While even the best bib shorts may look like something from Magic Mike, they do serve a purpose other than showing off your chiselled abs, defined pecs and pert glutes. MAMILs, pro cyclists and even some ordinary people swear by bib shorts for their comfort and streamlining, wind-defeating qualities.
Bib shorts hold your chamois in place, reducing the potential for chafing. Since there's no waistband or uncomfortable drawstring – bib shorts stay up with lightweight, breathable shoulder straps – they're more comfortable than regular cycling shorts, helping you stay in the saddle for longer.
(However, if bib shorts are just too specialist for you, fear not. We also have a guide to the best cycling shorts, which anyone can wear.)
Bib short prices range from around £50 well up into the hundreds. Budget cycling bib shorts don't necessarily mean bad anymore, but you do get what you pay for. And given that your cycling shorts are the main thing between you and your bike, it makes sense to invest in a decent pair.
Of course, you might also want to don the best cycling jerseys when wearing bib shorts; otherwise, you'll end up looking like a mug. To further improve your looks, you can also wear the best cycling sunglasses: these also have the added benefit of protecting your eyes from debris and glare. Don't want to get lost when out on the road? Get a GPS bike computer. It's as easy as that. Anyway, enough of this cross promotion; back to the best bib shorts…
Best bib shorts to buy right now
Why you can trust T3 Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
As soon as you don the Le Col Pro Blackout Bib Shorts, you'll feel like you want to jump on the saddle and ride straight away. Just like any other Le Col product, the Pro Blackout Bib Shorts radiate quality and even the box it comes in feels meticulously crafted and handled with care.
The Le Col Pro Blackout Bib Shorts were designed primarily for racing and racers who put thousands of miles into their bikes (and their bib shorts) a year. The mesh bib straps are comfortable and breathable and thanks to the flat-locked seams, there is no sign of chafing or irritation, even after hours of cycling in an aggressive racing position. Not like I tried it, I can only use the aero bars for five seconds at a time.
The silicone grippers are trademark oversized Le Col grippers with intermittent silicone tabs to ensure the shorts hold firmly in place. They have also been integrated into the inside of the legs smoothly, you won't feel the usual 'pull' from the silicone at all.
The Le Col Pro Blackout Bib Shorts use the Pro Dolomiti Chamois, which is thinner padding treated with silicone for added comfort. When I say thin, it is still pretty thick compared to a tri-suit, for example, and it will provide enough cushioning on those racing saddles. Also, a special thread and stitch shape down the outside edges of the pad reduces rubbing to an absolute minimum.
it would be hard to say anything negative about the Le Col Pro Blackout Bib Shorts without splitting hairs. If you are planning on getting a pair of new bib shorts, get the Le Col Pro Blackout Bib Shorts. Easy as that.
Go pro with the Rapha Pro Team Bib Shorts II!
Admittedly, not everyone will want to pay top dollars for bib shorts, but those who do should get the Pro Team Bib Shorts II. These race day-ready cycling shorts are made from a lightweight, breathable, sweat-wicking fabric, so you can ride for hours in maximum comfort. We sure did when we tried them!
The dual-density Pro Team chamois pad has "perforated foam layers" so things won't get soggy in the saddle; not too much anyway. We found the chamois more than comfortable enough for longer rides; not to mention, they cover all the right areas, so there is no chaffing or rubbing.
The extra-wide silicone leg grippers keep the shorts in place and feature a massive RAPHA logo, so everyone in your cycling group will know which brand you're wearing for the weekly ride out.
That said, we would lie if we only recommended the premium Rapha Pro Team Bib Shorts II for weekly ride outs. You should get them only if you plan to race and wish to take your efforts seriously. Make these bibs the sign of your commitment and wear them with pride.
Rapha's Classic Bib Shorts are the perfect cycling companion for longer riders thanks to their soft chamois and comfortable shoulder pads. Seriously, you haven't experienced comfort on the saddle until you tried these bib shorts made with luxurious Lycra fabric that incorporates recycled fibres.
Comfort levels are further enhanced thanks to the updated grippers that hold onto your skin to keep the legs of the shorts in place and the flatlock stitching that reduces chafing even during longer rides – hence why we recommend the Rapha Classic Bib Shorts for cyclists who go the extra mile.
As well as being more comfortable than the competition, the Rapha Classic Bib Shorts are also great for storage: there is a rear key pocket on the lower back. you can shove the rest of your stuff in your cycling jersey.
Featuring something intriguingly called ‘coldblack’ technology, the Endura Pro SL II Bib Shorts are ideal for use as a single layer in warm weather. The clever material means that these black shorts absorb less infrared than regular ones, keeping you cooler, and also provide minimum UPF 30 protection from the sun. It’s the fit that sets them apart though.
With a great range of sizes from the oft-neglected XS to XXL, three different pad width options to suit all hip bone configurations, and two leg lengths, there a brilliant bib short option in the range for riders of all shapes and sizes.
While the Pro version of Giro’s Chrono Sport bib shorts costs a good deal more, their little brother comes up trumps with some pretty premium features of their own.
As a first pair, or mid-level option for cycling wardrobes of all sizes, reviewers say the nylon-spandex blend is like a second skin, the perfect combination of form-fitting and comfortable in a thin fabric that’s pliable enough to move with you but holds its shape after washing. The chamois is agreed to be comfortable across long distances too: supportive, pressure-relieving and breathable.
An ideal companion to the Odyssey Jersey, the PEdAL ED Odyssey Bibshort are ideal for long hauls. Though you wouldn’t really know it without looking closely, this bib short features a capacious mesh cargo pocket at the rear, just above the derriere, and two hidden pockets on the legs which are easy to access thanks to their upward-opening; objects won’t fall out while you ride thanks to the clever lip which keeps them in place.
On the inside, the renowned Cytech pad offers loads of comfort for your backside on longer rides, while the fit is snug without being overly restrictive. Once again, as with the Odyssey jersey, you might want to go up one or two sizes. In fact, it's even more necessary, as the straps can be a little tight on the shoulders if your torso is on the longer side.
Expert testers found the inexpensive dhb Aeron Speed Bib Shorts to be well in the realms, performance-wise, of much more expensive options. Their use of the aforementioned coldblack fabric and a mesh panel at the rear means that they’re a good summer option, preventing overheating and promoting breathability.
While said to be compressive, testers found that these bib shorts were close-fitting but not overly tight, and that the silicone grips around the leg cuffs stayed put without rubbing or discomfort. If you're on a tight budget, these bib shorts are worth a look.
How to pick the best bib shorts for cycling?
The right bib shorts for you will depend on what sort of riding you want to do (obviously). Given the subject matter, it's highly unlikely that you are looking for a bib short for a lazy Sunday afternoon ride, although given the ample amount of padding of these fine cycling garments, they would serve you well, regardless of the distance and type of cycling you do.
There three key factors you'll need to consider before you buy the best bib shorts for you: material, fit and padding.
Material-wise, pretty much all of below options are made of synthetic materials, but the mix is different, so make sure you read the labels, especially if you have any allergies.
Bib shorts are tight fitting pieces of clothing and they are very close to the skin, rubbing against it as you cycle. Some are more fitted than others and especially riding in racing bib shorts, you can feel the compression. If you are after a training pair, go for the non-performance fitted ones.
As for padding, you'll want plenty if you are planning on longer distances and bit a less if you are fo less than 50K per ride, on average. As expected, thick padding foam under your groin area can feel rather restrictive when you're not on the saddle, so if you go for a 15K group ride and stop at a cafe, you will be walking around like you stepped in something, making not just you but everyone around you slightly uncomfortable.
