Best cycling bib shorts 2024 – the top picks to keep you comfortable in the saddle

Tester Pat says the 7Mesh Mk3 bib shorts are the best shorts he’s ever worn. They are incredibly comfortable regardless of the length of time in the saddle because of their hammock chamois lining, material choice and cut, and the luxurious, wide shoulder straps. True, they’re not cheap, but they're worth every penny.

7Mesh was already onto a good thing with its Mk2 bib shorts, but the Mk3s are a huge improvement. Buying shorts is a worrying experience as it’s not like you can take them back to the shop after four hours of testing and say, erm, no thanks. If you take the plunge and purchase these Mk3s, we think you’ll be very pleased.

With a comfortable pad and a reasonably tailored fit, Triban’s Men's Cycling Bib Shorts RC100 are ideal for anyone on a budget. Triban is Decathlon’s entry-level range and these shorts show that entry-level doesn't have to feel cheap.

The quality is impressive throughout, with clean and neat stitching, and the materials feel smooth with no scratchiness. The cut isn't as tailored as some top-quality race shorts, but these are well-designed, with no excess material or bunching anywhere.

The bib straps are wide which reduces any pressure over the shoulders, while the rear mesh section helps breathability.

The pad is a good one, rated for rides of around two hours and up to 50km (30 miles), and we’d go along with that. The central padded section is 13mm thick – enough to isolate you from the biggest bumps and rough surfaces. It’s relatively firm, which means it doesn’t squish down too much when you sit on it so it feels supportive, and you don't get any pressure points which can lead to numbness.

Sportful’s Fiandre NoRain Pro Bib Shorts are excellent when you’re cycling in cold and damp weather, with superb comfort backed up by impressive fit and durability. They are a good three-season, possibly four-season, choice for UK cyclists. Wear them on their own or pair with knee or leg warmers and you have a versatile and solid bottom half of your winter wardrobe.

The fit of the shorts is perfect. The leg length is longer than usual, providing more coverage and warmth, and the soft lining of the NoRain Thermal material adds a luxurious feeling that definitely makes you feel a bit better prepared when stepping out with the bike in the morning.

Also consider: Lusso 2-Zero Thermal Bib Shorts don’t have the Sportful shorts’ level of water repellency but will still help keep you warm when paired with leg warmers. 

Castelli’s Free Aero RC bib shorts combine a superb level of comfort with plenty of support and some neat features. Plus, the Progetto X Air seamless seat pad is among the best out there.

Castelli has halved the number of panels used in the lowers from 10 to five, reducing the number of seams. The danger with doing that is that you don’t get such an anatomic fit, but these are superbly comfortable throughout.

The new Forza 2 fabric is supportive without being restrictive. The fine gauge of the yarns wicks away moisture quickly; they’re a good summer weight.

Castelli has ditched leg grippers to keep the bottom hem as comfy as possible. They didn’t ride up at all during testing with or without leg warmers.

Castelli's Progetto X Air seamless seat pad is up there with the best in the business. You get 3mm-thick viscous (gel-like) padding in the perineal and ischial areas and two different densities of foam.

With extra pockets for food and essentials, supreme fit and comfort, the Rapha Core Cargo Bib Shorts are easy to recommend.

These shorts feature mesh storage pockets around the back at the bottom of the bib section and on the outside of each leg.

For really long rides, whether an Audax or a long gravel quest where you need to carry lots more food and kit, the extra pockets are immensely useful. As well as food, the mesh leg pockets are useful for stashing arm/leg warmers as you peel them off when the temperature rises.

The pockets also come in useful if you're wearing a loose-fitting top without pockets when riding off-road. The Core Cargo shorts provide the pocket space you normally get from a jersey for essentials like food, phone, keys, tools and other bits and bobs.

Even putting the pockets to one side, these are high-quality shorts that are very well made with great attention to detail.

Lusso’s Comfort Break Bibshorts are designed to make mid-ride pit stops as easy for women as they are for men. Lusso has nailed it with its no-fuss, no-clasp design, which is as pleasant to wear on the bike as it is easy to pee in. These bib shorts are light, comfortable and feel like a second skin – a winner all round.

Tester Caroline writes: “Chamois choice is always a hugely personal affair, but Lusso has opted for a mix of gel and open cell foam with channels to aid ventilation. I found the chamois comfortable, although my preference would have been to include the gel at the front of the pad as well as under the sit bones, to better support the delicate tissues there.

“Overall, I think these shorts are excellent. As regards being easy to pee in – their raison d'être – they performed perfectly, the overall comfort level is high, and they're good value to boot. It really is 'easy-peasy' to pee in these – a comfortable pair of summer bib shorts with a quality pad.”

The Assos UMA GTV C2 women’s bib shorts might be expensive but they’re amazingly comfortable and excellent quality, with a fast and easy pee-break design that actually works.

Reviewer Suvi Loponen said that the UMAs immediately felt great. The Ossidia fabric offers great stretch yet still keeps things comfortably compressed.

Assos’ Bisiclick design works really well for pee stops, once you get used to it. Two magnetic clasps sit on the lower back (just above the bum), attaching to the stretchy straps, so there’s no need to remove your jersey.

Inside the shorts, the GT C2 pad features Assos' goldenGate technology, where the pad isn't stitched into place all the way along the sides. The pad itself is constructed of a 3D waffle foam to reduce weight and increase breathability, and a 9mm Superair Microshock Foam for protection from road vibrations. It provides a high level of comfort but does take a while to dry.

Overall, these shorts offer exceptional quality and comfort. They also look great and wash well, promising longterm durability.

The Specialized Women’s Prime Bib Shorts offer incredible comfort and a superb seat pad, and they’re a very good price considering the excellent quality. The only issue is that we didn’t find the nifty pee-stop strap solution quite as nifty as it could be.

These are high-quality bib shorts made from a fabric that moves moisture quickly and effectively.

The super-comfy fit is echoed by the comfort and support of the pad, a triple-density foam Women’s Body Geometry Contour 3D Chamois. Reviewer Lara Dunn reported that it conformed exceptionally well to the body, but retained its cushioning without undue compression, remaining comfortable no matter the effort or length of ride.

A magnetic buckle at the rear is designed to make comfort breaks easier to deal with. It releases quickly and easily but isn’t quite so easy to do up again. Lara did master the technique after a few rides, but it did require her to unzip her jersey.

Overall, though, these offer exceptional performance for their price.