Finding a the right set of bib shorts is like falling in love with a favourite pair of trainers: the fit should be just perfect, they need to look great and comfort levels must be off the charts. Altura’s latest range aims to offer something for everyone, from the ardent all-day cyclist to someone who perhaps prefers to hop on and off the bike, sampling an array of flat-whites and baked goods in the process.
• Shop Altura's men's bib shorts
• Shop Altura's women's bib shorts
But which should you pick? It’s a burning question that we have been mulling over here at T3, but luckily we are well versed in Altura’s Progel Plus, Icon and Endurance bib shorts, so feel well placed to help you out with this one.
Essentially, Altura’s 2021 bib short range starts at ‘very comfortable’ and extends to ‘very comfortable for 8 hours or more in the saddle’. For example, the Progel Plus Bibshorts, which retail at £59.99, feature a pad that boasts a gel layer that’s inserted into the foam, which moves with you and proves perfectly comfortable for those rides of around 4 hours.
The subtle styling pairs well with an array of jerseys, yet Altura Darkproof technology offers superior retroreflectivity, so you remain visible in poor lighting conditions. Couple this with integrated silicon grip detailing to ensure the legs stay put and mesh zones for enhanced breathability and you have a short that feels light and comfortable enough to wear on extended weekend rides. They’ll fit right in at a favoured cyclist’s coffee hangout.
Those looking to step training up a notch, or merely spend more time in the saddle, should look towards Altura’s Icon Bibshorts. Retailing at £69.99, the small price hike buys a hell of a lot of additional features, including the choice of two pad sizes with different densities of foam, which helps provide bespoke comfort depending on your weight and body type/size.
On top of this, the shorts are fashioned from advanced Mitti fabric, which packs a carbon thread weave to increase the wicking properties, resulting in sweat being drawn away from the skin faster. This means you don’t feel damp or cold on longer rides, while the cushioned pad is thick enough to withstand hours of pedalling without compromising comfort.
Finally, the Endurance Bibshort (£89.99) is perfect for the more experienced cyclists who regularly puts in eight or more hours of hard riding in any given session. Developed with leading Endurance athlete Mark Beaumont, Altura wanted to offer the ultimate in performance and longevity in the saddle.
As a result, the Endurance line introduces an Elastic Interface Endurance pad, which measures just 11mm in depth and features stitched dual density foam and a high wicking anti-microbial top layer for the most comfortable long distance rides imaginable.
Scholler fabric side panels coupled with abrasion resistant ceramic print offer protection in the event of a fall, while the same highly reflective details that run throughout Altura’s range add that extra element of safety when riding at night or in poor lighting conditions.
So whether it’s a quick jaunt on the bike at the weekend or an all-day sportive, there’s a bib short in the new Altura range to suit every rider.
• Shop all Altura's men's bib shorts
• Shop Altura's women's bib shorts
