Best cycling bib shorts 2023 — make sure your rear is comfy on long rides

Best bib shorts overall: Lusso Carbon Bib Shorts V2

Buy Now for £95.00 from Lusso

The Lusso Carbon Bib Shorts are a UK-made classic: highly comfortable, cool and stylish. The v2 update is even better – they're hard to go past for the money. A classic just got better.

Back in 2016 we gave the previous model of the Carbon shorts 4.5 stars, saying they were 'an excellent choice of bib shorts for all-day rides, and very good value'. Since then tester Mike Stead has worn the Carbons many, many times. They've become his go-to shorts for rides long or short. Two years on and probably 100 wash cycles later, they still look like new as well – testament to Lusso's selection of material and build quality.

If you've managed to make a borderline-classic, you don't want to be faffing with it too much. The fabric on the straps is the same quality material as in the previous Carbon, and also used in Lusso's excellent Dryline baselayer, meaning you look co-ordinated. The black shorts material is still the same too. The major update is the triple-density pad, from Italian brand Elastic Interface, owned by cycling short giant Cytec. The pad is designed for long-distance rides, the perineal cutout removing pressure where you don't want it, the triple-density foam providing it where you do.

There are lots of great bib shorts out there. What gets the Lusso Carbon V2s our nod for the best overall bib shorts is the price: these are far and away the cheapest shorts we've ever scored 5/5 for performance, so not only will they keep you super-comfortable, but they won't hurt your bank balance too badly.

Read our review of the Lusso Carbon bib shorts V2
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Best women's shorts: Assos Dyora RS Bib Shorts

Buy Now for £175.00 from Sigma Sports

The Assos Dyora RS Bib Shorts combine a race fit and performance with exceptional comfort and a pad that is up to serious mileage. They're expensive, but the investment will serve you well throughout spring, summer and autumn.

If you don't race, don't be put off by the fact that Dyora shorts come from Assos's 'Race Series'. If you value a good fit on the bike, regardless of your pace, these are worth digging into your pocket for.

A pair of shorts that you are unaware of because they are so comfortable is surely what everyone wants, and the Assos Dyora are exactly this. We simply can't fault the performance, fit or comfort. Yes, they come at a high price, but in this case it's fully justified.

These are the only women's shorts we've ever awarded five stars for performance; they really are that good.

Read our review of the Assos Dyora RS Bib Shorts
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Best under £100 women's shorts: Lusso Comfort Break Bib Shorts

Buy Now for £100.00 from Lusso

Lusso's Comfort Break Bibshorts are designed to make mid-ride pit stops as easy for women as they are for men. Lusso has nailed it with its no-fuss, no-clasp design, which is as pleasant to wear on the bike as it is easy to pee in. These bib shorts are light, comfortable and feel like a second skin, a winner all round.

Tester Caroline writes: “Chamois choice is always a hugely personal affair, but Lusso has opted for a mix of gel and open cell foam with channels to aid ventilation. I found the chamois comfortable, although my preference would have been to include the gel at the front of the pad as well as under the sit bones, to better support the delicate tissues there.

“Overall, I think these shorts are excellent. As regards being easy to pee in – their raison d'être – they performed perfectly, the overall comfort level is high, and they're good value to boot. It really is 'easy-peasy' to pee in these – a comfortable pair of summer bib shorts with a quality pad.”

Read our review of the Lusso Comfort Break Bib Shorts

Best budget shorts: Caratti Sport Bib Shorts

Buy Now for £40.00 from Caratti Sport

Seriously impressive performance for the price — shorts that'll serve you well on all but the longest rides.

The Caratti Sport Bib Shorts are the budget offering from the UK company, but perform far better than their price tag might suggest. They manage to combine an effective pad, really good fit throughout and an excellent cut.

When you first step into the bib shorts, the first thing you notice is that the cut and quality of the Cooldry fabric material used is unexpected on such a relatively inexpensive pair of shorts. The fit is good, with no excess material or tightness anywhere around the legs or straps. Caratti have used a material that allows for four way stretch, which genuinely provides a really forgiving fit. They have minimal branding with the name written in white up the leg. Combined with the cut, this makes them look like they are far more expensive than they are.

If you want more options when it comes to cheaper cycling bib shorts take a look at our guide to the best cheap cycling shorts.

Read our review of the Caratti Sport Bib Shorts

Best budget women's shorts: dhb Moda Women’s Classic Bib Shorts

Buy Now for £35.00 from Wiggle

Tester Anna Marie writes: “dhb's Moda Women's Classic Bib Shorts are a well-thought-out design with a great fit, with straps that don't put pressure on the chest, wonderfully comfy leg ends and minimalist styling. They're ideal for more relaxed road rides of a couple of hours when sitting in an upright position on the hoods.

“The stretchy material is wonderfully soft against the skin and the seams are well positioned so that they don't cause any irritation. The close cut is supportive, but not to the extent that it's compressive – it's a great balance for staying comfy on relaxed rides. The bib straps curve around the chest rather than passing straight over your boobs, so there's no uncomfortable pressure being placed here

“The shorts' women-specific Elastic Interface chamois is designed to provide sufficient support for rides up to three hours. It's very well placed for supporting a more relaxed, upright riding position for around two hours on the road in my experience. Overall, the Moda Classics are very well-designed shorts, providing impressive amounts of comfort and support for the low price. They're an excellent choice if you're looking for some environmentally-friendly bibs that'll cover relaxed rides.

Read our review of the dhb Moda Women’s Classic Bib Shorts

Best winter shorts: Sportful Fiandre NoRain Pro bib shorts

Buy Now for £101.50 - £108.00 from Chain Reaction Cycles

Sportful's Fiandre NoRain Pro Bib Shorts are excellent when you're cycling in cold and damp weather, with superb comfort backed up by impressive fit and durability. They are a good three-season, possibly four-season, choice for UK cyclists. Wear them on their own or pair with knee or leg warmers and you have a versatile and solid bottom half of your winter wardrobe.

The fit of the shorts is perfect. The leg length is longer than usual, providing more coverage and warmth, and the soft lining of the NoRain Thermal material adds a luxurious feeling that definitely makes you feel a bit better prepared when stepping out with the bike in the morning when you might rather be tucked up under the duvet.

Also consider: Lusso 2-Zero Thermal Bib Shorts don't have the water repellency of the Sportful shorts, but will still help keep you warm when paired with legwarmers.

Read our review of Sportful Fiandre NoRain Pro bib shorts

Best money-no-object men's shorts: Velocio Men’s Concept bib shorts

Buy Now for £241.00 from Velocio

The Velocio Concept bib shorts offer a sublimely comfortable ride, the fit is excellent, and then there's that price tag…

Yes, it's a lot to spend, there's no getting around that. However, if I was told I had unlimited money to spend on improving the comfort of riding, bib shorts would be the first place I'd look. Bib shorts can make a massive difference to not only how a ride feels but also how you perform, and these are the most comfortable I've ever worn.

The Concepts are some of the most expensive we've tested, but designs around this price are becoming more common. We've tested the 7mesh RK1 bib shorts that cost £200, and for £180 and £190 respectively, Katusha's Icon and Pearl Izumi's Pro bib shorts received excellent reviews.

Can they ever be worth it? I'd argue that yes, they can, but you probably have to be putting in a lot of miles and they have to be exceptionally good. The Concepts are, I'm happy to say, exceptionally good.

Read our review of the Velocio Men’s Concept bib shorts

7Mesh Mk3 bib shorts

Buy Now for £150.00 from 7Mesh

Tester Pat says the 7Mesh Mk3 bib shorts are the best shorts he's ever worn. They are incredibly comfortable regardless of the length of time in the saddle because of their hammock chamois lining, material choice and cut, and the luxurious, wide shoulder straps. True, they cost £150, but they're worth every penny.

7Mesh was already onto a good thing with its Mk2 bib shorts, but the Mk3s are a huge improvement. Buying shorts is a worrying experience as it's not like you can take them back to the shop after four hours of testing and say, erm, no thanks. If you take the plunge and purchase these Mk3s, we think you will be very pleased.

Read our review of the 7Mesh Mk3 bib shorts

Castelli Free Aero RC bib shorts

Buy Now for £175.00 from Chain Reaction Cycles

This updated version of Castelli's Free Aero RC bib shorts is their best ever, combining a superb level of comfort with plenty of support and some neat features. Plus, the Progetto X Air seamless seat pad is among the best out there. They’ve been simplified in some ways, halving the number of panels used in the lowers from 10 to five – and so reducing the number of seams. The danger with doing that is that you don't get such an anatomic fit, but these are superbly comfortable throughout.

The new Forza 2 fabric is 32% elastane, 68% nylon and tester Mat found it supportive without being at all restrictive. The fine gauge of the yarns wicks away moisture quickly; they’re a good summer weight. The new fabric has allowed Castelli to ditch leg grippers to keep the bottom hem as comfy as possible. They didn’t ride up at all during testing with or without leg warmers.

The straps are super-light, highly breathable, and very stretchy so they'll work for a range of different torso lengths.

Castelli's Progetto X Air seamless seat pad is up there with the very best in the business. You get 3mm-thick viscous (gel-like) padding in the perineal and ischial areas and two different densities of foam. Mat writes: “I find the pad extremely comfortable and highly breathable, and I know loads of other people feel the same.”

Overall, the Free Aero RC bib shorts put in an excellent performance. The pad is exceptionally good, the comfort elsewhere is similarly impressive, and the price... well, it reflects the high quality.

Read our review of the Castelli Free Aero RC bib shorts
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MAAP Women’s Team Bib Evo

Buy Now for £195.00 from Sigma Sports

Maap's Women's Team Bib Evos are a great pair of shorts for long, warm days in the saddle. Performance and comfort are exactly what you'd expect for £190: flawless. If you're looking at spending this much, you won't be disappointed with these.

Despite being relatively lightweight, the material offers plenty of compression without excessive 'squeeze'. It flows well with the body when riding; I didn't experience any pinch points, rubbing or sense of restriction. The cut is well judged, for me, offering an almost perfect fit. The pad is, in my opinion, the best feature of these shorts. It offers exceptional comfort with very little bulk. I happily completed five-hour rides without any discomfort.

Their rrp of £190 is a serious dent in the wallet, but if they fit well and the material stands the test of time then you won't regret the investment if you're putting in the miles. They're definitely not limited to summer temperatures, either – you'll be getting three seasons out of these, more hardy riders may even push for four. Maap's Team Bib Evos offer exceptional comfort and performance with reassuring eco-credentials and fabrics that feel like they will stand the test of time.

Read our review of the MAAP Women’s Team Bib Evo
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dhb Blok Bib Shorts

Buy Now for £48.75 - £60.00 from Wiggle

Tester Iwein writes: “I like the design brief of the dhb Blok range: decent performance at a sharp price but looking a bit different. I'm not generally a fan of non-black shorts, but at the same time I do like a bit of colour. A contradiction, but one that these dhb shorts resolve quite nicely.

“The chamois is made by Elastic Interface, whose pads I generally get on with and are used by lots of other brands. Specifically, these shorts use its 'Nice Anatomic Men' pad. It's engineered with a channel in the middle to relieve pressure and an 'Eco X-tract' top sheet to help remove moisture. dhb says the pad is developed for medium distances of up to three hours in the saddle, but I found these shorts comfortable for longer than that, anything up to five hours. In fact, on these kinds of rides they've performed impeccably, to the point where you wonder why you'd spend more.

“The Blok bib shorts look great and will keep you comfortable on short- to medium-distance rides. If you're not looking to ride for longer than that, these are an excellent choice for the money.”

Read our review of the dhb Blok Bib Shorts

Santini Mago with Nat Pad bib shorts

Buy Now for £71.49 from ProBikeKit

Santini's Mago bib shorts just might be the most comfortable bibs I've ever worn, writes tester Mike Stead, and the minimalist styling should pair with any top. With 10 – yes, 10 – sizes to choose from, you can dial the fit too.

With an RRP of £105 the Mago is towards the higher end of the market, but not overly so, and they're frequently for sale online for £80-90. They're very good value should your fit work out. This was a large on test – measurements say I'm on the borderline of XL for height and medium for girth, the Mago coming up snug but with no bunching or tightness around the shoulders. The fit for me was definitely close, bordering on compressive, although Santini doesn't claim them to be compressive, with the various sport science voodoo that entails.

Read our review of the Santini Mago with Nat Pad
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Endura FS260-Pro Bib shorts

Buy Now for £72.00 - £85.00 from Sigma Sports

Tester Stu writes: “Endura says the FS260-Pro Bibshort is its best-selling pair of bib shorts, and after wearing them for the last five or six weeks I can see why. They are super-comfortable, offer a great fit, and the chamois is sublime, both on the road and the gravel, should you fancy a little off-road adventuring. They achieve this without being stupid money too.

“The FS260-Pros are extremely comfortable throughout thanks to the soft, Italian-made Power Lycra used for the main section and the 600 Series Pad. That pad uses varying densities of gel inserts, with the thickest where you need the most padding, beneath the sit bones, and much thinner elsewhere to reduce bulk and bunching. A small mesh section at the front goes a little way to help breathability.

At their RRP of £84.99, the Enduras are really good value for money. The quality of finish is very high throughout, and they are certainly looking to be durable with no wear and tear where they have been in contact with the saddle. The FS260-Pros are great bib shorts, delivering everything you want, from fit, to comfort, to performance, which is very impressive considering they come in at less than £100.

Read our review of the Endura FS260-Pro Bib shorts
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Sportful Fiandre NoRain 2 bib shorts

Buy Now for £92.00 from Wiggle

Sportful's Fiandre NoRain 2 bib shorts are a great option for rides in the rain. The soft, thermal fabric is cut long for extra protection of the lower quads, while the water resistance will see off a good amount of rain and keep you warm when soaked through.

Tester Liam loved wearing these cycling bib shorts. Besides everything else, they're incredibly comfortable and the soft fabric makes you feel all snug just pulling them on. Sportful has designed these to be used in the colder months so you have to carefully pick the days you use them. Thankfully, their breathability means that when the sun does pop out, you aren't left feeling ridiculously warm.

Read our review of the Sportful Fiandre NoRain 2 BibShort

Rapha Women’s Core Cargo Shorts

Buy Now for £85.00 from Rapha

The Rapha Women's Core Cargo shorts are a new addition to the Core range. Equipped with mesh side pockets and a new Classic chamois, these are great for any type of ride, very comfortable on long outings and eminently suitable for touring or a bit of adventure cycling.

Tester Sarah wore a medium for the test and they were a really good fit. The black 'dense-knit' fabric gives a nice amount of compressive support around the legs, and with minimal flatlock stitched seams there were no rubbing issues.

As there is no bib section, there is soft silicone gripper at the rear, where the fit is high waisted. This worked well and held the shorts up nicely with a close fit. The front is lower cut for comfort while on the bike.

A detail you can't really miss in the Cargo Core Shorts is the mesh pocket on the side of each leg. Dave wrote about these in his review of the Core Cargo Bib Shorts – the idea is that you can eliminate the need to wear a traditional cycling jersey with rear pockets and just use these side ones instead.

Read our review of the Rapha Women’s Core Cargo Shorts

Rapha Men's Core Bib Shorts

Buy Now for £85.00 from Rapha

Rapha's Core bib shorts are an impressive mix of know-how from premium ranges, giving good quality, comfort and a great fit.

The Core range from Rapha is aimed at simplicity: no frills, just good performance and elegant design. The men's bibs achieve those aims convincingly.

The most vital part of any bib shorts is the chamois. Rapha has used the same pad you find in its Classic range of bib shorts, and it's a well-regarded design. It's not as comfortable as the Cytech pad seen in Rapha's Pro Team and Pro Team Lightweight bib shorts, but it's certainly adequate for most rides.

Read our review of the Rapha Men's Core Bib Shorts

Lusso 2-Zero Thermal Bib Shorts

Buy Now for £90.00 from Lusso

The Lusso 2-Zero Thermal Bibs are warm, comfortable shorts that pair perfectly with Lusso's Max Repel Leg Warmers. Just be aware the shorts come up a little smaller than usual Lusso fare.

Being made in Britain, they've not been clobbered as hard as some by the pound's post-EU-referendum plummet; they were £70 back in 2015 when we reviewed an earlier version and they're now £90. Made from quality Italian Roubaix fabric, they represent excellent value.

The finishing is excellent, with flatlocked stitching where it counts and breathable back/shoulder material. This is important as Lusso positions the 2-Zero as suited for 'Racing or Training with Leg Warmers' – these are shorts for going hard and fast in.

Read our review of the Lusso 2-Zero Thermal Bib Shorts
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dhb Aeron Men’s Equinox Bib Shorts

Buy Now for £90.00 from Wiggle

If you like to keep your legs exposed for as much of the year as possible then these dhb Aeron Equinox Bib Shorts are worth a look. Using three different fabrics to keep your thighs warm when the autumn temperatures start to drop, they are brilliant either on their own or when paired up with knee or leg warmers. The chamois is spot on for long winter training rides too.

dhb's Equinox range is all about kit to get you through the change of the seasons, and what the company has done here is to introduce new fabrics to its excellent Aeron Bib Shorts (which I tested back in March) to keep you a little bit warmer.

Wearing both pairs in identical conditions (about 8°C), the Equinox shorts were noticeably warmer pretty much everywhere, most noticeably when descending at speed or riding into a chilly northerly wind.

Read our review of the dhb Aeron Men’s Equinox Bib Shorts

NVPA BIB/Short

Buy Now for £94.25 from Neon Velo

The NVPA BIB/Short Navy is a high-quality piece of clothing aimed at performance riders, with compressive material and a close cut. It's based around a top-notch chamois from Elastane Interface, one of the most knowledgeable pad manufacturers in the marketplace, and they're hardly stupid money either. They also come in black or grey – you'll never guess what those ones are called.

Tester Stu writes: “The multi-panel construction creates a fit that matches and moves with your body when on the bike, rather than just relying on the stretch of the material. I found no bunching of the fabric throughout the pedalling motion, for instance. The fit is classed as 'Italian Race' which means they'll suit those of you with very low body fat numbers. For the rest of us, you'll probably need to go up at least one size compared to many other UK brands on the market. I found NVPA's sizing guide to be about right though, so that should be your first point of reference.

”Elastic Interface provides pads to many manufacturers, and this Road Performance Force option shows why that is. It's simpler-looking than most, doing away with many of the channels and sections found in other pads – many rely on basic firmness, so need them for relief.

“Not only do they perform well against more expensive shorts, but they don't scrimp on quality either. They're very well made throughout, with neat stitching and absolutely no signs of wear or tear after around eight weeks of testing. These bibs offer excellent quality, a great fit and arguably better value for money than the competition. There's not much more you can ask for.”

Read our review of the NVPA BIB/Short

Stolen Goat Bodyline One Bib Shorts

Buy Now for £98.00 from Stolen Goat

Stolen Goat's Bodyline One Bib Shorts are the company's least expensive offering, yet still extremely impressive. The pad works brilliantly, the one-seam construction fits well, and compression and muscle support is good. Tester Iwein says: "I've worn these on long days out as well as for Zwift Racing League sweat fests, and I can't fault them."

The Bodyline's fabric is an 80% polyamide, 20% elastane mix, and sewn with a single seam down the centre line and under the pad to minimise potential pressure points. It has a sort of honeycomb pattern on the inside, which makes it plenty stretchy and gives just the right amount of compression.

Stolen Goat is upfront about their clothing being made elsewhere: SG designs it, then the fit, form and function is taken care of by Bioracer, which has serious pedigree in competitive clothing for the pros. That experience and know-how is immediately obvious when you put these on.

Read our review of the Stolen Goat Bodyline One Bib Shorts

Nopinz Pro-1 Bib Shorts

Buy Now for £99.99 from Nopinz

The Nopinz Pro-1 Bib Shorts offer an impressive performance, a great fit and a chamois that's comfortable for long distance rides. They're also great value compared with similar designs.

Tester Nick writes: “The shorts are made with Nopinz' proprietary Speedscalez fabric, which it claims offers 'outstanding aero performance', with the surface designed to reduce the amount of drag produced by air passing around the leg; that's not something I can measure, but they are very well made and neatly laser cut to provide an almost seamless fit. The only observable seams are on the inner leg and at the rear, both well away from key areas of airflow. I found the Teosport Armadillo endurance chamois on these bib shorts very comfortable and would be happy to wear these shorts on long distance rides.

“Overall, I was very impressed with the Nopinz Pro-1 Bib Shorts' aero fit and comfortable pad. They're long, which might not appeal to all, but if that's not a concern then they're really one to consider, especially for the price.”

Read our review of the Nopinz Pro-1 Bib Shorts

Pearl Izumi Pro bib shorts

Buy Now for £109.99 from Cycle Store

Another contender for Best Shorts Ever. Pearl Izumi has used a fabric that is so comfortable that you literally do not notice that you are wearing these, and the chamois is absolutely spot on. The cost may be steep but seriously, what price can you put on perfection?

The PRO Transfer fabric is unbelievably soft against the skin, but the only time you feel it is when you pull the shorts on. You know it's comfortable then but once on the bike it just disappears.

It has the perfect balance of compression and support without being noticeable. Even around the leg grippers, small dashes of silicone stop them moving but with just the right amount of pressure, so that even with a whole day in the saddle you aren't feeling any discomfort.

Fabric isn't everything, though, the chamois is still the defining factor. Pearl Izumi has gone with a PRO Escape 1:1 pad and it follows a trend that we've been seeing a lot in the latest top-end shorts. For years many pads were using multiple channels between differing density pads to create comfort and reduce numbness but the latest pads have done away with this and are literally smooth with a single thickness.

I've ridden everything from flat-out, hour-long blasts on the road to six-hour jaunts on the gravel in these shorts and I've never once felt any discomfort. The pad is spot on.

Read our review of the Pearl Izumi Pro Bib Shorts
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Endura Pro SL bib shorts

Buy Now for £116.00 from Wiggle

The latest Endura Pro SL bib shorts are one of the most comfortable pairs I have ever used. The pad is sublime, and the overall cut and the fabric used mean they remain comfortable no matter how long you are out riding for.

The heart of any pair of bib shorts is the pad, and the 700 series used here is very impressive indeed. Rather than having multiple grooves and differing thicknesses of padding spread out across its layout, it is reasonably flat and smooth with just the slightest transition into a thicker depth of padding where it sits over the saddle.

This means it doesn't bunch up when changing position on the bike, and whether out for a short hard blast or a longer trek the whole thing is basically undetectable.

Overall, the Pro SLs really deliver as well as many of the competition in terms of performance and quality, but achieve it at a very competitive price.

Read our review of the Endura Pro SL bib shorts
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Pearl Izumi Men’s Expedition Bib Shorts

Buy Now for £119.99 from Freewheel

With plenty of pockets, an extremely comfortable pad and fabric made from recycled materials, the Pearl Izumi Men's Expedition Bib Shorts (there's a women's version too) are ideal for gravel and adventure rides – or even for road jaunts when you want easy access to essentials. The thigh pockets are generously sized, being deep enough to swallow my phone (just) at 160mm, and about 130mm in width. They are a handy place for sections of maps, bars or gels. Anything you want easy access to without having to stop, really.

Tester Stu writes: “Chamois wise, the Expeditions use the Elite Escape 1:1, and it is very good indeed. It's a simple affair with just a couple of thicknesses, and no channels to (supposedly) relieve pressure. This is how I've noticed pads going over the last few years – becoming less and less separated by channels – and I haven't noticed any difference in comfort.

“I've worn the Expeditions on some decent length gravel rides, and they've been totally comfortable throughout thanks to this pad. It's firm enough to support you on the rough sections, without being so thick that it bunches up or takes away from ride feel and feedback. I like the Expeditions a lot. The pockets bring plenty of versatility and secure storage for your bits and pieces, and while a lot of the opposition have more pockets, it's not a major deal. These are top-level shorts and very comfortable for riding road or off-road, long or short.

Read our review of the Pearl Izumi Men’s Expedition Bib Shorts
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CHPT3 Most Days Grand Tour Women’s Bib Shorts

Buy Now for £125.00 from CHPT3

The CHPT3 Most Days Grand Tour Women's Bib Shorts are supremely comfortable, with a very supportive and breathable pad for long rides and mesh straps that'll keep you fresh on hard, hot ones. They're very well made, and use a fabric blend incorporating recycled fishing nets. It's soft and feels pleasant against the skin throughout.

The chamois is supplied by Elastic Interface and it's an incredibly good one, with firm support just where you need it, resulting in no sign of chafing or soreness on rides. It's also highly breathable, which helps keep things pleasant during indoor sweatfests.

Tester Anna Marie writes: “Overall, I've been really impressed with the comfort of these shorts for long days and harder ones – they're absolutely lovely to wear, while also being eco-friendly and good looking too.”

Read our review of the CHPT3 Most Days Grand Tour Women’s Bib Shorts
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Lusso DRS bib shorts

Buy Now for £125.00 from Lusso

British designed and made, Lusso's DRS bib shorts are easily on a par with the well known European brands. They're comfortable, look great, and aren't as damaging to your wallet as some. They might even make you faster, with their 'Drag Reducing Fabric'.

The top billing with these shorts is the DRS – Drag Reduction System – or as I like to refer to it, 'golf ball' dimpling in the main material. The Italian Celona fabric also provides an element of compression. It's used for the whole body of the shorts, with just the very lower leg and gripper being different material, along with a much softer and thinner fabric for the back and bibs – very similar to baselayer fabric.

Read our review of the Lusso DRS shorts

Lusso Adventure Bib Shorts

Buy Now for £125.00 from Lusso

According to Lusso, the Adventure Bibshorts are 'ideal for gravel riding, audax, long distance, touring/cycling or just commuting'. Lusso says these went through an 18-month developmental phase, so I was expecting something pretty sussed. I'm pleased to report that they meet their design brief extremely well and are equally at home on or off road.

I've ridden in these for around 600 miles over four weeks, in temperatures between 12 and 34 degrees, and I've been able to cruise along largely unaware of them.

Pockets have been quietly creeping into more traditional road-biased shorts. Here, Lusso has gone for two cargo types on the legs, designed for a phone or wallet, plus two mesh ones at the rear for lighter valuables.

The Adventure bib shorts are very comfortable, well made and practical, and well worth considering if you're seeking some additional storage and/or sturdier shorts for general riding or rough stuff touring.

Read our review of the Lusso Adventure Bib Shorts

Shutt Velo Rapide Signature Sanremo Bib Shorts

Buy Now for £139.00 from Shutt Velo Rapide

The Shutt Velo Rapide Signature Sanremo bib shorts are some of the best out there when it comes to comfort. The recycled fabric feels great against the skin while offering plenty of unrestricted movement, and the pad is top notch.

Pretty much the key component to how they feel is the 3D multi-density gel and foam chamois pad. It's quite a firm pad, offering great support when in the saddle, and there is a central channel at the rear for a bit of pressure relief.

Read our review of the Shutt Velo Rapide Signature Sanremo Bib Shorts

Primal Men’s Helix 2.0 Bib shorts

Buy Now for £140.00 from Primal

The Primal Stirling Men's Helix 2.0 Bibshorts are impressively comfortable thanks to great race cut, a well-balanced pad and excellent materials. A hint of compression makes them an ideal choice for fast or hard rides.

Primal has used its race-specific pattern for the cut and layout of the various contoured panels. It works well, as I always felt that the shorts fitted absolutely perfectly no matter what position I was in on the bike. No unnecessary bunching of material anywhere, nor did they feel tight when standing.

The Vero fabric is soft to the touch and has just a small amount of compression that is noticeable enough to take the edge off muscle vibration on longer rides. The jury has been out for a long time on how much compression garments help, but I have always got on well with them during and after exercise so it's a welcome addition here.

Read our review of the Primal Stirling Men’s Helix 2.0 Bib shorts

7Mesh WK3 Women’s Bib Shorts

Buy Now for £160.00 from Sigma Sports

The 7mesh WK3 bib shorts pack in a lot of positives: a super-plush chamois, a second-skin feel and an 'easy pee' function that is, in fact, genuinely easy – never again will you have to de-layer to have that final wee before leaving the house. And while they also come with the £160 price tag to match, they could be the only pair you need, with their endurance-focused comfort and sleek, lightweight design covering everything from laid-back days to racing. If you're a stickler for a flush finish, though, the hem has the potential to irritate over time.

Tester Janine writes: “I found these bib shorts seriously comfortable in all the right places. From first wear, comfort is immediately apparent. I've tested a lot of bib shorts and these do feel a cut above in the comfort stakes. The silky smooth fabric (78% nylon, 22% elastane) twinned with the absence of horizontal leg seams and the stretchiest straps make for a true second-skin feeling. This is further bolstered by the (partially recycled) 'Space' chamois that 7mesh co-developed with Elastic Interface in answer, says 7mesh, to a previous lack of performance chamois to equal the men's.

The chamois cradled my undercarriage all the way from lower abdomen to coccyx. I've tested shorts before that make me feel like I'm smuggling a massive sanitary pad and this is definitely not that, thanks to three densities of foam and a tapering towards the outermost pad. Pleasingly, there is also no 'shelf' feeling toward the rear when seated. Add to all this comfort the 'Pull2P' technology and the WK3s could well be a game-changer. There are other options out there, like drop seat and halter neck designs, but the WK3s win on speed.

Read our review of the 7Mesh WK3 Women’s Bib Shorts
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dhb Aeron Lab XC Bib Shorts

Buy Now for £160.00 from Chain Reaction Cycles

The dhb Aeron Lab XC Bib Shorts are perfect for riders who want a lightweight and performance-orientated pair of bibs that are also resilient for riding off the beaten track. The Dyneema panels on each leg are not only better at fending off brambles than standard Lycra, but are also breathable enough for summer riding and don't detract from the comfort of the shorts.

At 168g the XC shorts are certainly light, but don't let this fool you into thinking that they're fragile. On both legs a Dyneema fabric has been used which, at first touch, feels a bit like a waterproof liner; it is in fact quite a bit more complex than that and is both far more breathable and far more stretchy than you'd think a material of this durability could ever be.

Having ridden around in these for a little over month on a mix of mountain bike, cyclocross and gravel rides, it would seem the overgrown August trails are no match for the shorts which are still in pristine condition.

Read our review of the dhb Aeron Lab XC Bib Shorts

Le Col Pro bib shorts

Buy Now for £170.00 from Le Col

The Le Col Pro bib shorts are a high-quality garment designed for racing with a long, sleek cut and a super-comfortable chamois.

Mat tested the previous version of Le Col's Pro bib shorts in 2018 and called the Dolomiti Pro Gel pad 'supremely comfortable.' While Le Col has updated the design of the shorts and the bib section, the British brand has sensibly not fixed what ain't broke and has kept the same pad – and 'supremely comfortable' is how I would describe it too.

Of course the pad is bound to place itself slightly differently depending on the individual anatomy of the wearer, and I found that it was at its best in an aggressive position and not quite so plush-feeling for sitting up on the back of the saddle. It's tucked underneath directly on the sit bones rather than behind them. This is as it should be for shorts designed for racing.

There are many bib shorts costing a lot less than these but also many from other premium brands costing more. With the Le Col Pros you're paying for top quality, heavy duty, bona fide pro-level racing shorts from a British brand with a lot of well-deserved cachet that knows what it's doing.

Read our review of the Le Col Pro bib shorts

Assos T.laalalaiShorts_s7 women's bib shorts

Buy Now for £123.75 from My Triathlon

Finding a comfortable pair of shorts is vital for any woman (or man) looking to ride regularly and spend long days in the saddle. The Assos T.laalalaishorts_s7 fit the bill perfectly, offering top quality and exceptional all-day comfort. If you suffer from a sore derrière or excessive chafing after hours in the saddle, these are well worth considering – they're the most comfortable shorts I've ever worn.

One of the first things you notice about these bib shorts is the unusual magnetic fastening on the bib. This makes the bib straps sit much closer together than on the majority of shorts, and I found that when riding I barely noticed them.

Read our review of the Assos T.laalalaiShorts_s7 women's bib shorts
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Rapha Classic Bib Shorts

Buy Now for £170.00 from Rapha

Rapha has redesigned its popular Classic bib shorts and improved every aspect – no mean feat given that the original shorts were next to perfect and have gone many years unchanged. Updating such a classic was a risky decision, but critically Rapha hasn't messed around with the magic formula too much but instead has made small changes in key areas. It's less a radical redesign and more a refinement. The biggest change is found in the chamois/padded insert, which is the most important component of the bib shorts for obvious reason.

Read our review of the ​Rapha Classic Bib Shorts II​

7mesh RK1 bib shorts

Buy Now for £145.00 from Sigma Sports

The 7mesh RK1 Bib Shorts are 'elite performance, second skin road cycling shorts' according to their creators. A couple of hundred quid is a big investment for a piece of clothing, but wow! – these are extremely comfortable, excellently tailored bib shorts.

7mesh has really gone to town here with the number of sections that make these shorts fit and work so well when on the bike, especially when it comes to performance riding. This does create extra seams but 7mesh has placed them well, keeping them all out of the way so that they never cause irritation.

You can get excellent shorts at pretty much any price point, but there are always some that just seem to deliver that little bit extra for the money. That's what 7mesh has achieved with its RX1 bib shorts: it's really focused on the details, which makes them pretty close to perfection.

Read our review of the 7mesh RK1 bib shorts
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Gore C7 Women’s Bib Shorts

Buy Now for £159.99 from Chain Reaction Cycles

Gore Wear's C7 Women's bib shorts – or C7 Women Long Distance Bib Shorts+, to give them their full name – are exceptionally comfortable with a chamois that's up to long days in the saddle. Their lack of excessive compression and soft, supple fabric will appeal to many, although the price tag might not.

According to Gore, the C7s are designed for warm weather, so they were really put to the test during the warm summer of 2020, and they didn't't disappoint. That's not to say that they don't perform when the temperatures drop to something more autumnal either.

The fit is excellent – a perfect shape around the legs and hips, plus a decent leg length. The 70% polyamide, 30% elastane main body composition creates a really supple, soft fabric that sits plush to the skin without excessive pressure.

Read our review of the Gore C7 Women’s Bib Shorts
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Pactimo Summit Classic Bib Shorts

Buy Now for £180.00 from Pactimo

Tester Stu writes: “The Pactimo Summit Classic Bibs work exceptionally well on the bike. The soft, smooth fabric fits like a second skin, and as for the pad... I really can't fault it. Pactimo says it uses a flat-sheen, double-knit fabric throughout the Summits, and it is bloody lovely. So comfortable against the skin that these shorts have become one of my favourite pairs to wear, for long or short rides.

“At their heart is an Endurance Anatomic Super Air Chamois made by Elastic Interface. The design is original to Pactimo and it says it's developed as an ultra long distance pad, which I'm inclined to agree with. The padding is a bit thicker than some, and it is slightly firm which I found to be supportive, it didn't bunch and there were no hot-spots, even when remaining seated for a long time.

“These are a near-faultless pair of bib shorts which, while high in price at full rrp, are still competitive against many of the big hitters in the clothing world.”

Read our review of the Pactimo Summit Classic Bib Shorts

MAAP Team Bib Evo

Buy Now for £195.00 from Sigma Sports

The Team Bib Evo shorts from Australian brand MAAP are very much the pinnacle of how a pair of shorts should feel and perform. The fabric delivers excellent levels of stretch and movement with equal amounts of compression which give a cosseting experience, while the 3D pad is sublime. They deliver the close fit you want to stop any unwanted bunching of the fabric, along with support for your muscles from the stretchy and compressive material. Length in the legs and the upper body was absolutely fine, and when stretched out onto the hoods or drops, the width of the straps spreads the load, reducing pressure points.

The pad is made exclusively for MAAP by Elastic Interface. Its shape is created by thermoforming – adding heat to the material before moulding it to create its final shape – and you are left with a pad of varying depths of foam. The thicker sections are designed to lie beneath the sit bones, while the rest is much thinner, including at the front where it provides just a small amount of protection but the amount of material is kept to a minimum to avoid bunching.

Overall quality is very high indeed; there is the odd stray thread end here and there, but generally all of the stitching is very neat and tidy. One place I always look out for wear and tear is the stitching around the pad – contact from the saddle can damage this quite quickly on some shorts, even after just a couple of rides – but no signs of that here. They are a lot of money, but up against the opposition they perform very well indeed. If you want an excellent fitting pair of shorts with a top-notch pad and good breathable performance then you won't go far wrong with the Team Bib Evo.

Read our review of the MAAP Team Bib Evo
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Pactimo Summit Stratos Range Bib Shorts

Buy Now for £200.00 from Pactimo

The Summit Stratos Range Bibs are designed for long rides and have useful cargo pockets. Tester Iwein writes: “They are hands down the most comfortable bib shorts I've tried. Pactimo says the Summit Stratos Range Bibs are designed for 'guaranteed comfort on extreme adventures, all-day rides and self-supported road/gravel races'. That is a bold statement, but these shorts have really impressed me by actually delivering on that promise.

“I got to the end of a two-day gravel bikepacking trip from Barnstaple to Bath in pretty wet conditions with no nether region issues whatsoever. Likewise on a two-day 200-mile round trip to Stratford-on-Avon in 30 degree heat. As you can imagine, these are now my favourite shorts. The fabric feels lovely next to the skin, and I didn't experience any chafing from seams or tabs anywhere. The pad is made by Elastic Interface, and is its second generation Endurance Anatomic Super Air Chamois. It works really well for me – for hours and days on end.

“I had perfect conditions to test the 'heat dissipation', otherwise known as breathability and wicking properties, on both of the rides mentioned above. On the hot ride, they dealt with sweat really well. On the wet ride, they only felt like a soggy mess when I put them on the morning of the second day, soaking wet. After that, I didn't really notice them. The compression Pactimo's marketing talks about is just right for me: a supportive fit without being restrictive.”

Read our review of the Pactimo Summit Stratos Range Bib Shorts

Assos Equipe RS Spring Fall Bib Shorts S9

Buy Now for £200.00 from Sigma Sports

The Assos RS Spring Fall Bib Shorts S9 work perfectly on cool to cold rides, the fit is sublime and the pad is excellent. The soft fabrics make these very comfortable to wear, and with very good breathability they'll be great for racing too.

Assos' latest thermal bib shorts are an excellent option for cool weather rides. They very well across a good range of temperatures, protecting the larger cycling muscles from the cold. The superb fit and comfort, combined with the versatility of the shorts, make these thermal cycling bib shorts well worth the money.

Read our review of the Assos Equipe RS Spring Fall Bib Shorts S9
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Velocio Women's Ultralight Bib Shorts

Buy Now for £202.00 from Velocio

Velocio's Women's Ultralight Bib Shorts are very breathable and – thanks to a comfortable pad, effective comfort-break design and totally opaque finish – they transfer well from indoor turbo sessions to long days on hot roads.

tester Anna-Marie writes: “The Ultralights stay cool without resorting to mesh sections, as found on many turbo offerings (such as Lusso's Turbo Bibshorts V2, for instance). The Velocios are impressively breathable, and moisture evaporates very quickly – these kept me happily cool during indoor sweatfests.

'Impressively, despite being so thin and breathable there are no transparency issues. Velocio promises a 'deep black high opacity finish,' and delivers just that. They also offer Velocio's latest generation 'FlyFree' bib upper. The straps are 4.5cm wide and distribute pressure evenly, and easily pull down to let you pee without having to take all of your top layers off.”

Read our review of the Velocio Women's Ultralight Bib Shorts
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Cafe du Cycliste Marinette bib shorts

Buy Now for £204.00 from Cafe du Cycliste

These Café du Cycliste Marinette Bib Shorts join a few others in my collection that are just really hard to fault. The material is fantastic against the skin and the pad is basically unnoticeable. It's a fair outlay for a piece of kit, but it's backed up by some excellent craftsmanship and if you want to get away from black they come in a whole range of colours including this Anthracite grey.

Okay, £191 of your hard-earned cash on a pair of bib shorts is a big investment, but if you spend a lot of time in the saddle it'll be money well spent.

The Marinettes are up there with the most comfortable shorts I've worn – the likes of the 7mesh RK1 and Endura Pro SL bib shorts. They all follow the same theme: excellent fabric which feels great against the skin and an awesome chamois.

Read our review of the Cafe du Cycliste Marinette bib shorts

Castelli Premio Women’s Bib Shorts

Buy Now for £230.00 from Chain Reaction Cycles

The Premio Black Women's Bib Shorts are Castelli's top-end bibs, and their impressive attention to detail really makes the difference. The woven fabric is very thin and breathable yet robust, while tabs on the straps guarantee they lay comfortably flat the whole ride. Yes, they're expensive, but also an absolute delight to wear for all-out blasts and long rides alike.

Breathability is impressive, as is the fast-drying nature of this fabric. Not only can it deal with the heat of sweatfest interval sessions, the tight weave also effectively blocks out the wind, while water beads brilliantly. There's no bulk to the material at all, so it doesn't hold water even in prolonged rain. Basically, these cope with changeable summer conditions incredibly well. The Progetto X2 Air Seamless Donna two-layer pad has a soft, stretchy upper 'Skin Care Layer' to move with the skin. The fabric feels wonderfully smooth here, and I found ample cushioning for rides over six hours. It's a very comfortable chamois.

These are exceptional performers for riding in all weathers and at all effort levels. The woven fabric is incredibly thin and breathable, yet feels robust and provides protection against wind and showers too. The raw cut grippers are also the comfiest and neatest I've ever worn. Yes, the Premio Black bibs are expensive, but they really earn their keep as go-to shorts for all kinds of rides.

Read our review of the Castelli Premio Women’s Bib Shorts
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MAAP Pro Bib 2.0

Buy Now for £235.00 from Sigma Sports

The MAAP Pro Bib 2.0s are impressive high-end bib shorts that are comfortable on a variety of rides and in varying conditions. There is noticeable compression without the kind of tight discomfort you can sometimes find, and the textured material on the legs gives them a fairly unusual look too. The material manages to combine stretch with hold so you get the compression qualities that help with blood flow and sustained efforts, while the stretch makes for completely free movement throughout the pedal stroke. Breathability and wicking are very impressive too.

Tester Stu adds: “MAAP has absolutely knocked it out the park with its '3D Thermo Moulded multi (3 layer) density chamois'. I wore these bibs while taking advantage of the great weather over the Easter weekend and found myself riding for hours on everything from rough farm tracks and potholed back lanes, to perfectly laid tarmac, and it was incredibly comfortable throughout.

“Overall there is little to fault about these bib shorts. Sure they're expensive, and you might need to adjust the legs slightly, but aside from that there isn't much not to like. Breathability and wicking are excellent, the chamois is superb, and they are supremely comfortable to use for longer rides.”

Read our review of the MAAP Pro Bib 2.0
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Castelli Premio Bib Shorts

Buy Now for £240.00 from Merlin Cycles

The Castelli Premio Black Bib Shorts are fantastic – they're comfortable on long distances, have an excellent pad, and deliver compression qualities, all the while feeling like they're hardly there.

Tester George writes: “The first thing you notice about these is that the material is considerably thinner than almost any other shorts you're likely to have come across, with an almost papery quality. Despite the leg and seat area being made up of only three panels, each of the same material, within each panel that same material has different qualities and thicknesses, without Castelli needing to include additional panels. Clever!

“Castelli has used its range-topping Progetto X2 Air Seamless pad, which has variable densities and gel padding throughout, combining to make an undeniably comfortable chamois. It is soft and breathable too, so after a few hours in the saddle on a hot day you aren't left in a swampy mess. Overall, the Premio bib shorts are very impressive, and of the dozens I have tested over the past few years, they're the only ones that have struck me as an obvious jump forward. They aren't perfect – the straps did still occasionally twist, and they are at the top end in terms of price – but there is nothing else I could find that didn't impress.”

Read our review of the Castelli Premio Bib Shorts
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Impressed that you were able to sell a pair of used bib shorts

 

All my 3/4 and full length tights are Giordana and I absolutely swear by them. Also agree on the need for shammy cream, certainly on rides up to 3 hours.