Backcountry.com Newsletter Articles

Unfortunately for us, cycling is an expensive sport—but with all the technology, materials, and testing going into modern cycling products and apparel in the 21st Century, it’s at least somewhat understandable.

Some products just cost more, yet the reasoning behind your apparel being spendy isn’t quite as tangible as that of, say, your carbon crankset or titanium frame. But don’t fear. We’re here to help you tackle the mountain of information on one product we find imperative to a comfortable day in the saddle—that’s right, bib shorts.

Bib shorts might just be the poster child for sticker-shock, which is why we thought we should present a guide to ease along your bib-short purchase. To be clear, the following is not about promoting any specific product but rather to provide you with the general basics so you can make an informed decision when it comes time to add a new set of bibs to your cycling wardrobe.

Bib Shorts vs. Shorts: Po-tay-toe, po-tah-toe

Shorts are nice, but bib shorts provide the luxury of not bunching up in the front when you’re hunched over in-the-drops. They also won’t ride lower in back and feel as though they are falling down—a nice bonus if you are constantly pulling your jersey down because it rides up like a halter-top for men.

Where they’re made: Here, there—mostly there

Many high-end shorts are made in Asia, with some manufacturers producing their own chamois in European facilities then outsourcing the final product to Asia. In some cases, where the shorts are produced may directly correlate to their cost. However, high-quality shorts are being produced in Asia, Europe, Canada, and the United States, so to say quality is wholly tied to where bib shorts are produced would be inaccurate.

Fit: About as standard as the Imperial Measurement System

Cycling apparel manufacturers haven’t sat down over coffee and discussed a standardized system for how your bibs should fit so, unfortunately, a medium Castelli bib short will not be exactly the same size as a medium Sugoi bib short. Some companies sway toward an Americanized fit—and as you may guess, Americanized fit runs a bit larger than brands offering a Euro fit. Sugoi and Pearl Izumi fall into the former category, while Castelli, GORE Bike Wear, Giordana, and Capo the latter, just to name a few.

Chamois: These aren’t leather.

One of the most important features in a bib short is the chamois, and often the price is driven up or down based upon the technology, materials, and production. Every company will tell you its chamois is superior for this or that reason, but from our experience one cyclist’s chamois delight may very well feel like a wet diaper to another.

Firm vs. Soft: Manufacturers generally take two different directions in chamois production, firmer or softer—both work well depending on your preference. A softer chamois may feel better in the saddle but bulkier overall. A firmer chamois may feel lighter but not offer the same in-the-saddle comfort as a softer chamois does. Again, what works for you may not work for someone else, but once you find a brand to suit your comfort level, we recommend not changing it up.

Gel, Perforation, Fit: The chamois’ main function is to cushion sit bones where they make contact with the saddle. Many manufacturers began using gel inserts sandwiched between layers of foam as a way to offer optimal cushioning and prevent flattening out over time. Other chamois designs feature various levels of foam thickness or firmness to get the desired amount of cushion, often using open-cell foam to promote rapid transfer and evaporation of sweat.

Nearly all of today’s chamois feature an ergonomic fit, cut from flexible fabric designed to conform to your body’s contours without shifting when you stand up out of the saddle.

Perforation is another word used to describe chamois. Friction creates heat, and an effective chamois needs to disperse heat. Many chamois feature raised padding in the saddle contact area, while perforated channels in between help ventilate and cool the region. Remember, a chamois only works as well as it cools, and perforated holes and channels is one way of accomplishing this.

Most chamois on the market today feature some sort of antimicrobial or antibacterial properties so irritation doesn’t turn into saddle-sores. We also recommend a high-viscosity chamois cream (DZ Nuts or Assos) to help inhibit infection as well as prolong the life of your chamois. (It should also go without saying that washing your chamois after a ride is as important as washing your hands before you eat.)

Paneling and Single-Piece Design: Less is more, or more is less?

It’s not uncommon for manufacturers to use anywhere from four to twelve panels in a bib short design. What is paneling? Think of paneling as taking any number of fabric pieces, then sewing them together around the contours of a rider, similar in principle to the papier-mâché sculpture you made of your arm in elementary school. One advantage of paneling is that it allows designers to use different fabrics in different regions of the body. For example some bib shorts feature a lighter, moisture-wicking material in high-heat areas of the shorts, while other sections incorporate a stretchier knit to resist wear and to retain the shape of the bib shorts.

Some argue that a problem with multi-paneled design is increased number of seams, leading from everything to decreased aerodynamics to skin irritation or garment durability issues. An example of a single-piece-designed short is Castelli’s Body Paint Bib. The Body Paint Bib Shorts are assembled using a single piece of Lycra fabric. The idea is that one piece of fabric reduces the total amount of seams (eliminating irritation while improving durability and aerodynamics) and wraps your body in one piece of fabric—as opposed to four, eight, or 12 pieces. Castelli is one of the few companies to utilize single-piece design but has taken the technology to the top by outfitting the Cervelo Test Team with its Body Paint Bib Shorts—and with great success.

Again, manufacturers have varied ideas on what works best, and it can be argued that both types of designs have their benefits and pitfalls. We’ve tried them all, and we all have different preferences and different favorites, and you will too.

Compression: You thought your bike was techy.

The incorporation of compression into shorts has added a whole new dimension to fresh legs. Many manufacturers are now fitting materials to literally squeeze quadricep and gluteal muscles. Proponents of compression shorts argue that power-producing muscles held under uniform compression are less prone to energy loss through vibration and wasted motion, therefore keeping muscles fresher and power streamlined.

Bib-straps: What’s the difference?

Bib straps have come a long way from the days of having to strip down to answer Nature’s call. Many men’s shorts are cut much lower in front than they used to be, allowing for quick roadside stops without having to take off your jersey. If you’ve ever owned a pair of bib shorts that aren’t cut low in front, you’ll notice the benefit immediately.

Leg Grippers: Silicone—or not.

Grippers, like every other part of cycling bibs vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some people find silicone grippers to irritate their skin, in which case they can flip up the grippers, often revealing a logo or brand name. With the incorporation of compression, a few manufacturers have moved away from silicone grippers and instead choosing to use a tight fit above the knee. Both options work well, and like other areas of the bib shorts, this often comes down to personal preference.

Care: Even your bib shorts have specs.

You wouldn’t run your carbon road bike through a pressure washer, so don’t wash your bibs in the washing machine on heavy cycle with your cotton T-shirts. Some manufacturers include a wash bag with purchase (GORE Bike Wear for example) to prevent bib shorts from tangling up in the washing machine or becoming hung up on a piece of Velcro from another garment.

Many manufacturers recommend hand-washing your bib shorts and chamois. Unfortunately, if you ride daily, this may not be a reality. We recommend following the manufacturers’ care instructions, but if you do wash your shorts in the washing machine DON’T use fabric softener. Washing on a gentle cycle in cold water is always the safest, and if your washing machine uses an agitator, avoid ruining your bib shorts by purchasing a mesh wash bag (if your bib shorts didn’t come with one) from Target or Walgreens. Finally, DON’T put bib shorts in the dryer; air dry only.

Odds & Ends: Reflectors and MP3 pockets … welcome to the 21st century.

It’s no secret many of us ride with music, and designers have taken notice. Now, instead of poking a hole in your jersey pocket to obtain a sleek route for your headphones, manufacturers have strategically placed a small pocket (usually on the back bib strap) for your MP3. Note: if you’re still using cassette tape Walkman type devices, you’ll be out of luck; the pockets aren’t big enough.

If you spend enough time on your bike, you’ll inevitably end up riding home one night after the sun dips below the horizon. For these occasions many manufacturers have placed reflective piping or logos, or both, to let motorists know your whereabouts.

The Last Word(s):

Bib-short technology isn’t cheap, and although it’s not easy, hopefully we’ve been able to explain the mystique behind the cost involved in your next bib-short purchase—as well as making it slightly less painful. After all, you aren’t purchasing a piece of Lycra with a makeshift sponge, you’re purchasing a piece of clothing worthy of a medal—and remember, a good pair of bib shorts is like an old steel frame: plush, predictable, and forever a part of your cycling collection.