2XU Womens Sub Cycle Bib Shorts

2XU's Women's Sub Cycle Bib Shorts have a fantastic chamois that has the potential to keep you comfortable for even the longest of rides. I found the fit really good, though the leg grippers take some getting used to – and the design might not appeal to all.

• Pros: Great chamois, unique colour
• Cons: Leg grippers take some getting used to, unique colour

I tested these shorts alongside 2XU's Sub Jersey (full review to come) – good job, as the unique design was hard to match with other kit in my wardrobe. In a market swamped with primarily black shorts it's really refreshing to see 2XU trying to be different with blue ones, but for someone who is a little OCD about having shorts and jerseys that match, or at least look half decent together, I can see that this kit is not a mix-and-match contender. Buy the shorts and you really need to buy the top too – discuss...

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Aesthetics aside, I was impressed with the chamois in these shorts. 2XU calls it the STELVIO chamois; dimpled fabric enclosing strategically placed 120 density foam. It's neatly oversewn at the edges so there is no ridge that could potentially chafe skin. The foam is cut smaller than the dimpled fabric to avoid a sudden increase in bulk and it is stitched over (like a quilt) to create tear shapes at the rear of the pad. These allow it to flex, which certainly makes it feel and look better off the bike. On the bike, I did a nine-hour ride in these shorts and not once did I feel uncomfortable. I didn't overheat in the shorts either – okay, so I wasn't belting along, but it was at the height of our mini heatwave.

The shorts come up as I would expect for a medium: not too big, not too small. I didn't really sense any level of compression, though this is a hard thing to judge. 2XU rates the Sub Shorts as 'medium gauge for stability'. To me, they fitted no differently to other brand mediums around the hips and lower waist – snug but not restrictive.

The bib straps have a good cut and sit comfortably to the outside of the chest, though I would have preferred that the bib's mesh panel stretched a little further down the back to promote air flow.

I was baffled by the positioning of the interior label. None of the photos show this but looking at the side view, Tass's hand is in line with the label. It is a big label with hard, fray-resistant edges that irritates like hell. The simple answer is to cut it out – and don't worry too much about the instructions to wash on a cold cycle, iron on a cool setting (who irons their bib shorts?) and dry out of sunlight as they are prone to fading... I resorted to washing the shorts (and the jersey) on a 30 degree cycle; cold just doesn't get them smelling fresh.

> When should you replace your bib shorts?

The leg grippers are a wide band of dimpled silicone and it's highly effective; there is no movement once the shorts are on. This means you really do want them in the right place when you set out – they are so wide and grippy that they are not easy to adjust on the move. I also found that the band gaped a little on the underside, as you can see in the photos. I had thought this might worsen with washing and wearing but it hasn't. Indeed, the shorts are showing no sign of wear or fading, even with lots of use and – shhhh! – drying outside in the sun!

Despite the label and the washing/drying dictates, I really loved testing these shorts. The chamois is seriously good – and ideal for someone who enjoys longer rides. The price tag is also comparable to most of the big manufacturers – in fact they are 30 quid cheaper than Santini's Volo Shorts that Ashia recently reviewed, though a tenner more than Sportful's Diva bib shorts.

> Buyer's Guide: 22 of the best cycling bib shorts

If the 'Navy/Pink Shapemania' design appeals I'd say 2XU's Sub Shorts (and jersey) are a decent investment if you enjoy long, leisurely rides. They're not cheap but the pad is seriously comfortable. If you're looking for shorts that can be mixed and matched with other kit, you might need to look elsewhere...

Verdict

Hours in the saddle are made easy thanks to a great pad, though the unique colourway might mean buying the jersey too