Australian born company Skins have been making waves in the past few years with their range of compressive travel and recovery products. This year Skins have launched a range of premier cycle clothing using the same graduated compression principles as the recovery products. The name C400, so Skins say, comes from 400 key fitting points which define the cut. With the help of a lengthy list of athletes and a 3D scanner Skins have created a genuinely fantastic fitting pair of shorts. It’s easy enough to find what size you need as they provide a simple to use sizing chart which uses height and weight to put you in the right pair.
Not just happy with being the best fitting pair of shorts I have ever used the C400’s offer a long list of technology and benefits which are all supposed to make us go faster and be more comfortable; graduated compression, bonded seams, 50+ UV protection, multi density and thickness chamois, anti pill fabric in high wear areas, the list goes on.
Throughout test the C400 have been really great performers. The pad is one of the most comfortable I have used and the quality of manufacture and the finish really add to the comfort and experience of using these shorts. Not a single thread has come loose, no pilling on the under carriage and they have even survived a pave crash without mark or incident. When I got up from the crash I was more concerned to check for rips in the shorts than broken bones or bike!
As for the performance enhancing compression I certainly cannot say these have turned me into Andy Schleck over night. The compression is not as noticeable as on the bib longs but you feel nicely supported which also helps reduce fatigue by achieving good muscle wrapping. On the whole the quality of the fit, pad and manufacture are more than enough to warrant buying these so any other small percentage gains are a bonus.
Verdict
A feature packed, fantastic fitting, high performing, excellently made and durable pair of bib shorts. The C400 bib shorts are certainly not cheap but contact points with the bike are important and I wouldn’t think twice about the price if I was off to tackle a Grand Fondo or monster UK sportive
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Skins C400 Bib Shorts
Size tested: Medium, Black
Rate the product for quality of construction:
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
10/10
Rate the product for durability:
9/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
10/10
Rate the product for value:
8/10
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Age: 22 Height: 5\\\'11\\ Weight: 76kg
I usually ride: Boardman Pro C My best bike is: Canyon \"Grand Canyon\" Ergon24 team issue
I've been riding for: 5-10 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Semi pro
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, mtb,
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