Lusso Pro Core Bib Shorts

Lusso is a UK company that makes a wide range of cycle clothing, including these Pro-Core bib shorts, which are described as 'mid-range three season'. They're comfortable and well-fitting, and ideal for long summer rides and also very good or for spring and autumn conditions when teamed up with knee-warmers.

The main part of the shorts is made from a stretch fabric with a high Lycra content that provides a good close fit, without being over-tight anywhere. As well as being stretchy, the material isn't super-thin, which has two advantages. First, it means a bit more all-round support (for male cyclists it also means less meat and veg displayed when off the bike). Second, as well as being ideal for cycling on warm summer dayss, it means these shorts are also fine for the chillier days of spring and autumn if worn with knee-warmers or leg-warmers. They're also fine for winter conditions if worn under a pair of long tights.

The bib part of these Pro-Core shorts is made from mesh, designed to be breathable. Some riders find mesh is abrasive against the skin, and especially the nipples, but this is not an issue if you're wearing a base layer.

Around the hem of each leg is a wide elasticated band to keep the shorts in place, further helped by dots of silicone on the inside which hold against the skin. This band is black, the same colour as the shorts, decorated with the Lusso brand-name in subtle dark grey.

The most important aspect of a pair of cycling shorts is of course the insert, aka 'the chamois' though these days no goats are harmed in the making of cycling shorts. In these Pro-Core bib shorts it's an HD Egonomic from specialist manufacturer La Fonte; this is a medium-to-thick density pad (16mm at its thickest point) designed for long-distance rides.

I tested these shorts on a couple of long rides, and initially the pad felt too thick, but things settled in after ten miles or so, and the shorts were very comfortable for the five or six hours I was in the saddle.

The pad is a single piece, so no seams to chafe, with extra padding on the main content points, and 'valleys' in between to help airflow and wick away moisture. I tested this aspect by wearing the shorts when training at the local velodrome – the pad coped well with a sweaty three-hour session.

The recommended price for these bib shorts is £49 – and you can find them nearer £40 at the usual on-line stores - which is very fair for shorts of this quality. Of course you can get something better, if you're prepared to pay double or triple this amount. But for comfortable pair of shorts, ideal for long-distance rides, at a decent price, these Lusso Pro-Cores are recommended.

Verdict

Comfortable and well-fitting bib-shorts, ideal for long rides. Fair price too.