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The Sportful Hyperepic bib shorts are impressive at first look, but it took only a few hours in the saddle to prove otherwise, with a chamois that let down what could otherwise be a good pair of bib shorts.
On first fit, the bib shorts came up perfectly true to size, which I don’t usually find with Sportful kit because it tends to be on the smaller side.
The diamond-weave fabric may not be as soft as some women's bib shorts, but it certainly feels supportive with a good level of compression.
The meshy white bib straps are very comfortable. Although they're linked at the upper back with a square of mesh fabric that doubles up as a radio holder, they don’t offer any easy-pee functionality.
Cut subtly into the thighs of the shorts, a cargo pocket adorns each side. While many riders will rejoice at this, they are unfortunately too shallow to fit a whole phone in comfortably.
Admittedly, they managed to secure my phone for the duration of a three-and-a-half-hour road ride, but it was combined with a sense of paranoia that it could slip out at any moment.
At the waistband, meshy panels are added to improve breathability. These were just as comfortable as regular fabric, although I couldn’t discern any positive impact of having them compared to regular material.
Where these shorts really fell down (not literally) was at the chamois. Sportful uses its own DMS Evo W chamois, designed originally for off-road riding with the ‘Dirty Multi Surface’ acronym.
I can’t quite put my finger on why these gave me discomfort in my seat bones, followed by soft tissue, even after only a couple of hours.
At first look, the pad seems just as thick as comparable shorts, but I think perhaps the density of the saddle area is lower, giving support that's more squishy than firm.
How we tested | Women's bib shorts
Each pair of bib shorts was tested over multiple rides and laundry cycles in late spring and early summer, both on- and off-road.
The key factors tested were comfort and functionality (not to forget style); the most crucial aspects of this cycling-wardrobe staple. The selection of bib shorts features standard and cargo bib options, reflecting the market demand for both options.
Shorts tested
- Albion Women’s ABR1 Pocket Bib Shorts
- Ryzon Vela Cargo Bib Shorts
- Iris Escape Bib Short 2.0
- Castelli Espresso 2 W DT Bibshort
- Sportful Hyperepic Women’s Bib Shorts
- Lusso Women's Paragon Comfort Break Bib Shorts
The tricky thing is, everyone is different and what might work (or not) for me could be very different for you.
The terracotta colourway is really lovely, and there are more safe navy and black options too. Even on hotter rides, these didn’t get too patchy with sweat, which was quite the relief.
Apart from the chamois woes, lack of easy-pee design and shallow pockets, the Hyperepic shorts aren’t bad, but unfortunately these factors, teamed with the mid-range £180 price, mean I won’t be recommending them to my cycling friends any time soon.
Sportful Hyperepic Women’s Bib Shorts bottom line
The Sportful Hyperepic Women’s Bib Shorts have some good features, but lack chamois comfort and easy-pee functionality.
Add those flaws to the sub-par cargo pockets and the Hyperepic shorts don’t quite live up to their name.
Sportful Hyperepic Women’s Bib Shorts specs
- Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL
- Black, navy, and terracotta colourways
- Sportful DMS Evo W chamois
- Two cargo pockets on thighs
- Mesh panel waistband
- Raw leg seams
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