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Best bib shorts 2020: great cycle shorts and jerseys

Get race-ready with the best bib shorts and jerseys.

31 December 2019

Whether you’re racking up the miles in the wet and windy conditions of the great British outdoors or jetting off to do a cycle sportive in slightly warmer climes, you'll need the best bib shorts and a decent jersey to match. 



While they can feel a little strange to put on if you’re new to them, bib shorts are handy for holding your bits and bobs in place, allowing for more comfort and reducing chafing.

Since there's no waist band or uncomfortable drawstring, bib shorts stay up thanks to lightweight breathable shoulder straps and thus are more comfortable than regular cycling shorts, helping you stay in the saddle for longer.

A matching jersey isn’t essential but it does help make you look the part. It will also keep you warm and dry as well as provide lots of pockets to store race necessities, such as energy gels and water, at arm’s reach.

Here are our some of our favourites for the ultimate comfort and streamlining, wind-defeating qualities.

Best bib shorts 2020

1. Kymira Sport Onyx Bib Short and Cycle Jersey

£130.00 (bib shorts)£130.00 (bib shorts)£130.00 (bib shorts)£130.00 (bib shorts)£130.00 (bib shorts)
View now at Kymira View now at Kymira View now at Kymira View now at Kymira View now at Kymira

Kymira Sport’s Onyx kit is unique in that it’s “human-powered” infrared sportswear. According to the brand, the kit allows wearers to improve performance and reduce recovery time due to the 'KYnergy' technology, which is embedded into the material. This works when the wearer releases waste energy (heat) and the material converts it into Far Infrared Radiation (FIR), a type of electromagnetic heat which penetrates beneath the skin. This is said to increase the production of nitric oxide which – in combination with increased blood circulation – is responsible for a variety of positive effects including the more efficient use and distribution of oxygen and pain relief.

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2. Help For Heroes tri colour bib shorts and jersey

£60.00 (bib shorts)£60.00 (bib shorts)£60.00 (bib shorts)£60.00 (bib shorts)£60.00 (bib shorts)
View now at Help for Heroes View now at Help for Heroes View now at Help for Heroes View now at Help for Heroes View now at Help for Heroes

Military charity Help for Heroes just launched this new set of high-spec cycling gear, bringing in Rio Paralympic medal-winner, Jaco Van Gass, and Invictus gold medallist, Andy Perrin, to help create the range. Bright royal blue and emblazoned with ‘distressed’ Union Jacks in the style of the Armed Forces, this cycling kit really does make you stick out in the crowd. It also feels high quality and fits well in the right places. Not bad considering it’s just £100 all in.



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3. Le Col Hors Categorie bib shorts and jersey

£126.00 (bib shorts)£126.00 (bib shorts)£126.00 (bib shorts)£126.00 (bib shorts)£126.00 (bib shorts)
View now at Sigma Sports View now at Sigma Sports View now at Sigma Sports View now at Sigma Sports View now at Sigma Sports

Founded by Welsh former professional racing cyclist, Yanto Barker, Le Col is one of the top names in innovative cycling gear. The Hors Categorie kit was co-engineered with Brtish race legend Bradley Wiggins and has been designed specifically for the wide-ranging temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere. It offers a nice snug fit with a luxurious feel. What we like best, though, is the four-way stretch fabric, which not only makes it more breathable, but super strong, too. Ideal for long-distance, high tempo rides.

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4. Assos Equipe RS Bib Shorts S9 and Aero jersey

£175.00 (bib shorts)£175.00 (bib shorts)£175.00 (bib shorts)£175.00 (bib shorts)£175.00 (bib shorts)
View now at Wiggle View now at Wiggle View now at Wiggle View now at Wiggle View now at Wiggle

Assos is yet another big player in the professional road cycling space, and one thing the company does well is to prepare you for all riding conditions; rain or shine. The Equipe RS kit touts a circular knit miniCheck Tex - a super elastic 3D knit fabric that’s been developed for better breathability and moisture transfer, ensuring sweat is wicked away more efficiently. There’s also a big focus on keeping the kit ultra light to make your rides faster than ever. And you can tell. They’ve even used a light elastic on the hem to save on weight.

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5. Gore C7 Long Distance Bib Shorts+ and C7 Race Jersey

£153.99 (bib shorts)£153.99 (bib shorts)£153.99 (bib shorts)£153.99 (bib shorts)£153.99 (bib shorts)
View now at Wiggle View now at Wiggle View now at Wiggle View now at Wiggle View now at Wiggle

Developed with Fabian Cancellara for endurance road cycling, Gore’s C7 long distance gear is all about maximum support with the ultimate comfort. Built for the long haul, the bib and shorts kit are made out of a very lightweight, low force elastic and flatlock seams to ensure the shorts stay in place if cycling until the cows come home. They are also super soft feeling on the skin while keeping you warm in less preferable weather conditions thanks to a dense knit construction.

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6. Canyon Signature Pro bib short and jersey 

£176.95 (bib shorts)£176.95 (bib shorts)£176.95 (bib shorts)£176.95 (bib shorts)£176.95 (bib shorts)
View now at Canyon View now at Canyon View now at Canyon View now at Canyon View now at Canyon

Canyon’s Signature Pro kit has to be one of the most comfortable we’ve tried. The high-quality fabric, compressive, multi-panel design and seamless construction really does give it a high comfort rating. There’s also an outer layer of microfiber which is said to reduce skin temperature but more importantly friction, meaning you can leave the sudocrem at home. Be it road, gravel, cross-country, this kit will keep comfort levels are up there throughout your entire journey.

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7. Decathlon Triban RC 100 bib shorts and long sleeve jersey 

£24.99 (bib shorts)£24.99 (bib shorts)£24.99 (bib shorts)£24.99 (bib shorts)£24.99 (bib shorts)
View now at Decathlon View now at Decathlon View now at Decathlon View now at Decathlon View now at Decathlon

These cycling shorts are by far the cheapest you’ll find and surprisingly - they don’t feel it. Designed to make road cycling extra comfortable, they have flat seams which prevent rubbing and a foam pad which provides ample cushioning and absorbs vibrations. Stretchy straps and elastic bands on the thighs mean it'll stay in place all-ride long. And all for under £50 for the entire kit, it’s nothing but a bargain.

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8. Sundried Peloton Training Bib Shorts and Short Sleeve Training Jersey

£25.00 (bib shorts)£25.00 (bib shorts)£25.00 (bib shorts)£25.00 (bib shorts)£25.00 (bib shorts)
View now at Amazon View now at Amazon View now at Amazon View now at Amazon View now at Amazon

The Sundried Peloton collection is designed for training rides and is perfect for those who are new to cycling. It’s breathable and sweat-wicking meaning it’ll keep you dry and comfortable even after hours in the saddle. We especially like the sticky silicone grippers on the short, which will prevent the legs from riding up.

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