Cargo bib shorts – any reason not to?

So I rather rashly started sorting out my summer kit yesterday and I could do with another pair of bib shorts.

I kind of scoffed at the idea of cargo bibs when they came out, but see more people wearing them actually using the pockets, usually for extra snacks rather than trusting them with a phone as shown in the adverts.

They are only £10-20 quid more than standard bibs, so taking cost out the equation, I’m thinking of giving them a try and if I don’t use the pockets so what.

Or am I being conned by glossy marketing and sponsored influences?

I have some but actually mostly use jersey pockets or a small feed-bag/bento bag. I guess it depends on whether or not using additional bags upsets your aesthetic sensibilities.

I like the look of the ones with not only the leg pockets but also the pockets at the back, as this allows you to carry stuff whilst wearing a slightly more relaxed jersey for gravel/adventure type riding.

A decent real world review a few pairs here.

Cargo bib short Group test

I like the pocket at the back for a jacket or something that doesn’t fit very well in jersey pockets. I only use the thigh pockets for snacks and wrappers. No way I’m putting a phone in!! I have the Albion ones and very happy with them (apart from the price)

I use the POC cargo undershorts and put my phone in the back pocket with out any issues and they are not even the deepest pockets on the POC. The Specialized SWAT were deeper but I didn’t get on with them nor the Endura ones.

I’ve got the Rapha ones and wouldn’t buy new shorts without the pockets.

I’ve got an S21 Ultra, a hulking great glass phone and it happily stays put in the leg pockets on a road ride (suffolk back roads, so basically gravel/light off-road!).

Thus far I’ve used a top tube bag (loving the Tailfin) on longer road rides but pondering the cargo bibs for more grab and go!

Great reviews on the gravel collective link – that guy seems to know what he’s talking about 😉 Interesting that he uses the thigh pocket for a phone with it being less sweaty, which I can see IF you trust the pocket to stay secure – also easier to grab for a quick pic rather than rummaging under layers and getting it out of a Velopac as I currently do.

I’ve got a few pairs. They’re very useful for mtb riding without a bag or bum bag.

My faves are Nukeproof Blackline. Back pockets are deep and hang over the waist band of trousers/shorts which is a good thing, I  can get a multi tool, tubeless repair kit, snacks and either a thin windproof jacket or a soft water bottle in there. They also have leg pockets which I never use cos you have to drop your baggy shorts to access them.

2nd favourite are my Madison Flux Capacity 😂 Very comfy pad and have a fly hole which should mandatory on all bibs! Pockets are a bit small though.

Love my Sportful gravel/ cargo bib shorts, which seem very good value. But only ever use the pockets for extra snacks.

Rapha Cargo bibs user here. Wouldn’t buy bibs without the pockets as I’ve not found a top tube bag I can reliably close one handed without stopping.

Keeps phone secure, although I have to remember to put the camera lenses on the outside as they get covered in sweat – which is probably bad for the phone long term..

Also handy for sticking stuff in temporarily when I’m faffing in the house before a ride, occasionally also use to carry keys, wallet, snack wrappers etc.

Rapha Cargo bibs user here. Wouldn’t buy bibs without the pockets as I’ve not found a top tube bag I can reliably close one handed without stopping.

@ davy90 Glad to hear that, as I’ve plumped for the Core Cargo as all bibs are 20% off this weekend at Rapha.

As for the one handed top tube bag, yes I know they are pricey but I used my Tailfin flip on an audax yesterday – rock solid, so easy to open, close and rummage in

Top Tube Bag – Flip

Like the idea as used to fine them very handy on my long distance triathlon suits or shorts. Wouldn’t be that keen on too much weight in the pockets though, especially the thigh ones.

I bought some Rab Cinder cargo bibs and, I have to say, the quality is better or as good as Castelli, Sportful and Endura.  So, if you do decide they are the right answer, check out the £45 off deal at Swinnerton Cycles.

Voila: https://www.swinnertoncycles.co.uk/rab-gravel-bib-shorts-cinder-cargo-bib-shorts-p117572

I like the pocket at the back for a jacket or something that doesn’t fit very well in jersey pockets. I only use the thigh pockets for snacks and wrappers. No way I’m putting a phone in!! I have the Albion ones and very happy with them (apart from the price)

Same here, although the reason I don’t put my phone in is because that’s just not where I want it. I reckon it will get sweaty and also get on my nerves. I wouldn’t be worried it would come out or anything.

Whatever you buy, please don’t get the brown ones. Bibs should be black only (unless you can justify team colours…) 😉

My winter Rapha bib longs have the cargo pocket. I thought I’d try it for £10. It takes my iPhone 12 and I forget it’s there. No bib shorts with said pocket yet, but I have four pairs of core shorts now. The next pair will have the pocket too.

An abomination!  Pockets on your jersey have always been good enough.

please don’t get the brown ones.

AG2R!

Rab and Albion are my go to cargo bibs, both have leg pockets and rear pockets which is great if wearing a normal shirt or mtb top with no rear pockets. madison one’s i have are horrible

have tried santini and lusso cargos too

Can rate the Endura Singletrack II bib, but best to wear under baggies if that’s your thing.

People refusing to use the pockets for your phone- where are you putting it?

I’ve got some Rapha cargo brevet bibs and they are brill. Pockets really deep, secure and useful. I use the leg pockets more than the back pockets. Also bought some core cargo bib tights for winter and they are pretty good too. They don’t have the back pockets but the leg pockets are just as good as the brevets. There no reason not to have them imo.

People refusing to use the pockets for your phone- where are you putting it?

Jersey back pocket.

I’ve got a pair of Brevet shorts and a pair of winter cargo tights – the leg pockets are one of those things you look at the first time you see them and think “why?!” and then you use them and they’re incredibly useful.

Handy for food in particular, it saves rummaging round in a jersey pocket and trying to lift the jacket to access the pocket…

And good for armwarmers/gloves etc as well, just as somewhere to stash a layer quickly without trying to ran stuff into jersey pockets.

I got the Endura bibs with room for a water bladder.
You’ll only try that once.
Otherwise, the pockets are very secure, almost too hard to access. A jacket in there can get sweaty.
Prefer a bum bag for crying stuff these days.

Jersey back pocket.

My one Rapha Core Festive 500 winter jersey needs a second elbow to access the pockets easily. The leg is much easier to reach! Less so with my club kit. I did once forget I’d put my phone in the bib pocket after leaving a cafe and thought I’d lost it! It’s that unnoticeable.

I got the Endura bibs with room for a water bladder.

For long TTs I put a bladder down the front of a skin suit. No accidents yet with up to 1.5L. It’s an acquired look.

Spesh SWAT and Nukeproof bib owner here, uses them for rides over 60 mins to bring an extra water bottle, food and gels into the rear pockets, pop some toilet paper in the thigh pockets. Love em and will replace them if they wear out!

@Morecashthandash Re the top tube bag, I’m happy to manage with my matchy matchy Brooks bag until it wears out 😀

I like the look of the lusso ones with pockets on the back. I use an old summer jersey as a base layer on long rides in winter to let me carry more this way. Spare gloves, buff etc. would be a nice option in summer occasionally.

I see decathlon have some in that look good. Cheap enough to be worth a punt perhaps. For me, the extra carrying capacity is going to go along with extra long rides so chamois as important.

Galibier also have some and I rate their kit.

I’m looking at some for gravel racing. I wear a small camelbak because bottles either fly out or are hard to use going full gas off road (learnt at the kings cup national champs!). Problem is that then makes jersey pockets a little harder also.

Didn’t they ban hydration packs in front of skinsuits for TT? I’d still go for a gel in the short leg there as it’s unlikely to fall out on smoother surfaces.

For long TTs I put a bladder down the front of a skin suit. No accidents yet with up to 1.5L. It’s an acquired look.

Funnily enough, I look like I have a 3L bladder down the front of a skin suit…..

I’ve a pair of the Nukeproof ones, and like others find they’re quite useful for shorter rides (that you’d normally use a hip pack for) The thing I don’t like about them, is [unlike a hip pack] is obviously everything is in a pocket behind you. A pack’s quite nice to take off put on the ground and have a rummage, and you can’t do that. I’ve used the leg pockets for emergency gel, just to see if it was comfy really, didn’t need the gel, didn’t notice it either. The only real downside is that they’re my least comfy set of bibs.

In combo with a water bottle and stash hole on the frame, you’re pack free.

My other half came back from Decathlon with some cargo shorts, they look decent, might investigate some men’s ones sometimes

“Prefer a bum bag for crying stuff these days.”

I just let the tears roll freely, no tissues required.

Love them for all road/dropbar riding once it’s warm enough to not wear winter kit (when the roubaix-lined bibs still rule). Phone or snacks in side pockets, odds and sods in back. The Decathlon Riverside ones are surprisingly nice, the rear pockets are usable. Means you can chuck a light t-shirt over the top rather than a jersey if you prefer – but I also use them with road jerseys just fine. Main feedback is ‘why don’t all bib shorts have pockets’. The bump of a phone is not going to spoil my gains, given how I ride. Also, makes for quick access to bananas.

Some cargos do have quite shallow side pockets, but most good ones easily take a 6″ phone securely and safely.