Women's Bib Shorts Information

Ladies: BIB SHORTS ARE AMAZING! Let me explain. Cycling bibs eliminate a waistband, so you will never experience chafing or discomfort around your middle. Instead of a waistband, the body of the shorts comes up a little higher on your abdomen. The fabric supports your stomach and allows your bike jersey to layer smoothly over your hips. Lightweight bib straps go over your shoulders to keep the shorts from falling down. For the record, your cycling jersey is meant to be worn over the bib shorts -- the bib straps stay hidden.

Each women’s cycling clothing manufacturer seems to have a different philosophy on how to design bib straps that are comfortable on the chest. Castelli and Giordana cycling bibs have straps that lie laterally to the chest, while Hincapie and Assos bib shorts use a strap design that lays on the middle of the chest, over-top the sternum. Although it appears that the straps could be bothersome, they typically are not noticeable in either design. The bib straps are made of soft, lightweight fabric that breathes and feels comfortable next to the skin. The back of the bib upper is usually constructed of a mesh material that ventilates under your jersey.

The body of women’s cycling bibs are made of moisture-wicking lycra fabric that contours tightly to your shape. The form-fit ensures that the chamois pad does not shift during your ride, and that excess fabric does not irritate skin. Women’s cycling shorts use a women’s specific chamois insert that is seamless, eliminates pressure in sensitive areas, and provides padding on the sit bones. The pad is covered with a soft layer of fabric that wicks moisture to keep you comfortable.

If they are so supremely comfortable, why aren’t all women wearing bib shorts? Well, in order to use the restroom, we chicks have to remove our cycling jerseys to lower our bibs. This can be darned inconvenient, particularly in chilly weather, and many women simply do not want to deal with the hassle. Lucky for us, cycling apparel manufacturers have begun to design bibs that can be easily removed under a jersey. Hincapie bib shorts feature a clasp in the back of the bib upper that can be undone so that the straps slip over your head and the shorts can be lowered. Gore Bike Wear uses an innovative zipper around the waist that allows the shorts to be removed. With all of these options, there is no excuse for not being comfortable!

Sold? Bib shorts do look a little funny if you are not used to them. However, the saying goes that once you go bibs, you never go back!