Bib Shorts Buying Guide

Bib Shorts are an almost essential purchase for any road cyclist. A simple but highly effective clothing product, bib shorts hold your shorts in place whilst you are in different riding positions without having an uncomfortable and restrictive waistband. Bib shorts' comfort, style and function continue to evolve, providing many different options, perfect for every rider.

Bib Shorts Chamois

The Chamois is the most important part of a bib short. The chamois is a pad designed to fit around the highly sensitive areas of the body. There are women's and men's specific bib shorts, with different shaped chamois to suit different bodies.

Underwear is not worn with bib shorts, so washing the chamois is important. Many riders also treat the chamois before riding with chamois cream to maintain hygiene & comfort.

Bib Shorts Length And Fit

The large number of bib shorts available means you can buy a pair that perfectly suits your cycling and style requirements and preferences. Designed to be worn tight-fitting, bib shorts are tight-fitting to avoid chafing from loose material.

Bib shorts are available in many different lengths, from knee-length bib shorts, across to a shorter length finishing at the thigh. Bib Shorts can be loosely categorised as the following:

• Pro-Fit Bib Shorts - Incredibly tight bib shorts that are designed with aerodynamic performance.
• Performance Fit Bib Shorts - More comfortable than pro-fit, but still offering aerodynamic performance.
• Active fit Bib Shorts - Comfortable Bib Shorts designed for more casual riding.

Bib Shorts features

Depending on your level of riding experience and performance requirements from your bib shorts - you can choose a bib short which suits your requirements exactly. Modern bib shorts typically have several features designed to maximise both comfort & functionality.

You can expect to see bib shorts with cargo pockets on the rear and on the legs - allowing you to carry a surprising amount of kit. Winter and cold weather bib shorts are fleece lined - and many bib shorts are made from water-repellent fabrics than protect you in the event of a downpour. Many bib shorts also have grippers to keep them in place, and flatlock seams and seamless bib shorts provide both aerodynamic & comfort benefits.

MTB Bib Shorts Vs Road Bike Bib Shorts

There are a number of key differences between mountain bike bib shorts and road bike bib shorts. MTB Bib Shorts have been designed to have the chamois sit more central, as mountain bikes are ridden in a more upright positon than road bikes. MTB bib shorts are usually thicker with less thought around aerodynamic properties, mainly because MTB riders wear baggy shorts over bib shorts.