bibs see another loop of this same fabric, the interior coated with small silicone dots to form a leg gripper. They make for plenty of purchase, especially when beginning to sweat, but don't pull or pinch.

Velocio Ultralight bib shorts: the ride

The Ultralight bibs landed in my mailbox just as things in Australia began to heat up. For those that have never experienced summer in southeast Queensland, it feels a bit like Moab or Phoenix in July if you were to add 90 per cent humidity. 

With this kind of heat and humidity, any leg up you can get in the cooling department is worth exploring. I've used my fair share of lightweight, bibs with either mesh panels or perforations down the legs, they are a bit cooler, but it's a nuanced difference over a standard set of bibs. The Ultralight bibs fall into this category; they are definitely a bit draughtier than something like the Signature bib, but don't expect to feel like you're wearing an air conditioner either.

One area in which they do excel, however, is wicking sweat. Post-ride, the Ultralight bibs seem to be drier than most of the other shorts I currently have in rotation, and I have noticed a bit more salt build-up on the fabric. Conducting a bit of bro-science here, we can take this to mean that they are making quick work of perspiration.

They've also fared pretty well through indoor sessions, where heat and moisture management is an uphill battle. 

The chamois doesn't have all kinds of high-tech gel or massaging fibre that's claimed to increase airflow, but it does stay comfortable over hours in the saddle, and I'll regularly reach for the Ultralight bibs ahead of a long day out.

Value

Priced at £178/$229, the Ultralight bibs are without a doubt a premium item. These shorts are supremely comfortable and after your first ride in the heat, you won't have any buyer's remorse.

Just because an item falls smack, dab, bang in the middle of a brand's range, it doesn't meant it has to sacrifice on quality and comfort.

And these Silver bib shorts from Swiss outfit Curoe are a perfect representation of this, with the brand better known for its custom kit producing a very impressive bib short.

Construction

With six panels, Cuore's Silver bib shorts are made from medium compression lycra with a sheen finish, and the stitching is double-needle sewn for durability, but not flatlock stitched. 

Inside, you’ll find the brand’s top of the line Embody MS2 chamois. With multi-density foam used throughout and an articulated fit, the bright yellow face fabric is Swiss-made Schoeller's performance fabric with carbon yarn the brand says offers increased breathability and moisture transfer. 

The pad has a seam right down the middle, something the brand says allows each side to move independently as you pedal. At the front, the chamois comes up high enough to provide a big of modesty — although the seams which assemble the front panel seemingly form an arrow that points directly at your family jewels. 

While the Gold level and Pioneer bibs are grippler-less, the Silver bibs have a silicone infused 60mm, wide-leg band. It is supremely sticky and locks the shorts in place, and does well to prevent leg and knee warmers from creeping down. 

At the top, the braces are mesh with a panel of the open mesh material used on the front of the brand’s jerseys. 

These bibs are of course available as part of Cuore's custom program, where every panel is customizable, and bespoke tailoring is available. They also have no order minimums, so you could design a single custom kit if you wanted — however, taking this route isn't cheap.

Ride

Cuore’s Silver bib shorts are a pretty simple affair: there's not a mix of exotic fabrics that vary the compression based on muscle groups, and it's this simplicity that makes them work.

The lycra offers great moisture transfer and enough compression to keep your legs happy after they’ve been spinning in circles for hours on end. The gripper provides plenty of hold but doesn’t pinch or uncomfortably pull on your skin, and the braces at the top sit pretty flat and don't chafe or pull at your shoulders.

Ultimately, the most important part of any pair of shorts is the chamois and the Embody MS2 is one of the best I’ve used. There is a decent level of padding, plenty for all-day epics on rough roads, and crucially it doesn't doesn’t feel like you’re wearing a diaper.

With the articulated fit, the chamois moves well with your body, whether it be on the saddle, or pushing up that horrible steep fire road where you ran out of steam. The seam down the middle seems to work as advertised, but the way it’s recessed doesn’t cause any discomfort — in fact you can’t feel it at all.

Value

Priced at €150.00 / U$189, they fall roughly in the range of a mid-high end set of bibs, comparable to a Gore C5 or Castelli Endurance 2. Given the option, I’d choose the Cuore every time. 

When it comes to on-bike comfort, there can be many elements that lead to that distracted feeling when you can’t just fully enjoy the ride, and there does tend to be a strong theme that some kind of discomfort in the nether region makes the top of most riders lists.

Assos has always been at the absolute pinnacle of the comfort curve, pulling on years of continued R&D in cycling anatomy, performance and technical fabrics that combine to produce the very best cycling garments worn by pro riders through to club cyclists. Being at the cutting edge and creating products that ooze performance and comfort does inevitably push a premium price tag, but having spent a good deal of kms in the chamois of the Cento Evo cycling shorts, they really are the best money can buy. For those riders putting in serious seat time on a regular basis, these are an easy sell, not only looking from a comfort perspective, they’re also built to last.

Construction and on-bike comfort

Cento is Assos’ premium comfort label, so kit in within this range is naturally fully loaded with comfort features, so I’ll do my best to pull out the elements that really stood out. 

The material used to construct the shorts is the tried and true .439 Diadema fabric, which has weaves that allow for four way stretch but at two different rates. In principle, the way this translates when wearing is a nice compression against the thighs from the robust feeling material but with enough movement and stretch to not restrict movement in any way. In addition, this fabric manages moisture really well and always keeps me dry.

The centre piece of these shorts is the S7 Evo insert, featuring a 10mm memory foam membrane that Assos claim is the intersection between comfort and performance. The pad is outstanding, and kept things really comfortable and also cool during multiple back to back 100km plus rides, where the intention was to push the envelope and see if they could keep me comfortable and pain free day after day. It was this that really sealed the deal, confirming these shorts stand above the rest.

Aside from the pad being super comfortable all day long, it was the smaller details that really impressed me. Taking the names directly from the Assos features list, firstly, the goldenGate. Assos has dropped the stitching along the sides of the chamois so it’s just attached at the front and rear, essentially allowing the pad to move independently of the outer fabric, meaning the chamois can stay put and not move or chafe when moving around on the saddle. I found this really worked well, especially on more grippy saddles where other shorts would move or shift when I was making position adjustments in the saddle. The second highlight is the 'kukuPenthouse'. Now, I’d have loved to be a fly on the wall in the Assos marketing department when they came up with this name. But names aside, this is another really great touch on these shorts. There's a small piece of soft microfibre fabric sewn into the front of the pad that is positioned to support the male anatomy, it also allows a degree of breathability to keep you cool down there on long hot rides. I’d never ridden shorts with a 'kukuPenthouse', but it was a welcomed addition and an extra degree of comfort that I really appreciated.

The shoulder straps are well designed and lay really flat on the body, they and not noticeable when riding, and feature a Y-shaped pattern at the back to allow the straps to fall between the shoulder blades. There's a mesh panel for heat to escape; perfect for hot weather riding. The leg grippers are more minimal than previous Assos shorts I’ve owned, and I was worried they might slide up given the reduced silicone in the material, but in practice, there's less bulk and less pressure, and just allows the shorts to become an invisible garment that keeps your focus and attention on the ride.

My only criticism on these shorts is the zeroWaist feature. For someone fairly slim like me, and who’s generally always ridden race fit shorts, the waist band was just a little loose and also sat too low, meaning if I was standing off the bike or sitting up my jersey would pull up over the waist band and cause it to bunch and catch on the jersey. Again, I think that given that these shorts fall under Assos’ regularFit line, I’m sure for riders looking for a more relaxed fit and a bit more space and comfort, these shorts a spot on, so I can’t really mark them down for that, but subjectively that feature didn't really work. For those of you like me, I’d recommend the Equipe RS race line insead.

Value

The Cento Evo Bib shorts retail for £225, which for some will be a bridge too far when it comes to shorts. I do think though that if you’re the kind of rider putting in a lot of regular miles, or have the money to spend on a pair of shorts that will keep you super comfortable all day, then they’re absolutely worth the money. This is backed up by the fact that if you look after them and wash as per the instructions from Assos, there’s no reason there shouldn't last a good few years. I still have a pair of Assos S9 shorts that are going strong after five years of solid use.

Velocio's Women Signature Bib Shorts are the brand's flagship offering, and it only took a couple of rides for it to become apparent why these are such a fast seller.

Construction

The main part of the shorts is made from totally recycled Italian compression lycra, cut into five panels for a close, figure-hugging fit. It's pretty thick without feeling heavy, so you know you're well covered.

>>> Best women's bib shorts

Central to the bib shorts is the Signature chamois pad, which Velocio had made specifically for its shorts, by industry leader Elastic Interface. Designed for long days in the saddle in total comfort, there's two different densities of foam used, with a highly perforated base to promote breathability.

The legs are held in place using 45mm wide bands of elastic, which are backed with a lattice of tiny grippy dots. Up top, 45mm wide elasticated microfibre bib straps cross over at the back, and hold a mesh insert in place at the front. There seems to be a small excess of lycra material on the lower back, which is part of the FlyFree design. Here you can simply pull down the shorts to use the toilet, thanks to this elasticated area and stretchy bib straps, so you don't need to remove your shirt, helmet, glasses etc.

Branding is minimal on these shorts, with a small Velocio logo on the front of the left thigh and on the back of the left hip, as well as a small Velocio word logo down the right thigh. These are all in reflective print, which should help in low light conditions.

The ride

From first slipping these bib shorts on, you know they're going to be good. I ordered a medium pair, having used the extensive fitting information on Velocio's website, and they fit perfectly. The level of compression is noticeable, but not so much that you feel you're being squeezed.

There are a couple of really neat features in the Women's Signature Bib Shorts that I really rated; the first being the brilliant FlyFree design. It really is as easy as the brand claims to pull down the back of the shorts to go to the loo, saving a lot of time and faff taking all your layers off. Once you try these, it's really hard to go back to conventional bib shorts.

The second feature that impressed was the mesh front panel. For really hot days when you want the cooling effect of unzipping your jersey, this gives you a bit more modesty which for me personally was a massive bonus.

A good test of premium bib shorts is whether you notice they're even there. Easily forgotten due to their great fit and comfort, these bibs scored highly in that department. The leg grippers kept the shorts in place perfectly but without digging in at all. I can't say that I noticed much about the chamois, which means it was really comfortable even on long rides!

Value

Priced at £181, these are certainly positioned at the premium end of the bib short market. In my opinion, they're worth the spend.

These shorts have proven to be a supremely comfortable choice for both long and short rides on tarmac and dirt. Although I can't really comment on the men's version, the FlyFree design for the women's shorts is a real gamechanger and personally I think worth paying a bit more for.

Madison was one of the first brands to create dedicated indoor cycling kit. These shorts, and the accompanying jersey, are part of a comprehensive clothing range made to make your indoor training a more comfortable and enticing experience.

Construction

We all know indoor training is a sweaty affair and Madison has addressed this by using polyester Lycra with an antibacterial treatment, not only that, but the shorts can be washed at 60º, plenty hot enough to prevent any residual odours.

The multiple panels are arranged to ensure the seams will not rub where you don’t want rubbing and they are equipped with wide leg grippers - more of which later.

Made by Italian company TMF, the bright orange pad is surprisingly lightweight considering that these shorts are intended for static use, and you’d hardly know it were there. 

The ride

You’d expect such a thin pad to be a bit of an issue when riding the turbo, but it fitted me perfectly, never moving. The chamois was spot on for me and better than other more cumbersome pads in more expensive shorts.

The performance of the chamois was helped by the fabric which never once allowed me to slide around, even in hard efforts. The antibacterial Lycra doesn’t feel like other shorts though, I felt it was a bit thicker, and while that caused no issues with clamminess or wicking, there was a distinct lack of compression, which felt strange when compared to my usual experience in Lycra.

Though not an issue on the bike, I also found the fit in general slightly inconsistent. For me, the legs were overly long and the body quite short. This was exacerbated by the grippers, which look grippy, but don’t feel it - the legs did ride up whilst I was pedalling. However, as the legs are designed to be long I didn’t feel this was too much of a problem, though it might be if you chose to use the shorts on the road. As always with comments on fit, experiences will vary between individuals.

Value

This is Madison’s strongest suit. The RRP on these shorts is £69.99, which represents good value when stacked up against competition. The Le Col x Wahoo pair I tested recently came in at £150. Cycling Weekly's tech team has also tested dhb's offering at £65, but these are waist shorts which won't appeal to all.

With cycling clothing both designed and made in Manchester, Lusso is one of the few cycling brands to manufacture its kit here in the UK. On test we have a pair of their brand new women's Adventure Bibshorts, designed with long days in the saddle in mind, whether that's gravel riding, audax, or touring.

Construction

Besides the obvious pockets on either thigh, the most striking element of the Lusso Women's Adventure bibshorts is the checkerboard-style lycra that they're made from. This Italian compression material is secured around the thighs with 4.5cm wide elastic embossed with the Lusso text logo, with a strip of low profile silicone on the inside to help the shorts stay in place.

You'll also find the Lusso word logo in white down the outside of either thigh, just behind the pocket, and next to a strip of reflective material to aid visibility in low light conditions.

Up top, the bib straps are incredibly light, made from Lusso's coolmesh fabric with wide straps for comfort in white.

The chamois pad is from Elastic Interface, and these women's bibs feature the '8+ Hour Endurance Breathable female specific comfort pad'. This seamless pad was selected for its high density, channeled properties, aiming to give great comfort for long days in the saddle.

The mesh pockets themselves are much less fragile than you'd think, which is just as well when a lot of British riding can be along bridleways lined with brambles! They're almost opaque unless stretched, and if you choose not to use them, you almost won't notice them there. The men's shorts are slightly different, as they also have pockets on the lower back.

The ride

Whether you're cynical or not about thigh pockets before trying them, you'll soon be wondering why on earth we didn't have these decades before. Or at least, I was.

Perfect for storing your phone for quick picture opportunity access or a handy place to stash gloves, rubbish or bars, these really come into their own on long days out or bikepacking trips. Although they're not zipped, the deep pockets teamed with the strong elastic means that whatever you stash in there really does stay in place.

Overall the shorts were pretty comfortable, with traditional style wide bib straps in a really lightweight mesh that stayed in place perfectly. I also like that this upper part is white, which doesn't show through lighter coloured tees and jerseys like black straps might.

Personally, I didn't find the chamois to be as comfortable as some premium shorts, but then again these don't carry a premium price tag, so I could hardly grumble too much. They were good enough for short trips and day rides, but wouldn't be my number one choice for multiple days in the saddle.

Value

Although a nudge over £100 might not seem like the most extortionate shorts on the market, these Adventure shorts certainly price up heftily when compared to their pocket-free alternatives from Lusso. Their Lead Out shorts retail at £65, nearly half the price, without the pockets but with a similar chamois and bib design - so it's worth really asking yourself if you intend to use the pricey extra pocket space.

The Rapha x Outdoor Voices collaboration pretty much took over the social media feeds of female cyclists when the collection launched - and not via Sponsored posts; the sharing was organic and it was largely because this capsule wardrobe offers a refreshing take on women's cycling that met a ready market during lockdown.

>>> Best women's cycling shorts 

Outdoor Voices is a fitness brand that paired up with Rapha to create a limited edition range. The aim was to provide kit that met the performance needs of cyclists, whilst still being appealing to those not completely comfortable with the traditional lycra aesthetic. With many women taking up cycling during lockdown, but not necessarily keen to jump headfirst into the roadie culture, the range hit the sweetspot. For those of us already engrossed in cycling, the collection spoke of a more pleasure seeking take on cycling that was less about 'embracing the suffering' and more enjoying the ride.

So that's the ideological part of the equation covered. What of the actual shorts?

>>> Rapha x Outdoor Voices jersey reviewed

Rapha has gone for a soft upper, with a cross-over back and high front. The upper is made from a 'proprietary striped mesh', it's very stretchy and comfortable. There's no 'comfort break' feature built into these shorts, such as the clasp on offer on Rapha's Souplesse shorts. Rapha does offer a waist short version of these, but those of us who prefer bibs don't want to have to strip off in a field just to spend a penny - and with so many halterneck, clasp, droptail and other options around on the market (and working effectively) personally I see no reason we should have to.

Getting my criticisms out the way early, I did find the dark blue legs and white upper left me questioning if these should go in the machine with a colour wash or a white wash. In the end, I bundled them in with colour items - and the white on top has taken a very faint blue tinge.

>>> Rapha x Ourdoor Voices Sports bra reviewed 

The fit is based on Rapha's 'Classic' collection, which means it's pretty relaxed with a focus on comfort over sculpted aerodynamic performance. I wear a UK 8/10 and the size Small left plenty of breathing room, possibly a little too much - there was some bunching around the lower back and I might have been better sizing down on my normal Rapha gear to an X-Small.

The legs are fairly long as women's shorts go, and made from a comfortably compressive fabric. This is finished off with a 55mm leg gripper, with silicone spots on the inside to keep it all in place without creating a 'muffin/sausage leg', a definite plus.

The 'cargo' name denotes the provision of extra pockets vs normal cycling kit. There's one at the lower back, and then one on the outside of each quad.

I typically used the rear pocket to stash an inner tube, keeping the pockets on either thigh for gravel rides when I wanted some extra snacks at easy reach. They're effective, and nothing moved around or caused irritation. Front on, full pockets would generally give a bulky aesthetic, but I chose not to care when enjoying the countryside and fresh air.

The most crucial element of any pair of cycling shorts is the chamois, and in this case Rapha's recently developed 'Classic' pad provided ample comfort. It's notably thicker than most, making me very aware of it when walking around off the bike. If you prefer a thinner pad, you may want to look elsewhere. However, for relaxed endurance rides where I was often in the saddle for hours at a time, I found it to be extremely comfortable and the additional bulk was a welcome addition.

Coming in at £180, these are certainly an investment - indeed they're even more expensive than the Dyora shorts from Assos, matching the swing tag of the Gore C7's which we called a tad overpriced. Both the aforementioned pairs of shorts focus on the performance end of the scale, so with these tailored more to the accessible end of the market, I feel a good chunk of the price tag is attributed to the appealing aesthetic.

After years using old, worn out cycling shorts for my indoor training, suffering in clammy discomfort, I jumped at the chance to test Le Col’s indoor Training Shorts.

The British company is one of a number of premium brands to have launched clothing optimised for use on the turbo, partnering with Wahoo, to provide these shorts with a distinctive splash of colour. 

>>> Best indoor cycling clothing

Construction

According to Le Col it's adapted these shorts from the summer pro bibs used by Bahrain-McLaren, and while we’ve not compared them to Mark Cavendish’s pair, we noticed they closely resemble the Pro Lightweight model you can buy.

The most obvious feature is the huge perforated panels around the hips and down the front of the legs. Laser cut, the hundreds of holes are designed to provide ventilation, while the lycra construction of the rest of the garment is noticeably lightweight.

The straps are of heavier construction and the bibs come up much higher on the abdomen than some other shorts, surprising for a garment intended to keep you cool, though at least that provides some flattering compression!

The multi-density Dolomiti Pro Gel chamois is super smooth, though seems quite bulky. Le Col claiming it is “optimised for indoor training," though it is also available in other shorts in the company’s line up.

The Ride

While they’re well put together we did notice some slightly baggy fabric around the chamois, though this had no bearing during the ride. You certainly do not feel the pad’s bulk in the saddle which is soft, supportive and perfect for those long sessions, completely wicking moisture away in the hottest, sweatiest of conditions.

Of course moisture and heat management is what indoor training kit should be all about and these shorts do a great job. To test this, during the recent spell of hot weather we set the turbo up in direct sunlight for a session, and while the Garmin registered 43º, the shorts coped admirably.

We never felt the burn black shorts and hot sun can combine to create, they never felt clammy even under the colourful, large gripper which did its job perfectly. It’s no surprise there is little in the way of compression, the perorations see to that, and I did find myself occasionally slipping forward during intervals, the backside being slightly slippery, but these shorts do their job very well.

Value

Though it depends on the size of your wallet, £150 is a lot to pay for a pair of shorts designed never to be used out on the road. However, they are £10 cheaper than Le Col’s own Pro Lightweight shorts and we can see no reason why you can’t use them outside, adding to their worth.

These shorts are high quality, and if they make your indoor training a more attractive proposition, as they did for me, their value far exceeds pure finance.

The dhb Aeron women's bib shorts were selected for an Editor's Choice award in 2020. This year's list contains 78 items which scored a 9 or 10/10 with our tech team - this gear is the best of the best, and has received the Cycling Weekly stamp of approval. 

By my calculations cycling brand dhb mark their sweet sixteenth birthday this year, and with it a somewhat coming of age for the latest Aeron women's bib shorts.

The Aeron collection itself has been around a few years now, and is badged as dhb’s all day performance range for male and female bike riders. The range consistently hovers around the seven and eight on our scorecards, with the dhb Aeron Turbo women's shorts the most recent pair we've seen, achieving a solid 8/10, but dhb has gone one better with its latest offering.

>>> Best women's cycling shorts reviewed

Sustainable construction

The dhb Aeron women's bib shorts are made up of a few different fabrics. The shorts themselves are constructed using a Power fabric, from the much respected Italian M.I.T.I fabric house. Specific properties include high abrasion resistance and stretch, perfect for the hard life of a pair of cycling shots.

Other fabric features include sweat-wicking, anti-odor, and treatment to ensure that that they're non-see-though, which all together make for a tick list of the perfect cycling short makeup. Knowing that the material is Bluesign certified, a kite mark for responsible, sustainable and transparent textile manufacturing, is a huge bonus point for me.

Underneath sits an Elastic Interface chamois. It's another gold standard in the cycling short world. The Paris HP pad is female specific and, according to Elastic Interface, designed according to anthropometrical measurements to guarantee support of female anatomy during activity, a bold statement indeed.

Technically the chamois comes under the crossover discipline category, which if nothing else gives these shorts an element of versatility for riding anything around the claimed seven hour mark, with triple density foam padding of between three and thirteen millimetres in thickness.

It's another sustainable and ecologically minded fabric, made from recycled yarns and Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX^® certified, a strict requirement for safeguarding people and the environment, as well as being Bluesign certified too. Music to my ears.

The bib straps haven't been left behind technology wise, as they feature carbon fibre to increase cooling and moisture transfer.

Just as important to what the dhb Aeron women's bib shorts are made from is how they are made and how they perform.

An early heads up that as the brand's performance range of cycling attire, the fit will always be athletic - meaning it comes up small. Pulling on the UK size 10, which I'd expect to be a little loose, revealed a second skin like fit. I had put this down to a slight lockdown body composition change, but remeasuring myself according to the dhb size guide, I would in fact be a UK size 8. So definitely err on the side of caution if wondering what to opt for.

Perfect performance

With the tight fit however, came no compromises. These are the best shorts I've worn in a long time. Women's specific shorts can be over complicated in order to take account of the female form, and I have to say I think the dhb Aeron Women's bib shorts are close to nailing it.

Wearing these on the hottest day of the year thus far, around 30 degrees, in the incredibly hilly Goyt Valley in the Peak District. To the uninitiated, this involved inclines of up to nearly 20 per cent and averages knocking on the door of around 11 per cent for several kilometres - a good testing ground for any cycling kit.

Even with tarmac melting temperatures, there wasn't one point where I felt too hot or sweaty in the shorts. The opaque and tightness of the shorts made me feel nicely compressed in the effort of climbing and protected from the heat of the sun.

I absolutely loved the short to bib interface. The slight cross over at the front was enough to make my abdomen secure and comfortably tucked in, without an over-elaborate second layer from the waist up, preventing any overheating or base layer quandary. The shoulder straps were totally un-noticeable once on, and the cross over at the back held them securely in place, even at my sweatiest.

All this comes in a package for £75, making it impressive value for money and hard to know why you would buy anything else.

A relatively new name in the world of cycling apparel, Katusha Sports are probably still not on many rider's radars, but on the basis of the corresponding Katusha Allure Jersey and the Katusha Icon Jersey reviews, I was expecting great things from the Allure bib shorts.

Construction

Mirroring the Allure Jersey, the Katusha Allure bib shorts also include the use of the 37.5 fabric. The detailed lowdown on the fabric can be found here, but in essence, it's a volcanic sand based fabric that helps regulate the body to it's ideal 37.5 degree temperature.

>>> Best women's cycling shorts reviewed 

It sounds pretty far out, but as I said in the Allure jersey review, it's an independent fabric house with big backing in the form of Adidas, Salomon, Cahartt to name but a few, and it's been peer-reviewed so I continue to remain open-minded as to it's effectiveness.

The bib aspect of the Katusha Allure bib shorts is not that dissimilar to that of the latest dhb Aeron women's bib shorts with the cross over front and back. Although this time the low front waistline is countered by the high rear infill panel, which has been designed to prevent the straps from twisting as well as providing additional support to the structure of the short.

>>> Buy now: Katusha Allure shorts at Katusha for €180

Down below is a Teosport TM Armadillo chamois, which although isn't as well known as other brand's pads, isn't lacking in technological claims. Naturally, it's women's specific, the chamois uses a range of thicknesses combined with specific areas of shock absorption and breathability to create what it calls an extremely flexible and lightweight pad.

The ride

The size small shorts are certainly small. The tacky silicone five centimeters of leg gripper does grip your legs and ensure, that once on, the Katusha Allure Women's shorts aren't going anywhere, no matter how much riding you put them through. For me they were too tight, and it's something that I'm not particularly keen on as it distracts me when riding,  I often found myself readjusting the leg to seek out a smoother skin to shorts transition.

I might not bother most riders, although it will mean that you will probably have an imprint on your thigh for a few hours post-ride, something to think about if your post-ride civi-wear comes up short of this line.

The TM Armadillo pad was comfortable in the main, but measuring seven centimeters at the front, I personally found it slightly too wide.  This didn't present an issue over the handful of hour test rides, but I would be apprehensive about a big day out in them.

Whilst I do have criticisms,  in the main the Allure's are a nice pair of shorts that are good for warm weather rides, and weighing just 156 grams, they're on a par with other lightweight offerings on the market, such as the Alé Green Road Lady bib shorts,  making them a pretty easy go to pair for most of summer.

However at €180.00 (around £160 at the time of writing this review), I feel they need to be exceptional and I'm just struggling to see any standout feature that really justifies the high-end price.