Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

review

MAAP Women’s Short Team Bib Evo

7
£225.00

VERDICT:

7
10
Great for those who prefer a shorter leg length, but a little see-through and very pricey
Great quality
Comfy chamois
Shorter leg length for those who like/need it
Good in hot weather
Expensive
Grey colour is rather see-through
Weight: 
138g
Contact: 

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

What the road.cc scores mean

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

  • Exceptional
  • Excellent
  • Very Good
  • Good
  • Quite good
  • Average
  • Not so good
  • Poor
  • Bad
  • Appalling

These bib shorts are technically the same as the MAAP Women's Team Bib Evo shorts that Emma reviewed in 2021, but the big change is that the new design has shorter legs. If you are on the shorter side and struggle a little to find the right length shorts, these are well worth considering, offering the quality we've come to expect from MAAP – though at a price.

For more options, check out our guide to the best cycling bib shorts.

> Buy now: MAAP Women’s Team Bib Evo bibs for £225 from Sigma Sports

The construction of these bibs is very flattering: they feature an ergonomically designed, female-specific cut, silicone-patterned leg band and higher-cut mesh waist alongside breathable and moisture-wicking materials. All of the fabrics are Bluesign approved and made in Italy, which adds to the sustainability credentials.

2023 MAAP Women's Short Team Bib Evo - side.jpg

There are two colour options for these bibs, black and Shadow Grey, as tested. The rather light appearance worried me quite a bit at the start: are they going to show every little drop of sweat, and is any dirt spray going to make them look like I've had an accident? Well, after a lot of sweaty rides in these bibs, I can confirm that they do not show sweat too much – you can tell it's been a hot ride around the pad (it does look a bit like you've peed yourself) but not so noticeably that I'd felt embarrassed to be in public. It also helped that the materials used are very breathable, making these bibs comfy even on the hottest days.

MAAP says these shorts feature a "non-see-through function", meaning that the fabric should not thin over time. I have no criticism of the actual fabric or its thinning – in fact, it's stayed very much in pristine condition throughout the two-month-plus test period – but in this colour the shorts are quite see-through. I first noticed this when I tried them on with underwear on (just to try the size) and was rather surprised at how well I could see everything through the fabric. Because the shorts have a chamois, you won't be showing anything private, but your skin is basically showing through the fabric.

2023 MAAP Women's Short Team Bib Evo - legs back.jpg

The shorter leg length, which made me very excited to try out these bibs, also made me a little self-conscious when riding outside. MAAP says the shorter length is "perfect for keeping those tan lines in check" but I'd rather focus on the performance and fit. It's a fact that many bib shorts are made with a rather tall figure in mind, which means the legs often feel overly long on me and extend too close to the knee, even for my 5ft 4in height. However, when I had these bibs on I occasionally felt a little exposed – paired with the fact that I knew how see-through the fabric is. MAAP says it has responded to demand with the shorter leg length, but I could not but help draw a parallel to wearing a mini skirt when I had these on. Maybe I'd be a lot happier with them in black.

2023 MAAP Women's Short Team Bib Evo - back.jpg

Inside the bibs, the 3D thermo-moulded multi-layer chamois is quite firm but not in an uncomfortable way, just that it seems to hold its shape very well. It also features some ventilation holes at the front, adding to the hot-weather breathability.

2023 MAAP Women's Short Team Bib Evo - chamois.jpg

The seamless, wide, elasticated bib straps alleviate pressure points effectively and feel very snug. Paired with a lightweight mesh back for breathability, they are some of the best bib straps I've experienced.

2023 MAAP Women's Short Team Bib Evo - straps back.jpg

The leg grippers are also very effective, and won't budge unless you really want them to.

2023 MAAP Women's Short Team Bib Evo - cuff gripper.jpg

I found these bibs true to size, too. Sizes range from XXS to XL, and I tested the XS, which is what I'd wear in brands such as Rapha or dhb as well. They were snug but still comfortable, and I think sizing up would have compromised the fit – after all, these are supposed to be skin-tight. I particularly like the way they fit around the waist and stomach, providing a little compression yet without squeezing anything.

2023 MAAP Women's Short Team Bib Evo - legs front.jpg

Emma gave the original Team Bib Evos a whopping 4.5 stars in her review, and with MAAP saying that this shorter version has all the same details you love but with a 5cm shorter leg length, it is fair to expect a similar score.

Yes, they are excellent, but they also come at a hefty price – up £35 since Emma tested them – which makes me hesitate to score them quite so high. Only two pairs we've tested on road.cc cost more, and one of those is also from MAAP, its Women's Alt_Road Cargo Bib at £235 (the others are Cafe du Cycliste's Mathilde Audax Bib Shorts – now £265).

> Read more road.cc reviews of women’s cycling shorts

You can certainly find cheaper – and still good – options with shorter legs. Endura's FS260-Pro Women's bib shorts are on the shorter side, and they also offer an easy-pee function, for a much lower price of £87.99.

And another short-legged option is the Adidas Adiventure bib shorts for £140 (no, it's not a mis-spelling of adventure).

We've not tested either, although I've ridden the Enduras for years so I can say they're good.

Overall, if you really want short bib shorts, your options are quite limited, and there is no arguing that these MAAP bibs are up there in terms of quality and comfort. However, they are very expensive; I'd also go for black over grey.

Verdict

Great for those who prefer a shorter leg length, but a little see-through and very pricey

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: MAAP Women's Short Team Bib Evo

Size tested: XS

Tell us what the product is for

MAAP says: "These bibs are designed for ultimate comfort on your longest training days or biggest race days."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

MAAP lists:

Main body fabric engineered for optimal stretch, recovery, and shape retention

Anti-pilling and high abrasion resistance

5cm Shorter length (inner seam)

Non-see-through function [fabric won't thin over time]

Moisture-wicking and highly breathable

All fabrics are bluesign® APPROVED and made in Italy

High airflow back mesh panel with bound edge

Seamless elastic bib brace straps

Reflective print transfers

Elastic leg hem band with printed silicone gripper

3D Thermo Moulded multi-density chamois, manufactured by Elastic Interface® - OEKO-TEX® certified

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10
Rate the product for fit:
 
10/10
Rate the product for sizing:
 
10/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
4/10

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

The bibs washed really well, and because the chamois is black, it doesn't get stained.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

These bibs performed well, especially in warmer weather.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

I liked the shorter leg length, although it also made me feel a little strange as it's so short.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The see-through colour, and the price.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

They've gone up £35 since Emma tested the slightly longer versions, and £225 is a high price, even compared with other high-end shorts – only two pairs we've tested on road.cc cost more, and one of those is also from MAAP (the others are Cafe du Cycliste's Mathilde Audax Bib Shorts – now £265). If you want short shorts your options are still rather limited, but I've found the Endura FS260-Pro Women's bib shorts to be on the shorter side, and they offer an easy pee function, for a much lower price of £87.99. Another short-legged option is the Adidas Adiventure bib shorts at £140. We've not tested either, although I've ridden the Enduras for years so I can say they're good. But plenty of bib shorts with regular leg length are a lot cheaper than these.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? No

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, if they're really keen on short shorts.

Use this box to explain your overall score

There is no arguing that these MAAP bibs are up there in terms of quality. However, the price is going to be a stumbling block for many. Emma gave the longer versions 9/10 and thought they were excellent; they've gone up £35 since then, with a shorter leg and a rather see-through fabric (in this grey), so although I think they're very good in terms of performance, I'm going for 7/good overall, taking those drawbacks into account. In black perhaps they'd be an 8.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 30  Height: 164cm  Weight: 52kg

I usually ride: Specialized Tarmac Sl6  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, general fitness riding, mtb, Ultra-distances

Suvi joined F-At in 2022, first writing for off-road.cc. She's since joined the tech hub, and contributes to all of the sites covering tech news, features, reviews and women's cycling content. Lover of long-distance cycling, Suvi is easily convinced to join any rides and events that cover over 100km, and ideally, plenty of cake and coffee stops. 

Add new comment

2 comments

Avatar
Freddy56 | 5 months ago
0 likes

I have a few MAAP garments, but on the first ride in my yellow Alt Road shorts I was told they were also see thru, by ALL on the club spin. Used so I they wouldn't refund me.

Avatar
Rendel Harris replied to Freddy56 | 5 months ago
1 like
Freddy56 wrote:

I have a few MAAP garments, but on the first ride in my yellow Alt Road shorts I was told they were also see thru, by ALL on the club spin. Used so I they wouldn't refund me.

That's nonsense (them not you!), you have every right to a refund if clothing is proved not to be fit for purpose in use, especially on first use. An analagous situation (that I've been in) would be a pair of hiking boots sold as waterproof, if you wore them for a few dry hikes and then the first time it rained you found they leaked like a sieve you would be fully entitled to a refund despite previous wear. Clearly there is a reasonable expectation that cycling shorts will not be see through and equally this may only show up when they're worn. Sorry, probably too late for you but they're definitely pulling a fast one with that excuse.

Latest Comments