The Best Cycling Bibs for Men in 2023

For hard miles on the road or gravel, nothing beats the Mission Workshop Mission Pro Bib ($305). The combination of stellar fit, a great chamois, and the unmatched durability of Dyneema side panels made for a bib that stood above the rest.

The fit was snug but not restrictive for our “average cycling build” tester, Seiji Ishii (6′ tall, 168 pounds), and the chamois was among the most comfortable he’s used in four decades of cycling. It is generously padded in exactly where needed but thin otherwise, and the face fabric was non-chafing and managed moisture well in temperatures above 90 degrees.

Two standout features were the Dyneema side panels and mesh side pockets. The side panels withstood getting punctured by sharp, broken cedar branches, which have historically torn Lycra worn by our Texan editor. But they were slightly less breathable than the other panels. The side pockets were generous and a savior when a hydration pack covered jersey pockets.

A minor quibble was the thin shoulder straps. Although they felt good when they laid flat, it was hard to get them to do so. They get twisted easily and resist to be otherwise. Also, the Mission Pro Bibs are the most expensive in this guide, but they should defend against crashes and scuffles with trailside obstacles much better than other bibs.

As an added bonus, Mission Workshop offers the Mission Pro Bibs in many attractive colors and patterns for a welcome break from the usual black.

With an MSRP of $75, the Pearl Izumi Quest Bib Shorts surprised our cycling editor. He’s used to cycling bibs that cost up to four times as much, but the comfort and performance of this budget-priced bib keep it in his rotation. He’s tested many budget-priced bibs, and the Quest came out on top among the sizeable bunch.

The single-density Levitate chamois was the most surprising. It was the right thickness, density, and profile to disappear underneath him. The 77% recycled polyester fabric felt lighter than others, which improved breathability but could come at the cost of durability.

The summer of 2023 produced weeks of highs over 100 in Central Texas, and on one particular morning, it was already 90, and the humidity was over 70%. Our cycling editor, Seiji Ishii, who is accustomed to the most expensive and tech-laden fabrics, started riding in the Pearl Izumi Quest Bib Shorts. He expected to swelter, not expecting much heat and moisture transfer from a budget bib.

But to his surprise, he never noticed the bibs being different from others which cost hundreds more. And Ishii, who is about an average cyclist build, feels the fit of the medium is spot-on.

The Quest Bib Shorts had the lowest amount of compression of any of the bibs in this guide. They were still tight enough to stay put, but they didn’t offer the compressive force that many prefer. But if you want a more relaxed fit, then the Quest could fit the bill.

What sets this Australian brand apart is its four levels of compression offered in both bibs and jerseys. These range from Race Ultra+, Race, All Day, and A-Line. Race Ultra+ is for the uber-thin climber types, while the A-Line has the most relaxed fit. Our cycling editor felt the Attaquer Race Bib Short ($245) fit him perfectly, with what he considers a moderate amount of compression.

Attaquer also uses different chamois to match the level of compression. The Race Bib Short has the Attaquer Race chamois, and our editor claimed it was among the best. The high density, multi-zone construction, and hydrophobic, low-friction cover made it almost unnoticeable, even during long stints in the Central Texas summer heat.

Ishii felt that the fit was the best of the lot and didn’t compromise comfort for the sake of aerodynamics. There were no wrinkles in the Attaquer Race Bib Short in the riding position, making the next-to-skin sensation sublime. And the compression provided just enough support for long days on the roads without a restrictive feeling.

Lastly, Attaquer has an incredible crash replacement program. Just send them images and an explanation, and the brand will give you 40% off a replacement. Finally, the Race Bib Shorts come in several colors other than black, and being pre-dyed, the colors were rich and vibrant compared to others.

The Attaquer Race Bib Short was the one bib that Ishii could not list a con, a first for him on a cycling bib.

One of our testers shared, “Once I bought a pair of Assos, I wore them as fast as I could wash and dry them.” And for $220, you’re gonna want to want to eke out as much time in the saddle as possible.

This year, we’ve been banging out a series of 6- to 8-hour rides and anointed the Assos chamois as the most comfortable for big rides. The 9 mm, dual-density “floating” chamois moved independently from the shorts, and it felt magical. The stretchiness and breathability of the fabric helped, too. It all worked together to create a product that was undeniably, categorically better.

These “summer” shorts cut straight across the waist and breathed exceptionally well in the heat. The suspender-style Xbib straps cross in the back and are stitched in the middle, which made them easier to climb in and out of than Velocio’s similar strap design.

One reviewer did find that the strap’s sharp edge chafed his nipples and had to apply bandages after a half-day ride. This issue kept the Assos from ascending to our best overall bib choice. But, the chamois is likely the best we’ve ever used, and the fabrics have withstood aggressive use this year.

Over $200 is a lot to pay for one pair of bibs, but with Assos, you do indeed get what you pay for. It’s a high-quality pair of bibs that will last. If you’re not ready to commit to a $200+ bib, the Assos Mille GT C2 ($180) uses a slightly thinner chamois and has received accolades from our staff.

The Velocio Ultralight Bib Short ($259) is obviously light, with a 140-gram/meter fabric weight. This equates to a breezy and cool feel in the oppressively hot and humid conditions of Central Texas, where our tester put them through hard use on both gravel and road. The fabric, microfiber shoulder straps, and Velocio Signature chamois all managed buckets of moisture well.

Stretchy fabrics this light are usually prone to becoming see-through, especially when the sweat starts pouring. Not so with the Ultralight Bib Short, thanks to its tightly woven fabric construction (standard Lycra shorts are knitted). And for being so light, this fabric provided a fair amount of compression.

The lighter fabric also delivered an “unleaded” feel; it’s hard to describe, but the lighter fabric weight of Velocio Ultralight Bib Short made our tester feel unencumbered when the heat was atrociously high. Thicker fabrics literally feel heavy to him when the sun is blasting, and there is no breeze. When the temperatures exceeded 90, this was the bib of choice for our resident Texan gravel hound.

The fabric weight raised some durability concerns for Ishii, but only in terms of surviving a minor crash or encounters with brush. He put enough miles on them to discern that abrasion against the saddle and other normal wear and tear wasn’t a concern.

There’s so much to like on the Pearl Izumi Expedition PRO Bib Shorts ($265) for long hauls, starting with the first-ever drop-seat function on a men’s cycling bib. No more multi-step disrobing and redressing when nature calls.

Next, Pearl Izumi’s Levitate PRO chamois felt pillowy and soft yet maintained a slim profile in the right places to prevent bunching and chafing. After testing, Ishii claimed that this chamois would claim a top spot on his long list.

The premium feel of the chamois was backed up by a similar luxurious feel of the Italian PRO Transfer fabric, which had the right mix of compression and softness for longer journeys in the saddle. The pair of exterior pockets were also in the exact right location for access and remained unobtrusive.

Finally, the minimal laser-cut shoulder straps are the best out of the hundreds of bibs our cycling editor has sampled. There are no other cycling bib straps that are as comfortable; they disappear.

The only minor hair-splitting complaint that Ishii could muster is that the drop seat adds bulk to the rear panel of the Expedition PRO Bib Shorts. This wasn’t noticeable to him until he tucked down low on the drops on the first descent of his first ride in the bibs, and then he knew it was there for the remainder of the testing period. It wasn’t anything annoying; it was just noticeable compared to other cycling bibs.

For riders who want great compression, we found Velocio’s LUXE Bib Shorts ($279) incredibly comfortable for long and short rides alike. For many cyclists, the support offered by a high amount of compression from cycling bibs wards off fatigue from muscles vibrating or jostling from rough roads or terrain. And some just prefer the sensation of their tissues being supported by compression.

Normally, we’d veer away from low panel count designs. Fewer panels often don’t wrap the body’s form well and leave you feeling like a stuffed sausage. But Velocio pulls off a fit that hugs the body with minimal panels.

Two panels ride up front and meet in the middle, with a third, continuous panel arching over the butt. Together, they formed a compression short that reduced fatigue and painful chafing.

We had a minor ding notched against the lumberjack suspender straps. They aren’t as breathable as the rest of the bib, and the unpinned crossover strap design made it a little more awkward to wrestle into than Assos’ Xbib, which uses a similar design. But once in the saddle, the straps found their groove.

The Velocio LUXE felt tight when we first put them on, especially while walking around in them. Like all high-end bibs, the shape sprung to life behind the handlebars. And after a few washes, they loosened up a bit and started to form more to the body. If you find they still don’t fit, Velocio offers a 30-day Signature Guarantee.

If you are between sizes or want a more relaxed fit, Velocio recommends sizing up.