Sugoi Icon bib shorts

The Sugoi Icon bib shorts deliver on all fronts in a fit-and-forget way. For long hours in the saddle, that's just what you want.

Most of the fabric used on the Icon bibs is Sugoi's so-called 'Mobil Mesh' fabric, a lightweight and relatively open lycra-spandex mix. This openness makes them very airy indeed, great for hot summer days of the sort that leave you covered in salt marks. The fabric also lends the Icons a sort of silvery sheen when worn, which looks great. The bib straps themselves are made from a more traditional mesh material to further improve ventilation.

Fit wise, the Icons manage to find the perfect balance between compression and suppleness such that you simply forget that you're even wearing them at all. A full strip of silicon round the bottom of each leg keeps them firmly locked in place with no movement whatsoever. Those with hairy legs might find the tacky silicon a little much, but I had no issues with irritation during the test period.

The strength of the leg grippers allows Sugoi to be a bit more generous with the fit around the tops of the thighs and the glutes. By no means are they baggy, but you don't feel constricted at all as can sometimes happen with more compressive shorts. In use, the result is a pair of bibs that feel just as good at mile 60 as when they were first put on.

The Formula FX pad used in the Icons is a superb multi-density number, with perforations to improve ventilation and a distinct lack of potentially chaffing seams. But a good pad is useless if it's incorrectly positioned or if it moves around on the bike. Here again, the Sugoi fit is spot on with the denser portions positioned right where they are needed – under your sit bones. The inherent stretch in the pad material allows it to conform to your body and move with you instead of against you.

The Sugoi sizing itself seems to be quite standard, as I usually take a medium and these fit me well in that size (the Sugoi website does feature a sizing guide). I found the legs to be on the long side which was a plus point for me as I usually struggle to find bibs long enough due to my lanky physique (climber's legs I keep telling myself). The only small bugbear I had with these was the high cut of the front panel (it reaches over my belly button) which made relieving oneself on the bike more difficult than it needed to be.

Verdict

Fit is spot on, ensuring plenty of niggle free, comfortable miles.