The Universal Colours Mono Men’s Cargo Bib Shorts are essentially the same as its Mono Bib Shorts 2.0 – but with the addition of pockets. They fit well, the sizing is spot on, the feel is supportive and the price is not outrageous. And I like a cargo pocket, I really do.
Buy now: Universal Colours Mono Men’s Cargo Bib Shorts for £140 from Sigma Sports
Nick favourably reviewed the pocket-free version of these bib shorts not long ago; they cost £15 less at £125 and are, as far as I can tell, identical apart from the cargo bit.
I concur with Nick – these are well-made bib shorts. The fit is just right, the feel is reasonably supportive and the pad works well. They are not quite premium bib shorts, as the fabric on higher-end shorts tends to be a bit more compressive for that proper racy feel. But then you’re usually paying a premium price for them.
Uppers
The straps are pretty much two inches wide and made from a ribbed fabric, doing a good job at keeping these shorts where you want them without you noticing. There’s enough flexibility in them to make comfort breaks easy enough if you’re a pull-the-shorts-down kind of guy.
The straps join a wider mesh panel that comes up to about halfway up the shoulder blades, maximising ventilation.
Lowers
The lower part is a stitched multi-panel affair that is obviously well designed. Not only is the fit excellent, but I never noticed any of the seams while I was riding.
The front of the knee hem is made from a separate, more stretchy, silicone gripper-backed material. It does a good job of stopping the shorts riding up and/or keeping leg warmers in place. The first few times I wore these shorts, the knee hem felt a little tight without being uncomfortable. This is no longer noticeable after a bit of use and a few washes – I suspect the hem may have stretched a little.
The chamois is the Paris HP Men’s hybrid cell pad from Elastic Interface. I usually get on well with EI’s pads, and this one was no different. Short rides, long rides, happy bum all the way.
Pockets
The cargo part in the name refers to the two side pockets, which are a useful size.
I’m a big fan of cargo pockets. For me they’re about the best place to put easy-access food (read: Haribo) on longer rides. Or to put any end-of-ride shopping you might want to take to your accommodation.
You also get a pocket on your lower back. I’ve always wondered what the point of these is. Maybe they come into their own if you don’t wear a jersey that has three pockets in exactly the same place. Anyway, it’s there. I didn’t use it.
In use
I’ve used these on a fair few longer rides, in my capacity as Dave’s glutton-for-punishment (gullible?) friend on some of his RRTY efforts.
While the fabric might not be as compressive as more premium-costing bib shorts, they have been pretty much as comfortable, with the added benefit of the cargo pockets. These bib shorts don’t really stand out in any way, they just get on with the job, quietly. That’s about as good as you can expect, really.
Colours
These are available in standard black and a fashionable heavy dark brown. You get a few bits of branded reflective detailing, nothing too obvious, which is either nice, or lacking, depending on your point of view on how stand-outish you want your cycle garments to look in the dark.
Sizing
I usually take a medium in non-Italian brands. Looking up my measurements on UC’s sizing chart suggests medium is what I should go for – and it’s the medium I’m reviewing here.
The shorts are a perfect fit: supportively tight and no unwanted fabric movement.
Value
At £140, the price is about right for a decent pair of bib shorts.
At £155 Le Col’s Sport Cargo Bib Shorts cost a bit more – and we liked the non-cargo version when we tested them.
Rapha’s Men’s Brevet Element Cargo Bib Shorts are a tenner dearer at £150.
Gorewear Spinshift Cargo Bib Shorts are slighly cheaper at £144.99, and Mike rated them highly when he reviewed them.
But you don’t need to spend this much for cargo bib shorts. The Galibier Pro 7 Cargo Bib Shorts cost less than half the price at £68, and we’ve been impressed by Galibier’s kit in the past.
For our favourite non-cargo shorts, check out our best cycling shorts buyer’s guide.
It’s worth mentioning Universal Colours crash replacement policy. If you contact UC with pictures of your damaged bib shorts, the company will give you a 50% discount towards their replacement.
Conclusion
The Universal Colours Mono Men’s Cargo Bib Shorts are decent bib shorts: the straps are comfortable, the pad works well and the fit is good, if not quite as compressive as you’ll find on more expensive shorts. The cargo pockets are great too, and the price is not outrageous. There is a lot to like here.
Buy now: Universal Colours Mono Men’s Cargo Bib Shorts for £140 from Universal Colours
Verdict
Welcome pockets in a very good pair of bib shorts at a decent price
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Universal Colours Mono Men’s Cargo Bib Shorts
Size tested: Medium
Tell us what the product is for
This is what Universal Colours says:
Featuring wide stretchy bib straps with an enhanced breathable ribbed design, these shorts provide unparalleled comfort and support, allowing you to focus on the road, or trail, ahead.
We have thoughtfully included 2 large side pockets for quick access to snacks and essentials, along with a central rear pocket for stashing spare clothing, ensuring you’re prepared for any adventure. And for added safety, reflective white and colour-matched logos enhance visibility in low-light conditions.
Strong silicone leg grippers provide a secure fit that stays in place all day long.
Plus, with 50 UPF sun protection, you can ride with confidence knowing your skin is shielded from harmful UV rays.
Inside, you’ll find the Elastic Interface Paris HP Men’s hybrid cell pad, featuring a large front cup and a biobased foam topper made with 76% polyols derived from plants. Designed specifically for men, this multi-density pad offers optimal support and breathability, thanks to its perforated 13mm thick foam and innovative cell design. And with an antimicrobial recycled fabric cover, you can stay fresh and comfortable mile after mile.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Universal Colours says:
Wide stretchy bib straps with breathable ribbed design for comfort and support
Two large side pockets and a central rear pocket for easy access to essentials
Reflective logos enhance visibility in low light for added safety
Strong silicone leg grippers ensure a secure fit that stays in place
Elastic Interface Paris HP Men’s pad provides optimal support, breathability, and antimicrobial protection
Designed and created by Universal Colours
Made in Lithuania by BlueSign® accredited factory, LTP
I usually take a medium; my measurements suggest a medium on the size chart and the medium we have on test fits perfectly.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
The care instructions say “Wash with similar colours, do not wash with Velcro. 30 degrees”.
As per usual, I just bunged them in with whatever washing needes doing at 30°C or 40°C (not that I’m recommending yo do that). They’ve been absolutely fine and look as good as new after about three months of use.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
These are decent bib shorts that do what you want: the fit is good, the feel is supportive and the cargo pockets work.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The cargo pockets.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Initially, the fit above the knees was a little tight, never to the point of being uncomfortable, but with a few washes, this is no longer noticeable.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
The price is about right for a pair of decent cargo bib-shorts, with plenty of competition around the same price point. That said, you don’t have to pay this much – Galibier’s cargo bibs are less than half the price.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes – if they were looking for cargo shorts at this price point.
Use this box to explain your overall score
As I mentioned in the review, these are decent all-round bib-shorts with no particular aspect that stands out. The straps are decent, the fit is good, the pad works well and the cargo pockets are great. The fabric is not quite as compressive as proper premium shorts, but that’s reflected in a price that, while not cheap, doesn’t put the shorts at the premium end of the market.
I’m marking these very good, rather than excellent, because UC markets these as providing ‘unparalleled comfort and support’, promising premium-level shorts at a non-premium price. While these are comfortable and supportive, the level is not unparalleled in my experience.
About the tester
Age: 44 Height: 1.78m Weight: 77kg
I usually ride: All of them! My best bike is: Ribble Endurance SL disc
I’ve been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, club rides, mtb, Zwift
