Yahoo LifestyleThe Best Cycling Bibs for All-Day Comfort
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The Best Cycling Bibs for All-Day Comfort
Looking for a more comfortable way to ride? Check out cycling bibs. There’s no doubt cycling shorts are great for some people, but thanks to using suspender-style straps rather than a tight waistband, cycling bibs put less pressure on your abdomen when you're in a crouched position all day. They still offer all the benefits of bike shorts, including a comfortable chamois and moisture-wicking properties, but they also offer additional benefits, like storage pockets and better skin coverage that can help reduce your risk of sunburn.
The Best Cycling Bibs
- Best Bibs: Rapha Core Bibs
- Best Men’s Racing Bibs: Assos RSR S9 TARGA Bibshort
- Great Premium Summer Bibs: Maap Pro Bib Short
- Best Bibs for Style: Pearl Izumi PRO Bib Short
- Bibs With Most Options: Endura Pro SL Bib Short
- Best Bibs for Cool Days: Assos Equipe RS Spring Fall S9 Bib Short
- Best Bib Liners: Specialized Mountain Liner Bib Short + Swat
- Great Race Chamois: Castelli Cycling Free Aero Race 4 Bibshort
- Best Women’s Bibs: POC Women’s Ultimate VPDs Bib Shorts
What to Consider
The main difference between cycling shorts and bibs are obviously the straps and body panels. Where cycling shorts have a waistband that falls below the belly button, the panels on the front and back of cycling bibs cover up your lower back and most of your stomach.
Just like shorts, cycling bibs are made of spandex, lycra, and other highly elastic materials that sit tight against the skin. Their tight fit helps increase aerodynamics while riding and also offers some compression, which can help ensure a smoother ride and means your bib is less likely to move around as you bike.
Shoulder Strap Placement
When you’re trying on bibs, make sure you like the shoulder straps and their placement on your body. While a lot of engineering has gone into designing comfortable shoulder straps for all-day wear, some shoulder straps are too tight or constricting for riders. Look for wider straps that aren’t too thick and have some breathability.
Chamois
The chamois in a bib is just like the chamois in a cycling short. It’s designed to protect riders' more sensitive parts with a little padding. Modern chamois are made of multiple layers of antimicrobial synthetic materials designed to reduce friction, breathe, and keep sweat, salt, and bacterial growth at bay. This helps reduce saddle sores and other problems that occur when spending hours crouched over the bars. The best chamois are supportive but don’t feel like you’re wearing a diaper between your legs. Most good chamois feature anatomically shaped patterns and channeled areas to ensure you’re not thinking about them while you’re riding.
Sizing and Fit
Cycling bibs designed for women often have some features that you won't find on men’s bibs. These include straps placed wider apart to accommodate for greater amounts of chest tissue, wider hips, and different chamois placement. Many are also designed to make it easier to go to the bathroom without fully disrobing.
Today, many companies are offering expanded size ranges, increasing inclusivity and making it easier for people with different body types to find bibs that suit them. Generally speaking, “pro” fits are designed for riders who are skinnier, while “club” or “touring” sizes fit those with larger legs and/or a larger abdomen.
Storage
Another feature of some bibs are cargo pockets. Some cycling shorts might have a side pocket for your phone or a snack. But cargo bibs often have multiple pockets for stashing extra snacks, a phone, and more, making them particularly well-suited for longer rides or bikepacking trips.
How We Selected
We’ve seen our fair share of bibs over the years and made these selections based on some of Bicycling editors' favorites. We also considered those recommended by satisfied customers and those highly ranked by other professional reviewers. Our final selections include a variety of bib styles designed for different types of rides, riders, and times of year.
For more great cycling gear, check out our picks for the best cycling shorts, bike jerseys, and stretch shoelaces!
Runners World; Courtesy Endura - 2/10
1) Core Bibs
Rapha
rei.com
$125.00
Key Specs
- Sizes: Men’s: XS-XXL; Women’s XXS-XL
- Chamois: Rapha’s dual-density chamois
- Color(s): Navy or black
The Rapha Core Bibs are the most affordable bibs that Rapha offers and are a favorite of road bikers and tourers. The bibs include silicone leg grippers that help keep the shorts down on your legs, while the blend of fabrics throughout the bibs ensures the suspenders don’t put too much pressure on riders’ shoulders. They’re also available with either white or black suspenders.
rei.com - 3/10
2) RSR S9 TARGA Bibshort
Assos
competitivecyclist.com
$350.00
Key Specs
- Sizes: Men’s: XS-XXL
- Chamois: Assos
- Color(s): Black, Flamme D’Or
Once you get past the price—and these are spendy—the Assos RSR S9 TARGA Bibshorts are one of the best, most race-ready sets of cycling bibs out there. They’re among the lightest bibs on the market and their chamois is uniquely constructed so that it’s only attached at the front and back, allowing it to move better with the rider’s body.
competitivecyclist.com - 4/10
3) Pro Bib Short
Maap
competitivecyclist.com
$270.00
Key Specs
- Sizes: Men’s: XS-XXL; Women’s XXS-XL
- Chamois: Levitate chamois
- Color(s): Navy, black
These premium bibs are designed for hot days down under, but they work great in any warm weather conditions. They feature firm compression and minimized seams to reduce drag and skin irritation. They also offer UPF 50+ protection to help you stave off sunburns.
competitivecyclist.com - 5/10
4) PRO Bib Short
Pearl Izumi
pearlizumi.com
$225.00
Key Specs
- Sizes: Men’s: S-XXL; Women’s: XS-XXL
- Chamois: Triple-Density PRO Chamois
- Color(s): Men’s: Black, Dark Ink, Cacao Scrib, Dark Ink Hatch Palm; Women’s: Black, Dark Ink Shell
If you’re looking for a pair of great bibs that will set you apart from the crowd, check out the Pearl Izumi PRO Bibs. While already a great bib in terms of functionality, Pearl Izumi also offers these bibs in a variety of stylish colors and prints. In addition, the women’s version features straps designed for to accommodate more chest tissue and to make it easy to answer nature’s call.
pearlizumi.com - 6/10
5) Pro SL Bib Short
Endura
backcountry.com
$194.95
Key Specs
- Sizes: Men’s: XS-XXL; Women’s: XS-XL
- Chamois: Multiple options
- Color(s): Black
The Endura Pro Sl Bibshort is among the most versatile and customizable bibs on the market. Riders can choose multiple chamois options as well as lengths, making these ideal for a wide variety of riders. They're also designed with heat-dissipating fabric, ensuring you stay cool when the temperature heats up.
backcountry.com - 7/10
6) Equipe RS Spring Fall S9 Bib Short
Assos
competitivecyclist.com
$279.00
Key Specs
- Sizes: Men’s: S-XL
- Chamois: Equipe RS S9
- Color(s): Black
These cool weather bibs earned our Editor’s Choice Award in 2020. They have a fleece inner lining, but they're still thin enough for year-round comfort. The front of the bibs also have a wind- and waterproof panel ideal for cold-season riding. The leg grippers on these bibs not only keep the shorts in place while you ride, but can ensure leg warmers don't slip down, either.
competitivecyclist.com - 8/10
7) Mountain Liner Bib Short + Swat
specialized
backcountry.com
$119.99
Key Specs
- Sizes: Men’s: S-XXL; Women's: S-XL
- Chamois: Specialized Body Geometry Mountain Chamois
- Color(s): Black
If you prefer baggie shorts or like riding mountain bikes but still want the support of a chamois in your bib, you’ll want the Specialized Mountain Liner Bib Shorts w/ SWAT. The liner shorts are breathable, fast-drying, and have multiple pockets perfect for stashing everything from keys to snacks.
backcountry.com - 9/10
8) Cycling Free Aero Race 4 Bibshort
Castelli
amazon.com
$199.99
Key Specs
- Sizes: Men’s: S-XXL; Women’s: XS-S
- Chamois: Progetto X2 Air
- Color(s): Black, purple
This reasonably priced racing bib is ideal for hot days in the saddle when you want to go fast. That’s thanks to Castelli’s dimpled Vortex fabric that slices through the air. The chamois is seamless and comfortable and it boasts a 4.5-star average user rating from 190 customers.
amazon.com - 10/10
9) Women’s Ultimate VPDs Bib Shorts
poc
backcountry.com
$240.00
Key Specs
- Sizes: Women’s: XS-L
- Chamois: Woman-specific Multi D pad
- Color(s): Black
With a reverse strap setup, the POC Ultimate VPDS Bib Shorts are designed to accommodate cyclists' chests while also remaining comfortable. The straps are also designed to make it easy for a rider to use the bathroom without taking off their jersey. These bibs have minimal seams, making them comfortable for long rides, and their leg grippers ensure they'll stay in place as you pedal.
backcountry.com
