Best cycling bib shorts for men and women in 2025

A decent pair of bibs will be your battle-hardened friend for interval sets and endurance sessions on the bike and turbo. But which pair of bib shorts is best and offers the best comfort and ventilation for cycling? We review some of the best bib cycling shorts on the market today.

Yes, when worn alone they look like a 1980s wrestling outfit, but a pair of bib-shorts are one of the key training investments a triathlete can make. Due to their durability and versatility for turbo training and outdoor bike sets of every type, their cost-per-wear ratio is one of the lowest in the tri wardrobe.

Best men’s bib shorts in 2025

Castelli Espresso bib shorts

Quick specs
Price	$179.99 / £175
Sizing	XS-3XL men’s, XS-XL women’s
Colours	Black, blue, beige, red, green, grey

Fantastic for riding fast in the heat while staying as cool as possible, the Castelli Espresso bib tights topped our 2025 test of bib shorts.

Although racy, the fit is true-to-size and didn’t inhibit movement on the bike. Meanwhile the flat, seamless straps and silicone leg grippers keep the shorts in place without rubbing.

A perforated back panel provides excellent breathability and the chamois pad augments support and cushioning.

The size and colour ranges of the Espresso bib shorts are both extensive.

For more detail, read my full Castelli Espresso bib shorts review. RS

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Ryzon Signature Cycling Bib Shorts

Quick specs
Price	$265 / £210
Sizing	XS-XL men’s and women’s
Colours	Black, gold, red, grey, pine, light grey

Featuring a luxuriously comfortable blend of recycled materials manufactured in Portugal, the Ryzon Signature Cycling Bib Shorts feel deluxe while displaying better eco credentials than most rivals.

Ryzon claims the chamois is comfortabel enough for eight-hour rides. While I didn’t put that claim to the test in one go, I’ve no reason to doubt it.

Classy details like flatlocked seams, seamless straps, good sweat-wicking and silicone leg grippers round off a quality design.

The fit is relatively relaxed and you may have to size down, but the bib shorts feel sufficiently compressive.

The price and the slightly warm back panel are the only downsides.

Read my full Ryzon Signature Bib Shorts review for more. RS

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Craft Essence Bike Bib Shorts

Quick specs
Price	$129.99 / £80
Sizing	XS-2XL men’s
Colours	Black

The Craft Essence bibs have a lot going for them, and it’s not just the price. 

They’re made out of a mix of recycled polyamide (78% of the lower body), standard polyamide (on the straps) and elastane. 

The fabric is comfortable and thin, so it lets a bit more air through than some others do here. 

The shoulder straps aren’t seamless, which means they don’t hit the heights of comfort that some others do. 

They use a mesh fabric, as does the back, to help keep the temperature down. 

Silicone grippers help keep the legs stay in place while the fit feels supportively compressive. 

While the chamois pad proved comfortable for the most part, it doesn’t feel quite as supportive and cushioned as some alternatives here. 

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Sportful LTD bib shorts

Quick specs
Price	$149.99 / £139.90
Sizing	S-3XL men’s
Colours	Black

If you’re looking for highly compressive shorts that lend themself well to the height of summer, the Sportful LTD Bib Shorts are an option worth considering. 

The fit is close, aero and supportive on the legs and there’s minimal movement thanks to the wide hem sections backed with silicone and the compressive fit. It’s worth noting that the length may be a little long for shorter riders. 

The waistline is relatively low at the front and there’s a cutout in the back panel. Both help in warm weather, but I found the latter itchy at times. 

The shoulder straps are seamless and very comfortable, with a heavily perforated material boosting breathability. 

The chamois feels like one of the more cushioned options here with up to 13mm of padding. 

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Gore Spinshift bib shorts

Quick specs
Price	$160 / £124.99
Sizing	S-3XL men’s
Colours	Black

The material on the legs of the Gore Spinshift bib shorts feels nice, comfortable and supportive, though the fit is definitely more restrictive around the crotch than others (sizing runs from S-3XL). 

Flatlock seams, seamless shoulder straps and raw-cut leg endings help avoid irritation, though the minimal silicone grippers don’t eliminate movement so well. 

The cut at the front of the waist is low, sitting two or three inches below my belly button. 

This makes toilet stops easy and helps keep things cool, but it does also mean if you have any sort of belly it tends to hang over the waist. 

In a further boost to warm-weather performance, the rear back panel is thin and breathable. 

Meanwhile, the pad proved comfy enough but without zonal differences and long-term density. 

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Le Col Sport bib shorts

Quick specs
Price	$200 / £145
Sizing	XS-3XL men’s, XS-XL women’s
Colours	Black, black and grey, blue and orange

Comfort was high for the most part in these Le Col Sport bibs.

The only minor issue is the embroidered logo on the rear of the bum, which was an occasional irritation. I tend to prefer seamless shoulder straps, but they’re not present here. 

That’s because the entire upper part of these bibs, including the straps, is made of a super thin and lightweight mesh, which helps massively with temperature control on hot days. 

The mesh isn’t going to be the most durable, though, hence the seams. 

Therefore, there’s less stretch in the straps, making toilet stops a little trickier than others. 

Fit is true to size, the legs feel compressive and the wide bands at the hem are backed with silicone grippers that keep the legs in place well. 

The triple-layer chamois is decent and has a gel insert.

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Altura Endurance bib shorts

Quick specs
Price	$117 / £95
Sizing	S-2XL
Colours	Black

The Endurance have been designed in collaboration with Mark Beaumont, the round-the-world-record-holder cyclist who knows a thing or two about sustained bib-short use.

So it’s of no surprise that comfort is the MO over vast swathes of open mesh or any aerodynamic flourishes, with the sizeable straps and thicker materials taking the overall weight to 7.4oz / 211g (we’d use these more for spring/autumn riding). Those straps did feel a little loose, but a bridge between the two straps on the back largely keeps them in place.

For a $117 / £95 pair of bibs, the Elastic Interface pad seems a touch basic compared to the techier options here, but its dual-density foam and wide coverage were ample for extended summer rides. The leg grippers are subtle yet effective, with silicone dots and a sticky hem to help stay in place.

Castelli Free Aero RC

Quick specs
Price	$219.99 / £175
Sizing	XS-3XL
Colours	Black, dark grey, blue

These updated techy wonders from Castelli are ‘engineered for top-level racing’, something that I can only visualise, but I can see the appeal of the Free Aero RC for the speedsters among you.

Starting at the legs, they ape some modern-age tri-suits by eschewing grippers for laser-cut legs, which minimise rubbing from seams; the graduated fabric stopping the legs moving up when riding.

The multi-density pad is the most innovative and breathable here, while the rear pockets are a neat touch if your jersey pockets are full. Where the Free Aero RC may struggle is with the tight fit (definitely go up if you’re between sizes).

The low-ish waistline caused some belly bulging while the coarseness of the front straps, when I wasn’t wearing a base layer, took a disliking to my nipples. That and the $219.99 / £175 price tag, of course.

Stolen Goat Epic

Quick specs
Price	$210 / £149
Sizing	XS-3XL
Colours	Black, blue

Stolen Goat’s kit has a regular habit of standing out from the crowd, and that continues here with their navy bibs alone in a sea of noir.

Like the Castelli, they eschew traditional leg grippers in favour of compressive leg panels. I couldn’t pin-point any post-ride recovery benefits, but they held in place throughout endurance spins, the comfort aided by flatlock internal seams.

The chamois made by Vapour might be less techy than others here, but it piles on the plumpness for bike-ride comfort, doing so without rubbing and getting overly soggy.

The mesh straps and back shout summertime or indoor sessions, the latter especially aided by a rear nutrition pocket if you’re gamely going long on Zwift.

The waistband is comfortable, but that navy colour does mean you’ll need to find some matching jerseys.

Best women’s bib shorts in 2025

Rapha Core bib shorts

Quick specs
Price	$145 / £135
Sizing	XXS-XL
Colours	Black, blue, purple

Rapha’s Core Bib shorts are the perfect training shorts. 

Made with 79% recycled materials, the dense-knit fabric provides light compression and the slightly heavier material is welcomed in the British spring. 

The leg length provides a good fit around the quads and the silicone edges offer just the right amount of grip to nicely hold the legs in place without being restrictive. 

The fit is true to size, perhaps even slightly generous, unusual in many cycling brands. 

The Core bib shorts have a women’s specific cut chamois and it was certainly the most substantial of all the chamois on test. 

Any uncertainty of it being too large when first put on are instantly quashed once you are on the bike – the most comfortable shorts on test in the saddle department offering day long rides with no discomfort. 

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Assos Dyora R Bib Shorts S11

Quick specs
Price	$210 / £165
Sizing	XS-2XL
Colours	Black, green, blue

The Assos Dyora R Bib Shorts S11 keep weight and styling to a minimum, managing to be comfortable, breathable and sleek.

Quality features, such as lazer-cut cut seams and silicone leg grippers, abound and the wide, flat shoulder straps are highlight.

Added to the great breathability, the Dyora R S11 have odour control and SPF50 protection, making them a great choice for summer rides. Although moisture accumulated at the end of the legs, it didn’t cause dark patches to form and quickly evapourated.

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Huub Axena

Quick specs
Price	£59.94
Sizing	S-2XL
Colours	Blue and black

The Huub Axena Bib Shorts offer a comfortable fit with a glossy feel to the Italian dense fit fabric. 

However the mid-thigh seam coupled with fabric change does make for some unsightly bulge lines on the inner thighs. 

These shorts offer a medium leg length with a raw cut seam and the seamless silicone dot matrix bonding effectively holds them in place so there is no movement.

There is mesh webbing between the shorts and straps providing breathability and comfort at the waist. 

The elasticated shoulder straps don’t feel as premium as some of the others but do stay in place. 

High density foam chamois with thicker foam under the sitting bones provided a comfortable ride even on long indoor turbo sessions. Good price, too. 

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Luca Women’s Signature Road All-in-One

Quick specs
Price	£175 (US pricing N/A)
Sizing	XS-XL
Colours	Navy, black, red, grey

By combining bib shorts with a vest to give more upper-body comfort and coverage, the Luca Women’s Signature Road All-in-One break the mould for bib shorts to great effect.

The luxury and eco-friendly fabrics and spotless fit make the All-in-One veyr comfortable to wear and the chamois is fairly thin but highly supportive.

Such is its versatility, you could wear the All-in-One on its own on the turbo or even in a duathlon.

Read my full Luca Women’s Signature Road All-in-One bib shorts review for more info.

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Pearl Izumi Pro bib shorts

Quick specs
Price	$185 / £195.65
Sizing	XS-XL
Colours	Violet, black

If budget allows, the Pearl Izumi Pro bib shorts have a luxury feel and are ideal for rides in warmer climates. They are also eye-catching and feel super sleek and almost silky. 

The Italian PRO transfer fabric is light and the design has no material change between the shorts and the straps. 

All the edges that come into contact with the skin have been laser cut so are seam-free, enhancing the luxurious feel. 

The chest clip on the shoulder straps allows for either a wide or narrow position. 

This together with the wider cross over rear straps create a supportive fit without being restrictive. 

These bib shorts had the shortest inseam of those in the group test but the grippers held them in place. 

The chamois pad is super soft on the inside with almost a brushed cotton feel to the inner pad and was the most malleable of all the pads. 

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Castelli Espresso DT

Quick specs
Price	$179.99 / £175
Sizing	XS-XL
Colours	Black, dark blue, grey, khaki, mocha, bright red

The Espresso range from Castelli offers hard working, durable kit for all your training needs. 

Made from the Espresso Doppio fabric these shorts are elegant, snug and keep their premium feel even with regular use and washing. 

They have an elasticated waistband and drop tail bib straps that can be worn crossed over at either the front or the back depending on your preference. 

The silicone grippers provide a comfortable and secure fit around the legs and there is a handy little pocket on the rear with an elasticated opening to hold things secure. 

The pro-level Progetto X2 Air Seamless seat pad is super soft and provides a good level of comfort under the sitting bones with reduced bulk in other areas. 

Six different colours are available. 

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Van Rysel Quick Zip Sport Cycling Bib Shorts

Quick specs
Price	£49.99 (UK and EU only)
Sizing	UK 4-16
Colours	Black

Decathlon has attempted to address the age-old problem of needing the loo mid-ride, with the addition of a double zip at the pelvis.

This allows you to unzip your shorts for toilet breaks, without needing to remove every piece of gear. From a practical perspective the zip served its purpose, and while we’d love to say the creativity has paid off, the presence of the zip meant the shorts didn’t have the same multidirectional stretch, resulting in ruffling of the fabric in places.

Also, the bib aspect is replaced with a full-length anatomic mesh chest, with a mid-length zip. This is supposed to support the bust, which we weren’t convinced about, but it did feel ultra-light and breathable and kept the shorts in place.

Although the chamois was ample, the shock-absorbing properties could be improved, but we did appreciate how the graduated compression created a sleek outline.

Shimano Sumire Bib Shorts

Quick specs
Price	£99.99 (US pricing N/A)
Sizing	S-XL
Colours	Black and white

The Sumire bibs from Shimano seemed to toe a fine line between being ultra-lightweight and feeling fragile. The fabric didn’t have the luxurious softness of some of the other options on test, but we did keep remarkably cool even on the hottest day of testing, and, reassuringly for sunny riding, the shorts are also UPF 50+ rated.

The chamois felt unremarkable at first and we were concerned that there may not be sufficient padding, but it defied expectations, offering exceptional all-day comfort and breathability with no irritation or chafing.

Silicone dot-patterned grippers kept the legs firmly in place and there were small but effective reflective elements on the side of each leg for added visibility. The women-specific wide waistband offered a comfortable and flexible fit, and at times, we genuinely felt like we weren’t wearing anything.

Madison Sportive

Quick specs
Price	£49.99 (UK only)
Sizing	10-18
Colours	Black

With the Sportive bibs Madison aims to resolve the toilet issue for women with a strap crossover system to prevent the need to get completely undressed. This took a few attempts to work out, but essentially involves a very open and loose crossover back that stretches easily, allowing you to simply pull the shorts down as if they didn’t have a bib.

The front is a full-length mesh, which is relatively lightweight, with the minimalist design on the back helping to keep body temperature under control.

The fabric is soft and kind against the skin and has reflective strips on the side of the legs, perfect for all day and night adventures.

Meanwhile, the anti-bacterial chamois, which is pre-curved into the riding position, is comfortable, absorbent and provides good width, although this makes it slightly cumbersome when walking around. The shorts also come up very big.

Le Col Hors Categorie II bib shorts

Quick specs
Price	$290 / £210
Sizing	XS-XL
Colours	Black, black and white

These Le Col bibs are simply gorgeous! They’re true to size (UK12 in a size medium), beautifully crafted and weigh only 160g. The fabric manages to combine supreme softness with great compression, while the deep leg grippers ensure the shorts stay in place but also minimise sausage-leg.

Up top, the stylish wide suspender straps are comfortable and remain in place while cycling, with the fit across the tummy feeling perfect. Those riding in hotter climes will also appreciate the mesh panel along the back, which helped keep us cool.

Now to the all important pad: the Dolomiti Gel felt like a favourite pillow and was by far the most comfortable on test; we could’ve ridden for hours in these shorts, over all manner of terrain. A couple of hi-viz flashes on the rear of the legs complete what, for us, is a near-perfect pair of bibs.

Giro Chrono Expert Halter bib shorts

Quick specs
Price	$174.95 / £144.99
Sizing	XS-XL
Colours	Black

Giro claim that with their revolutionary halter-neck design, you don’t need to be Houdini if you need a quick stop; and they were right, making pit stops a quick-and-easy breeze. More importantly, though, the mesh halter was also exceedingly comfortable and breathable, and even has a clever pocket integrated into the back.

True to size, the bibs come in Renew series eco fabric and feel both soft and compressive. And although the gripper band is narrower than others on test, our leg hems remained firmly in place for the ride. The only downfall was the chamois pad, which was slightly too wide and bulky.

That being said, our derriere remained happy throughout testing. Coming in two colour options, these versatile bibs also offer a 60-day guarantee to see you well into autumn.

Tri-Fit Sykl Pro Skin

Quick specs
Price	$204 / £149.99
Sizing	XS-XL
Colours	Black

Designed to be like a second skin, the Sykl Pro Skin is incredibly lightweight and breathable even in hot weather. The high-quality fabric offered smooth graduated compression giving noticeable support, while silicone grippers and laser cut openings meant no irritating seams, no movement, and left us with a sleek bulge-free silhouette.

The eco-friendly 100% recycled chamois has perforations for ventilation, which allowed us to ride for hours without an issue, even in the British heatwave.

The straps sit wide of the bra-line so don’t restrict movement and we liked the length in the legs, however we found the waist sat quite low, pressing into the stomach and the thin mesh back felt a little exposed.

It could be that the sizing (we wore a large) wasn’t perfect for our tall UK10-12 frame, but with only one bigger size available, this could limit the market appeal for ‘average’ sized women.

Santini Redux Instinto bib shorts

Quick specs
Price	£186 (US pricing N/A)
Sizing	XS-2XL
Colours	Black, purple, blue

While the fabric isn’t as soft as others here, the design of these Santini bibs is extremely flattering and stylish. Other plus points: the raw-cut legs and honeycomb gripper ensured no sausageleg sitch and stayed in place throughout our test rides; the addition of hi-viz strips on both legs for low-visibility conditions was a nice touch; and the raw-cut chest straps were the most comfortable on test, meaning our tummy bulge felt neatly secured.

The C3W chamois incorporates a soft protection shell with antibacterial and transpiring microfibre, but the pad felt rather thin and after half an hour on a XC bike trail, our seat bones started to protest.

Described as ‘minimalist aero bibs’, these are definitely made for racing short TTs and criteriums, rather than adventuring along longer bumpy trails. They also come with a hefty price tag.

What should you look for in a pair of bib shorts?

While they all look fairly similar, with an array of fabric types, pad options and strap combinations, there are subtle differences to look out for when buying your bibs.

Fit

Fit, as ever, is key and the overall sizing should be snug yet comfortable in the pedalling position and without any movement of chamois pad, so study the sizing chart. The pad size and thickness of the bibs on test here all vary.

Likewise, you want the shorts to come down to an appropriate place on your legs: some cyclists like the legs to come right down to the knee; others prefer a shorter leg. Whichever length you choose, try to find a pair with silicone leg grippers. These hold the shorts in place without rubbing.

If aerodynamics are a priority, go for a compressive, tight fit. If not, look for a more relaxed fit that might be more comfortable on all-day rides and be less revealing. 

Seams

The best bib shorts sometimes do away with exposed stitching, which can cause irritation on the skin, entirely by using laser-cut edges and flat locked seams. On the legs and straps, these are especially beneficial.

Talking of straps, by far the best kind are wide, seamless elastic ones. They’re easier to pull on and shouldn’t twist or rub on your chest. 

Chamois

Chamois type can be a personal thing that depends on your size, your saddle type and, yes, how hardened your bottom is to extended sojourns on the bike, so studying the pad is essential. 

Happily for those who suffer from a sore bottom, pad technology has developed hugely in recent times, something evident in the multi-density and largely spongy options on test here.

Bigger isn’t always better though. Remember that on a bike, you also receive cushioning from your tyres, seatpost and saddle. When these are correctly configured, you don’t always need a spongy pad.

What’s more, a bigger pad can add weight and warmth, which isn’t ideal if you’re racing or riding in the heat. 

Breathability vs warmth

Also worth thinking about is your intended use for the bib shorts. Some brands will offer thicker winter bibs with fleece-lined material and less ventilation. 

Meanwhile, others have thinner leg material and mesh back panels for summer riding and intense sets in the conservatory on Zwift.

Style

Traditional cyclists go all day with their shorts, but these days some bib shorts come in up to six different colours. Why not mix it up if you have a jersey to match?

Lighter shades can show up sweat patches — something to bear in mind for the summer. 

Details and features

Cargo bib shorts, which have a pair of pockets on the outer thigh, are becoming increasingly popular for endurance and off-road riding. To lighten the load in your pockets, these might be worth considering. 

Reflective details on the back and legs are also nice to have if you ride in low light conditions.

If you want more cycling kit recommendations, read our guides to the best women’s cycling jerseys and the best men’s cycling jerseys.