A good pair of bib shorts with a comfortable pad is an absolute must for a cyclist. While the pad hasn't been made from goatskin for decades, we still call it a chamois.
If you're new to cycling you may wonder, why the bib straps? 'Wrestling suit' jokes are likely the first time you slip them on, but they'll quickly become irrelevant once you start you riding in a garment that doesn’t dig into your waist when you’re tucked down against the wind, and holds the pad in place no matter what.
As with all cycling clothing these days there is a huge amount available, at a wide range of prices. So where do you begin picking your bibs?
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There are a few important things to consider – including fit, length, material, grippers – but they all combine to make for a pair of shorts you shouldn’t really notice when riding. They should also make the saddle less noticeable.
As with most items where comfort is the defining feature, if you notice no problems, it’s a well-designed product. Nothing should feel too tight or constrictive. Seams or panels pulled where they don’t belong are not good if they make themselves felt 90 minutes into a four-hour ride. Too much padding can be as problematic as too little, though this will be a personal preference issue based on your anatomy.
The 16 pairs of bib shorts have been tested in the cold weather with leg warmers or under tights and in the warmer climates of the Balearics to get a good idea of how they perform in a wide range of conditions. (Please note that Assos wasn't included in this test, but many of our editors appreciate the fit — if not the exorbitant cost — of this Swiss brand's bibs.)
What to look for when buying bib shorts
- Pad shape: The pad needs to work with your body shape; some people simply will not get on with a particular insert. If there are obvious folds or creases that cause chafing, it’s a sign that this pad doesn’t work for you.
- Pad thickness: A thick insert doesn’t necessarily mean more comfort. Many pads will have variable foam densities and thicknesses across the insert itself. Thicker pads can fold and pinch, and potentially be too hot as well.
- Pad placement: No matter how good the pad is, if it's sewn into the wrong place it'll feel horrible. Pad placement is a tricky one, and you want the thickest section of the chamois directly underneath your sit bones once on the bike.
- Multi panels: Multiple panels allow a tailored fit without relying on the material’s inherent stretch to keep everything in place. Check where seams are, and beware ones that restrict movement, especially when on the drops.
- Bib material: The stretchiness of a bib affects how secure the shorts are as a whole. Too stretchy (or too long) and the shorts can move around. Overly rigid (or short), and the groin seams can be pulled hard against the body.
- Leg length: If you are particularly short in stature, or long of limb, then it’s worth making sure you’re happy with the leg length of the shorts to prevent either the hot pants or Bermuda shorts looks making an appearance.
- Leg grippers: A classic case of Goldilocks design – not too tight, not too loose. Too constrictive and as well as giving you unsightly sausage legs, they’ll restrict blood flow. Too loose and the shorts will move around and possibly cause discomfort.
Best bib shorts
Alé PRR Bermuda
- Price: £95 / US$160 / AU$TBC
- Highs: Supportive bib, awesome pad, top grippers
- Lows: Purely aesthetic, love/hate styling
Endura FS260 Pro SL
- Price: £100 / US$180 / €120 / AU$TBC
- Highs: Fit, custom options, leg grippers
- Lows: None that we could find
Gore Oxygen
- Price: £140 / US$170 / €160 / AU$N/A
- Highs: Compressive fabric, unrestrictive leg grippers
- Lows: Nothing
Bioracer Race Proven AS Stratos
- Price: £110 / AU$N/A
- Highs: Light, dry and no-nonsense bibs
- Lows: Only the relatively high price
Bontrager RL
- Price: £80 / US$120 / €90 / AU$159
- Highs: Superb leg grippers, elegant reflectives
- Lows: No real issues
Santini Mago
- Price: £110 / US$165 / €135 / AU$190
- Highs: Super supportive and sharply designed
- Lows: Pad isn't the market leader it once was
Vermarc Prima PR.R
- Price: £93 / US$169 / AU$TBC
- Highs: Supreme long-distance comfort and strong construction
- Lows: Some needlessly bulky stitching
Craft Puncheur
- Price: £80 / US$125 / AU$149
- Highs: Excellent warm-weather performance
- Lows: Not quite as supportive as some
dhb Professional ASV
- Price: £65 / US$70 / €70 / AUD$120
- Highs: Good fit and comfort, excellent grippers
- Lows: Slightly flimsy fabric
Hoy Vulpine El Toro
- Price: £80 / US N/A / AU N/A
- Highs: Stylishly minimalist, outstanding padded insert
- Lows: Not the most supportive bibs
Louis Garneau CB Carbon 2 Bib
- Price: £100 / US$170 / AU$219
- Highs: Supportive fit and fabric; gripper gap
- Lows: Straps prone to folding
Sportful Bodyfit Classic
- Price: £85 / US N/A / AU N/A
- Highs: Long-distance comfort
- Lows: Not ideal if your torso's on the long side
Also tested
Final verdict
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