Lusso Pro Team Bib Shorts

Lusso Pro Team bib shorts are comfortable thanks to a surprisingly good gel pad, and good value.

Lusso are a proudly British brand, unlike the many clothing companies that rely on their continental heritage. Besides the logo with union jack, the design still reminds me of higher end Castellis and Santanis. With a large silk-screen logo across both thighs and large embossed leg grippers, the inspiration is distantly 'euro'.

I'm generally a medium in most shorts. I was afraid when the medium Lussos arrived that they would be a little on the large size, as the cut appeared quite generous. Putting them on however, the fit was solid - I think the prominent white stitching binding the classic panelled design made them look a little larger than they are. The shorts are still quite long in the leg, with large elastic leg gripper (5in) and a silicone bead ensuring they still hold well. Carbon effect bib straps have plenty of give in them to suit a range of heights, while keeping the shorts snug to the lower body.

Another of my concerns when the shorts first arrived was the choice of chamois pad. From reading the site, a comfortable chamois is the founder's main reason for starting the business some 30 years ago so one would hope they got this on right. The pad is of the gel variety, quite thin and with prominent contours, which from experience of similar designs lead me to think it would not be up to much on the bike.

Thankfully this wasn't the case and I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of comfort that the pad provides. The contours allow it to move with the rider, creating a positively unnoticeable bond between the bike; fitting neatly around the groin. It manages to be lightweight whilst providing a great level of cushioning. Over a number of hours' riding, the comfort didn't subside.

In terms of durability, the shorts are well constructed and I can't see any points likely to fall apart. The only sign of wear after a couple of washes were the small Lusso logos (not the large ones on the thigh), starting to peel off. They're those heat applied labels that always start peeling so I'm not sure why they bothered, second the fact that I'd probably prefer the shorts without them, as the red clashes with the white and black theme throughout.

The Lusso Pro Gel Racing are a quality pair of bib shorts with plenty of comfort from a well chosen chamois pad. Fit is good and perhaps tailored more towards the British build than the Italian sizing of the big names, which will no doubt suit many readers. With an RRP of £75, they aren't cheap but don't break the often-broken £100 mark either - I think £75 is an honest price and presents good value for these shorts. If you're after a comfortable pair of shorts from a British brand these from Lusso would make a sound choice.

Verdict

Quality bib shorts with plenty of comfort from a well chosen chamois pad.