Intro
If you spend any time in the saddle you’ll know that a proper chamois, butt, and saddle interface is essential for sustained comfort during rides.
We have written about several chamois and bib options in the past (here’s our Mtn Bike Chamois Roundup from a few years back), but lately I’ve been testing several women-specific bibs and have become a huge fan of some of the benefits provided by a bib vs. a regular bike chamois short / liner. There are also several new chamois / shorts I have been spending a lot of time in this spring and summer, so I added those to this Roundup as well.
While it is largely a matter of preference, there are some distinctions between chamois shorts and bibs that are worth noting, and since I just came around to enjoying bibs after a long time avoiding them, I think some of these distinctions are worth stating.
The most notable difference between a bib vs. a chamois short is the bib’s lack of bulk around the waist, which helps everything feel smoother and less restricted around the midsection, especially when adding a hip pack to the mix. For long rides, I have found bibs to move around less and provide a more consistently snug fit during prolonged use.
And for women who find the idea of close to completely undressing to go to the bathroom while wearing a bib unpleasant (you are not alone), I address this concern in each blurb below. The good news is that a lot of brands are beginning to factor in this issue in their bib designs.
I still find myself going back and forth between bibs and regular chamois shorts, especially for shorter days on the bike or when it’s super hot and I want the least amount of extra material on my torso as possible.
Take a look and let us know which chamois have worked best for you in the past, or weigh in on which option you prefer: chamois shorts or a full bib?
Flylow Women’s Cru Bib Short
MSRP: $130
Size Tested: Medium
Reviewer: 5’9”, 167 lbs / 175 cm, 75.7 kg
Padding: 3-8 mm
Kara Williard: As a longtime fan of Flylow’s ski bibs, I couldn’t help but wonder how some of their well-thought-out details and attention to fit translate to their first bike bib. I have been spending a good bit of the last couple of weeks riding in the Cru Bib Short, and I have to say that I’m a fan. Of the bibs here, it is one of the most breathable and lightweight, while still offering a great quality chamois for long rides.
The quality of the chamois is relatively thick and dense, though I have found the chamois on the Velocio Luxe and Endura FS260-Pro Bib to be denser and thicker (which can be a pro or con depending on what length of ride you are aiming for). Flylow states this bib is good for up to 6 hours in the saddle, and I would second that, though I find some of the more compressive bibs here — such as the Velocio Luxe and Wild Rye Baddie Bib — to feel a little smoother and fit more consistently for really long days in the saddle.
The Cru Bib has pretty roomy stash pockets on the side of each leg, which is great for snacks (though not secure enough for a phone), but these pockets are difficult to access when the bib is paired with a baggy short on top.
Among all of the bibs here, the Cru Bib Short is also one of the easiest for bathroom breaks (with the only exception being the Velocio Luxe Bib Short), which is a huge plus given that this issue seems like the biggest deterrent when I am considering whether to wear a regular chamois or a pair of bib shorts for the day. The drop-seat feature of the Cru Bib is a little looser and easier to navigate without having to do the full undress debacle that sometimes accompanies bike bibs.
The straps are easy to pull up over the shoulders and don’t dig in, and the cuff of the legs provides enough snugness and silicone to stay in place without feeling over the top. The upper / torso fabric is lightweight mesh and feels quite breathable, though the Endura FS260-Pro, Wild Rye Baddie, and Velocio Luxe all feature slightly less coverage on the back. The inseams on the Cru Bib are pretty long, and I find myself bunching it up a little bit to prevent it from poking out of most of my baggy shorts, but once I get it where I want it, the leg cuffs stay in place.
I find the sizing to be consistent with Flylow’s ski apparel, and the Medium fits great, especially since I am going for a snug fit that will guarantee no shifting or movement. The fit works well on my tall frame, which is also why I think the drop-seat feature seems a little more reasonably designed since there isn’t too much pull or tightness from the straps over my shoulders to begin with.
Overall, the Cru Bib is a great option for most length rides because it’s super comfortable and the details and features make it feel substantial without being too bulky. For a bike bib from what I think of as primarily a snowsports brand, Flylow has done a great job.
Wild Rye Baddie Bib
MSRP: $149
Size Tested: 8
Reviewer: 5’9”, 167 lbs / 175 cm, 75.7 kg
Padding: n/a on density, bacteriostatic padding
Kara: Wild Rye has historically offered one of the best fits for my build when it comes to both chamois and shorts, so I was pretty delighted to see the release of their Baddie Bib this spring. I have spent a few hundred miles in the Baddie Bib over the last few months and it has a lot to offer. The quality of the chamois itself is very comfortable, both in regard to the density and shape of the padding as well as the way it contours in a snug way without being too tight.
For those familiar with Wild Rye’s Marion Chammy, the Baddie Bib offers a similar amount of padding and protection, but I find the leg cuffs on the Baddie Bib to be a lot more comfortable (the silicone is less grabby), and the Baddie Bib also feels slightly less constricting. The material composition is also a bit lighter and more breathable. The torso and shoulder straps are fully mesh and feel the most breathable among the bib options here.
Among the Bibs here, the Baddie Bib is the one I feel most comfortable wearing alone (without shorts over), though the Velocio Luxe is a close second. The Baddie Bib provides good coverage with its 7” inseam, and it stays put and doesn’t shift or ride up after many hours of pedaling. While it sometimes pokes out beneath a shorter pair of baggy shorts, the detailing and print on the leg cuffs make this a fashion statement, so I don’t mind.
While there isn’t a drop-seat feature for easy bathroom breaks, taking the shoulder straps off and on is easy. The mesh used for the straps is really thin and there’s already some minor holes starting to show up in parts of the mesh that seem a little tighter. This doesn’t compromise the integrity of the bib in any way, but this really thin, breathable material will likely take away from its long-term durability.
The bib’s fit is pretty comparable to the Velocio Luxe, though the Luxe does run smaller overall and offers a more consistently compressive fit. This makes the Baddie Bib feel a little more reasonable for shorter days when I still want sustained comfort without going overboard.
All around, the Baddie Bib has some great details that make it a pretty versatile bib. If I had to just pick one bib to do everything, I would probably land on either this one or the Flylow Cru, but since the Baddie Bib can be worn on its own (plus it is quite cute in its details and patterns), I find it to be just a bit more versatile.
Velocio Luxe Bib Short
MSRP: $279
Size Tested: Large
Reviewer: 5’9”, 167 lbs / 175 cm, 75.7 kg
Padding: Velocio’s Proprietary Signature Chamois
Kara: Last fall, I wrote about the Velocio Luxe Bib Short in Stuff We Like: October 2022 because I had just spent 80 miles wearing them without an issue on a saddle that wasn’t mine. The Velocio Luxe Bib Short was sort of my introduction to bike bibs after being pretty set on chamois shorts and liners as my go-to for mountain biking. This interest in bibs coincided with a lot more time spent on my gravel bike, and slowly over time I have become a huge fan of bibs (for the reasons listed in the intro to this roundup).
Among the bibs listed here, the Luxe Bib Short still stands out as a favorite, particularly for long rides. I find that it has one of the best quality chamois / padding (justifiably so considering it is the most expensive bib here by quite a bit).
The Velocio Luxe Bib Short is smooth and kind of disappears when worn in the best possible way. It offers an incredibly substantial chamois that provides plenty of comfort for long days in the saddle.
The Luxe Bib is certainly built with details in mind. The Luxe Bib feels seamless even though it’s not, and it provides a smooth, even fit without any annoying seams or rub points. Velocio left the leg cuff “raw,” which I think contributes to comfort, as it doesn’t feel grabby around the leg as some of my better endurance chamois do. The Luxe Bib is also really good at staying in place while riding. The “High Gauge Luxe” fabric is really soft and smooth against the skin, but also feels quite durable and snag-resistant.
Even after entire days spent in the Luxe Bib I was impressed by how little I noticed the shoulder straps, which, when paired with a comfortable sports bra, didn’t dig in or feel too tight against my shoulders. Velocio uses “Seamless Microfiber” on their bib straps and at the leg cuffs, helping both stay locked in place without feeling overly grippy like the uncomfortable silicone leg grippers bibs that other brands often use.
The upper part of the bib consists of a lightweight mesh that is highly breathable. This helps to eliminate any bulk, something I appreciated even on colder rides when trying to balance the right layering system while minimizing bulkiness / restricting any movement of my torso.
As far as sizing, the Luxe Bib is intended to be quite compressive, but Velocio has done this in a way that doesn’t feel constricting. I was very comfortable in a Large, despite how snug it was. Among the bibs listed here, Velocio’s sizing runs the smallest, so if you are between sizes I would definitely recommend sizing up.
The Luxe Bib is built with Velocio’s “FlyFree” system, which is intended to make it possible to pee without removing upper layers or having to unclasp anything. The stretchiness of the material makes it possible to squat and pee without having to fully undress… I also wasn’t worried about the integrity of the fabrics from having to stretch them so much, which makes this feature feel a little nicer than what I experienced with the Endure FS260-Pro Bib.
Overall, for someone looking for a great bib for long days in the saddle, one that they don’t have to worry about, the Luxe Bib is amazing. For those who are taken aback by the price point, it is first worth stating that Velocio goes to great lengths to create a long-lasting and durable product. But as a very worthy alternative, Velocio also has their “Renewed” program, which resells items that Velocio has restored to a “Like New” condition. Restored Luxe Bib shorts can be had at as low as $156.
Endura Women’s FS260-Pro Bibshort DS
MSRP: $159.99
Size Tested: Medium
Reviewer: 5’9”, 167 lbs / 175 cm, 75.7 kg
Padding: Endura’s 600 Series Pad (gel inserts and antimicrobial finish)
Kara: I have been spending a lot of time in some Endura mountain bike apparel this spring and summer (stay tuned for more info on that), and have been pretty impressed by all of it, their chamois and bibs included. The FS260-Pro Bib is a great middle-of-the-road option among the bibs listed here. I find that it works best for 2-5 hour rides, and while it feels a little more compressive and robust than the Flylow Cru or Wild Rye Baddie, it isn’t overly bulky or tight.
The FS260 is quite durable and robust, but it isn’t over the top. The paneling on the torso and back provide nice gaps for breathability, and this little bit of reprieve in coverage makes it a good option for hotter days. Feature-wise, it is pretty simple, which is great when it comes to layering beneath some of the great baggy shorts that Endura makes. The leg cuffs stay in place and there is very minimal shifting overall.
Among the pads / chamois listed here, the Endura 600 series pad feels the most dense, and the thickest, particularly around the sit bones. I think this puts it just in line with the Velocio Luxe Bib, but I don’t find the fit on the FS260 to feel as comfortable several hours into a ride, mostly because of the way it fits me (i.e., it’s a little tighter around the thighs). The quality of its padding is definitely the stand-out feature here. Personally, I have struggled using the drop-seat feature as the fit overall is a bit too tight on my torso and shoulders to feel like I can reasonably pull the seat down without overly stretching the material. I imagine for more petite or shorter riders this wouldn’t be as much of an issue.
The lightweight mesh material around the torso offers similar breathability to the Flylow Cru and Wild Rye Baddie, so it is another viable option to layer with and ride with during the summer. I have been pretty pleased with my time in the Endura FS260, apart from some subjective issues related to fit. All that aside, it seems like it will be one of the longest lasting bibs here given the quality of its chamois and overall materials.
Shredly Biker Cham: Graphite Tie Dye
MSRP: $98
Size Tested: Large
Reviewer: 5’9”, 167 lbs / 175 cm, 75.7 kg
Padding: 2 -14 mm (click here for a breakdown of material density)
Kara: Shredly’s Biker Cham is a comfortable and versatile bike short at an excellent price point. Shredly’s Yogacham has historically been one of my all-time favorite chams because it offers high quality and dense padding that has held up through years of use, but it landed in the “liner” realm due to its lightweight and transparent mesh material. Shredly’s new Biker Cham is the perfect example of a short that can be worn on its own, or with baggy shorts on top, though it is a much thicker and burlier fabric than the Yogacham.
The Biker Cham has a thick, yoga-style waistband, and I find it to feel comfortably compressive and snug without digging into my skin. However, the overall style of the waistband does add some bulk, and when layering with a baggy short on top, it can feel like a lot of material squeezing at the waist. If you are opposed to material around the waist, the waistband can feel a little over the top.
That said, I am still a pretty huge fan of this pair of shorts. When it comes to gravel rides, or feeling brave on my mountain bike and ditching a baggy short on top, there is no doubt that the Biker Cham is my top pick. The leg cuffs feature small amounts of silicone beading that helps things stay in place but doesn’t feel uncomfortable. Plus, the leg openings are seam-free and the fit feels very smooth throughout its entirety. The lace-inspired detailing around the leg openings is also quite cute.
With a 7-inch inseam, it doesn’t feel overly bold to wear these spandex-like shorts in public, though during long rides I do notice that the leg cuffs ride up a bit leading to a shorter fit over time. The Biker Cham features two very roomy thigh pockets, which easily hold my phone securely in place.
Fit-wise, the Biker Cham is tighter and more compressive than the Yogacham. While the Biker Cham shares identical padding with the Yogacham, it is a thicker and tighter material with a lot more to it, especially around the waist. I opted for a Large this time around which was the right call. While the Biker Cham is a little looser at the waist, this makes it quite comfortable, and it’s consistently snug everywhere else, whereas a Medium in the Yogacham has worked just fine.
After a couple of hundred miles in the Yogacham, I am counting on the padding in the Biker Cham to also last a really long time. I have washed the Biker Cham upwards of 15 times and have yet to see any durability issues, though there is some slight pilling between the thighs (not in a way that leads me to worry about any holes, they just don’t look quite as new anymore).
For a versatile chamois that can be worn on its own or layered with some baggy shorts, the Biker Cham is an excellent choice. It is durable, robust, compressive but not too tight, and definitely on the more flattering side for fitted bike shorts.
Club Ride Montcham Chamois 8” – Level 3
MSRP: $59.95 – currently on sale for $44.95
Size Tested: Medium
Reviewer: 5’9”, 167 lbs / 175 cm, 75.7 kg
Kara: Club Ride breaks their chamois into three different levels and I have spent considerable time in all three. I wrote about their Level 2 Drift Chamois in our Chamois Roundup a couple of years back, and have since spent a lot more time in their Level 3 chamois, the Montcham. The padding on the Montcham is considerably more dense and this certainly makes a difference on longer rides. While it’s still a pretty minimalistic chamois overall, the material on the Montcham feels a little snugger and more compressive which, again, is a good upgrade for longer rides.
Overall, the Montcham is a very comfortable chamois that doesn’t feel too thick or bulky while still offering plenty of padding where it counts. Compared to the Shredly Biker Cham, the material on the Montcham is thinner and more breathable, and the waistband and features overall are quite a bit more minimalistic. However, the Montcham is truly a chamois liner intended to be worn under baggy shorts (it’s slightly see-through), whereas Shredly’s Biker Cham can be worn on its own.
Over time, the Montcham has held up pretty well. It’s simplistic but the material hasn’t stretched out and the padding is still pretty dense despite a lot of long-term testing.
If you like a chamois that you can pretty much forget about while wearing — and especially if you are sensitive to thicker materials, silicone details, or overly snug clothing — the Montcham is likely the best option for offering dense protection for 3+ hour rides on the bike without being overly bulky or robust. And if you’re looking for one chamois that works well for most rides but won’t compromise comfort on long days on the bike, the Montcham is worth a look. Plus, it is a very affordable option.
Club Ride June Chamois 3” – Level 1
MSRP: $39.95 – currently on sale for $29.95
Size Tested: Medium
Reviewer: 5’9”, 167 lbs / 175 cm, 75.7 kg
Kara: If you are seeking a chamois that is minimal and thin, especially for shorter rides (or maybe you just have an impressively tough butt and / or pain tolerance), the June Chamois is a great option. It is built as a chamois liner and is certainly the simplest design here, but is perfect for when you don’t want to feel like you are wearing a chamois at all. With a short inseam and simple, thin waistband, it fits well under most shorts and hardly feels like a tight or overly snug bike short. I have found it to work great for 1-2 hour rides, and especially for commuting when it’s not always feasible to rip my chamois off once I arrive at a given destination.
Despite its simplicity, I think the June Chamois has held up quite well after two seasons of use. It’s also my best option for layering with shorter bike shorts (it won’t poke out beneath a pair of jorts or shorter inseam bike shorts such as the Club Ride Eden Short). The June Short is comfortable, minimal, and simplistic, and at a beyond reasonable price point, it’s a good option to add to the mix when you really want to get away from a lot of dense padding or tightly fitting materials.
