If you're looking for excellent value for money and a quality pair of shorts for a reasonable amount of money, Endura's WMS PT Wave Bibshorts are worth a closer look.
Endura is perhaps better known for its mountain bike range which is highly rated for value for money, quality and well-though-out design. But Endura also has experience in developing kit for pro road teams such as Cervelo Bigla and has worked closely with pro riders to refine and develop its women's offering at the highest level, which then improves kit at all levels.
The most popular feature of these shorts is the drop tail, which many women I've spoken to rave about.
This drop tail design has a zip that runs from hip to hip around the bum to allow the back to flap open, so you don't even need to pull your shorts down to go to the toilet.
It's a design that's being constantly refined and one major improvement over earlier incarnations is the zip, which now has some stretch.
As a woman with a particularly curvy bum, I could still feel the zip pulling a little on my skin when riding, which was a little distracting, but riders with flatter or less curvy derrières shouldn't have the same issue.
You do need to be careful though to pull the zip out away from your skin when you zip it back up to avoid catching flesh.
The Lycra is firm and supportive and cut high on the hips, which gives a comfortable and flattering fit without a seam or band around the waist, which might otherwise cut in or pull.
The mesh straps and back panel are breathable and sit securely, distributing any pull from the shorts evenly across the shoulders and back.
The straps themselves form a single back panel that sits between the shoulder blades and splits into two regular straps that sit either side of the bust at the front. This design means there's no risk of the straps falling down over the shoulders.
The legs are cut long to around three quarters down my thigh — I'm 5ft 8in / 1m 73cm — which isn't the longest on the market but is more than adequate for riders who don't like a lot of thigh on show.
A wide legband with silicone gripper dots keeps the shorts in place and doesn't squish the leg.
While the Lycra is robust, firm and supportive, this is at the expense of good breathability in hot weather. When it gets hot, these shorts feel hot too.
Personally, I prefer a slightly thinner chamois than the one used in these shorts. But it is women's specific with zoned padding to give additional support where required, such as under the sit bones, and has antibacterial properties.
This version of the shorts is part of a limited-edition print, which is something that Endura produces annually.
Endura WMS PT Wave Bibshort LTD Mulberry pricing, sizing and availability
Endura is well stocked in a wide range of online and bricks-and-mortar retailers, but this special edition version won't be around for long.
- Price: £84.99 / €99.99
- Size: XXS to XXL
- Colours: Black/Mulberry
