Lusso Active Aero bib shorts review
We test the Active Aero bib shorts from Lusso, part of its new aero clothing range
Proving that a quality pair of bib shorts doesn’t have to cost the earth, the Lusso Active Air shorts are comfortable, with a good pad, nice styling and possible aero benefits at an affordable price.
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Well fitting
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Good pad
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Go-faster looks
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UK made
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Come up quite large
The Lusso Active Aero line includes these Active Aero bib shorts to accompany its aero jersey. The brand has majored on aero socks, with quite a range of different patterns. Wind tunnel tests have shown that socks can make a difference to aerodynamics and Lusso has done its own tests, shaving seconds off ride times when wearing its socks.
The Lusso Active Aero bib shorts continue the go-faster theme, with the panels on the outsides of the shorts being made of a striped fabric. Lusso says that this improves airflow over the legs, resulting in aero gains. I’m not sure whether I rode faster as a result, but I do like the rather sleek, smart look that this gives.
The inner edge of the Lusso Active Aero's leg and the rear of the shorts are made from a different fabric with small indents, while the leg grippers are wide and made of a quite thick single-layer elastic. The bibs are a lightweight mesh with wide hems. Lusso says that the shorts have an SPF of over 50.
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The Endurance pad in the Lusso Active Aero bib shorts is comfortable for longer rides. It’s made by Elastic Interface, a brand well known for quality pads. Lusso says it’s good for over six hours; I certainly found it perfectly comfortable and unobtrusive for hot rides of over four hours. It’s neatly sewn into the shorts with a double row of zigzag stitching.
Lusso continues to make all its clothing in the UK, with the Active Aero bib shorts made in Manchester from Italian fabric. Sizing is more generous than some other makes and I found that a Small was a good fit, despite normally taking a size Medium.
The Lusso Active Aero bib shorts are a good, comfortable option for longer summer rides and well priced too, even if the aero benefits are less tangible.
Paul started writing for Cycling Weekly in 2015, covering cycling tech, new bikes and product testing. Since then, he’s reviewed hundreds of bikes and thousands of other pieces of cycling equipment for the magazine and the Cycling Weekly website.
He’s been cycling for a lot longer than that though and his travels by bike have taken him all around Europe and to California. He’s been riding gravel since before gravel bikes existed too, riding a cyclocross bike through the Chilterns and along the South Downs.
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