As regards being easy to pee in their raison d'tre they performed perfectly, the overall comfort level is high, and they're good value to boot. Find a Pearl Izumi dealer. The fit for me was definitely close, bordering on compressive, although Santini doesn't claim them to be compressive, with the various sport science voodoo that entails. It's a very comfortable chamois. Such pads are generally more comfortably as a result. The pad is designed for long-distance rides, the perineal cutout removing pressure where you don't want it, the triple-density foam providing it where you do. Yes, they come at a high price, but in this case it's fully justified. Read our review of the Primal Stirling Mens Helix 2.0 Bib shorts. Find an Assos dealer. You can spend over 300 if youre feeling particularly flush, but you do begin to get diminishing returns in extra comfort. Read our review of the Lusso Carbon bib shorts V2 Tester Anna Marie writes: dhb's Moda Women's Classic Bib Shorts are a well-thought-out design with a great fit, with straps that don't put pressure on the chest, wonderfully comfy leg ends and minimalist styling. The Assos T.laalalaishorts_s7 fit the bill perfectly, offering top quality and exceptional all-day comfort. The quality of finish is very high throughout, and they are certainly looking to be durable with no wear and tear where they have been in contact with the saddle. Like this site? Find a Lusso dealer. Read our review of the Lusso 2-Zero Thermal Bib Shorts Gore Wear's C7 Women's bib shorts or C7 Women Long Distance Bib Shorts+, to give them their full name are exceptionally comfortable with a chamois that's up to long days in the saddle. The men's bibs achieve those aims convincingly. The shorts are made from a combination of AeroFlow Compress fabric and 220g Lycra which gives the legs a good level of compression and support. It's less a radical redesign and more a refinement. Theres a huge variety of thickness and weights of fabric, though. Road.cc buyer's guides are maintained and updated by Mildred Locke. Some pads have channels or perforations to wick away sweat; theres nothing more uncomfortable than a soggy pad. Read our review of the Sportful Fiandre NoRain 2 BibShort. I've ridden everything from flat-out, hour-long blasts on the road to six-hour jaunts on the gravel in these shorts and I've never once felt any discomfort. And, er, that's it. The raw cut grippers are also the comfiest and neatest I've ever worn. Lusso has nailed it with its no-fuss, no-clasp design, which is as pleasant to wear on the bike as it is easy to pee in. That is a bold statement, but these shorts have really impressed me by actually delivering on that promise. DoctorFish: After years of buying fairly cheap ones from wiggle, which have on the whole been fine, I paid out for some from Stolen Goat. Besides everything else, they're incredibly comfortable and the soft fabric makes you feel all snug just pulling them on. Back in 2016 we gave the previous model of the Carbon shorts 4.5 stars, saying they were 'an excellent choice of bib shorts for all-day rides, and very good value'. It is soft and breathable too, so after a few hours in the saddle on a hot day you aren't left in a swampy mess. It has the perfect balance of compression and support without being noticeable. theslowcyclistxx: Everyone is different of course, but in my opinion Assos Equipe offers unparalleled comfort to the other brands. The recycled fabric feels great against the skin while offering plenty of unrestricted movement, and the pad is top notch. Tour de France Femmes 2022: Everything you need to know, Annemiek van Vleuten hit 95.4kmh on La Super Planche des Belles Filles stage, Gallery: Annemiek van Vleuten wins Stage 8 and first ever Tour de France Femmes maillot jaune, Gallery: Incredible Annemiek van Vleuten in a class of her own on Tour de France Femmes Stage 7. Overall, I was very impressed with the Nopinz Pro-1 Bib Shorts' aero fit and comfortable pad. Mat tested the previous version of Le Col's Pro bib shorts in 2018 and called the Dolomiti Pro Gel pad 'supremely comfortable.' Tester Stu writes: Endura says the FS260-Pro Bibshort is its best-selling pair of bib shorts, and after wearing them for the last five or six weeks I can see why. They're expensive, but the investment will serve you well throughout spring, summer and autumn. Plus, the Progetto X Air seamless seat pad is among the best out there. We've tested the 7mesh RK1 bib shorts that cost 200, and for 180 and 190 respectively, Katusha's Icon and Pearl Izumi's Pro bib shorts received excellent reviews. The only observable seams are on the inner leg and at the rear, both well away from key areas of airflow. These are top-level shorts and very comfortable for riding road or off-road, long or short. The FS260-Pros are great bib shorts, delivering everything you want, from fit, to comfort, to performance, which is very impressive considering they come in at less than 100. The 7mesh WK3 bib shorts pack in a lot of positives: a super-plush chamois, a second-skin feel and an 'easy pee' function that is, in fact, genuinely easy never again will you have to de-layer to have that final wee before leaving the house. Find an Endura dealer. I found the Teosport Armadillo endurance chamois on these bib shorts very comfortable and would be happy to wear these shorts on long distance rides. Tester George writes: The first thing you notice about these is that the material is considerably thinner than almost any other shorts you're likely to have come across, with an almost papery quality. daturaman: Everyone seems to rave about the Dhb Aeron - imagine my disappointment when I found that they are made from a harsh, scratchy material with a pad that, whilst ok, I would not want to be doing a long ride on. The chamois cradled my undercarriage all the way from lower abdomen to coccyx. A hint of compression makes them an ideal choice for fast or hard rides. They've become his go-to shorts for rides long or short. Founder Yanto Barker claims that these are 'the fastest, most comfortable and best performing shorts out there', and the silky Italian Lycra with which theyre constructed certainly gives the impression of luxury. The mesh straps dont offer a pitstop hack, but youre more likely to be using these bibs in summer than in winter, which makes stripping off less of a hardship. In fact, on these kinds of rides they've performed impeccably, to the point where you wonder why you'd spend more. I found NVPA's sizing guide to be about right though, so that should be your first point of reference. With the Le Col Pros you're paying for top quality, heavy duty, bona fide pro-level racing shorts from a British brand with a lot of well-deserved cachet that knows what it's doing. As a rule of thumb, all cycling clothing from Italian companies will come up small for its nominal size. Since then tester Mike Stead has worn the Carbons many, many times. Seams are carefully placed for clean, flattering lines, and in many cases are entirely absent. And no, you dont wear underwear under them, if youre wondering. Cheaper shorts might have a single thickness pad, while the more expensive pads use variable levels of foam thickness and density to keep the pad thinner where you dont need much cushioning, and more padding where you do need it. Seriously impressive performance for the price shorts that'll serve you well on all but the longest rides. The Assos RS Spring Fall Bib Shorts S9 work perfectly on cool to cold rides, the fit is sublime and the pad is excellent. Help us to make it better. They didnt ride up at all during testing with or without leg warmers. Two years on and probably 100 wash cycles later, they still look like new as well testament to Lusso's selection of material and build quality. You can also find further guides on our sister sites off.road.cc and ebiketips. Velocio promises a 'deep black high opacity finish,' and delivers just that. Read our review of the Shutt Velo Rapide Signature Sanremo Bib Shorts. Tester Sarah wore a medium for the test and they were a really good fit. If you value a good fit on the bike, regardless of your pace, these are worth digging into your pocket for. If you're looking at spending this much, you won't be disappointed with these. If youve enjoyed this article, then please consider subscribing to road.cc from as little as 1.99. One place I always look out for wear and tear is the stitching around the pad contact from the saddle can damage this quite quickly on some shorts, even after just a couple of rides but no signs of that here. Made from pre and post-consumer recycled fabrics, the Universal Colours Mono women's bib shorts offer comfort, compression and strong sustainability credentials. Designers recommend wearing the smallest size you can get into, as a tight fit will stop the pad moving, especially as the fabric deteriorates over time. Santini's Mago bib shorts just might be the most comfortable bibs I've ever worn, writes tester Mike Stead, and the minimalist styling should pair with any top. There are other options out there, like drop seat and halter neck designs, but the WK3s win on speed. Breathability and wicking are excellent, the chamois is superb, and they are supremely comfortable to use for longer rides., Read our review of the MAAP Pro Bib 2.0 I paid full retail because I was desperate (and only had the time to stop in one shop) and can say hand on heart they were worth every penny as they made the last 500 miles a pleasure for my nether regions. The pad is made exclusively for MAAP by Elastic Interface. To add to this, I own several pair of bibs from the other brands. By continuing to use this website, you consent to our use of these cookies. Assos Dyora RS Spring Fall bib shorts review, Buyers guide: Best womens cycling sports bras, The best sustainable cycling clothing brands 2022, Best cheap turbo trainers: Top turbo trainers on a budget, Universal Colours mono women's bib shorts review, the best sustainable cycling clothing brands, Vittoria Corsa N.EXT tyre review: Taking aim at Continental and Schwalbe, Gallery: Marianne Vos is the Greatest Of All Time. The pad is a Cytech Elastic Interface 'Veloce' chamois, designed for two or three hour rides, and moulded to offer comfort, breathability and designed to prevent chafing. these are extremely comfortable, excellently tailored bib shorts. You get 3mm-thick viscous (gel-like) padding in the perineal and ischial areas and two different densities of foam. Silicone tape or dots are the most frequent solutions, along with elasticated hems. I happily completed five-hour rides without any discomfort. The 7mesh RK1 Bib Shorts are 'elite performance, second skin road cycling shorts' according to their creators. Price-wise these are towards the upper end, but not the most expensive on the market, and the stylish simplicity of their design and detailing is likely to flatter most figures. These bib shorts are high-performance like the Dyora above, however they have a rare nature calls feature which isn't about stretchy material, hence their inclusion in this guide. Manufacturers are now combining different fabrics at the top-end to achieve a good fit and a level of compression. Tester Caroline writes: Chamois choice is always a hugely personal affair, but Lusso has opted for a mix of gel and open cell foam with channels to aid ventilation. The Summit Stratos Range Bibs are designed for long rides and have useful cargo pockets. I like the Expeditions a lot. Tester Stu adds: MAAP has absolutely knocked it out the park with its '3D Thermo Moulded multi (3 layer) density chamois'. I'm 1.80m tall and was (last year) a reasonably slim 85kg with chunky thighs and bought the regular leg length, medium pad in Large. The Cargo bibshorts have been designed with multi-day adventures in mind, and are claimed to excel in extreme conditions. Read our review of the Castelli Free Aero RC bib shorts They're long, which might not appeal to all, but if that's not a concern then they're really one to consider, especially for the price., Read our review of the Nopinz Pro-1 Bib Shorts. Like most sites we make a small amount of money if you buy something after clicking on one of those links. The fit is classed as 'Italian Race' which means they'll suit those of you with very low body fat numbers. The Adventure bib shorts are very comfortable, well made and practical, and well worth considering if you're seeking some additional storage and/or sturdier shorts for general riding or rough stuff touring. This updated version of Castelli's Free Aero RC bib shorts is their best ever, combining a superb level of comfort with plenty of support and some neat features. They aren't perfect the straps did still occasionally twist, and they are at the top end in terms of price but there is nothing else I could find that didn't impress., Read our review of the Castelli Premio Bib Shorts Terms and conditions of use. Caratti have used a material that allows for four way stretch, which genuinely provides a really forgiving fit. Htc: Rapha Pro Team II bibs have the best pad I've tried, feel great all round too. With plenty of pockets, an extremely comfortable pad and fabric made from recycled materials, the Pearl Izumi Men's Expedition Bib Shorts (there's a women's version too) are ideal for gravel and adventure rides or even for road jaunts when you want easy access to essentials. It flows well with the body when riding; I didn't experience any pinch points, rubbing or sense of restriction. If you like road.cc, but you dont like ads, please consider subscribing to the site to support us directly. A favourite feature of the Cargo bibshorts is their multiple pockets. It is made from gradient stretch woven fabric which, according to Castelli, is 30 per cent lighter than traditional knit fabrics. Overall, the Free Aero RC bib shorts put in an excellent performance. The woven fabric is very thin and breathable yet robust, while tabs on the straps guarantee they lay comfortably flat the whole ride. There's no bulk to the material at all, so it doesn't hold water even in prolonged rain. Find an Assos dealer. Just be aware the shorts come up a little smaller than usual Lusso fare. While there are other styles of shorts available baggy, urban and waist shorts for any rides of that combine distance and speed bib shorts are hard to beat for comfort. Although the price bracket positions these shorts in the entry-level market, they are a high quality, high performance and great value pair of shorts which give good comfort for a few hours. I'd done 1500 comfortable miles in the Castellis without issue, so I can't blame them. Tester Pat says the 7Mesh Mk3 bib shorts are the best shorts he's ever worn. The dhb Aeron Lab XC Bib Shorts are perfect for riders who want a lightweight and performance-orientated pair of bibs that are also resilient for riding off the beaten track. All my 3/4 and full length tights are Giordana and I absolutely swear by them. So not only do they not get a deserved medal, they have to pay the twats at the UCI 172 eachbecause they, rightly, performed a small Editorial, general: info [at] road.cc Some riders find that silicone grippers irritate their skin (especially in warmer weather), and will prefer elastic or the inherent gripping properties of Lycra itself. Breathability is impressive, as is the fast-drying nature of this fabric. They are a handy place for sections of maps, bars or gels. Read our review of the Assos T.laalalaiShorts_s7 women's bib shorts Their rrp of 190 is a serious dent in the wallet, but if they fit well and the material stands the test of time then you won't regret the investment if you're putting in the miles. The new fabric has allowed Castelli to ditch leg grippers to keep the bottom hem as comfy as possible. dhb's Equinox range is all about kit to get you through the change of the seasons, and what the company has done here is to introduce new fabrics to its excellent Aeron Bib Shorts (which I tested back in March) to keep you a little bit warmer. They're definitely not limited to summer temperatures, either you'll be getting three seasons out of these, more hardy riders may even push for four. Lusso's Comfort Break Bibshorts are designed to make mid-ride pit stops as easy for women as they are for men. Is it time to ditch the final day procession? While Le Col has updated the design of the shorts and the bib section, the British brand has sensibly not fixed what ain't broke and has kept the same pad and 'supremely comfortable' is how I would describe it too. The design is original to Pactimo and it says it's developed as an ultra long distance pad, which I'm inclined to agree with.