10 best men’s cycling bib shorts that go the extra mile

Best: Overall

Rating: 10/10

Ever since we tested Rapha’s cargo winter tights last year, we’ve been reluctant to cycle without pockets on our legs. These pocketed shorts are the perfect warm-weather alternative, and being part of Rapha’s slightly more inclusively priced “core” line, they come in at under the £100 mark too.

The fit is comfortable, flattering and true to size, and the fabric is supportive enough to tame unruly midriffs. We find leg length can be an issue with some shorts – either too long or too short – but the core cargo shorts sit smack bang in the middle of Goldilocks territory for us in that regard. The pockets are definitely the best bit though. There is one on each leg, perfect for stashing a phone or mid-ride banana, and two at the back, which are handy for valuables like keys or a wallet. We have a feeling these may well become our go-to bib shorts this season and we’d highly recommend them to anyone looking for a great mid-range option with storage options to boot.

Best: Value

Rating: 8/10

You don’t have to spend a fortune to get capable cycling kit. Wiggle’s in-house brand Dhb creates excellent gear that won’t break the bank, making it a great option for newcomers to the sport or any cyclist on a budget. The brand’s line of bib shorts ranges from no-frills basics for short stints in the saddle to race-ready options, utilising the latest fabric tech.

The brand’s classic bib shorts occupy the middle ground. They’re a great mid-level options perfect for quick rides but sufficiently comfortable for big days too. They include many of the features you might expect to see in a £80-£100 bib short – Italian fabric, a high-quality chamois pad and mesh shoulder straps for breathability – but they’re currently available to buy for just £35.

Best: Gravel bib shorts

Rating: 9/10

These adventure-focused shorts from Pas Normal Studios are made using a particularly durable fabric that’s perfect for venturing off the beaten track. We’ve used them both on-road and off, and they performed well in every setting. The slightly rough material is better than regular lycra at preventing holes from things like thorns and branches, and the chamois pad is nice and thick for ample comfort on rough terrain.

Like the Rapha cargo bib shorts, the escapism shorts feature several pockets – two to the back and one to each leg – and are ideal for loading up with essentials for the longest days in the saddle. We also like the look of these shorts, which feature PNS’ signature minimalist aesthetic, with printed branding to the left leg.

Best: Recycled material

Rating: 9/10

You just can’t beat a pair of simple, plain black bib shorts and these ones from Albion are our favourites, hands down. They’re made in Italy using recycled materials and feature an uncluttered appearance, punctuated only by a small Albion logo to the left leg. The chamois pad performs well for all lengths of ride and provides sufficient cushioning for off-road adventures too.

That said, one thing to be wary of is leg length. We found these shorts to be quite long in the legs (ending immediately above the knee for us), so you might want to size down if you prefer something a little shorter. But, as well as the use of recycled fabrics, one of our favourite things about these shorts is the width and solidity of the shoulder straps. They’re nice and thick, and made from a strong elastic that ensures no twisting – one of our pet bib-short peeves.

Best: Mid-range bib shorts

Rating: 8/10

The boffins at Universal Colours say that the brand’s chroma bib shorts are made from highly durable French woven nylon, which has a lifespan of up to seven times longer than its knit counterpart. We’ve only been using these shorts for a few weeks, but so far we’ve got no reason to doubt this claim. The shorts feel light but durable, and we’ve found them to be comfortable on long days in the saddle.

We love the low-profile look, understated branding and seamless cuffs, and the compression fit is ideal for getting the most out of your rides. That said, they are pretty snug around the groin, so if you’re prone to discomfort downstairs then you may want to think about grabbing the next size up.

Best: Race-ready pair

Rating: 8/10

These race-ready shorts from premium cycling brand Rapha are designed for high performance. They’re made from a thin, sweat-wicking fabric to keep the wearer cool during the hardest efforts and feature extra-wide silicone grippers to the inner leg openings to keep them in place during high-intensity sprints and climbs.

Although they’re designed for racing, the pro team bib shorts are great for long-distance too.The first time we wore our pair was for a 100-mile day in the hills and they didn’t disappoint. They fit true to size, but the shoulder straps are a tad on the tight side. This was never an issue for us while on the bike but it can make it tricky to pull the front down for a roadside leak. Still, hardly a dealbreaker, and when they look and feel as good as they do, it’s something easily overlooked.

Best: Understated design

Rating: 8/10

You may not be familiar with Nopinz, but you should be. Founded in 2014, this Devon-based brand has been carving out a niche creating skinsuits with clever pockets for race numbers, eliminating the need for pins (hence the name), which can be harmful to expensive cycling gear. Nopinz made its World Tour debut at the Tirreno-Adriatico time trial last year, but you don’t have to be an elite-level time-trialist in order to enjoy the kit.

These low-profile shorts feature seamless legs with silicone grippers and subtle, reflective, iridescent branding. They’re made from premium Italian fabric and feature a super-comfy chamois designed for all-day comfort on the bike – something we can vouch for having spent several days grinding around the North Pennines in them. We love them, and if you’re in the market for an understated pair of bib shorts brimming with tech then we reckon you will too.

Best: Lightweight cycling shorts

Rating: 9/10

Assos of Switzerland makes some of the best cycling kit on the face of the earth in our opinion, and this newly updated version of the brand’s fastest bib short is no exception. The equipe RSR S9 targa features a special woven construction that compresses the muscles, reducing fatigue and improving aerodynamics while also boosting comfort and bringing the overall weight down.

We were impressed with the them out on the road and found it to be comfortable, quick drying and breathable. We love the substantial shoulder straps that extend down and onto the backside (an Assos signature) and thought the high-tech chamois pad was excellent at absorbing chatter from the road. If you’re the sort of rider who likes to have the latest, fastest, lightest kit, then these shorts are for you.

Best: For beginners

Rating: 6/10

If you’re just starting out, the last thing you want to do is spend a fortune on top-flight equipment and realise that cycling just isn’t for you. To get a feel for the sport, arm yourself with some cheap gear and get used to being out and about on two wheels before committing to a bigger investment. Decathlon’s Triban is known for being one of the best brands for this where bikes are concerned, offering a fair bit of bang for a relatively small amount of buck, but the in-house brand also makes kit.

These bib shorts are about as cheap as it gets. They’re nothing fancy, but they have a chamois pad, shoulder straps, a mesh back panel and most importantly they get the job done. They’re comfortable enough for a couple of hours in the saddle, which, if you’re a beginner, is about as much as you’re likely to do in one go anyway.

Best: Premium bib shorts

Rating: 9/10

Australian brand Maap makes some of the best-looking cycling gear on the market, but don’t let the Instagram-friendly aesthetic fool you into thinking it’s all style and no substance. Maap’s kit is as heavy on the fabric tech as it is on the contemporary styling, and these bib shorts are a prime example.

With a compression fit to get the most out of your muscles and an unusual-feeling but highly durable woven fabric for increased abrasion resistance, the pro 2.0 bib shorts are as packed with features as they are easy on the eye. We spent two long days on the road putting them through their paces and were impressed by the fit, comfort and performance. As far as premium hot-weather bib shorts go, this is certainly one of the best looking options out there and we’d argue one of the best overall.