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review

Urbanist Cycling Padded Brigitte

8
£45.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Turns normal clothing into cycling gear with more style than anything comparable on the market
Weight: 
0g

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Can padded cycling undies look cute and work hard? Yes, if you're wearing Urbanist Cycling's Brigitte briefs.

The Brigitte briefs are one of two designs from Urbanist Cycling, a new Texan brand that was supported by successful Kickstarter funding. They are designed for city cycling, or indeed anything short of long distance or race rides.

Wearing the Brigitte means that any clothing can become cycle clothing, as the briefs provide both a chamois for commuting comfort and protection from the hems in non-cycle specific trousers or jeans.

The Brigitte has a snazzy black and white striped 'look at me' design. Although I prefer to keep my underwear to myself this is a design which I would be happy to be seen sporting in the changing rooms before spin class as it doesn't look like traditional underwear. The Brigitte briefs are definitely feminine, but in a fun, cute way. There is a thin pink stretch lace on the top of the waistband, sensibly not continued around the legs where it would chafe. This acts instead of a traditional waistband to avoid cutting in and producing the dreaded muffin top.

Find the Urbanist Cycling Padded Brigitte online here

The cut of the briefs is full without being grannyish. They are high at the back but not so high that they showed over the top of my trousers. This was useful as I generally wore non-cycle specific trousers or jeans with them and other cycling briefs I own can show significantly in use.

The chamois pad is of a good quality and really well attached to the briefs themselves with soft stitching which I couldn't feel in use. It is soft and flexible and didn't give a 'nappy' appearance in use. I've mostly been wearing these briefs under merino tights or jeans, and they've certainly got enough padding to wear for a medium to long commute. I didn't feel that I had to change out of them straight away afterwards either as they coped well with sweat and wicked moisture away fairly well.

The briefs stayed in place without riding up and were comfortable in use. My only gripe was that on the XL size the front of the crotch had been sized up too much, so there was excess material to wrinkle between my legs. This isn't an issue on the smaller sizes and didn't pose a comfort problem even in the XL.

The Brigitte briefs are available in four sizes, covering waists from 63 to 89cm between them. They are definitely on the generous side, so if in doubt (or buying as a present) go smaller.

I'm not surprised these briefs raised 250% of their Kickstarter target as they fill a real gap in the market.

Verdict

Turns normal clothing into cycling gear with more style than anything comparable on the market

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: Urbanist Cycling Padded Brigitte

Size tested: XL

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Ever dreamt of a comfortable ride around town without having to resort to full-on cycling shorts? Something you can wear all day and feel feminine in, but still helps cushion your most sensitive parts as you ride?

Urbanist Cycling's Brigitte chamois-padded knickers are the answer to your prayers. Beautifully cut to fit and enhance the female form, they've been tested tirelessly by the Texas cycling community where Urbanist is based to ensure no chaffing or digging in. The material is sumptuous, whilst the chamois pads come from one of Italy's most respected chamois designers.

The Brigitte is well suited for medium/longer rides of up to 25 miles, or even longer. A quantum leap forward for women's cycling kit.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Full coverage cycling knickers

Extra thick, flexible chamois pad designed and made in Italy

Breathable, quick drying fabric to wick moisture efficiently

Polyester/elastane blend

Tested by real women to ensure no chaffing or digging in discomfort

Wear under clothes, for outdoor riding or spinning

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Nicely made with no loose threads. Labels are all heat sealed so nothing to rub.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Good for rides up to about two hours.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

Despite me failing to wash them on a delicate cycle as instructed, these washed really well with no loss of shape.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10

A lovely chamois and soft, smooth all-round fit.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Comparable with similar items available.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

The briefs were comfy to wear and fitted well.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The snazzy colour scheme.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 36  Height: 5'7  Weight: size 16

I usually ride: Trek 7.5 WSD  My best bike is: Turquoise Cruiser

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: A few times a week  I would class myself as: Novice

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, general fitness riding, Leisure

 

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97 comments

Avatar
Joeinpoole | 9 years ago
0 likes

Strewth! That girl's figure is absolutely stunning and she *really* makes those pants look good. Quite frankly, if the wearer looks that good, it should actually be a crime to wear anything over the top of them.

Sorry about that. Until I read this thread I didn't realise that appreciating the beauty of women and being turned on by them ... and worse of all ... actually *saying* so ... apparently marks me out as a misogynist and a sexist.

Surely, on this thread, the female comments are vastly more 'man hating' and judgemental than the male comments are supposedly 'misogynistic'?

Avatar
TimC340 | 9 years ago
1 like

I would have shared this review with my wife, who cycles a great deal more than I do and likes stylish and fun kit to ride in, but some of the pathetic comments here would make her feel like she'd entered a men's football club locker room, and would very much dissuade her from asking for more information. Caroline (and Tony), would it not be appropriate to instigate active moderation for items which are likely to bring out the neanderthals?

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truffy | 9 years ago
0 likes

TBH I think the pink lace looks out of place. If they had to girly it up with lace, it should be white or black. Just my opinion, of course.

Do they do this sort of stuff for chaps? Different cut, no lace, natch. I've only come across stuff without padding, which I don't really see the point in over bog-standard underwear.

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Lifer | 9 years ago
0 likes

Depressingly predictable comments.

I don't understand why we're still having this conversation.

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WolfieSmith | 9 years ago
0 likes

Woman model? My first thought was 'Dave looks better modelling pants then he does modelling helmet covers.  4

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WolfieSmith | 9 years ago
0 likes

... My other thought was that as the pants 'stripes' run predominately horizontal they are technically, in fashion terms, hooped or banded pants not striped. Stripes are vertical, bands of hoops horizontal.

I have no comment on the quality of the model. I do enjoy watching Carry On films so in the style of Kenneth Connor 'fworrrrrrrrr'.

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SteppenHerring | 9 years ago
0 likes

Erm, this is a review of some cycling clothing. On a cycling website. There are plenty of other sites on the internets (I am led to believe) where scantily clad or even unclad ladies can be viewed.

Grow up people.

Avatar
Shamblesuk | 9 years ago
0 likes

Why does this thread have 68 comments and the Giro Men's jacket has 4?

Oh right......

Avatar
russwparkin | 9 years ago
0 likes

wow, this all got well out of hand.

its a great concept to be honest, obviously they would be worn underneath something.

i wouldnt cycle down the road in just my y fronts and all that,

at least it gives girls the option to wear something flattering and comfortable as a casual cyclist.

Avatar
tritecommentbot | 9 years ago
0 likes

Is it true, are there actually 'nasty and vicious' comments made about that author's body when she models the cycling gear herself on this site?

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Airzound | 9 years ago
0 likes

 105

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mattsccm | 9 years ago
0 likes

+what a lot of grumpy gits.

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horizontal dropout | 9 years ago
0 likes

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/30069564

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1XGPvbWn0A

Then google gamergate and do a _lot_ of reading.

By the way as a possible solution for road.cc what about using a tailors dummy?

Avatar
timb27 | 9 years ago
0 likes

i don't find this comments thread embarrassing. It may show how far we have to go, but it also shows how far we have come. Not that long ago there would have been no argument about the 'nice arse' comments. Now we're in a transitional time where some people get it and some don't, but at least the needle is moving.

Oh and btw I'm perfectly relaxed, feel no need to lighten up and am definitely not grumpy.

Avatar
TheHound | 9 years ago
0 likes

Anyone kicking off about the comments needs to go check a review of the Assos shorts with the cuckoo pouch or whatever it's called.

It's not limited to reviews of women's stuff.

People need to stop being such oversensitive hypocrites.

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yenrod | 9 years ago
0 likes

The girls FIT what's wrong with that ??

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DanTe | 8 years ago
0 likes

80 comments. Lol..

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Airzound | 8 years ago
0 likes

I only just recovered from the first time these images were posted. I had to go and lie down and I think I shall have to go and lie down again seeing this lovely rear of the year again.

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AJ101 | 8 years ago
0 likes

BUT DOES HER BIKE HAVE MUDGUARDS?

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Nick T | 8 years ago
0 likes

Has this review been reposted to the front page to hit a web traffic target or something?

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NorthEastJimmy | 8 years ago
0 likes

If not an error then it seems road.cc is run by some guys who haven't quite grown up yet.

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Aapje | 8 years ago
0 likes

I think the goal is to make this go above 100 comments. Let me help: She isn't wearing a helmet! Discuss.

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BrokenBootneck | 8 years ago
0 likes

Can you say "I'd hit that like a Storm Trooper hitting a tree on the forest moon of Endor?"  21

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Kadinkski | 8 years ago
0 likes

Probably lots of contributors on holiday and they're struggling for content. In order to keep the hits up, they're rehashing some controversial clickbait.

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BigAl68 | 8 years ago
0 likes

Road.cc close the comments please as we are back in the world of casual misogyny. Yawn some men don't ever seem to leave the playground mentally.

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gdmor10 | 8 years ago
0 likes

cant we all just play nicely together and not fall out?

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mrchrispy | 8 years ago
0 likes

Can everyone hold of for 5 mins....I need more tea and biscuits.

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StraelGuy | 8 years ago
0 likes

Let's all be honest here. Every single one of us is only here because guys fancy gals and vice versa. I see nothing remotely sinister about a guy saying 'Nice bum!' about a girl who has, let's face it, got rather a nice bum.

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oliverjames | 8 years ago
0 likes

Wow, I'm searching for a cycling friend I can give one to  3

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Tony Farrelly | 8 years ago
0 likes

Coming to this late, but some of you were wondering why this got re-published. Some talk of "clickbait".

Er, no we put it back on because one of our reviewers called in some more of these from Urbanist without realising we'd already tested them - and she'd started testing them before we realised the error so we couldn't send them back. Urbanist aren't a massive company and that was a cost to them so to make amends we re-published the original review. That's it.

As for the comments, underwear model in nice bum… er shocker. I'd also have to say that while compliments are fine as long as they're not crude and the ones here don't cross the line for me at least - our other tester didn't want to model these either.

As this is the internet there is every chance that the person you're commenting about is going to read that comment - no surprise then that we used a stock shot. If you wouldn't make that comment to their face probably best not make it at all - most people male or female don't want to risk having aspects of their anatomy critiqued by strangers.

Nobody ever seems to comment on the shapeliness, or otherwise of our male testers' posteriors. Maybe that's down to the gender balance of our audience - it might be good if they did.

Finally most of the traffic this review has and will get comes from search - that'll be women searching for cycling briefs.

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