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review

Rapha Brevet Bib Shorts

8
£215.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Very comfortable and usable shorts, but watch the small sizing – and sit down for the price
Excellent pad
Strong construction
Useful pocket
Good reflectives
Expensive
Size up on the small side
Weight: 
210g
Contact: 

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The Rapha Men's Brevet Bib Shorts are very comfortable thanks to a really supportive pad and a great cut. The cargo pocket is useful (and fairly stealthy when not in use) and it's good to see a decent spread of reflective details, but then you could reasonably demand all this anyway, given their very high price.

> Buy now: Rapha Men’s Brevet Bib Shorts for £215 from Rapha

While we're all inevitably different, for me at least these shorts – specifically, the pad – performed perfectly. The dual-density foam is notably thick but doesn't feel that way once you've put them on, and has a supportive spring to it that's neither too firm for comfort nor so soft it just flattens.

2022 Rapha Brevet Bib Shorts - chamois.jpg

The pad's overall shape is just right too, and that (plus its step down in thickness around the edges) meant I never had any irritation or chafing, no matter how long the ride. It's firmly flatlock stitched into a well-shaped pair of shorts, which in turn are supported by wide, breathable and comfortable bib straps.

I tested a size large – I generally don't find any of the measurements on bib shorts size charts useful, but generally suit a large – and they fitted well. They're on the smaller/tighter side for a large, but not excessively so.

2022 Rapha Brevet Bib Shorts - legs front.jpg

The 'shorts' half give a slightly compressive fit (the fabric is reasonably thick with a firm stretch) which I found comfortable and secure, while the well-judged legs sit securely at the ends of my thigh muscles. There's a substantial elastic cuff that peeks out from below the hems and is lined with silicone for grip. It works well.

2022 Rapha Brevet Bib Shorts - cuff gripper.jpg

Meanwhile, the upper strap section is a light mesh-type fabric bordered by elastic, which breathes well and sits comfortably too. I found the medium-strength elastication bordering on too much when standing, but absolutely fine once riding.

2022 Rapha Brevet Bib Shorts - straps back.jpg

I wouldn't want them any tighter, but to be fair I have a relatively long torso/short legs for my height, which frequently makes strap length an issue for me.

2022 Rapha Brevet Bib Shorts - back.jpg

According to all three of Rapha's size chart metrics (chest, waist and hips) I should fit a medium, but no thanks. In reality I could probably get away with sizing up a second time to XL (there are six choices, from XS to XXL). Amazingly, Rapha says the model in the picture – Ruben – is 6ft (only an inch shorter than me) and wearing a size small, and certainly the legs sit a good 6cm or so higher on him. I can only assume Ruben is also now doomed to never have children. A size small would crush me like a black hole – consider sizing up, is my point here.

While the fabric is, as I previously mentioned, relatively thick, I found it cool and comfortable in what heat the UK can conjure up. It's protective against sun to UPF 50, too.

2022 Rapha Brevet Bib Shorts - cuff 2.jpg

The pocket on the right thigh doubles the thickness there and may get sweaty in proper heat, but I had no issues. Having the same tough stretch as the rest of the shorts means it's very secure, and a good size for plunging a whole hand into.

2022 Rapha Brevet Bib Shorts - pocket.jpg

The grey details (and logo) are reflective to help with visibility – a good idea for shorts aimed at long days – but still look pretty slick, in my opinion.

2022 Rapha Brevet Bib Shorts - legs back.jpg

Value

Their rrp of £215 is a lot for summer bib shorts, and right up there at the top of the premium end. Assos is not known for cheap stuff, for instance, but its similarly distance-orientated Mille GT Bib Shorts C2 are excellent according to Ben, who tested them recently, yet significantly less at £125.

That said, the Mille GTs don't have pockets, whereas the Mille GTC Kiespanzer C2s, which Jamie has been testing for our sister site off.road.cc, do – and they're £210.

> Buyer’s Guide: 10 of the best cycling bib shorts

If you don't care for pockets, something like the Altura Endurance Men's Cycling Bib Shorts will serve you very well for £90 – in his test, Stu reckoned they were really comfortable on longer rides – and while the same firm's All Roads Cargo Bib Shorts had a few more niggles (mostly with the legs, according to George's review), they do have pockets and are cheaper still at £80.

Conclusion

Overall, I found these very comfortable, and the quality is excellent. The pocket is useful and the reflectives are welcome indeed given the long rides these are aimed at. You can get similar performance for considerably less, which counts against these in the real world, but if you're happy spending the money, you'll be very happy with what you get.

Verdict

Very comfortable and usable shorts, but watch the small sizing – and sit down for the price

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Rapha Brevet Bib Shorts

Size tested: Large

Tell us what the product is for

Rapha says these are a "Supportive Bib Short With Pockets".

It's wrong. It has a single pocket.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Rapha lists these 'key features':

For consistent comfort, in-built storage and added visibility on round-the-clock endurance rides

Technical sweat-wicking main fabric dries rapidly to help regulate body temperature in varied weather conditions

Also provides UPF50+ sun protection

Dual-density chamois pad with quick-drying foam layers for optimal support and an antibacterial topsheet for freshness

Lightweight bonded uppers with central cut out for added breathability

Subtle slip pocket on the right leg provides added storage for ride provisions

Hi-vis and reflective stripes plus reflective logo to the rear for added visibility

And these 'details and materials':

Designed for use in mild to hot conditions

Contrast leg gripper with 5mm exposed tipping

Mesh uppers with binding for low-profile fit

UPF50+ fabric on shorts for added sun protection

Main:

58% Recycled Nylon

42% Elastane

Contrast:

76% Polyester

24% Elastane

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for fit:
 
8/10

A comfortable, secure fit – assuming you get the right size.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
5/10

These are small. I went up one size and could probably go up two.

Rate the product for weight:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
9/10

Slightly tight for walking around, but just right in a riding position.

Rate the product for value:
 
4/10

Few bib shorts are significantly more expensive than this.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

No issues.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Very well – they stay very comfortable on long rides.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Strong construction, good looks and a very comfortable pad.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Straps were bordering on oversprung even though I sized up.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

These are right up there, within £20-£40 of the most expensive shorts we've reviewed recently. The majority are considerably cheaper.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? I'd consider letting you buy them for me.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? A rich one, yes.

Use this box to explain your overall score

These are very good at doing what they're supposed to do, and the impressive construction feels like it'll last really well. The only real downside is the price – they're great shorts, but not twice as good as similar models at half the price. They also size up pretty small; I would not have been happy in my chart-recommended size.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 48  Height: 183cm  Weight: 78kg

I usually ride: Vitus Zenium SL VR Disc  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: A few times a week  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: general fitness riding, mtb,

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1 comments

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Surreyrider | 1 year ago
0 likes

I'll pass at that price. The DHB Aerons I got for £40 in the sale are just as good as the £100-plus Castellis I wore until then. 

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