A new era in women’s cycling has arrived. This roundup of women’s riding apparel, with a closer look at bibs, flaunts an impressive variety in construction, features and details. Gone are the days of settling for sized-down men’s kits, a chamois more suited for a Clydesdale, and sacrificing form for all-day riding comfort.
This summer is the season of bib selection. Enjoy your pick from a range of compression to tailored, race to endurance fits, multiple inseam length options, and strap design alternatives. Go far and ride strong in a performance kit just to your liking, and just for women…
ORNOT
Ornot seems determined to keep your attention on the ride and not on your kit. The attractive but understated Women’s Bib Shorts 2.0 uses flat seams, all-over compression, and supportive stretch for an energizing, cool feel. The compression is continuous from short to the 70mm leg band so there’s is no sausage leg. The chamois is just right. These bibs essentially disappear from thought with second-skin comfort and feel. #RideTodayORNOT with a full women’s line including various jerseys for all seasons, and more importantly, some serious sock game.
- Bib has all over compression that also has supportive stretch
- Fabric stays cool on hot days and has a second skin feel
- All around good chamois
- Zero sausage leg
- $155 for the Women’s Bib Short 2.0, XS-L
- Made in California
Ten Speed Hero
Ten Speed Hero has a wide choice of bibs with various inseams, price points and features. The Women’s Pro Bib Shorts are fine tuned with attention to detail. The lycra is stretchy with easy support, silky and finished with flat seams. The straps are uniquely designed so they sit outside the bust. The straps are also thinner, finished with technical taped seams and have a breathable insert up the back. The 45mm leg band is smooth and very snug – making the bibs stay in place even on hot spirited rides. And if the ride lasts past sunset, then these bibs have reflective strips for increased safety.
Also shown are the Black Label Shorts with a shorter 6.5 in. inseam – great for riders with shorter legs. While a step down from the Pro Bib Shorts, the Black Label Shorts have the same smooth flat seams, soft lycra and dense chamois. The only compromise is a less detailed construction in the straps and a gripper leg band. Overall, The Ten Speed Hero line has race inspiration all throughout. Elastic bands are strategically positioned to keep everything in place, and the shorts use light fabrics and slim fits. Slipping into a TSH kit is like wearing your best edition team kit. And to keep things fun as the TSH crew always does, there’s an array of socks and caps to accent the playful apparel designs.
- Lots of shorts to choose from, with different inseams and for various budgets
- Race-inspired fit in both bibs and jerseys
- Silky lycra with stretchy support
- Dense chamois that’s minimal and out-of-the-way
- TSH is constantly releasing new goodies to keep your kit line-up fresh
- $240 for the Women’s Pro Bibs, XS-XL
- Made in Italy
Velocio
Several brands have embarked on their own solution to the female struggles of riding comfort and performance. The Superfly Bib Short is a rendition of the Signature Bib Short 2.0 – a tailored bib with an overall fit that’s performance driven. Snug and supportive…it makes you want to drop into the bars and go faster. Many women love the fit and performance of bibs but hate the de-layering routine during “nature breaks.” Velocio’s Superbly Bib Short offers a new take; a quick-pee solution using a rear zipper, low profile full mesh front panel, and slim crossed rear straps. The result is a bib that you can shimmy out of for bathroom breaks without taking off your jersey with zero compromise to performance. The rest of the Velocio line runs deep with classic pieces and layering for all seasons, including the feather weight Breton Jersey, ideal for long and warm summer rides.
- Performance version of a quick-pee bib
- Bibs are tailored, snug and compressive all over
- Substantial but contoured chamois for long ride dependability
- A complete line with various fabrics, warmers, base layer, etc. to take mix and match
- Good for all seasons
- $229.00 for the Superfly Bib Short
- 2XS-XL
- Made in Italy
Machines For Freedom
The Machines For Freedom Endurance Bib Short is reminiscent of slipping into a perfect fitting pair of your favorite jeans: snug at first then perfectly conforming after a warm up. The fit is tailored with unique seaming that has an “uplifting” feel. The leg band is 70mm wide, smooth and eliminates sausage leg. The straps fall in a comfortable place around the chest. Machines For Freedom is designed for hard riding women and it shows in the chamois. It’s contoured and good to go for 5, 6…7 hours in the saddle. MFF offers one jersey cut that comes in graphic seasonal prints. The jersey is also a go-to for all day rides. The pockets are deep for snacks, tools and tubes. The fit is lean, compressive, and won’t give up after many hours of sweating. The jersey fabric is luxurious, sateen-like and substantial.
- Bibs are tailored with seaming that creates a custom feel
- Substantial but contoured chamois for long ride dependability
- Jersey fabric is substantial and has longevity
- Flattering kit with long-ride performance
- $235 for the Women’s Endurance Short, XS-XL
Morvelo
This brand from down under has taken a different approach to the strap construction of its women’s bibs. The breathable stretch mesh up top sits between the chest. This is a great option for women who find that traditional straps are uncomfortable in a stretched out race or sprint position. The bottoms have flat seams, reflective tabs for all-day adventures and compressive lycra.
