Funkier Acarza Gents Pro Bib Shorts

The Funkier Acarza Gents Pro Bib Shorts are a good mid-range design, offering a supportive chamois and a decent range of movement.

• Pros: Decent value, comfortable pad
• Cons: Legs are a little short, no silicone gripper

As with all bib shorts, the most important element to consider is the chamois, and here Funkier has gone with its own E8 pad with gel inserts. It works well and although it doesn't have the same level of comfort as some more expensive pads, it was still pretty impressive after a few hours in the saddle.

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Unlike a more traditional pad, this design has fewer density types and larger gaps between the more padded segments. Although there is slightly more movement of the pads within the pedal strike, it still works well and is effective at deadening vibrations.

The material used for the shorts is an 80% nylon, 20% elastane mix that has a fair amount of stretch, though not as much as others I have used, and it takes some adjustment to get them to sit correctly. When they do, there is a compression effect to help reduce muscle fatigue, although how effective this is isn't something I can measure accurately.

The fit is relatively good, although the legs are noticeably shorter than most others I have used. How long you like your shorts is subjective, but there is also a slight tendency for them to ride up because there is no silicone gripper at the bottom.

At the front of the shorts, the material sits about halfway up my abs and makes calls of nature easy enough while out on the bike.

The mesh bib section starts a bit higher than most others I have used but this doesn't seem to cause any issues with ventilation and breathability on longer, warmer rides. The straps are fairly wide and they have a decent hem to minimise rubbing and twisting.

Construction is fairly good, although it would be nice to have some more flatlock stitching – I found that you could feel the stitching connecting the mesh top to the Lycra bottom on longer rides without a baselayer. They do appear sturdy, though, and unlikely to rip or tear through prolonged use.

An rrp of £69.99 seems about right – the pad works well but isn't as effective as those you'd find in higher price brackets, and the flatlock stitching or heat bonding that you'd expect to find on more expensive models isn't used on every seam here.

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Overall, these bib shorts are a decent option for the money. The pad works well and deadens most vibrations, the fit is pretty good and the straps are comfortable. A good choice for commuting or as a first pair if you're just getting into longer distance riding.

Verdict

A good pair of bib shorts for the money – if you're happy with the leg length