KIT REVIEW : Petrichor Projects Women's Bib Shorts
Reviewed by Steph
If you're a keen cyclist, a quality pair of bib shorts are an essential piece of kit. These shorts have been designed by Petrichor Projects specifically for women.
FEATURES
The bibs are made from a soft and stretchy fabric which is super comfortable to wear, and light enough for warm summer days. The bottom of the legs has a silicon grip, meaning the legs don't ride up but also don't dig in too much to my legs (no sausage legs here). The thigh pocket is a perfect size for my phone. The biggest win though is the comfort-break feature - the back strap comes with a (strong) magnetic catch which means you can pull down the shorts and go for a wee without needing to take the shoulder straps off - it took me a few gos to get hang of the re-fastening, but it was simpler and more straightforward than I anticipated. It's a complete game changer.
SIZE AND FIT
I tested the XXXL which according to the size chart is a size 20, and should fit a 46-48.5 chest, 39-41.5 waist and 49-51 hip. I'm a 45 inch chest, 41 inch waist and 51 inch hip and these fit me so well. The shorts are cut well, coming up high enough around my stomach (I've tried other brands that don't, leaving my belly spilling over the top of the shorts part). The shoulder straps are really stretchy, meaning they fit me well as a long torso 5'10, but would also fit well if you're shorter.
PERFORMANCE
The test of any shorts is really in their comfort - the chamois on these is a revelation - it seems thinner than some others I've tried but the cut of it meant it also felt more comfortable than any other pair of shorts I've worn, and didn't move around when cycling. I wore them both on my regular commute and on some longer rides and didn't experience any chafing at all. The shorts are so comfortable that I genuinely forgot I was wearing them (in a good way) - no tight leg elastic, discomfort from the straps etc. At this price point, these shorts are aimed at enthusiastic cyclists rather than those starting out, but the design and fit of them shines through and they are a worthy investment.
RRP £165
