Vermarc Relax bib shorts

Vermarc may be a Belgian company but a large proportion of their kit is made in Italy to their design by APG in Verona. They might sound familiar as they also make Alé and Giordana kit among others. It's something Vermarc are very proud off and their Relax bibshorts show why they should be.

Unlike the anatomical cut of their race-orientated shorts the Relax bibs have a more traditional cut for a range of riding disciplines and rider styles. The simple eight panel construction is stitched together using flatlock seams to avoid irritation and builds into a very comfortable pair of shorts. Vermarc say they are basic, standard fitting shorts but they are so much better than that.

The Power Lycra provides supportive compression to your muscles and it feels soft against the skin, as do the bibs which have reasonably wide straps and a full back section. All of this is mesh so breathability isn't an issue. One thing I do like is that the Lycra material comes up over your lower stomach providing plenty of comfort and warmth so you can wear them into chiller conditions when paired with leg warmers.

The legs are kept in place by silicone grippers and don't move at all once your legs have started spinning. The length is traditional too, finishing between mid-thigh and the knee, about an inch or two shorter than the latest fashion for longer race shorts.

The Elite pad is the top of the line chamois in the OmniForm range. OmniForm is a process that uses high frequency sound waves rather than heat to bond the different layers of the pad together, leaving the foam softer because no heat is involved. Enough to notice a difference over more traditional methods? I don't know for sure but its certainly an unbelievably comfortable pad.

There are various sections of differing density foam and channels to apply and reduce pressure plus the central section uses gel as a shock absorber. It works very well as minimal road buzz makes it through to the rider regardless of how harsh the bike or saddle are.

The material is also just the right thickness to take the sting out without being to padded to cause numbness or discomfort.

Overall the Relax bibs are just brilliant, a great fit, well built and the chamois is so comfortable plus when you take the European manufacture into account £63.99 is amazing value for money. I'm yet to wear any of Vermarc's kit I haven't been impressed with and that hasn't changed with the Relax shorts.

Verdict

Brilliant value for money bibs with quality pad for long or short rides