Among the new spring and summer items this year, the cycling apparel that personally caught my attention was bib shorts.
With many manufacturers releasing new models and an increasing number of people recently feeling comfortable trying out bib-type racing shorts, we have seen more activity in this category than in previous years. When you strip away the excess and focus on maximizing comfort solely for riding, you inevitably end up with bib shorts.
And now, while stock has been low, some of the bib shorts that I personally use and highly recommend have been restocked, so I'd like to introduce them to you.
First up is this one.
Q36.5
Salopette L1 Essential
¥28,600 (excl. tax)
Launching in earnest this season is Italy-based "Q36.5."
I truly believe this apparel incorporates the most cutting-edge technology available right now.
As for its visual characteristics, perhaps it's the shoulder straps, which are positioned much like those on a pair of suspenders.
When you get into a riding position, this shape pulls the shorts up more effectively while causing less stress.
What's worth special mention is the fabric—or rather, the thread.
I can't explain it perfectly, but because the elasticity and durability of the thread used have improved so drastically, it has become possible to weave it like a shirt rather than knitting it like a jersey. This is what allows for such thinness and lightness.
It also stretches and recovers well, making for a smooth pedaling motion.
And while that slightly tighter fit can actually start to feel pleasurable, it also helps reduce power loss caused by unnecessary muscle vibration, allowing for more efficient pedaling. It’s all pros and no cons.
By the way, the pad is a custom model from the trusted company Cytec. It is slightly thinner compared to those from ASSOS.
You might find it hard to believe, but it is a fact that I use them and believe in them myself.
These are truly high-spec bib shorts.
And here is the pair I’ve been wearing quite frequently lately.
Search and State
S1-S Riding Short
¥26500 (excl. tax)
As I introduced a little while ago, Search and State is a cycling apparel brand where all items are Made in NY.
Although they have a small number of items, each one is manufactured in a Manhattan factory, and they are all simple, beautiful, and functional. (Please also check out our previous blog post regarding Search and State.)
These bib shorts use fabric with an incredibly comfortable feel against the skin. While they lack the support-focused functionality of the "Q36.5" mentioned earlier, they allow for stress-free, comfortable rides, even over long durations.
That comfort should be clear not just when you wear them, but even when you just touch the fabric.
The pad also uses a custom model from Cytec, which is thicker and offers very high cushioning.
There isn't much else to say in terms of "functionality" in detail, but these are truly "good" bib shorts that Search and State has carefully crafted alongside trusted colleagues to be comfortable and long-lasting.
For me, these two pairs of bib shorts represent something of an opposite extreme.
Choosing between them is up to the rider. We are just now entering the season where shorts truly shine, so please do give them a try!