Whether you ride road, gravel or mountain bikes, a comfortable pair of cargo bib shorts will make the difference between a comfy undercarriage and a sore day in the saddle, while also giving you space to stash your essentials.
Combining an elasticated bib (the upper, dungaree-like section) with elastane (aka Lycra/spandex) shorts containing a stitched-in ‘chamois’ pad, they offer crucial cushioning and relief from saddle pressure and trail vibrations.
The extra real estate and stability provided by the bib give brands the option of adding pockets, enabling you to stow tools, snacks and spares, and potentially doing away with the need to wear a pack for shorter rides.
We’ve listed eight of the top cargo bib shorts we’ve tested below, as well as a buyer’s guide that explains what to look out for when choosing a pair of cargo bibs.
All of these bibs can be worn under a pair of mountain bike shorts, while some of them are thick enough to wear on their own for XC and gravel riding.
Best cargo bib shorts
Assos Mille GTC Kiespanzer C2 bib shorts
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- Price: £210 / $270 / €240 / AU$420 as tested
- Pros: Excellent fit; cargo pockets are well-designed overall; chamois pad comfort
- Cons: Price; access to rear cargo pockets is a little awkward; currently only available for men
Assos’ Mille GTC Kiespanzer C2 bib shorts are part of the Swiss brand’s first gravel collection. The range belongs to the brand's Mille line, which has comfort as its primary consideration.
The cargo bib shorts feature four pockets for storing supplies – two on the thighs and two on the rear, constructed from stretchy, breathable 3-Mesh panels.
We found these bibs needed a short breaking-in period to unlock their full comfort. However, after a few rides, they proved very comfortable for long days in the saddle.
The thigh pockets are excellent for items such as a phone and a handful of energy bars and gels, sitting unobtrusively and securely, thanks to the mesh construction.
The rear pockets are satisfyingly deep, perfect for extra food and an inner tube. Pockets in this location are usually difficult to access, but Assos has attempted to make things easier by angling them slightly. They’re still not the easiest to get into on the move, though.
Overall, these are excellent cargo bib shorts for gravel riding, if you can stomach the price tag.
- Read more: Assos Mille GTC Kiespanzer C2 review
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Madison Roam cargo bib shorts
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- Price: £79.99
- Pros: Impressive value for money; seven secure pockets; comfortable and breathable
- Cons: Carrying heavier items may damage the mesh pockets; no women’s version
The Roam cargo bibs are impressive for the price, and can be worn as either standalone shorts or a liner.
Madison uses mesh fabric around the torso and straps, enhancing breathability and comfort. The main fabric is an 80% polyamide and 20% elastane blend, which offers plenty of stretch. Made from firm foam, the chamois provides a comfortable fit, ensuring an enjoyable pedalling experience without rubbing or soreness.
These shorts also boast seven pockets, offering more storage capacity than any other bibs in this test. The mesh pockets remain stable on the trails, but we’d be concerned that carrying heavier items such as a multi-tool might potentially damage the delicate fabric.
Overall, considering the performance of these shorts, it’s difficult to overlook the value offered here.
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Also consider...
The following bib shorts scored fewer than four stars, but are still worthy of consideration.
Endura GV500 Reiver bib shorts
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- Price: £159.99 / €169.99 as tested
- Pros: Soft yet durable material; easy-access pockets
- Cons: Pockets are quite small; pricey
Designed for gravel riding, these shorts can be worn under mountain biking kit or on their own. With an elastane content of 20% to 28%, the various fabrics used by Endura combine durability with a fairly soft feel, which makes these slightly less noticeable than some bib shorts under your clothes.
The chamois features varying foam thicknesses, but isn’t the densest. Nonetheless, it provided comfort on long rides without causing chafing, and sweat build-up was minimal.
The four rear pockets are relatively small but offer easier access than some others we've tested, and stashed items went unnoticed on the trails. Side pockets on the legs provide extra storage and are ideal for carrying expendable items such as snacks or gels that you need to have easily to hand.
- Read more: Endura GV500 Reiver shorts review
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Rapha Trail cargo bib liner shorts
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- Price: £130 / $165 / €150 as tested
- Pros: Made from recycled, Bluesign and Oeko-Tex certified materials; extremely comfortable chamois; robust
- Cons: Only two pockets
Made from recycled materials and boasting both Bluesign and Oeko-Tex eco certification, these bibs are a streamlined option, with stretchy mesh panels across the back and sides of the legs. The main body fabric also has excellent stretch, with an elastane content of 22%, which helps ensure a comfortable fit.
The chamois is also extremely comfortable, its single-density foam providing enough cushioning for long rides without feeling bulky or causing chafing. It also offers good moisture absorption, enhancing overall comfort.
The rear pockets are a practical size and can hold a few essentials securely. However, there are only two of them, so you may need to use frame storage as well if you want to leave your backpack at home. These are good bibs, but aren't great for carrying things.
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Specialized Men’s Prime SWAT bib shorts
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- Price: £165 / $269.99 / €200 as tested
- Pros: A good fit (overall); sound ventilation; comfortable chamois; well-designed thigh pockets
- Cons: Tight, firm bib straps; heavy-feeling leg hem; lower back pockets awkward to access; quite expensive
Specialized’s Men’s Prime SWAT shorts are cargo shorts designed with adventure riding and bikepacking in mind.
There are four pockets, two on the thighs and two on the lower back, to store your riding essentials.
The bibs are made from a 46% polyamide, 38% polyester and 16% elastane main fabric construction with a fully sewn waistband. A lot of work seems to have gone into the straps, with Specialized using a soft elastic and a brushed Tricot suspender anchor to hold them in place.
While Specialized has got the fit mostly spot-on in the lower half of the shorts, the bib straps are not the most comfortable, being quite tight-fitting. However, the Elastic Interface chamois proved very comfortable, even on long rides.
The spacious pockets are well-designed, with the soft mesh material hugging whatever is stashed in them and keeping the contents secure.
Unfortunately, the lower back pockets, which are positioned just in front of the rear bib strap, are slightly awkward to access.
- Read more: Specialized Prime SWAT review
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7mesh MK3 Cargo Bib Shorts
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- Price: £200 / €200 / £230 as tested
- Pros: All-day comfort without feeling restrictive; main body fabric is PFAS-free and Bluesign and Oeko-Tex approved; comfortable chamois; stable, easy-access pockets
- Cons: Very pricey
These 7mesh bibs are gravel-ready with cargo storage. The 62% nylon/38% elastane fabric is robust and lacks sheer mesh panelling, which should improve durability, but makes the shorts feel a little bulkier than lighter liners. Despite this, the material’s stretch ensures all-day comfort without it feeling overly restrictive.
The main body fabric is PFAS-free and Bluesign and Oeko-Tex approved, while the chamois is recycled. Made from high-density foam, the pad provides excellent long-ride comfort and moisture management.
The three rear pockets are relatively small but are the easiest here to access, sitting lower on the back, plus there are two large thigh pockets. Even when fully loaded, they remain stable. These shorts are a significant investment, though.
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Fox Tecbase bib liner shorts
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- Price: £89.99 / $99.95 / €89.99 as tested
- Pros: Great for warmer conditions; decent comfort
- Cons: Not the most durable; two small, hard-to-reach pockets; no women’s version available
Fox’s Tecbase bibs are a minimal design crafted from lightweight mesh, making them ideal for warmer conditions. While the 87% polyester / 13% elastane blend provides good stretch, the fine mesh feels less durable than other options on test.
The sizing runs tight, so the stitching on the small sample was pushed to its stretchable limits by our 173cm (5ft 8in), 74kg tester, causing some discomfort on the shoulders. We recommend sizing up if you’re at the upper end of the range.
Inside, the triple-density chamois offers decent padding for all-day comfort, with effective moisture control thanks to the perforated foam.
Storage is limited to two small pockets high on the back, which makes them difficult to access while riding. Our tester found them best used for smaller items, which didn’t bounce around.
Overall, these shorts give decent lightweight performance, but aren’t the most robust-feeling.
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100% Revenant bib liner shorts
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- Price: £109.99 / $109.99 as tested
- Pros: Breathable and comfortable mesh fabric; practical pockets
- Cons: Soft chamois; no women’s version available
These mesh-fabric bibs from 100% have a low-profile design. The 92% polyester / 8% elastane material feels quite durable, while the coarser mesh enhances breathability.
The fit is true to size, with the straps providing good all-day comfort, and the longer leg makes these easier to pair with knee pads.
However, the chamois is quite soft, with only modest foam thickness. It offers decent breathability and moisture control, it lacks the cushioning needed for extended rides. Our tester didn’t experience any chafing, but did find these bibs more comfortable for bike-park sessions than all-day adventures.
The two rear pockets are a practical size and easily accessible. Leg pockets increase the storage capacity, and their contents stayed secure and stable out on the trail.
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How we test cargo bib shorts
We test cargo bib shorts out on trails and gravel paths to make sure they're cut out for the real world.
Our testers have reviewed hundreds of pairs of bib shorts, so they know what to look out for in a decent pair.
Long test cycles enable us to identify all the strengths and weaknesses of the shorts over a good duration.
While comfort can be subjective, we try to be as objective as we can with our reviews to help you form your own understanding as to whether a pair will suit your needs.
Ultimately, our cargo bib short reviews are based on the following criteria:
- Comfort – is the chamois comfortable and do the bibs lay nicely on your body?
- Durability – do the shorts remain in good condition for long?
- Breathability – is there enough ventilation through the shorts?
- Pockets – are the pockets easily accessible and secure?
- Value for money – how do the shorts compare to others on the market? Are you getting a good deal?
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When you see a product listed in our buyer’s guides, you can be confident that it’s worthy of your attention. Only gear that we’ve ridden and rated 4 stars and above are included. In some cases, we’ll also highlight some of our other contenders that narrowly missed out with 3.5 stars or below.
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Cargo bib shorts buyer’s guide
What are cargo bib shorts?
Cargo bib shorts make use of the fit and form of normal bib shorts, while providing multiple pockets for stowing ride essentials such as food, water, tools and spares.
The main pockets are usually located across the lower back, just above the waistline, and are suitable for stashing bigger items such as food, an inner tube, a tool roll or a packable layer. Secondary pockets are usually found on the outside of the legs, and are perfect for bars/gels or a phone.
Any rider looking for all-day riding comfort with the added bonus of convenient storage can benefit from a pair of cargo bibs, but they tend to be especially popular with mountain bikers and gravel riders looking to ditch their packs, and long-distance bikepackers or endurance roadies looking for extra carrying capacity.
What to look for in cargo bib shorts
Pocket placement and capacity
From a cargo perspective, there are a few things to look out for. Primarily, the design and location of the pockets are more important than how many pockets a pair of bibs boasts. If they are hard to access or don’t hold their contents securely, you’ll quickly find yourself giving up on your stash pockets.
Consider how much you are hoping to carry in your bibs, and find an option that meets your storage needs.
Comfort and fit
Cargo bib shorts have to be comfortable. So, if you’re on the lookout for a pair of cargo bib shorts, we recommend getting up to speed on the key details – stash pockets or not.
The weight and breathability of the fabric used play a big role in overall comfort, but too much mesh can reduce durability. The quality of the chamois is also crucial – it needs to have a thick enough pad to prevent saddle sores and numbness, while also being breathable and moisture-wicking.
The design of the bib straps is also worth considering. If you have the chance to try before you buy, make sure the straps keep the bibs in place without feeling as though they’re hindering your movement or rubbing on your shoulders.
For a deep dive into everything you need to know about cycling bibs, check out our buyer’s guide.
More and more brands are designing cycling shorts for women, which we also have a guide to.
