Altura Airstream Mens Cycling Bib Shorts

Altura’s Airstream Cycling Bib Shorts are best thought of as wallet-friendly options for general spring/summer/autumn riding. There have been some tangible improvements since I last reviewed a pair back in 2023 – namely breathability and stretch in the bib section, extending their horizons to indoor training. However, they’re still cut a little higher in the front for my tastes.

Specification

The main fabric is very much what I’d expect from the £50 price point but well executed. 100% recycled polyester throughout, the bib section is a stretchy perforated mesh, which promises unhampered freedom of movement and fast wicking in warmer weather, or indeed, indoor trainer masochism. Rather like string vests of old, meshes also promise to lock in some welcome warmth when the temperatures slipping.

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An external elasticated frame promises to hold shape and prevent any possible slippage. Bibs rather than shorts have long been regarded as the way to go. Unlike shorts there’s no constricting elastic around the waist, you get an extra bit of cover to the lower back and and, importantly, in my experience, they also help keep the pad optimally placed.

The Airstream’s seat and legs are a matt black, which looks classy, and works well with understated or extrovert jerseys. Reflective detailing on the thigh is subtle but welcome. Internally, you get flatlock seams and silicone grippers to prevent branding and gathering.

The pad is Altura’s in-house 3D Plus- a foam-based, gender-specific design with tailored density and a moisture wicking top layer. Interestingly, Altura no longer cite an approximate recommended ride time- the previous versions were reckoned good for rides around the two-hour mark. I’d say a between three and four hours, but more about this later.

Sizing/Fit

Traditionally, Altura kit has been renowned for being a little generous. Defaulting to this narrative back in 2023 when I reviewed the previous iteration of the Airstream bibs, I went for a medium, which were a good fit overall. This time after carefully scrutinising Altura’s size chart, I opted for large, which has improved the overall experience – comfort around the shoulder and crotch regions specifically. For context, I’ve a 34-inch (86cm) inseam and am proportionally broad across my shoulders. I’d still recommend trying a couple of sizes, should you fall between Altura’s though.

Comfort

Opting for a matt finish has improved the Airstream’s grip with all saddle types, particularly traditional leather items, which can be slippery customers – particularly if they’ve been treated for many years with Proofide and similar preserves.

I was able to relax on my leather saddle of choice, sit back and cruise/hammer along to happily enough. The more definite saddle contact was particularly welcome during persistently rainy outings, although it didn’t hinder the intuitive shuffling you inevitably do on a saddle during the course of a ride. That applied to saddles with genuine leather covers and synthetics alike.

These latest Airstream bibs are broad and stretchy, without feeling baggy, spreading the load evenly across my shoulders. Switching between hoods and drops was similarly seamless – great when battling an unexpected headwind, or out of the saddle and grinding up a steep incline on the fixed.

On the subject of which, my fixed gear winter trainer has a 65/66inch gear which is lower than the textbook optimum, but provides some welcome torque without my legs spinning into orbit along the descents. Riding it in some budget shorts and ¾ lengths there’s a tendency for them to gather at the right leg, resulting in bunching and friction around the groin, but no issues here.

Similarly, the silicone leg grippers are comfortable on the skin, while still offering decent grip to leg warmers on chilly spring mornings. I’ve been out in temperatures between 7 and 27 degrees and with some appropriate layering, have remained comfortable throughout.

At the lower end of that temperature range, paired with a mid-range base layer and Airstream jersey, the mesh bibs have retained some useful warmth. From 20 degrees or so I’ve skipped the base layer and while there’s some faint misting around the chest and lower back, but the fibres rapidly catch up, so I’ve never felt damp, let alone clammy.

Initially, the pad felt like the proverbial loaf of bread but quickly conformed to my shape and for road rides up to three, possibly four hours I’ve only noticed its more positive qualities. No numbness, tingling, or chafing and the foam retains its shape pretty convincingly.

I’ve had no qualms exploring unmade roads and green lanes on my gravel bike, although even with a suspension seat post, after three hours, the pad’s foam became less supportive to my sit bones. Riding out of the saddle for a few minutes brought temporary relief – the Airstream’s are still reassuringly good for a budget model, but go over three hours ride time and you’re more likely to get a reminder of their limitations.

Wicking component is good and though I wouldn’t go this route outside of testing, in the spirit of taking one for the team, a very low funk was only creeping in after four days use on the trot. However, the higher cut still makes for less seamless roadside bladder purging (timeless phrase – ed).

Durability/Care

To date, my review pair are in remarkably good health, despite a varied riding diet, regular washing and some malevolent bramble. Not so much as a loose thread, let alone bobbling. Matt black certainly helps disguise oily stains – say when shouldering a bike or following a mechanical, but the Airstreams responded equally well to machine, or hand washing with soap flakes.

Value

Let’s preface by saying that Altura have improved the design and they offer a good price to performance ratio. You’ll need to shell out more, if you’re looking at dawn’ till dusk distances, but there are a few similarly priced competitors that could turn your head. We haven’t reviewed them, but Van Rysel Men’s Endurance Cycling Shorts EDR Black are £39.99. These are intended for “medium intensity” rides of between 3-5 hours and the pad, though relying on foam, also features elastane and polyester for enhanced comfort. And they’ve got pockets, which should extend their horizons to gravel and light touring duties.

Naturally, you can pay more and in most cases that will buy you more too. Endura’s Loop Bib Shorts are £74.99, feature leg pockets, a gel pad are well made and according to Paul Grele, comfortable on longer distance rides, you can read his review here. However, he noted the leg grippers were less secure than some. For similar money, in fact slightly less – £73, the Galibier Equipé Aero 3 Bib Shorts, which offer a choice of traditional or longer leg are worth checking out, these were also reviewed by Paul, at the turn of the year, when he gave them 9/10 and reckoned they would be hard to beat at the price.

Pushing on in price, Bryn Davis was generally impressed by Castelli’s Entrata 2 Castelli Entrata Bib Shorts (£99.99) although remarked that the pad positioning and density wouldn’t suit everyone.

All that said, we’re not into end of season sale time and the Altura website is currently offering the Airstream’s at a very wallet friendly £35. It’s also got to be said that they’re not going to be the only cycle clothing brand offering discounts right now.

Conclusion

I’m pleased to report Altura has made some small, but definite improvements with this version of the Airstream Bib Shorts, and performance aligns with their design brief-on and off road. However, there are several brands offering similar specifications and, in some instances, promising better performance for comparable money.