Just the other day I went on a mountain bike ride with a liner short that didn’t have any storage pockets and almost didn’t know what to do. Thanks to all of the recent bib liners with storage I’ve gotten used to leaving the bags at home and being able to carry all the essentials under my jersey on anything but the longest rides. Being able to carry bottles, tools, and food without the feeling of them bouncing around in loose pockets on your shorts or your jersey is definitely an improvement.
Considering it seems like a fairly easy addition to make to most bib liners, we’re happy to see brands like Sombrio joining the party with their new Smuggle bibs for men. Potentially more interesting is the new Luxe Liner for women – which build in some interesting pockets to a non-bib liner for women…
On the men’s side, the Smuggler starts with a premium Formula FX chamois borrowed from the Sugoi range. We’re told the chamois includes the new Poron XRD foam treatment but does not have the 3D formed Cradle of the FXE. If the addition of Poron XRD foam cancels out vibrations on the road, it stands to reason it should work well on the mountain bike side of things too. Each leg uses a comfort band rather than silicone grippers to keep the liner in place and uses flat seams throughout.
The Smuggle wouldn’t be worthy of the name without a few pockets. Specifically there are three rear pockets, a zippered storage pocket on the front, and a waterproof cell phone pouch on the leg. Selling for $130 for the Liner only, the Smuggle will be available in XS-XXL with a 10″ inseam.
The ladies also get their pockets, but with an interesting twist. Rather than a pair of bibs, Sombrio is introducing a short liner with a pocket flat that is designed to be worn on the outside of the short. We’re told the example shown is not final, but the thought is that the pockets on the ouside of the short will help keep the liner in place and offer a storage solution for those who don’t want to wear bibs. Due to the external nature of the rear pockets both are zippered and the liner features a waterproof cell phone pouch on the leg like the Smuggle.
Equipped with a women’s specific Formula FX chamois, the Luxe uses comfort band leg compression, flat seams, and sells for $90 in XS-XL with an 8″ inseam.
Hinting towards a healthy future, Sombrio has a ton of new clothing that is as stylish as ever but the Street to Trail Cartel collection stands out. New versions of the Vagabond Riding shirt and Shore SS Shirt combine technical riding features with great looks on or off the bike. The $99 Vagabond uses a custom plaid tech stretch fabric in a fit built for riding with ventilated arm pits and articulated elbows. Chest pockets will store a few essentials, while the hidden stow pocket will fit a full can of beer as Sombrio puts it.
The $80 Shore shirt is similar with custom tech stretch fabric, the same pockets, and a classic SS button down look. Both shirts include rear light loops so you stay safe on your ride home and are available in XS-XL standard fit sizing.
To go along with the shirts, Sombrio is also continuing their jeans with the Riff. The $95 jeans come in a mid-rise, slim fit made from Action Denim with Coolmax and are cut in a cycling friendly fit with articulated knees. Six pockets are there to store your goods including a zippered pocket as well as a nylon mini U-lock loop. Only offered in 32 and 34″ inseams, the Riff will be sold in 6 sizes with 28 and 30″ waists (32″ inseam) and 32, 34, 36, and 38″ waists in the 34″ inseam.
