The Best Cycling Bib Shorts of 2023

Velocio’s LUXE bib is supremely comfortable in every way. The fabric used by Velocio – a blend of 63% Polyamide and 37% Elastane – dubbed “LUXE”, perfectly balances supple stretch with support and compression. The straps are seamless and utilize a crossing arrangement, forming an “X” across your back, keeping the shorts perfectly positioned over your longest rides. The leg openings are raw cut to prevent chafing and allow freedom of movement in the quads and hamstring muscles. The proprietary “Signature” chamois, developed with Cytech, is dense and supple, providing excellent breathability without a hint of friction anywhere. The LUXE is without fault and is a stellar choice for any challenging ride or tour. 

The fit of the LUXE is, well, ridiculously luxurious. With minimal seams, there are no puckering, bunching or irritating sections of material at all. The length of both the straps and legs is perfect, giving just enough stretch to stand comfortably, and covering just the right amount of the quadriceps muscles with an exceptional and supportive fit around the glutes. Unlike many premium bib shorts, the LUXE is not highly articulated to the riding position. So, they are perfectly comfortable when standing up, either out of the saddle or off the bike. 

Velocio’s aesthetic is minimal and stylish. Two tiny logos are the only branding on these bib shorts, and the LUXE will pair well with jerseys from any brand. The LUXE is offered in seven subtle colors which is great since you might end up wanting multiple pairs of these. They’re so good, in fact, that you may end up retiring a few pairs of your old shorts once you try them. 

The LUXE fabric is special. It instantly feels like a second skin from the moment you put them on, with just the right balance of compression and stretch. The fabric also manages moisture and temperature incredibly well. On a memorable test ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) in North Carolina, temperatures were all over the place. This ride entailed climbing up steep slopes out of Asheville in balmy conditions at the start, into a wintry mix of fog and wind along the upper sections of the BRP, near Mount Mitchell, with a long descent back down. Despite varying temperatures and conditions, the LUXE fabric helped maintain a perfect temperature and effectively controlled moisture throughout the entire ride. 

At $279, the Velocio LUXE are certainly expensive bib shorts, but they are more reasonable than some high-end offerings from other brands. After testing them rigorously and having a great experience with them, we feel they are a good value, even at a high price point. 

For riders who are beginning to challenge themselves with longer bike rides, but may not be convinced that bib shorts are worthwhile, The Pearl Izumi Attack is a great entry point. At $100, they are a value-packed option from a company that’s been producing quality cycling apparel and bib shorts for decades. 

Leveraging its track record of producing great bib shorts, Pearl Izumi was able to transfer many features and design elements of their most expensive bib shorts into the entry-level Attack. Reduced paneling and seams and using raw-edge bib straps promises enhanced comfort along the legs and torso. Pearl Izumi’s excellent Escape 1:1 Chamois pad provides optimal moisture transfer and breathability.

Given the lower price point, we found the fit of the Attack to be impressive, especially when compared to bib shorts that cost almost triple the price. The leg length of 10.5” is perfect, and the compression of the Select Transfer fabric is up there with the best bibs tested. The straps are also well-designed, staying flat against the shoulders and never bunching or irritating the skin. The pad is suitable for rides up to 3 hours and stays dry and comfortable in warm conditions. 

Offered in two solid color options, Black and Navy, with only a single small Pearl Izumi logo, the look is subdued and timeless. These shorts are sure to go along with virtually any jersey and won’t ever go out of style.

It’s likely that if you invest in a pair of the Pearl Izumi Attack, they won’t be your last pair of bib shorts. They deliver on all the promises that bib shorts make, like better support, decreased pad friction, and better overall comfort on longer rides at a fraction of the cost of the high-end competition.  

The 7Mesh MK3 provides a perfect interface between rider and saddle by positioning all seams away from contact and stretch zones. The seamless fit, combined with a custom Elastic Interface® Space chamois ensures total comfort in any riding position, over any distance. 

The Elastic Interface® Space chamois is brilliant, delivering a dense and supple perch on the saddle. A wide central channel helps maintain good blood flow throughout the longest rides. Equally impressive is the positioning of the chamois, inside a floating pocket of material that runs from front to back, cradling the chamois and isolating it from the rest of the bib shorts. The benefit is that the chamois can move subtly with the rider’s body, without causing the shorts to drift across the saddle. The design works as intended, allowing for confident, stable moves from the tops to the drops and back again. 

The legs are raw cut and finished with printed silicone grippers, giving the MK3 a perfect fit around the quadriceps and hamstrings. The MK3’s Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 certified fabric has a subtle texture that provides a perfect dose of friction to keep the chamois perfectly in place on the saddle during even the most intense seated efforts.

The overall fit provides great compression and support, without feeling overly tight or stretchy. You won’t struggle to get the MK3 on, but once they are on, they feel snug and secure everywhere. Leg length is longer than average, but not so long that gaps form around the leg openings. The straps are seamless and 45mm wide, with an intersection at the mid-back at a softly brushed junction panel before transitioning to a single strap. The straps are delightfully comfortable in any riding position and keep the shorts and chamois situated perfectly. 

Aesthetically, the MK3 is clean and minimal, in keeping with the understated vibe of the brand’s product offerings. Very little stitching is visible, and just one small logo adorns the right leg. The MK3 is available in three colors, including black, navy, and peat. 

7Mesh uses only certified sustainable fabrics which meet Bluesign® standards for worker safety and environmental responsibility. It’s great to see that a product that performs this well can be produced ethically. 7Mesh also offers a generous crash replacement and repair policy, so you can ride the MK3 as hard as you want, knowing that they will take care of your bibs if something unforeseen should happen.

The 7Mesh MK3 sells for $200 US. While not exactly inexpensive, these bibs easily outperform similarly priced options from some better-known brands and are competitive with bib shorts costing upwards of 20% more. 

Castelli has been making versions of the Free Aero bibs for many years, and the Free Aero Race has always been a winner. Having plenty of experience with its predecessors, the first impression of the latest Castelli Free Aero RC was excellent and only improved over the course of many test rides.

The pad, which Castelli calls Progetto X2 Air, feels dense but airy, and has the perfect amount of loft to it, like a firm and supportive mattress. There is a subtle structure to the Progetto X2 Air, which allows it to mute unwanted feedback from road bumps transmitted through the saddle, while never feeling bulky or restrictive of the pedal stroke. The pad’s structure also helps it remain flush against the body, never separating during out-of-saddle efforts, or shifting laterally while seated, helping you stay squared up and perfectly level on the saddle. Further enhancing rider stability is the ribbed texture of the fabric on the underside of the pad area. The ribs run perpendicular to the bike’s top tube, which will help limit some riders’ tendency to slide forward during intense seated efforts or when accessing the drops. 

The legs terminate at raw-cut edges with no stitching or silicone grippers like those you’ll find on most bib shorts. The leg opening is noticeably smaller than average, and the material in this bottom portion of the leg is super flexible yet substantial enough to firmly grab onto the quadriceps muscles. Introduce a little perspiration and the legs stay perfectly glued in place, with a light, comfortable, seamless feeling. 

Castelli has switched from heat-transfer logos to a handsome rubber medallion that is stitched into the shorts. Not only will the stitched medallion not peel, but it adds to the perceived quality of the bib shorts, signaling that the Free Aero RC is not meant to be pitched out at the end of the race calendar, and instead will stand up to years of heavy use.

The back and top sections of the straps, which sit on the rider’s scapular region, are bonded and reinforced, giving a feel that is pleasingly stable and flat. The reinforcement also ensures that the back of the bibs and the Progetto pad does not slide down and forward while riding. Meanwhile, at the front of the straps, the reinforcement is removed and the straps are semi-transparent. This yields a super-flexible zone to help the straps expand freely while putting the bibs on and also makes the front of the straps more comfortable in the hottest conditions when no base layer is being used. 

The fit of the Free Aero RC is race-oriented. The legs are cut slightly longer than average to cover and smooth airflow across the quadriceps and also offer greater support to these muscles. The Free Aero RC is significantly articulated for an aggressive riding position. Some will not find these to be the most comfortable bibs when standing upright. When seated on the bike, however, the cycling posture transforms the fit into a second skin. 

If going fast in comfort and style is your priority, the Castelli Free Aero RC is worth a serious look. 

The Castelli Endurance 3 bib shorts feature Castelli’s range-topping Progetto X2 Air Seamless Chamois, integrated into a traditional, but refined pair of shorts. The objectives Castelli set for the Endurance 3 were exceptional seated comfort and moisture control, along with a great fit.

While the Endurance 3 achieved the first two objectives, its fit wasn’t especially impressive relative to the best bib shorts out there. This is simply due to the relatively high prevalence of seams in a traditionally constructed bib short like the Endurance 3. More seams give rise to more puckering and bunching of the fabric, especially around the medial glute area. This is something that Castelli understands, and it’s on display in the Free Aero Race RC, which costs a bit more but uses a more advanced fabric that requires much less stitching and fits much better in the legs and glute area than the Endurance 3. 

All that said, the Endurance is a great choice for long rides, especially in warm conditions. Castelli’s Endurance Evolution fabric stays dry and cool, and there is no better pad than the Progetto X2 Air Seamless. The traditional mesh straps articulate well around the torso without pinching or grabbing. While straps have evolved beyond traditional mesh in higher-end bibs, these mesh straps are without any fuss or issues. 

Castelli did not use traditional silicone grippers on the leg openings of the Endurance 3, opting instead for its Giro3 gripper, which is very comfortable because it relies on compression, not surface friction, to hold the legs of the Endurance 3 perfectly in place. It’s worth noting that this is a somewhat delicate design, and may lose effectiveness if the Endurance 3 are machine dried repeatedly. 

Another small niggle with the Endurance 3, and most Castelli cycling shorts, for that matter, is the heat-transferred logos, which can peel and look a bit sad after about one season. Thankfully, Castelli has moved to a stitched rubber medallion logo on some of their more expensive models which helps enhance perceived quality and longevity. 

At $160, the performance of the Castelli Endurance 3 makes them a great value. If you’re looking for a reasonably priced bib short with a world-class chamois and excellent moisture control, the Castelli Endurance 3 is a solid choice.  

The Black Bibs are designed by Starlight Custom Cycling Apparel, which has been making custom kits for race teams and bike shops for over 20 years. The goal of The Black Bibs is to compete with more expensive bib shorts but at a much lower price point. The Black Bibs Ultimate is their top-tier option coming in at $80 US, which is double the cost of The Black Bibs Original offering. 

The brand’s mission statement holds that quality cycling kit has become prohibitively expensive and that by doing away with labels and other “B.S”, The Black Bibs will allow more riders to enjoy cycling, regardless of their budget. This approach is certainly commendable, but we don’t necessarily see these shorts as only for people who can’t afford something better. But it’s worth considering that $80 actually sounds about right for a foam pad sewn into a pair of lycra shorts, whether you’re a college freshman who just discovered road riding or a retired physician who rides 15 hours a week.

Still, it’s fair to ask what is missing from these $80 bib shorts, compared with options for a pair costing 3x as much. To understand the difference, you’d need to test ride or at least hold both types of bibs side-by-side. The Velocio Luxe, for instance, uses more refined materials which in turn facilitate more advanced design, and feature a more luxurious and expensive pad. The Black Bibs Ultimate, on the other hand, uses proven, albeit less exotic fabric, which requires a more traditional design that incorporates significantly more stitching. Essentially, these bibs are as good as anything was 20 years ago, but not as good as the best bibs being developed nowadays. 

Getting into the specifics, The Black Bibs Ultimate is made using 80% polyester and 20% spandex. The pad is sourced from DR Pad, based in Italy, and is triple density 80-95-120 kg/m3. Thickness is from 2-15mm, and a carbon antistatic layer is applied for increased comfort. The straps are a simple mesh, and the bands at the leg openings are silicone-infused to provide a gentle grip. The fit is good, considering that the fabric is not heavily articulated or especially supple, therefore requiring more stitching, which results in some slight puckering and bunching along the seams. 

The somewhat slippery fabric and positioning of the pad create a tendency to slip forward on the saddle, requiring occasional shifting of the body for maximum comfort. For this reason, these wouldn’t be our first pick for racing, as this would be at best a distraction, and at worst could compromise your ability to ride powerfully in a super-aggressive position for sustained periods. 

Cycling has enough status symbols and bib shorts don’t need to be another one. The Black Bibs deserve credit for offering a product with zero branding. It seems weird to pay for something, and then be a rolling billboard for that product every time you leave the house. Instead of logos, The Black Bibs offer a nice palette of colors, as well as tall and short inseam lengths, long strap options, and two less expensive models with the original bibs ($40) and Plus bibs ($65), as well as the Adventure bibs ($85) with back and thigh pockets.

If you are looking to ride more and spend less, and aren’t concerned with brand names, The Black Bibs Ultimate are a great pick.

The CONCEPT bib short is ostensibly Velocio’s range-topping model, sitting at an eye-popping $309 US, 9% more than the LUXE, which is the winner for the all-around best bib short in this test. The CONCEPT is Velocio’s race-focused offering, promising improved pedaling motion, a highly compressive fit, and aerodynamically optimized performance. 

The race-oriented fit of these bibs is clear from the moment they’re put on. The fabric is highly compressive, and the straps feel short when standing upright. Once you’re on the bike, the CONCEPT feels more natural and comfortable, but if you’re on the cusp of sizes, we’d recommend going up, not down. One small critique of the fit is the leg length. For a bib short aimed at aero gains, the legs are fairly short. Covering more of the quadriceps muscles likely would have made the CONCEPT more aerodynamic than the ribbed material on the outer legs, chosen for its aero performance. 

Improved pedaling motion comes by way of a custom-designed fully integrated chamois pad that floats inside a fabric pocket, with only a small amount of stitching at the front and rear to anchor the pad in place. The pad is also rather small, providing excellent support and cushioning and support where it is needed, without any bulk due to excess material. While it is hard to say if pedaling in the CONCEPT bibs felt noticeably different or better compared to other high-end bibs, it certainly felt stable and fluid. 

Overall, the CONCEPT is a great pair of cycling bib shorts, but they were bested in the comfort department by Velocio’s own LUXE model. That said, if aero gains and supreme muscle compression are your priorities, the Velocio CONCEPT is certainly worth a look. 

Endura’s Pro SL EGM Bib Short is designed to bring blissful comfort to your longest rides. Injected with medical-grade silicone at key locations within the pad to relieve pressure, the 800 Series Conform EGM Pad provides exceptional seated comfort.

Italian high-performance power Lycra fabric fits perfectly and provides wonderful support and compression. The fabric is also pre-shaped with multi-panel construction, to conform to the shape of the body nicely. A lumbar support panel, along with gentle silicone grippers on the raw edge hem bands ensure the shorts stay firmly in place hour after hour. 

Endura’s Ergonomistry philosophy guided the development of the excellent PRO SL EGM bib short. Developed in collaboration with world-renowned physiotherapist and ergonomist Phil Burt, the Ergonmistry concept aims to develop products that supply superior comfort and well-being on the bike. Having spent 12 years as Head of Physiotherapy at British Cycling, Burt has treated countless issues pertaining to pressure points resulting from sub-optimal bib short fit and ergonomics. The partnership is working, and these bibs are solid proof. The PRO SL EGM, gave zero pressure points or irritation, and the seated comfort only got better the longer the test rides went. The lumbar support panel also works to give the pad a wonderfully stable feel. 

At $230 US, the Endura Pro SL EGM presents a more affordable option than many similar bibs costing $50+ more. The Endura PRO SL EGM is also available in regular and long lengths to dial in the fit to your needs, along with three color options to suit your preference. 

While Rapha’s best-known bib short is the Classic II, the Pro Team line is arguably its more advanced offering. Adopting a more race-inspired fit and design, while retaining the comfort and coming in $50 US less than the Classic II, the Rapha Pro Team Training is a compelling option for both racers and avid recreational cyclists.

Rapha’s Pro Team line is bifurcated into racing kit that is focused on aerodynamic gains, and training kit that’s designed for pouring on big miles day after day. So, it’s not surprising that the Pro Team Training bib shorts are supportive and luxurious. The fabric is lightweight but fairly dense, and adapts to a wide range of temperatures, so you can head out early in the morning and ride comfortably into the heat of midday. 

The chamois pad is size-specific and has a very structured, dense, supportive feel. As the miles pass, the pad becomes more comfortable and compliant. While it doesn’t match the seamless feel of the Velocio Luxe or the stability of the 7Mesh MK3, the comfort is excellent considering the fabric and construction of the Pro Team are more traditional. On that note, the Pro Team Training bib shorts use plenty of stitching and paneling. Happily, this does not result in any bunching, pinching, or loose-fitting sections. 

The fit is compressive but not overly tight, which makes sense for bib shorts that are going to be used for very long rides on successive days. The white straps are a nice touch since they stay invisible beneath lighter-colored jerseys. Most importantly, they are comfortably stretchy and soft, whether paired with a base layer or worn directly against the skin. Leg length is traditional, a bit shorter than many contemporary bib shorts. Thankfully, the Pro Team Traning is available in a long length for taller riders. 

For knocking out big training rides in style and comfort, the Rapha Pro Team Training Bib Shorts are a solid choice. At $210, these are expensive, but still considerably less than many other high-end options. If you’ve always been curious about Rapha bib shorts, these would be an excellent introduction, as they balance all the best aspects of Rapha fit, comfort, and style. 

Castelli’s value-oriented Competizione Bib Short incorporates many features of its more expensive offerings, at a much more accessible price. The fit is still excellent – a hallmark of all Castelli bib shorts – and the construction quality is top-notch as well, meaning you’ll get a lot of great rides out of these bib shorts.

The Competizione features the Kiss Air2 pad, which is amazingly comfortable, thanks to its stretchy, soft skin-care layer that provides total freedom of movement with minimum bulk, according to Castelli. After testing, we can confirm it’s soft against the skin whilst on the saddle and agree that the Kiss Air2 pad is less bulky than the higher-end Progetto pad, and feels better able to contour to the body. The stability and moisture control of the Kiss Air2 isn’t quite up to the Progetto’s level but are still excellent.  

The fit is race-oriented with longer-than-average leg length and nicely articulated panels that create a smooth, aerodynamic fit in the riding position. Aerodynamic fabric, dubbed “Vortex” by Castelli flanks the outer legs. While it is hard to quantify its aerodynamic properties, it is definitely comfortable and breathes very well. 

The straps are a traditional mesh design with excellent stretch and a fabric soft enough to forego a base layer and wear directly against the skin. The Giro4 leg grippers are some of the best in the industry and have been used on Castelli’s most high-end bib shorts until very recently. 

Out on the road, the Competizione do the job they are there to do. They provide comfort and support thanks to a great overall fit and features that would grace the range-topping offerings of many of Castelli’s bib shorts from a few years back. If you are looking for a more affordable option with some of the best of Castelli’s technology included, check out the Competizione Bib Short. 

The Sportful Body Fit Pro LTD slots into the mid-range price point, but its features make it competitive with more expensive bib shorts from Rapha, Velocio, and Castelli. They aren’t perfect, but overall they are a treat to ride in and represent a solid value. 

The pad is the core of any pair of bib shorts, and the material, design, and positioning are all critical to how any pair performs. Here is where the Sportful hits the mark, with their TC (Total Comfort) Pro pad, featuring a triple-density design, with 5mm perforations that Sportful claims enhance airflow. While airflow doesn’t necessarily seem enhanced by the TC Pro pad, the perforated surface seems to lend a bit more flex to the pad, allowing it to conform perfectly to the body.

The fit is compressive and the sizing runs on the small side. The other models tested were all size medium but Sportful’s large proved to be a snug but comfortable fit. The Body Fit PRO LTD is much more comfortable on the bike than while standing up, which brings us to the one disappointment of the Body Fit Pro LTD, which is the straps. The material and design mean that the straps invariably twist and bunch up whenever they are pulled over the shoulders. Also, it takes more work to pull them on, because they are designed for an unwavering hold on the shoulders. Once the straps are flattened and positioned, they fit comfortably, although the strap material is rather rough to the touch, meaning we would recommend using these with a base layer to prevent irritation. 

Out on the road, the Sportful Body Fit Pro LTD are a joy to ride in, providing a unique feeling of a firm main body with a supple and plush pad. This encourages a more aggressive posture, without feeling any excessive pressure from the saddle. Thanks to this fit and feel, the Body Fit Pro LTD would make an excellent choice for fast group rides or races.