Buyer’s guide to cycling bib shorts

Why you should wear Lycra shorts on a bike

If you’re new to cycling, making the transition to padded Lycra shorts can be a big step. Many people worry about looking silly, for example.

There isn’t really an argument against that particular point, but, in our opinion, the performance difference is very much worth it, and the comfort levels are much higher.

Lycra shorts offer a number of advantages over clothes not designed for cycling, or even the best mountain bike shorts. These advantages include better aerodynamic efficiency, better breathability, an ability to dry more quickly and less chance of chafing or your shorts getting snagged on your saddle.

That said, though, you should ride in whatever makes you feel most comfortable and confident. If you prefer baggy shorts over your padded shorts, then that’s good too.

What to look for when buying bib shorts

The key things you need in a set of bib shorts for summer cycling are:

Lightweight fabrics

Summer cycling shorts use lightweight, stretchy and breathable fabrics, and are typically constructed from multiple panels to provide a comfortable, anatomical fit.

These are stitched together neatly with thoughtfully located flatlock seams to provide maximum comfort, while offering support. Your shorts should feel skin-tight and supportive, without causing any discomfort.

Chamois pad

Padded cycling shorts will feature a chamois stitched inside the shorts to provide relief and comfort around the sit bones.

Not all pads are created equal and finding a design that works for you is crucial to long-term comfort.

Once again, the fit should be snug to avoid chafing, while a breathable pad will help keep things fresh downstairs.

Most pads vary the density and thickness of padding through the chamois to provide support where it’s needed most, while some use gel inserts in a bid to improve comfort.

Comfortable bib straps

Bib straps are designed to help keep your bib shorts in place, without the need for an uncomfortably tight waistband.

The stretchy straps need to be tight enough to hold your shorts in place securely, but not so tight that they make putting the shorts on difficult or uncomfortable.

If possible, we’d recommend trying shorts on for size before you make a purchase.

Leg grippers

Leg grippers help keep the ends of the shorts in place while pedalling, ideally providing a secure fit without causing discomfort.

There are a number of ways to achieve this, from a simple silicone strip or elasticated band on more affordable shorts to a laser-cut hem backed with a sticky fabric on high-end shorts.

Should you wear underwear under your cycling shorts?

In short, no. This is because the pads in padded cycling shorts are designed to sit directly next to your skin.

For a detailed explanation on this subject, see our article on should I wear underwear under padded cycling shorts?

Bib shorts versus waist shorts

The general consensus among dedicated cyclists is clear: bib shorts are better than waist shorts.

Not everyone agrees, but most find that shorts with bib straps tend to stay in place better than shorts without.

The added tightness in the vertical plane helps pull the chamois up into your body, preventing it sagging away from you when you stand up on the pedals. This means less shifting around and more consistent pad placement, and ultimately comfort.

It also does away with the need for a tight, high waistband, instead putting the emphasis on the elasticated shoulder straps to keep everything in place. This can enable the use of a slightly lower front panel as well, for increased ventilation.

What is a chamois pad?

A chamois pad, or seat pad, is the saddle-shaped padding usually found in cycling bib shorts. They are called a “chamois” because, back in the olden days, they used to be made from chamois leather, which is named after the European mountain goat it’s derived from.

Today, they’re usually made from a combination of synthetic, multi-density foams and fabrics. These are designed not only to provide some cushioning for your derrière, but also to wick sweat away to help keep your crotch area dry and healthy.

Proper placement of the pad is key, so it’s worth taking into consideration the type of riding you’ll be doing. Cyclists taking part in time trials or triathlons, with aggressive, forward positions, need much more padding around the front than mountain bikers, who are likely to be sat more upright.

Of course, you also need a good saddle, and performance-oriented saddles tend to be firmer than you might expect because they’re designed with cyclists wearing padded shorts in mind.

Do you need to use chamois cream?

Potentially. If you’re getting on just fine without it, then there’s no need to start using it.

If you experience any chafing or saddle sores though, a good-quality, cycling-specific chamois cream (or simply a generic antibacterial barrier cream) can help prevent infections and reduce friction. We have a guide on how to avoid and treat saddle sores.

How much money should you spend?

As with many things in life, you get what you pay for to a certain extent.

If you’re going to be doing really long days in the saddle or using your cycling shorts fairly regularly, spending a bit more is likely to get you a more comfortable, durable pair of shorts.

That said, if you just want something for short commutes or weekend rides, one of the top-rated cheap women’s bib shorts or men’s bib shorts for cycling on a budget, as tested by our expert reviewers, will do the job, and do it well.

Like with bikes, though, once you get above a certain price point (around £75/$95/€85), the returns on your investment start to get more marginal.

That’s not to say those gains won’t be worth it for some riders, but we’d certainly be happy riding all day in Lusso’s Carbon v2 Bib Shorts as mentioned above, for example.

Above this price, you’re paying for more modest improvements such as big-name brand labels, more technical fabrics that take into account things such as weather protection and aerodynamics, and often nicer styling.

What colour shorts should you get?

For a long time, black was the go-to colour for many riders. But over recent years, brands have provided more and more options, with blue, grey and dark green being common choices.

Bib shorts remain pretty plain, but that does make it easier to pair them up with more jerseys.

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