Lusso's Ladies Stripes Bib Shorts are very well priced at £70, and during the mixed summer weather we've had they've been very comfortable for shorter rides, but for me the pad – though classed as 'long distance' – wasn't comfortable for much more than two hours.
With the stripes on the gripper band round the leg, these shorts are designed to be worn as a set with the Stripes jersey which I also tested, though they look good with other tops too.
> Buy these online here
British company Lusso makes its kit in Manchester, and these shorts are well made using a 10-panel anatomic design, with the stitching finished to a high standard.
They feel comfortable as soon as you put them on. The fabric is Italian CoolTech, which has a stretch to it and hugs your legs, with long 75mm laser cut silicone grippers holding them in position well. I found the size small a great fit, though normally I would wear a medium/12 so do check on sizing.
The fabric also has UV 50+ protection, which isn't that unusual these days and is good for when the sun comes out to play.
The bib straps fitted comfortably over the shoulders, just right on the length, with no rubbing and no problems getting them on and off. Lusso hasn't created any fancy way of getting in and out of the bibs at loo stops, so undressing is needed. They're a straightforward over-the-shoulder design, with CoolMesh fabric on the straps and back with good sweat-wicking properties. I don't often wear bib shorts in the summer as I worry they might become a bit sweaty, but the CoolMesh fabric here did its job well.
The 14mm thickness pad is billed as 'long distance'. It's Italian-made, with multi-density foam – more padding on the sit bone areas, for example – and an antibacterial surface.
I used the shorts on rides of various different distances from one hour to four. For me, the shorts performed really well for up to two hours, but after that I would have preferred a different pad. I know everyone is different and pad comfort is a very subjective thing, but I found it softer than the pads I am used to, so it was a pressure issue not a rubbing issue; I think if it had higher density padding on the sit bone area I would have felt more comfortable.
At £70 they're well priced, sitting in the mid-range for women's bib shorts. You can find similarly priced shorts from Evans brand Kalf (its Club Women's Bib Shorts are £64.99), or Louis Garneau's Neo Power Motion Bib Short at £79.99. BTwin's 700s are worth a look if they come back in stock, at £34.99, or at the other end of the scale if it's long-distance shorts you need you could splash out on Rapha's £180 Brevets.
> Cycling shorts – everything you need to know
Overall, the Lusso Stripes are a good pair of shorts for warmer, shorter rides, but for longer outings I would prefer a thicker, higher density pad.
Verdict
Good-looking, well-fitting summer bibs that are great for shorter rides, but pad comfort is challenged on longer distances
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Make and model: Lusso Ladies Bib Shorts Stripes
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?
They're long distance pad bib shorts with CoolTech fabric. Aimed at anyone looking for a good mid-range bib short with contemporary design.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Lusso lists these features:
Fabric: Italian CoolTech
* Bib Fabric: CoolMesh Back and Straps
* Leg Grippers: 75mm Laser cut silicone
* Seams: Flat and 3 Thread
* Design: 10 Panel Anatomic
* Antistatic & 50+ UV Ray Protection: Yes
* Machine Washable: Yes
* Made in UK: Yes
Pad:
* Usage: Long Distance
* Thickness: 14mm
* Layers: x4 * Fabric: Micro Fibre with Anti Bacterial Surface
* Padding: Multi Density Breathable Foam
. Black TX22 Italian Pad
Rate the product for quality of construction:
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
6/10
For me, the pad wasn't comfortable for rides longer than a couple of hours.
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Rate the product for fit:
8/10
Comfortable fitting shorts with 75mm leg grippers.
Rate the product for sizing:
7/10
I wore a size small which fitted well – though I would normally wear a medium in most stuff.
Rate the product for weight:
8/10
Fairly lightweight summer bibs.
Rate the product for comfort:
6/10
In terms of fit the comfort was great; pad comfort good for up to two hours but not beyond that for me.
Rate the product for value:
7/10
Good value for the quality.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
Washed well, no problems.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Although they have a 'long distance' pad, it didn't work well for me.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Good fit.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Pad not comfortable on long distances for me.
Did you enjoy using the product? It was okay.
Would you consider buying the product? No
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Maybe
Use this box to explain your score
They're a good pair of bib shorts for a two-hour ride, but any longer and I would choose a different pair.
Age: 36 Height: 168cm Weight: 60kg
I usually ride: specailized dolce My best bike is:
I've been riding for: 5-10 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: touring, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, mountain biking
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Which one did you have in mind?