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review

Altura Women's Peloton Progel Bib Short

9
£54.99

VERDICT:

9
10
Excellent bib shorts, offering long-ride comfort and style, and excellent value for money
Weight: 
208g
Contact: 

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Altura's Women's Peloton Progel Bib Shorts use a traditional mesh strap design to produce an extremely comfortable and excellent value pair of bibs. They also coordinate with the Altura Women's Peloton Short Sleeve Jersey from the same range.

There's always toing and froing about the ups and downs of bib shorts vs waist shorts for women. Yes, bib shorts make toilet breaks trickier, but they are generally more comfortable for long rides. Companies are constantly on the lookout for new and exciting ways to address the 'comfort break' issue but the classic strap design, as employed here, is still by far the most common.

> Find your nearest dealer here

It's pretty safe to say that at this price range, usually reserved for mid-range waist shorts, many women's bib shorts are basic at best. Not so the Peloton Progels. These are easily the best value for money bib shorts I've ever tried.

Altura Womens Peloton Progel Bib Short - front.jpg

Looks-wise, they're a cut above most of even the pricier competition, with a graphic print at the sides available in either tonal grey and black (to go with everything, including Altura's Peloton Short Sleeved Jersey) or a snazzy pink that directly coordinates with the short-sleeved jersey from the same range. The fabric is a sleek matt black and the overall effect should please most women, particularly those who hate girlier swirly patterns and flowers. Reflective tags add a little extra low light safety.

Altura Womens Peloton Progel Bib Short - back full.jpg

It's the fit and comfort where they really come into their own, though, with the gripper tape at the thighs producing minimal bunching and 'sausage leg', and the broad, well-shaped mesh straps sitting comfortably around the outside of the bust, making them suitable for even bustier women.

Altura Womens Peloton Progel Bib Short - front full.jpg

The front part of the bib section sits above the tummy, preventing them from cutting in or letting in cold draughts when you're stretched forward, while the soft mesh of the bib and the four-way-stretch fabric allows for comfort for all shapes and sizes.

> Check out our guide to the best cycling shorts here

As I said above, on the bike these are among the most comfortable bib shorts I've ever ridden in. There is no bulkiness to the chamois pad, yet thanks to its shape, multi-density construction and the gel areas, it is extremely supportive, and remained comfortable and cushioned throughout even longer rides, even in hot weather. 

Altura Womens Peloton Progel Bib Short - pad.jpg

The legs remained in place and there was no wrinkling of the shorts, while the straps stayed comfortable at the top, despite a small amount of curling up due to their width.

Altura Womens Peloton Progel Bib Short - cuff.jpg

For this price, these shorts mark exceptionally good value, offering good looks and excellent enduring comfort, in a good variety of sizes (up to UK18).

Verdict

Excellent bib shorts, offering long-ride comfort and style, and excellent value for money

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Altura Women's Peloton Progel Bib Short

Size tested: Size 10

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?

Aimed at female riders looking for a comfortable pair of bib shorts.

Altura says: "Our most popular bib shorts with a multi-density ProGel™ 3D pad delivering ultimate comfort in the saddle, keeping you riding longer."

Fully understandable that these are the most popular!

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

* Altura Dry™ technology is engineered to move excess moisture away from the skin, keeping you dry and comfortable

* Altura ProGel™ 3D mold construction pad. Featuring ProGel™ and Altura Dry™ technology

* Body mapping mesh zones for enhanced breathability

* Silicon grip hem for enhanced fit

* Strategically located retroreflective trims for increased visibility in low light conditions

* Fitted

Around bust fit with mesh bib area

Available in sizes UK8-18

Machine washable at 30

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Well made from high quality fabrics and components.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Really comfortable even on longer duration rides on a hot day. Fabric and pad wicked moisture well and dried quickly. Fit was comfortable and supportive.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

These wash well and should last a good long time with no degradation in comfort levels.

Rate the product for fit:
 
8/10

Very true to size and nicely proportioned for a variety of female body shapes.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
8/10

Spot on for sizing.

Rate the product for weight:
 
7/10

Not the lightest, but made from a good density of fabric and with a durable and well-cushioned gel insert pad.

Rate the product for comfort:
 
9/10

Extremely comfortable in a variety of conditions and for all lengths of ride.

Rate the product for value:
 
9/10

Superb value for money.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

Very. Washed very well and dried quickly.

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

Excellent levels of performance and comfort.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Chamois pad comfort and shape, overall proportions, looks, value.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing.

Did you enjoy using the product? Very much.

Would you consider buying the product? Definitely

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Without hesitation.

Use this box to explain your score

An exceptional pair of bib shorts by any standard but particularly at this price. Well designed, attractive and comfortable.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 43  Height: 1.65m  Weight: 73kg

I usually ride: Boardman Hybrid Fi  My best bike is: Specialized Ruby Elite

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, sportives, general fitness riding, mountain biking

Lara has been riding bikes for longer than she'd care to admit, and writing about them nearly as long. Since 2009 she has been working as part of the road.cc review team whilst championing women's cycling on the side, most notably via two years as editor of the, sadly now defunct, UK's first and only women's cycling mag, erm, Women's Cycling. 

Believing fervently that cycling will save the world, she wishes that more people would just ride a bike and be pleasant to each other. 

She will ride anything with two wheels, occasionally likes to go fast, definitely likes to go far and is always up for a bit of exploring somewhere new and exciting. 

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