The Best Cycling Bib Shorts of 2026

Velocio’s LUXE bib ($299) is supremely comfortable in every way. The fabric used by Velocio — a blend of 57% Polymide, 43% Elastane — dubbed “LUXE”, perfectly balances supple stretch with support and compression. The straps are seamless and joined with a mesh panel across your back, keeping the shorts perfectly positioned over your longest rides. The leg openings are raw cut to prevent chafing and allow freedom of movement in the quads and hamstrings. The proprietary “long-distance” chamois, developed with Cytech, is dense and supple, providing excellent breathability without a hint of friction anywhere. The LUXE is without fault and is a stellar choice for any challenging ride or tour. 

The fit of the LUXE is, well, ridiculously luxurious. With a three-panel design and minimal seams, there are no puckering, bunching, or irritating sections of material at all. The length of both the straps and legs is perfect, giving just enough stretch to stand comfortably, and covering just the right amount of the quadriceps muscles with an exceptional and supportive fit around the glutes. Unlike many premium bib shorts, the LUXE is not excessively articulated to the riding position. So, they are perfectly comfortable when standing up, either out of the saddle or off the bike. 

Velocio’s aesthetic is minimal and stylish. Two tiny logos are the only branding on these bib shorts, and the LUXE will pair well with jerseys from any brand. The LUXE is offered in six tasteful, subdued colors, which is great since you might end up wanting multiple pairs of these. They’re so good, in fact, that you may end up retiring a few pairs of your old shorts once you try them. 

The LUXE fabric is special. It instantly feels like a second skin from the moment you put it on, with just the right balance of compression and stretch. The fabric also manages moisture and temperature incredibly well. On a memorable test ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) in North Carolina, temperatures were all over the place. This ride entailed climbing up steep slopes out of Asheville in balmy conditions at the start, into a wintry mix of fog and wind along the upper sections of the BRP, near Mount Mitchell, with a long descent back down. Despite varying temperatures and conditions, the LUXE fabric helped maintain a perfect temperature and effectively controlled moisture throughout the entire ride. 

At $299, the Velocio LUXE are certainly expensive bib shorts, but they are more reasonable than some high-end offerings from other brands. After testing them rigorously and having a great experience with them, we feel they are a solid value, even at a high price point. 

Check out this article about the Velocio LUXE collection if you’re interested in learning more.

For riders who are beginning to challenge themselves with longer bike rides but may not be convinced that bib shorts are worthwhile, the Pearl Izumi Attack ($125) is a great entry point. At their retail price, they are a value-packed option from a company that’s been producing quality cycling apparel and bib shorts for decades. 

Leveraging its track record of producing great bib shorts, Pearl Izumi was able to transfer many features and design elements of their most expensive bib shorts into the entry-level Attack. Reduced paneling and seams, and using raw-edge bib straps promise enhanced comfort along the legs and torso. Pearl Izumi’s excellent Elite Levitate Chamois pad provides optimal moisture transfer and breathability.

Given the lower price point, we found the fit of the Attack to be impressive, especially when compared to bib shorts that cost almost triple the price. The leg length of 10.5” is perfect, and the compression of the Select Transfer fabric is up there with the best bibs tested. The straps are also well-designed, staying flat against the shoulders and never bunching or irritating the skin. The pad is suitable for rides up to 3 hours and stays dry and comfortable in warm conditions. 

Offered in five color options, including solid Black and Navy, with only a single small Pearl Izumi logo, the look is subdued and timeless. These shorts are sure to go along with virtually any jersey and won’t ever go out of style.

It’s likely that if you invest in a pair of the Pearl Izumi Attack, they won’t be your last pair of bib shorts. They deliver on all the promises that bib shorts make, like better support, decreased pad friction, and better overall comfort on longer rides at a fraction of the cost of the high-end competition.  

In a word, the latest Ornot Cargo Bib Shorts ($228) are luxurious, which alone is reason enough to love them. They also have a host of details and features that make them a must-have for any adventurous cyclist who tests the limits of what their gear can withstand. Starting with the basics, the Cargo Bib Shorts are sewn in Italy using high-quality fabric that hits the sweet spot between flexible freedom and supportive compression. The fabric is Oeko-Tex certified and produced with recycled content using safe, environmentally responsible methods. 

What impressed us the most was the fit. With just enough leg length to cover and support the quads, and a pad location that makes for a stable but streamlined seat atop the saddle. The high-density endurance pad was excellent, providing cushioning and support throughout the longest adventure rides while taking the edge off sharp bumps on less-traveled pavement and chunky gravel roads. The best cycling kit just stays out of the way and allows for total freedom in pedaling, shifting weight fore and aft, and standing up out of the saddle, and the Cargo Bib Shorts achieved that and are also just supremely comfortable.

The straps are simple, effective, and go completely unnoticed, with a wide, stretchy, and seamless construction. The leg grippers take a similar approach, with a moderate length, laser-cut openings, and a subtle, soft silicone pattern applied to the inside. We found these bibs best suited to mild weather, between 60 and 85 degrees. They are dense enough to use with leg warmers and stay comfortable on a dry day in the 50s, but also breathe well enough to work in the low 90s.

Of course, with cargo pockets on each leg plus two on the back, there’s plenty of space to stash your gummy snacks and pocket computer. This level of storage is great if you just want to wear a t-shirt instead of a tight jersey for a casual ride around town, or you’re loaded up for a gravel century. The leg pockets are roomy and easy to access, and the updated color-matched material is sturdy enough to withstand being loaded up to the brim on even the bumpiest roads. Even for straightforward road rides, we enjoyed using the leg pockets to store snacks, wrappers, and a phone with easy access while rolling.

They also look great, with four tasteful colors to choose from and minimal branding, and that’s by design. Ornot’s founder, Matt Quan, started the brand in response to feeling like a “rolling billboard” whenever he suited up in his racing team kit, adorned with countless sponsor logos (our podcast is worth a listen). As it turns out, plenty of cyclists felt the same way and have adopted the minimal Ornot aesthetic, helping the brand to a successful decade-plus run up to this point. A fringe benefit of the near-zero branding is that the Cargo Bibs pair well with jerseys from other brands.

If you are looking for a super comfortable pair of bibs, the competitively priced Ornot Cargo Bibs are worth a shot. Even if you’re not specifically looking for cargo bibs, the pockets won’t bother you, and who knows, you may become a convert to this functional cycling fashion trend. You can learn more about the latest Ornot Cargo Bibs here.

The Castelli Endurance 4 bib shorts ($175) are the next step in the evolution of the brand’s mid-range workhorse bibs. Featuring Castelli’s range-topping Progetto X2 Air Seamless Chamois, the Endurance 4 is a traditional, but refined pair of bibs. The objectives Castelli set for the Endurance 4 were exceptional seated comfort and moisture control, along with a great fit.

While the Endurance 4 achieved the first two objectives, its fit wasn’t especially impressive relative to the best bib shorts out there. This is simply due to the relatively high prevalence of seams in a traditionally constructed bib short like the Endurance 4. More seams give rise to more puckering and bunching of the fabric, especially around the medial glute area. This is something that Castelli understands, and it’s on display in the Free Aero Race, which costs a bit more but uses a more advanced fabric that requires much less stitching and fits much better in the legs and glute area than the Endurance 4. 

All that said, the Endurance is a great choice for long rides, especially in warm conditions. Castelli’s Endurance Evolution fabric stays dry and cool, and there is no better pad than the Progetto X2 Air Seamless. The traditional mesh straps articulate well around the torso without pinching or grabbing. While straps have evolved beyond traditional mesh in higher-end bibs, these mesh straps are without any fuss or issues. 

Castelli did not use traditional silicone grippers on the leg openings of the Endurance 4, opting instead for its Giro3 gripper, which is very comfortable because it relies on compression, not surface friction, to hold the lower hem of the shorts perfectly in place. It’s worth noting that this is a somewhat delicate design and may lose effectiveness if the Endurance 4 is machine-dried repeatedly. 

Another small niggle with the Endurance 4, and most Castelli cycling shorts, for that matter, is the heat-transferred logos, which can peel and look a bit sad after about one season. Thankfully, Castelli has moved to a stitched rubber medallion logo on some of their more expensive models, which helps enhance perceived quality and longevity. 

At $175, the performance of the Castelli Endurance 4 makes it a solid value. If you’re looking for a moderately priced bib short with a world-class chamois and excellent moisture control, these are a good choice.  

The Black Bibs are designed by Starlight Custom Cycling Apparel, which has been making custom kits for race teams and bike shops for over 20 years. The goal of The Black Bibs is to compete with more expensive bib shorts but at a much lower price point. The Black Bibs Ultimate ($80) is their mid-range option, which is double the cost of The Black Bibs Original offering. 

The brand’s mission statement holds that quality cycling kit has become prohibitively expensive and that by doing away with labels and other “B.S”, The Black Bibs will allow more riders to enjoy cycling, regardless of their budget. This approach is certainly commendable, but we don’t necessarily see these shorts as only for people who can’t afford something better. But it’s worth considering that $80 actually sounds about right for a foam pad sewn into a pair of Lycra shorts, whether you’re a college freshman who just discovered road riding or a retired physician who rides 15 hours a week.

Still, it’s fair to ask what is missing from these $80 bib shorts, compared with options for a pair costing 3x as much. To understand the difference, you’d need to test ride or at least hold both types of bibs side-by-side. The Velocio Luxe, for instance, uses more refined materials, which in turn facilitate more advanced design, and feature a more luxurious and expensive pad. The Black Bibs Ultimate, on the other hand, uses proven, albeit less exotic fabric, which requires a more traditional design that incorporates significantly more stitching. Essentially, these bibs are as good as anything from 20 years ago, but not as good as the best bibs being developed nowadays. 

Getting into the specifics, The Black Bibs Ultimate is made using 80% polyester and 20% spandex. The pad is sourced from DR Pad, based in Italy, and is triple-density 80-95-120 kg/m3. Thickness is from 2 to 15mm, and a carbon antistatic layer is applied for increased comfort. The straps are a simple mesh, and the bands at the leg openings are silicone-infused to provide a gentle grip. The fit is good, considering that the fabric is not heavily articulated or especially supple, therefore requiring more stitching, which results in some slight puckering and bunching along the seams. 

The somewhat slippery fabric and positioning of the pad create a tendency to slip forward on the saddle, requiring occasional shifting of the body for maximum comfort. For this reason, these wouldn’t be our first pick for racing, as this would be at best a distraction, and at worst could compromise your ability to ride powerfully in a super-aggressive position for sustained periods. 

Cycling has enough status symbols, and bib shorts don’t need to be another one. The Black Bibs deserve credit for offering a product with zero branding. It seems weird to pay for something and then be a rolling billboard for that product every time you leave the house. Instead of logos, The Black Bibs come in Navy or Black, as well as tall and short inseam lengths, long strap options, and the Ultimate 3D ($110) with a 3D-printed seat pad. The Black Bibs also sells less expensive models, including the original bibs ($40), Plus bibs ($65), Adventure bibs ($85), along with some jerseys, socks, and more.

If you are looking to ride more and spend less, and aren’t concerned with brand names, The Black Bibs Ultimate are a great pick. You can learn more about The Black Bibs in this article.

Castelli’s value-oriented Competizione 2 Bib Short ($150) incorporates many features of its more expensive offerings, at a much more accessible price. The fit is still excellent – a hallmark of all Castelli bib shorts – and the construction quality is top-notch as well, meaning you’ll get a lot of great rides out of these bib shorts.

The Competizione 2 features the Kiss Air2 pad, which is amazingly comfortable, thanks to its stretchy, soft skin-care layer that provides total freedom of movement with minimum bulk, according to Castelli. After testing, we can confirm it’s soft against the skin whilst on the saddle and agree that the Kiss Air2 pad is less bulky than the higher-end Progetto pad, and feels better able to contour to the body. The stability and moisture control of the Kiss Air2 isn’t quite up to the Progetto’s level, but it is still excellent.  

The fit is race-oriented with longer-than-average leg length and nicely articulated panels that create a smooth, aerodynamic fit in the riding position. Aerodynamic fabric, dubbed “Vortex” by Castelli, flanks the outer legs. While it is hard to quantify its aerodynamic properties, it is definitely comfortable and breathes very well. 

The straps are a traditional mesh design with excellent stretch and a fabric soft enough to forego a base layer and wear directly against the skin. The Giro4 leg grippers are some of the best in the industry and have been used on Castelli’s most high-end bib shorts until very recently. 

Out on the road, the Competizione 2 does the job it is there to do. These bibs provide comfort and support thanks to a great overall fit and features that would grace the range-topping offerings of many of Castelli’s bib shorts from a few years back. If you are looking for a more affordable option with some of Castelli’s best technology included, check out the Competizione 2 Bib Short. 

At the high end of the price spectrum, Pearl Izumi only just recently launched its new premium, race-ready apparel lineup, which includes the Pi PRO/BLACK Bib Shorts ($350). These shorts combine high compression, aerodynamic texturing, an excellent seat pad, and a modern fit. If you’re racing or just seeking peak performance on fast-paced rides, the PI Black bib shorts offer heaps of muscle support and may even save you some precious watts.

They might carry a high price tag, but the new PRO/BLACK bibs are a decidedly high-end piece of kit. The Italian stretch-woven material is shockingly light, with our test pair weighing in at 161 grams in a size medium. At the same time, it’s VERY compressive. These bibs are so compressive that they’re a bit of a struggle to pull on initially, but that translates to maximum muscle support and benefits circulation, too.

Raw cut hems are lined with a subtle bonded texture to keep them firmly in place, while the seamless shoulder straps are barely even noticeable against the skin. The paneling and cut of the shorts are heavily articulated for the riding position, with minimal seams. The PRO 3D Levitate Chamois is also quite dense and impressively stable and comfortable in the saddle. These are race-oriented shorts, of course, but we found it to be well-suited to neutral body positions on long gravel rides, too.

The material on the thighs includes a ribbed texture, which is intended to disrupt airflow over the quads, which is claimed to improve aerodynamics. While these types of claims are easy to call dubious, there is testing data to back up the watt savings and efficiency gains. Lots of other brands are incorporating similar textures in their raciest apparel for a reason. Will you notice it on the road? Probably not, but it can’t hurt.

We also appreciate the modern, longer inseam and subdued style with minimal branding. These bibs pair very nicely with the Pi PRO Black Short Sleeve Jersey or the supremely ventilated Mesh Jersey. If you appreciate high compression and potential aero gains, these are worth checking out. You can learn more about the Pi PRO/Black lineup here.

Rapha’s original Pro Team bib shorts were a hit when they launched in the mid-2010s. While they remain a great pair of bib shorts and a hallmark of the Rapha line to this day, they aren’t loved for their durability, and depending on your preferences, might not offer quite enough support for on-the-rivet riding. Rapha seemed to be on a mission to not only sort these liabilities but convert them to assets in the latest iteration of their race-ready bib shorts, the Pro Team Powerweave ($400).

Our first impression wasn’t the best, and we felt that perhaps these bibs were actually too stiff and compressive. The straps dug in a bit, and while the fit of the shorts was great, the legs felt a bit grabby and resisted expanding and bending around the legs as they moved through the pedal stroke. Over time, repeated wear and washings, this feeling changed, and the Pro Team Powerweave began to fit and move much more comfortably. Would it be better if they were super comfortable out of the box? Yes, but the patience paid off.

One aspect of the Powerweave that we loved from the get-go was the pad comfort. It’s no surprise, as Rapha has had this figured out for a long time, but the pad felt especially stable and malleable, just perfect, really. Rapha describes this pad as a “low-profile” design, but don’t take that to mean that the ride will be harsh. It’s a Goldilocks combo of dense support and flexible contouring that felt great all of the time. 

Rapha’s Powerweave material helps shed weight by a claimed 20% from the original Pro Team bibs. However, unlike other ultralight bib shorts, the Pro Team Powerweave doesn’t compromise on compression, durability, or versatility. The materials and build quality give these bibs a rugged feel that will hold up to a ton of abuse, whether you’re riding road or gravel, and machine-washing them day in and day out. For an ultralight bib short, the Powerweave also performs admirably in a wide temperature range, not just the heat of summer.

Rapha is still playing it safe with style. The toned-down, minimal look still works, and has been copied by so many of Rapha’s subsequent competitors, that it just doesn’t help Rapha stand apart anymore. That said, these bibs look the business when paired with a full Rapha jersey, with the Powerweave material’s texture accentuating the legs’ musculature while also providing excellent support. Its function and form come together.

A new 7-panel construction means that not only is the Powerweave still Pro Team snug — aimed at riders who stack miles and stay relatively lean — but also has a clean, aero fit. For riders with more mass, we’d recommend sizing up. With an articulated fit for aggressive riding positions, these bibs didn’t budge when riding in the drops or with a flat back and deep elbow bend. The pad is positioned so the rider’s pelvis is supported when rotated forward, helping achieve a more powerful, aero riding stance.

At $400, you’d have to consider the Rapha Pro Team Powerweave an “investment” to justify the cost. While the price is steep, the comfort, performance, and durability are on par with any other bib shorts in this price range. If price isn’t an issue and you’ve already got a few Rapha jerseys hanging in the closet, then the Pro Team Powerweave will, of course, be a great addition. 

The CONCEPT Bib Short ($349) is ostensibly Velocio’s range-topping model, even pricier than the LUXE, which is the winner for the all-around best bib short in this test. The CONCEPT is Velocio’s race-focused offering, promising improved pedaling motion, a highly compressive fit, and aerodynamically optimized performance. 

The race-oriented fit of these bibs is clear from the moment they’re put on. The fabric is highly compressive, and the straps feel short when standing upright. Once you’re on the bike, the CONCEPT feels more natural and comfortable, but if you’re on the cusp of sizes, we’d recommend going up, not down. One small critique we had of the fit of the previous version was the leg length. For a bib short aimed at aero gains, the legs were fairly short. Velocio has addressed this with the redesigned CONCEPT, covering more of the quad muscles for a more modern look, fit, and even more aero gains.

Improved pedaling motion comes from a custom-designed, multi-density, race-ready chamois developed with the seat pad experts at Elastic Interface. This multi-density pad had a graduated thickness, and its race-ready design has a minimal feel that is best suited to more aggressive, racy body positions. We found it provided excellent support and cushioning where it was needed without any bulk due to excess material. While it is hard to say if pedaling in the CONCEPT bibs felt noticeably different or better compared to other high-end bibs, it certainly felt stable and fluid. 

Overall, the CONCEPT is a great pair of cycling bib shorts, but they were bested in the comfort department by Velocio’s own LUXE model. That said, if aero gains and compression are your priorities, the Velocio CONCEPT is certainly worth a look. 

Endura’s Pro SL Power Bib Short ($250) is designed to bring blissful comfort to your longest rides. With a high-density 700 Series Pad, these bibs are intended to be comfortable for those all-day epics yet are billed by the brand as race-ready, too.

The “premium lightweight fabric mixed with Lycra” isn’t the most descriptive, but we found it fits perfectly and provides wonderful support and compression. The fabric is also pre-shaped with a multi-panel construction to nicely conform to the body. That supportive, secure fit, along with gentle silicone grippers on the hem bands, ensures the shorts stay firmly in place hour after hour. 

The construction is well thought out with well-considered paneling and minimal seams. The straps are also low-profile and go almost unnoticed, but they did a great job of keeping the shorts and chamois in place. We experienced no pressure points or irritation, and seated comfort only improved the longer the test rides went. The high-density 700 Series chamois is race-inspired, and we found it to be quite comfortable. That said, we are somewhat partial to the 800 Series EGM pad we’ve tried in the previous version of these bibs. 

At $250 US, the Endura Pro SL Power offers a moderately priced option compared to many similar bibs that cost $50+ more. The Pro SL Power is also available in regular and long lengths to dial in the fit to your needs, along with three solid and low-key color options to suit your preference. 

POC’s latest foray into cycling apparel is impressive; its Cadence Cargo Bib Shorts ($200) have an undeniably comfortable chamois. The patent-pending “Novus” pad is visibly wider than most, and in our hands, it gave the impression that it could potentially be too thick. POC states that its gel-infused, multi-density pad is the result of extensive research involving saddle pressure mapping and consultations with physiotherapists, gynecologists, and bike-fitting experts to create male and female-specific pads unlike any other.

Indeed, the perceived thickness of the pad disappeared once in the saddle, and we had to really pay attention to notice where the pad stopped. It provided firm support under the sit bones without any noticeable edges or significant changes in pad density or thickness. Even on rough gravel, we never bottomed it out. What was the most amazing, though, was that the seemingly thick pad off the bike transformed into one of the best-feeling chamois pads we’ve used on the bike.

The main body’s fabric felt right in the middle of the spectrum on breathability vs. durability, being heavier than some and lighter than others. On a particularly balmy, humid ride, we noticed airflow whenever a gust blew from the side. The bibs stayed put with middle-of-the-road compression and well-executed, comfortable silicone leg grippers.

The cargo pockets were perfectly suited for gels and snacks, and the shoulder straps went unnoticed while riding, supporting those pockets and keeping the chamois in place. They didn’t require any trickery while donning the bibs to keep them from getting twisted. The length of the Cadence Cargo Bib is on the shorter side by current standards, but well within the range of aesthetics for road cycling.

Our only real nitpick is that without a middle, vertical seam in the dead center of the shorts, they lay strangely in the front while riding in an aggressive position. Many shorts like this develop a horizontal fold right above where the chamois ends in the front, which the POC Cadence Cargo Bib Shorts did as well. But again, this is not specific to POC.

For $200, the POC Cadence Cargo Bib Shorts are a solid value, especially considering the impressive Novus chamois.

For some riders, durability is a priority, and for those riders, the Pearl Izumi Expedition PRO ($325) might be the bibs they are looking for. Made with a super tough CORDURA material, these cargo bibs are geared toward gravel and adventure riders seeking kit that is made to stand up to some abuse. The latest version of these bibs is a big step up from its predecessor, with more storage, tougher materials, and a killer seat pad.

If you’re a gravel rider or adventurous cyclist, Pearl Izumi had you in mind when redesigning the Expedition PRO bibs. If you’ve ever crashed on gravel, brushed up against a tree trunk, or encountered unavoidable trail or roadside branches on your rides, then you may already be aware that many bibs are made from flimsy materials. We’ve ruined enough pairs of bibs to know that thin, lightweight, and stretchy materials can shred easily.

That’s why Pearl Izumi made the main body of these bibs with Armourtech CORDURA. While it isn’t the softest or the most supple, it’s exponentially tougher and made to withstand your trailside scrapes and gravel road washouts. It’s also relatively supportive, with a moderate level of compression for those long days in the saddle. The 10.5-inch inseam length was also appreciated for leg coverage and sun protection. And, while the material may be tough, the shoulder straps are among the softest and most comfortable we’ve worn, essentially going unnoticed while riding. The raw cut leg grippers with tiny silicone dots also helped to keep the shorts comfortably in place.

Pearl Izumi’s latest PRO Levitate 3D chamois is a triple-density pad that’s among the best we’ve tried from the brand. It is undoubtedly an endurance-oriented pad intended for all-day comfort and the less aggressive body positions associated with most big, adventurous rides. That said, the shorts held it in place well while providing excellent sit-bone cushioning over rough pavement and buzzy gravel roads.

While the previous version of these bibs had limited storage, Pearl Izumi increased the number of pockets to four. One pocket on each thigh and two on the lower back have you covered, whether you’re wearing a tight-fitting jersey or not. While most cargo pockets on the legs are made of mesh, Pearl went with an even tougher ripstop CORDURA material. The pocket on the left thigh offers security with a zipper closure and is ideal for things like cards or a car key. The drop-in pocket on the right has you covered for a phone or snacks you want to keep handy.

At $325, the new Expedition PRO cargo bibs certainly aren’t cheap. That said, they’re significantly tougher than most and will stand up to abuse that would send other bibs to the trash bin. If you’re notoriously tough on gear, then these durable bib shorts could be well worth the asking price.

Giro’s recently revamped Chrono Elite Bib Shorts ($220) deliver supreme comfort and are made with Bluesign-approved recycled fabric. While the construction of this bib short is fairly traditional and straightforward, the fit is better than most bibs that are crafted this way. Many bibs that feature similar amounts of stitching tend to pucker around the medial glute. These bibs stay nice and tidy in this area, giving the posterior better support and a more athletic appearance. 

The Chrono Elite pad is made by Elastic Interface and has four density zones to provide the optimal balance of firm support and supple cushioning wherever and however you are riding. It’s positioned perfectly to prevent it from sliding forward and provides plenty of material to protect the soft tissues around the sit bones. The pad has a reasonable width from side to side, allowing freedom of movement in the pedal stroke while remaining stable and locked in place on rougher roads. 

Tall, laser-cut gripper panels provide a luxurious compressive hold on the quads. A generous but subtle application of silicone inside each gripper panel ensures that the legs don’t ride up for better muscle support and aerodynamic performance. Laser-cut straps lay perfectly flat against the torso, ensuring comfort whether riding with or without a base layer. The bib straps converge at the upper spine, at the top of a mesh panel that helps maximize cooling on the sweat-prone lower back.

The main panels of the shorts extend up fairly high, all the way to the naval area. This might be a different feeling compared to other bib shorts, but it does offer a nice amount of support for the lower back and lower abdomen and offers a bit of extra protection in slightly cooler conditions. 

Branding is minimal, with a retro-inspired squared logo on each leg. While it technically does feature “Giro” 8 times in total, the Chrono Elite isn’t going to get much attention. That’s something we like in a pair of bib shorts, and it makes it easy to mix these bibs with a jersey from a different brand. Small reflective tabs are built into the rear-facing seam of each leg for improved visibility in low-light conditions. 

Overall, the Giro Chrono Elite Bibs are a solid value at $220 and arguably one of the best available at that price point. While not trying to do anything unusual, these bibs quietly get all the important things right. There may be better options for rides in conditions like extreme heat or rough gravel, but for any long and spirited road ride, the Chrono Elite is more than up to the task of keeping you comfortable and moving fast.

While Rapha’s best-known bib short is the Classic II, the Pro Team line is arguably its more advanced offering. Adopting a more race-inspired fit and design, while retaining the comfort and coming in ~$50 US less than the Classic II, the Rapha Pro Team Training ($210) is a compelling option for both racers and avid recreational cyclists.

Rapha’s Pro Team line is bifurcated into a racing kit focused on aerodynamic gains and a training kit designed for pouring on big miles day after day. So, it’s not surprising that the Pro Team Training bib shorts are supportive and luxurious. The fabric is lightweight but fairly dense, and adapts to a wide range of temperatures, so you can head out early in the morning and ride comfortably into the heat of midday. 

The chamois pad is size-specific and has a very structured, dense, supportive feel. As the miles pass, the pad becomes more comfortable and compliant. While it doesn’t match the seamless feel of the Velocio Luxe, the comfort is excellent, given that the Pro Team’s fabric and construction are more traditional. On that note, the Pro Team Training bib shorts use plenty of stitching and paneling. Happily, this does not result in any bunching, pinching, or loose-fitting sections. 

The fit is compressive but not overly tight, which makes sense for bib shorts intended for very long rides on successive days. The white straps are a nice touch since they stay invisible beneath lighter-colored jerseys. Most importantly, they are comfortably stretchy and soft, whether paired with a base layer or worn directly against the skin. Leg length is traditional, a bit shorter than many contemporary bib shorts. Thankfully, the Pro Team Training is available in a long length for taller riders. 

For knocking out big training rides in style and comfort, the Rapha Pro Team Training Bib Shorts are a solid choice. At $210, these are expensive, but still considerably less than many other high-end options. If you’ve always been curious about Rapha bib shorts, these would be an excellent introduction, as they balance all the best aspects of Rapha fit, comfort, and style. 

Ocean & San’s luxurious Solution Bib Short not only makes the perfect pairing for their comfortable All Day Shirt but also takes full advantage of the most advanced materials and technologies, meaning they are an excellent pick for any type of road riding. Constructed from 200 gsm performance Italian fabric with four-way stretch, the Solution Bib Short is sold in either cargo or traditional styles without pockets, in two color options – navy and black, and in both men’s and women’s versions. 

We found the fit to be excellent, with a great leg length to ensure anyone wearing them will look and feel great on their bike, along with a high level of comfort comparable to that of high-end shorts from more well-known brands. The material has ample stretch to allow for excellent freedom of movement while providing light compression and ample support, and the 7.5cm leg grippers keep them confidently in place on your quads.

The triple-layer elastic interface pad incorporates Eco Carbonium, an antibacterial fabric that helps to keep things fresh while providing seated comfort as good as or better than any other bibs in the mid-$200s price point. The pad’s location and size are perfect, providing ample support at the sit bones with zero excess bulk towards the front. 

The 4.5cm-wide straps are thin and soft, lying flat and unobtrusively across the shoulders, back, and chest, while successfully balancing stretch and hold to keep everything in place and irritation-free. This makes The Solution Bib Shorts a great choice for warm days when base layers are unnecessary. 

We’re excited to see what Ocean & San come up with as they grow and develop a larger customer base. They have a unique take on cycling apparel, but the Solution Bib Short will please anyone who wants to look great while riding in total comfort on any type of road or gravel ride.

You can learn more about Ocean & San products in our review of the All Day Shirt and Solution Bibs.

The premium cycling apparel brand Le Col recently entered the gravel market with its new ARC collection. This range of gravel-focused threads aims to meet the demands of the growing gravel and adventure riding market with the quality and performance that Le Col is known for. The foundation of the kit is the new Le Col ARC Cargo Bib Shorts ($270). Combining premium comfort, functional pockets, and a refined design, they are a great choice for gravel and long-distance riders.

Crafted from a blend of 62% polyamide and 38% elastane, the fabric felt impressively soft, smooth, and luxurious against the skin. Its four-way stretch offered excellent freedom of movement with a light level of compression, ideal for those who prefer comfort over firm support. We found the highly breathable fabric to be very quick drying and best for riding in warmer conditions. Despite the soft feel, this material stood up well to crashes, surprising us with its durability.

Along with the luxurious material, the fit and craftsmanship were top-notch. The generous leg length was especially beneficial for our long-legged tester, and the raw-cut leg grippers with silicone dots helped keep them in place. Inside, flat seams eliminated the chances of chafing, and the “multi-terrain performance chamois pad” was perfectly attached and impressively stable. This multi-density pad has a bamboo microfiber top sheet, and it kept us comfortable on long gravel rides while managing moisture effectively.

The bibs feature wide, seamless shoulder straps that balance support and comfort impressively well. Though the straps aligned with our tester’s nipples, they were soft enough to avoid irritation, even without a base layer. A mesh panel across the upper back aids breathability while supporting the rear cargo pockets.

Like any cargo bibs, storage is a primary feature. The large thigh cargo pockets — made from the same material as the shorts — blended in visually while holding smartphones, snacks, or gloves securely. Two equally large rear pockets sit low on the back. While hard to reach under a traditional jersey, they could be handy when paired with looser tops without built-in pockets.

We also appreciated the sleek and understated style of the ARC Bibs. The colorways are tasteful and paired well with other pieces in the ARC collection and from other brands. The subtle reflective logos on the thigh pockets and back enhanced visibility in low light without detracting from the minimalist look.

Overall, we were impressed by the comfort, functionality, and clean aesthetics of the ARC Cargo Bib Shorts. At $270, they’re a premium piece of kit, but we feel they offer the comfort, performance, and style to match.