Gore C7 women's long distance bib shorts+ review

A long distance short that's designed for performance seeking riders

Gore C7 women's long distance bib shorts+
Cycling Weekly Verdict

A very comfortable chamois paired with soft, luxurious fabric. You do pay for what you get, though - and the price tag here could be a turn-off for some.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Good fit

  • +

    Comfortable chamois

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Expensive

  • -

    No comfort break solution

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

Gore's C7 women's long distance bib shorts are designed for riders seeking performance that will go the extra mile.

>>> Best men's shorts reviewed 

>>> Best women’s cycling shorts here

Like the men's version - which received a Cycling Weekly Editor's Choice award - it's the chamois/short interface which sets these bib shorts apart. Gore wanted to offer a pad that would stay put as the rider moved, so it began its design process with the chamois, adding the rest of the fabric later - as opposed to stitching the 3D 'Expert long distance' pad into a pre designed construction.

The brand calls this 'Central Core Architecture' tech. The chamois itself is dual density, meaning the padding thickness varies so there's more where you need it, and I found it comfortable both on long and short rides.

At the front, where most brands would continue the pad, Gore has added a slice of its Windstopper fabric, this serves to ward off cold breezes without adding bulk, and was a welcome addition on early spring rides.

The body fabric used contains a high percentage of Elastane and these shorts are designed to offer a 'slim fit', which is Gore's more race orientated offering which cuts down on bulk and unnecessary drag.

The material certainly does have a luxury quality with it - snapping well to fit against the skin and with a lovely soft feel against the skin. Gore has gone for a 20cm inseam length, and these came in just above my knee, which is a nice compromise between the 'pro' but - in my opinion - not always flattering knee length options and the hot pant aesthetic at the other end of the extreme.

The legs are held in place via a slim piece of silicone, creating a snug fit without digging in, and I found this to be very effective. I tested these shorts in a size small, which is typically my go-to size and they fitted well.

Gore C7 women's long distance bib shorts+

On each quad, the brand has stamped a 'Gore' logo in a distinctive reflective fabric. Aesthetically, I do like this, though it did actually leave an indent of the letters on my legs shortly after a ride - so I was literally stamped with the 'Gore' emblem for around 15 minutes. Of course this faded but did leave me wondering if my post-ride attire needed to be Gore marked to save from breaking any Velominati style rules regards cross branding.

The upper on these Gore shorts is simple, but not basic. The fabric is light and breathable, with a radio pocket embedded into the rear should you have need for it. The straps were quite loose but a high and well fitting waist kept the shorts in place, meaning the functionality of the upper was limited in a way which reduced the chance of any unwanted pressure. There isn't any 'comfort break' provision, which at this price point is a shame.

It's impossible to review these shorts without noting that the swing tag attached could be quite a detraction for potential shoppers. At £179.99, they're not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. The quality is high, however, and several washes in they do still look like new.

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Michelle Arthurs-Brennan

Michelle Arthurs-Brennan the Editor of Cycling Weekly website. An NCTJ qualified traditional journalist by trade, Michelle began her career working for local newspapers. She's worked within the cycling industry since 2012, and joined the Cycling Weekly team in 2017, having previously been Editor at Total Women's Cycling. Prior to welcoming her daughter in 2022, Michelle raced on the road, track, and in time trials, and still rides as much as she can - albeit a fair proportion indoors, for now.