Bontrager continues to wow us with quality cycling clothing at extremely affordable prices. The Race Women’s Bib Shorts are no exception to this standard and we'd certainly recommend these bibs to any of our budget-minded cycling friends.
Related: Best mid-range women's bib shorts
The Race bibs have a comfortable chamois that's thicker in the back for added cushioning and thinner in the front so they don’t feel bulky. It is one of the more comfortable chamois among lower-priced bibs, and meant we thoroughly enjoyed testing them.
Bontrager’s leg bands are very durable and made from a rubbery material that kept everything in place over extremely rough roads and trails. The bands are also slightly elastic, preventing the bibs from riding up without squeezing the legs or causing any unwanted bulging.
The Race bibs' classic strap design means – unlike with halter-neck designs such as Giro's Ride bibs – that bathroom breaks mean taking your jersey off. However, we appreciate the straightforward design and Bontrager’s focus on comfort rather than gimmicks.
While the chamois, leg bands, and straps were all pleasantly comfortable, the Race bibs' material left us slightly unsatisfied. Although it softened up a bit after a few washes, the relatively stiff fabric felt rough against the skin in comparison with some of the other bibs tested alongside.