Rapha launches new detachable women’s bib shorts

Rapha finally unveils a pee stop ready pair of bib shorts for women

Rapha has released two new pairs of women's cycling shorts, both featuring a new and redeveloped chamois, whilst the race ready bibs also come with a new detachable strap to finally allow for Rapha comfort with easy toilet breaks.

The new chamois has been three years in development, following testing by 38 different riders, covering over 15,000 kilometres.

The multi-thickness pads come in two different sizes, with a seamless construction that aims to eliminate chafing, plus a pre-moulded shape for optimal support. The dual-density foam is softer at the front, and firmer over the sit bones.

The Souplesse Detachable Bib Shorts come with a self-centering magnetic clasp, which can be unclipped without removing a jersey, and dropped at the back for quick comfort breaks.

The design shares some similarities with the women's Specialized SL Pro bib shorts which won an Editor's Choice award in 2017.

(Image credit: ANA_CUBA)

Tested by the Canyon SRAM race team, it's a race short designed for high tempo riding, and uses a thin layer of high-density foam whilst soft fabric over the legs offers compression and comfort and bonded seams aim to cut down on chafing.

Also on offer within the new line-up are the Rapha Cargo Bib Shorts, with ample pockets designed to cut down on the amount of clutter weighing down jersey pockets.

There's deep pockets at the lower back, as per a jersey, as well as on the legs, with lightweight mesh covering which is ideal if you're avoiding squishing a banana or that coffee-shop-cake wrapped in a napkin.

(Image credit: ANA_CUBA)

Lightweight material is designed to be used in high temperatures, thanks to a version of the top end 'Shadow' fabric, which is wind and water resistant whilst being quick drying.

The chamois is designed for all day wear, with a highly breathable mesh upper which will work well if and when a jersey needs to be unzipped.

Both pairs of bib shorts come in at £195, and are on sale now.

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Michelle Arthurs-Brennan

Michelle Arthurs-Brennan is a traditional journalist by trade, having begun her career working for a local newspaper, where highlights included interviewing a very irate Freddie Star (and an even more irate theatre owner), as well as 'the one about the stolen chickens'.


Previous to joining the Cycling Weekly team, Michelle was Editor at Total Women's Cycling. She joined CW as an 'SEO Analyst', but couldn't keep her nose out of journalism and in the spreadsheets, eventually taking on the role of Tech Editor before her latest appointment as Digital Editor. 


Michelle is a road racer who also enjoys track riding and the occasional time trial, though dabbles in off-road riding too (either on a mountain bike, or a 'gravel bike'). She is passionate about supporting grassroots women's racing and founded the women's road race team 1904rt.


Michelle is on maternity leave from July 8 2022, until April 2023.