Pearl Izumi Pro Escape Bib Short

The Pearl Izumi Pro Escape bib shorts have lots of up-to-date features and offer a good fit. It's a pity that, for me, the pad wasn't more comfortable over the longer ride; of course, they might suit you better.

Like the Pro Escape Short Sleeve Jersey I was testing alongside the shorts, the Pro Escape bibs use Pearl Izumi's PRO Transfer fabric for the main part of the construction. I found this resulted in a lightweight build that's comfortable to wear on long summer rides, even in the variety of weather conditions this summer has delivered.

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It's augmented by a band of mesh fabric around the midriff (PRO Transfer Direct-Vent mesh to be precise) and this certainly aids in the temperature regulation around the stomach and lower back. This makes them definitely a summer pair, although if you are in the habit of mixing and matching layers then you could adapt these for cooler conditions. It's always easier to make a layer warmer than to make it cooler, I find.

The panel construction is surprisingly simple, with two symmetrical templates used to produce the whole of the lower stomach, crotch, inside leg, seat and lower back, joined by a central seam. That's kept away from your skin by the pad in all the places that really matter. The pad, sewn into this construction, puckered the material a little between the legs but this was a visual annoyance rather than a physical one, and once on, all wrinkles were pulled out. The outer thigh panels are one-piece and offer a good, supportive fit.

That leaves the upper back and straps, cut from a single piece of PRO Transfer fabric and left seamless (raw-edge in the jargon). It looks basic, but the fit is really good and the shoulder straps never threatened to roll over or bunch up. It was about as near as I have found to an 'invisible' bib. I like it.

The raw-edge approach is also applied to the leg cuffs, which have plenty of stretch and a tidy flat seam on the inner thigh. They probably would have been quite secure on their own, but Pearl Izumi has added silicone grippers for good measure.

Construction is by oversewn seams throughout. The stitching is strong but a little uneven in places. Since it's all on the inside, that hardly matters. Only the leg cuffs and underarm hems on the mesh back panel use flatlock stitching, but I had no issues of lumpiness or chafing anywhere.

One small niggle – the shorts are meant to be worn as a set with the Pro Escape Short Sleeve Jersey, but the fabrics used in each are different shades of black.

I would be writing about one of the more comfortable pairs of shorts I've yet tested if it wasn't for one thing – the pad. This is Pearl Izumi's own 'P.R.O. Escape 1:1™ Chamois with floating top sheet', which, it claims, 'delivers unmatched comfort'. It's a simple affair – at least to look at – with no messing around with inserts or multi-panels. There's certainly plenty of thickness where it matters, but I think the problem – for me anyway – is that it lacks density. After 30 miles or so I was beginning to wriggle around in the saddle, which is never a good sign. After 50 I was standing up on climbs, not because I needed the power boost but to give my backside a rest and get the blood flowing again.

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Pad comfort is, of course, subjective and certainly for many a shorter ride I found these just the job. There's a lot of choice out there, though: for £45 less you could have the Endura 90s, or, closer in price but still a £25 saving, the Santini Magos, contenders for Mike's 'bib shorts of the year'.

Verdict

Lots of good features, a tidy fit, and comfy for up to four hours – maybe even longer for you...