Van Rysel EDR Women’s Quick Zip Cycling Bib Shorts review

Part of Decathlon’s own-brand Van Rysel range, the EDR Quick Zip bibs are designed to take the hassle out of pee stops for women, although they fall short in use.

There’s generous coverage up top with a full mesh upper covering the chest and back.

With the zip feature, these bibs carry a £15 premium over the traditionally styled Van Rysel 900 bib shorts.

Van Rysel EDR Women’s Quick Zip Cycling Bib Shorts specifications and details

Designed to tackle the issue of loo breaks for women, the Van Rysel EDR bibs feature a long two-way zip that extends from the mid-thigh on one leg all the way across the upper back to the other thigh. This allows the rear of the short to be dropped to use the toilet without removing any other layers.

The bibs use a women’s-specific B’Twin chamois with variable-density gel padding and a narrow central groove.

The upper part of the shorts gives extensive coverage of the torso and is remarkably similar to Rapha's Brevet bibs, with a short zip down the front of the mesh to help you dress.

Van Rysel EDR Women’s Quick Zip Cycling Bib Shorts performance

Although I admire Decathlon for trying to address the conundrum of trying to pee in bibs as a woman, this zipper bum-flap system doesn’t work.

The long zip fits awkwardly across the hips, where it bunches. It also isn’t lined on the inside against the skin, which causes irritation, and is further rubbed across the back by loaded jersey pockets.

Putting the zip into action is tricky – I even pinched some of my thigh skin (ouch!) when undoing it, and I can only think about how horrendous it would be if this zip failed mid-ride. That hasn’t been a problem here, but zips do fail.

The fit is very strange, baggy around the crotch and middle, yet well fitted on the thighs and shoulders. I’d like to see more stretch in the upper portion of the bib because the mesh vest is quite rigid and doesn’t fit well against the skin.

Getting into the bibs is also a bit of a mission with the short chest zip, which would be better extended.

The chamois is another disappointment, with the narrow central channel pinching soft tissue between gel pads. A very obvious 'camel toe' appearance when off the bike is less than desirable, too.

Upsides are the sleek laser-cut leg hems and minimal branding, although I did find a notch on one hem which may fray.

Van Rysel EDR Women’s Quick Zip Cycling Bib Shorts bottom line

An inconsistent fit and flawed, uncomfortable design make the EDR shorts one to avoid.