Women’s Bib Shorts Round Up
A couple of years ago, I expanded my bike collection to include a gravel bike, specifically, a Diamondback Haanjo Trail and started exploring gravel roads in Truckee and other parts of California. So maybe it’s the gravel riding I’ve been doing, but lately I’ve been interested in adding a pair of bib shorts to my cycling wardrobe.
Why bib shorts? Well fitting, high quality bib shorts have a few advantages over regular cycling chamois that stop at the waist. For one, they don’t need to have a tight waistband to stay up, which can start cutting in and getting uncomfortable, especially on long rides. Bibs also offer more coverage - you don’t have to worry about your jersey riding up in the back, leading to sunburns. Finally, they’re more secure than regular shorts, so you’re less likely to experience painful chafing.
The main downside of bibs, especially for women, is that they are more difficult to take on and off when you need to pee in the middle of a ride. Traditional style bibs require you to take off all your top layers, too, in order to get them off. Luckily, there has been some creativity in bibs designed for women in the past few years, which makes them easier to take on and off for a pee break, using features like a halter neck or drop tail design.
While I was deciding on which bibs I wanted to order, I came across a bunch of really great looking options and decided to share them in a round up of Women’s Bib Shorts for biking. While I’m sure you could use most types of bibs for most types of riding, I am highlighting mostly bibs that have a gravel or trail focus.
While I wish I had the budget to buy and test out all of these bibs, I do not. So this is not a review, it’s a comparison based on manufacturer’s descriptions and specs. I do note the size range and if they have any female-specifc design features.
Photo from Patagonia.com
Patagonia Dirt Roamer Liner Bibs :
This is the only pair of bibs I’ve been able to try on in person. I’m 5’11”, and typically a size medium or 8-10 in Patagonia, but these bibs were too short in the torso for me, and made me nervous about torso length for bibs in general.
Price: $179
Size: XXS - XL, Waist 24.5” - 37.5”
7” inseam for all sizes
Drop tail for easy pit stops
“The Dirt Roamer Liner Bibs are the high-performance foundation you want for any day on the trail. With airy stretch fabric, an engineered 3D Italian chamois, overshort snap loops and ample on-body storage, these feminine-specific MTB bibs let you ditch the pack or gear so you can spend hours in the saddle. Fair Trade Certified™ sewn.”
Breathable, Supportive Fabric: Supportive yet soft, stretchy recycled nylon/spandex jersey holds everything in place and secures valuables to the body; power-mesh panels vent heat
Secure On-Body Storage: Breathable center-back pocket has space for a water bottle; pockets on both right and left torso provide plenty of storage for snacks, tools or electronics
Wide-Open Ventilation: Off-road-only, near-transparent mesh panels on quads dump heat on climbs or hot days
Secure Leg Grips: Soft, subtle silicone leg grips eliminate slip and chafe while keeping chamois in place
System-Wide Integration: Dirt Roamer Jacket pocket nests between torso pockets on bibs; snap loops at waist can pair with our Dirt Craft Bike Shorts and Dirt Roamer Bike Shorts
Female-Specific Drop Tail: Split drop-tail configuration for easy and quick relief without removing suspenders
Machines for Freedom Endurance Bib Tall:
These are the only bibs I found that come in a long torso version!
Price: $235
Size: XS - XXXL, Waist: 21.5” - 42.5”
9” inseam for Endurance Bib Tall, 8.5” inseam for Endurance Bib
Designed with the long distance cyclist in mind, these cycling bibs will be a staple in your closet. Think of them as the little black dress of your cycling wardrobe. Our bibs are offered in two inseam lengths. A classic length that hits just above the knee, and a shorter inseam that hits mid thigh.
Top-of-the-line Italian chamois sized for all sit bone widths.
Ultra high density chamois pad suitable for your longest days
Carbon-fiber micro-fiber chamois top sheet for the softest handfeel on the market and bacterio-static properties to prevent irritations from getting worse.
High-compression, high-wicking fabric, that maintains shape after hours in the saddle. Leg band that provides staying power without pinching or squeezing
Photo from Pearlizumi.com
Pearl Izumi Women’s Expedition Bib Short:
Price: $125
Size: XS - XXL, Waist: 24.5” - 42”
8” inseam in size Medium
Drop tail for easy pit stops
The Women' Expedition Bib Short was created to go the distance. We integrated low profile cargo pockets on the thighs for easy access to smartphones and snacks, and the flexibility to wear the top of your choice without neglecting carrying capacity. This bib was designed by a woman to eliminate issues riders often have with bib shorts, so our drop tail feature makes it easy to answer nature' call quickly and discreetly. The plush and breathable Women' Elite Escape 1:1 Chamois is the perfect companion for long days in the saddle.
Compressive ELITE Transfer fabric made with recycled content
Drop tail design takes the hassle out of nature brakes
Thigh cargo pockets provide additional storage options
Women' ELITE Escape 1:1® Chamois with floating top sheet design reduces friction for all day comfort
Laser cut bib straps provide superior next to skin comfort
Silicone print holds cuffs in place and provides a smooth transition from the short to skin
Photo from Specialized.com
Specialized Mountain Liner Bib Shorts with SWAT:
Price: $90
Size: XS - XXL, Waist: 23” - 40”
Inseam length: Unclear - in one spot it says 9.5” in another it says 8”
You might say that you love your pack, but the massive sweat stain on your back says otherwise. It's time that you carry your trail essentials in the most logical manner possible—carry them with our Mountain Liner Bib Shorts with SWAT™. With them, we were able to create a patent-pending design that houses five integrated SWAT™ pockets on the shorts themselves. The pockets sit flush against the body, and they're shaped and structured to ensure that their contents won't ever come bouncing out. Additionally, the pockets vary in size and location, which means that you'll always have a perfectly shaped pocket for your big and small items, alike. As for the shorts, we designed them to stand on their own, not literally, but in the sense that you'd love wearing them with or without the nifty pockets. To do so, we made them from our beyond lightweight VaporRize™ mesh fabrics for the utmost in comfort and breathability, while the 9.5-inch inseam (size Medium) plays nicely with shorts when you're layering.
VaporRize™ mesh fabrics are extremely cool, comfortable, and lightweight, while creating a dual benefit of being highly effective at moisture wicking and evaporation.
Patented & integrated SWAT™ pockets house all of your trail essentials, putting everything you need right where you want it. We also included a secure zipper back pocket and two side leg pockets on this bib short for the ultimate amount of cargo space.
3D Chamois is pre-molded to match the shape of the body for exceptional comfort.
Fabric Content: BODY: 88% Polyester, 12% Elastane, UPPER: 100% Polyester
Photo from Velocio.cc
Velocio Women’s Trail Mesh Bib Liner:
Velocio has a super handy chart that takes into account height and weight, which looks super useful to me.
Price: $139
Size: XS - XXL, Waist: 24” - 38”
No inseam listed.
FlyFree “pee-break friendly design”
The Mesh Bib Liner takes breathability to the maximum while providing a full featured high density chamois for all day riding comfort and support. Using a highly elastic net mesh and our proven bib short cut, straps and leg gripper, we were able to create a liner that was incredibly comfortable, light and airy. The Mesh Liner Bib also features our FlyFree design for pee-break friendly function without removing jersey or helmet. Two mesh cargo pockets on the outside of each leg add storage space with easy access.
FlyFree pee-break friendly design. Same functionality found on our Women’s Ultralight Bib Short
Full mesh for exceptional breathability
Seamless microfiber bib upper and leg gripper
Ultralight High Density chamois developed with Cytech
Same patterning found on our Luxe bib short
Two mesh cargo pockets on either leg
Photo from The Black Bibs
The Black Bibs Women’s Ultimate Adventure Bibs:
Price: $85
Size: XS - 3XL, Waist: 23.5” - 38”
Inseam length varies by size: 6” - 9”
The Black Bibs is a side project of Starlight Custom Cycling Apparel. We've been at it for a long time doing custom kits for shops and teams so we know how to make a quality piece that fits great. Recently good cycling apparel has become inaccessible to many everyday riders so we developed a simple and scaled down line of basic kit with no labels. The fit, fabrics, and chamois are chosen based on our years of experience with elite riders. We'll never offer dozens of different pieces, just a few that are needed. We believe that no one should be kept from enjoying the sport that we love because of financial barriers. You asked for it so we made it happen - our new Adventure Bibs feature side and rear pockets and use our new Ultimate Italian carbon pad. The lycra pockets are large enough for an iPhone, banana, or bar. The rear pockets are more gel-sized.
Two leg and two rear pockets
Dyed black high compression lycra
Upgraded silicon-infused leg opening.
Women's specific Ultimate Italian pad from DR Pad. Carbon fiber antistatic outer fabric.
Black mesh bib straps.
Photo from Panachecyclewear.com
Panache Growdy Gravel Bib Short:
Price: $209
Size: XS - XL, Waist: 24” - 37”
No inseam length listed
NEW for 2021: THE GROWDY (our word for gravel+) Bib Short.The Best 4 Pocket Bib Short Ever. One pocket on each leg plus two pockets built into the rear, center panel. Room for food, phone, stuff, and your trash (Ride in / Ride Out).
Built on our Pro Bib Short chassis.
Two side mesh pockets.
Two Rear pockets.
Laser-cut leg bands with silicone gripper ink for no slip, no pinch comfort and aerodynamic profile.
Breathable, wicking tech-mesh on bib for easy belly-breathing (the real reason for bibs) and overall comfort.
Flat-stitched seams used for smooth internal comfort.
Cytech 4-way Stretch Hi-Performance Pad, a favorite on the WC
Photo from Foxracing.com
Fox Racing Womens Flexair Bib Shorts:
Price: $90
Size: XS - XL, Waist: 24” - 34”
Inseam: 10”
If your checklist for a great ride includes the freedom to move around with maximum flow, the women's Flexair bib shorts have to be on that list. Packed with features that deliver maximum mobility with performance and breathability, these are absolute trail must have for your rowdy runs. The breathable mesh upper part of the bib makes sure you're keeping cool, while the dual-density chamois maximizes your saddle time in total comfort. The silicone on the leg bands stop slippage during your trail rippage, and with its storage options, these are your mvp of bibs shorts.
Breathable mesh upper bib
Left side and back pockets for extra storage
Dual-density chamois for improved saddle comfort
Flatlock seams for complete comfort
Leg bands equipped with interior silicone grip to prevent movement
So which ones am I going to buy? Well, I was pretty dead set on the Machines for Freedom Endurance Bib in Tall, but they’re currently sold out in my size. Before doing this round up, I was planning on waiting until they came back in stock, but I ended up ordering the Velocio Women’s Trail Bib Liner. I was able to size these based on height and weight ( for tall people, more important than waist and hip in my opinion), they have the “Fly Free” design for easier pee breaks, they’ve got a 30 day return policy, and the lower price at $139 was also great. I’m excited to try them out and will hopefully write a review once I’ve got some miles on them.
If you’re looking for the best price, The Black Bibs Women’s Ultimate Adventure Bibs at $85, Specialized Mountain Liner Bib Shorts with SWAT at $90, and Fox Racing Womens Flexair Bib Shorts ($90). For size inclusivity, Machines for Freedom Endurance Bib Tall fits waist sizes from 21.5” to 42.5” and the Pearl Izumi Women’s Expedition Bib Short fits 24.5” - 42” waists. Bibs with easy peeing features are Patagonia Dirt Roamer Liner Bibs, Pearl Izumi Women’s Expedition Bib Short, and Velocio Women’s Trail Mesh Bib Liner.