The Best Bike Bibs for Women

There are lots of benefits of wearing bib shorts: you get a sleek, aerodynamic fit minus the uncomfortable and restrictive waistband; a chamois that stays in place to cut down on chafing issues; and shorts that won’t ride down on you when you’re in the drops or climbing hard.

But when I first tried bibs, I hated them. The reason? I had to get fully undressed every time I needed to pee, which meant I was usually stripping in a Porta-Potty (where on earth do you hang your jersey in one of those?) or worse yet, behind a bush on the side of the road. So unless I was going out for a quick no-pit-stop lunch loop, I refused to wear them—until cycling apparel manufacturers stepped it up. Now many women’s cycling bibs come with some form of pee-friendly drop-tail design.

While technically not intended to be used for nature breaks, the monostrap on these sleek moisture-wicking bibs can be unhooked at the front and slipped over your head in an emergency. The trick is shimmying the strap back up underneath your jersey without having to get undressed—it’s possible, but requires a few yoga moves. Women with longer torsos might find the monostrap a little tight when standing or sitting upright (I did) but all should be well when you lean into the riding position. The chamois is unique in that it moves with you, so it’s never in a position where it could cause pressure points or chafing, and the waffle-pattern foam helps with breathability.