Excellent fit and comfort and really good performance in the rain aided by a unique bum flap that offers extra protection from rear wheel spray make these ideal shorts for the unpredictable spring weather.
To create these bib shorts, Italian company Sportful has essentially taken its very good Fiandre NoRain Bibtights and chopped the legs off. That means the shorts are made from the same NoRain water-repellent fabric that offers a decent level of protection in the rain. It's not a fully waterproof material, but it doesn't have the bulk or breathability issues of most waterproof fabrics.
That immediately makes these shorts well suited to the unpredictable conditions of spring, when you might set out under clear skies and return under a rain cloud. Where the fabric really impresses is that the water-repellent treatment doesn't compromise comfort or breathability. I've worn these shorts on dry sunny days and they've been just as comfortable and cool as regular bib shorts.
A unique feature of the shorts is the bum flap. Sportful more elegantly describes it as a "double layer of fabric on [the] lower back for increased rain protection where it's needed most".
That pretty much sums it up, the idea being simply to provide a secondary layer of NoRain fabric over the area that is most prone to sogginess from rear wheel spray, without compromising the fit and comfort of the shorts. Because this flap isn't stitched along the bottom edge it's able to move independently of the main part of the shorts. Sounds like a gimmick, but it works. These shorts kept me dryer in showers than regular bib shorts.
The construction of the shorts is top notch. As is the way with most modern bib shorts these days, the leg openings are flat and seamless. Sportful has used a very wide elasticated panel backed with a grippy material, and the result is that the shorts don't slide up your legs during a ride and comfort are of the highest order. No seam irritation here.
>> Read more: the best bib shorts
A chunky mesh material is used for the back panel and the wide bib straps, and they spread pressure comfortably over the shoulders with enough stretch to provide easy nature breaks during a ride. There are a generous number of reflective strips on the back of the shorts, making them ideal for late evening rides or winter cycling.
Sportful's TC Pro padded insert is used across its range of shorts and it's a very comfortable pad, one of the best on the market. It uses a variety of foam thickness and density, from 14mm thick at the sit bones and slimming down to 7mm at the front and 4mm at the outer edges. The foam is perforated which boosts breathability and helps to keep the pad dry during hot and hard workouts.
I wore these during the Paris-Roubaix 175km sportive and they proved faultless, keeping me comfortable for the six hours I was in the saddle while the fabric dealt with the occasional puddles that featured on the route.
Verdict
Water-resistant bib shorts ideal for changeable spring conditions
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Make and model: Sportful Fiandre Light NoRain Bib Shorts
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?
Perfect for longer rides with changing weather conditions.
Lightweight construction with NoRain nanotechnology for water repellency.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Double layer of fabric on lower back for increased rain protection where it's needed most
Ultrawide lie-flat leg band
Highly elastic 3D mesh bibs
Reflective highlights
TC Pro seat pad
Rate the product for quality of construction:
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
Really good shorts for when the weather is unpredictable and there's a risk of rain
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
The recent spring weather has been ideal for testing these shorts, so they've been getting a lot of use, and the durability has been good so far
Rate the product for fit:
8/10
Fit is good but they do lean closer to a race fit than a relaxed fit
Rate the product for sizing:
8/10
Rate the product for comfort:
8/10
The multi-density foam padding is comfortable for the longest rides and it stays dry too
Rate the product for value:
7/10
For a short with added rain protection without compromising on breathability, they're ideal for British cyclists
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
Very easy
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Work well in unpredictable weather
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Really good fit, comfort, and the added rain protection
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Wasn't anything that I could find to fault about them
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your score
Really comfortable shorts with added rain protection at a fair price
Age: 31 Height: 180 Weight: 67
I usually ride: My best bike is:
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, touring, mtb,
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