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Let me know what you've found is the most comfy, and the ones you reach for when you're going for a decent ride. I don't mind if they're cheap or pricey, I'm not fussy, I'd rather hear about the stuff that works for you.
I’ve spent loads on them I’ve the years and I’ve yet to find a pair that fit my backside better than Decathlon 900 series stuff.
Planet X clubman bibs work shockingly well for me and the pad is very well formed.
The medium is very generous in length and width, comes up more like an Endura large.
dhb aeron are very hard to beat for the price.
Assos and Rapha are excellent if you can justify the cost.
Howies or rivelo from sports pusuit
Assos have been the best, dhb have been ok as have galibier
I've loved the Howies ones, seem to have had a lot of dhb over the years. If you are not a racing snake then Fat Lad at the Back are very good
Pactimo Summit Raptors for me. I now have 3 pairs. The RRP is not cheap but they are frequently available for around 30% off. Excellent for those of us of a lanky build.
+1 dhb Aeron. Awesome bibs
Rapha Pro Team for me. The pad is perfect for me. I just get them in the sale, usually come up half price.
Castelli with Progetto X2 pads.
Galibier are cheaper though and pretty good.
Castelli, on my 3rd pair of bibs and two pairs of longs, really comfy, not silly money either.
Mavic essential bibs shorts £35 on cycle republic
Assos
DHB Aeron get my vote too. I have several of them, and can’t see the benefit of spending anymore. Great for long days in the saddle.
Rapha Brevet. Comfy, hard-wearing, quick drying. Certainly not cheap but definitely worth it.
Madison sportive, cheap but comfy enough for century rides
Rivello courtesy of sport pursuit
I bought a pair of these. Wore them a couple of times, then went back for another 2 pairs.
ones you reach for when you’re going for a decent ride
For big rides, another vote for Rapha Pro. Castelli X2 a close second, mostly because of the sizing - the Rapha comes in long fit whereas the Castelli constantly pulls on my shoulders.
stuff that works for you
Decathlon (the ones with the good pad) for normal riding.
My bum likes Endura, doesn't matter if it's the single track liners, the FS260 Pro's or whatever the thermal ones I've been wearing recently are.
Rapha Core. But I’m pretty insensitive to pad. Club kit is Champion Systems. But for black, I like the Core.
Also Bib 3/4 I find more practical than tights at this time of year. Again I like the Rapha ones with long merino socks.
+1 for DHB aeron. I'm not too keen on the Howies bibs - they ride up my thighs.
For long distance rides, the best i have found for me was Sportful Total Comfort bibs
7Mesh MK3's are without doubt the most comfortable I've ever worn by a country mile. Make my old FS260 Pro's from Endura feel cheap and poor in comparison. Insanely comfortable, super durable and while they're not cheap, they're not mega high-end Assos money either!
Lusso
DHB Aeron (Pro?) are my "best" bibshorts.
Just don't notice them, which is what you want I suppose.
Lusso. Made in Manchester. One of their bib shorts has been winning "best of" awards for some time now.
Lusso carbon bibs are my favourite, I'm sure there are plenty of options all of which work well but I like supporting a bit of the bike industry where stuff is still made in the UK and their stuff is competitively priced and the quality is very good.
Lusso Pro Gel Bib shorts and a Brooks Imperial for me too. Yep UK made. I think I usually get them from Merlin. They have a thicker 'long distance' multi layer pad.
Never owned any real fancy £100+ shorts though.
Really pleased with endura FS260 and like that they are British. Not impressed with comfort of Gore Power or Howies longevity. Have a very old pair of Sportful which are super comfy but too old to remember the model. Looking at the above, this post is going to give you too much choice! I didn't realise that Lusso were made in the UK, that would probably swing it for me as Endura aren't.
lawman91
Subscriber
7Mesh MK3’s are without doubt the most comfortable I’ve ever worn by a country mile. Make my old FS260 Pro’s from Endura feel cheap and poor in comparison. Insanely comfortable, super durable and while they’re not cheap, they’re not mega high-end Assos money either!
Been using 7mesh bibs for the last 3 or 4 years and I agree with you. And not very expensive
Originally loved the dhb’s at around £45 a pair very comfy but the leg grippers go baggy/loose quite quickly. Ok if you have thighs like Chris hoy !
See they are £75 now !! Rapha at sale price for me then 🙂
I like my endura fs260s but they're made in China, not England, if that matters to you.
I like my POC VDP.
I have some Madison Sportive ones I'd be willing to part with for £20, brand new.
Bought 2 pairs as I like them so much, but the first lot are still going strong so shame to have them just sat in a drawer.
Thanks everyone, there are some on here I've tried, and don't fit my bum the DHB aeron and Endura FS260, both lovely made, but the Endura FS260 have never fitted me well, weirdly the Xtract fits me better, but I don't think the pad's up to much, and the Aeron, likewise feels weird. I'll have a look at Rapha as one of their Clubhouses is near me and having a look on their websites, the Lusso and 7mesh share the same pad, so might give the Lusso a go as well.
A roadie friend of mine rates his Castelli Free Aero, they might be worth a go as well.
Anyone know of bibs with a phone pocket?
(Ancient Assos bibs here; have taken advantage of the crash repair service in the past…)
but the leg grippers go baggy/loose quite quickly. Ok if you have thighs like Chris hoy !
*blushes and tries to look modest
I think it depends a bit on what you view as 'a decent ride'. I'm perfectly happy with DHB Aeron Pro for anything up to four hours or so. If I'm going to be out for seven or eight hours or more, Rapha Pro Team or whatever they're called or the Assos bibs I bought years and years ago.
I don't think anyone's mentioned Morvelo. I find their standard bib shorts pretty good. Not quite in the Rapha class, but with a discount factored in, they're good value and have a decent chamois.
Giordana formula red carbon for me. Shorts and bibs.
Anyone know of bibs with a phone pocket?
@ratherbeintobago - I've some older Castelli Free Aero's which have a small pocket on the back, but suspect it's sized for race radio and is much too small for most phones. Rapha do a 'gravel'/travel bibshort with pockets on the legs that could be a better bet.
Another late vote for Lusso. Loved my old Howies, and spent ages trying Endura, dhb, Galibier etc but the fit was never right. Lusso Ride Out fit me well* and are comfortable to boot.
*they accommodate pies but without tree trunk thighs.