In this article I’m going to give you a list of the best cycling bibs under 150. Considering the fact that the average price of cycling bibs sits just shy of 200 dollars, it means that this list contains the best of the best for a very decent price.
The trick is to pick those cycling bibs that offer the best chamois without the need to put down a premium for the latest in research and development. It’s the latter that can very quickly push the price across the 200 mark without offering any significant gains.
By carefully comparing products and doing some field research I was able to provide you an overview that really gives you the best bang for your buck. And keep in mind that a sales offer could actually push the price of these bibs below a hundred dollars.
So without further ado, here are my top picks for the best cycling bibs under 150.
Pearl Izumi Men's Expedition Bib Short
The Pearl Izumi Men’s Expedition Bib Short is a cargo short with plenty of storage meant for road and gravel riders.
The bib short features a dual-density Men’s ELITE Escape 1:1 chamois. Its top layer can move independently from its foam layer, which reduces friction and chafing. It means that these shorts are perfect for your average dry ride and will prove to be comfortable for a number of hours in the saddle.
The short is made from compression fabric and has 2 large thigh pockets. This means you can store larger objects, like your phone, as well as smaller ones like multiple energy bars or small tools. The compression fabric ensures a snug, yet comfortable fit.
Furthermore, the short has breathable mesh straps and a large mesh back panel. Silicone printed hems to keep the short in place.
For anything but ultra-distance riding, these shorts are a fantastic option, that doesn’t hurt your wallet too much, offers good storage options, looks the part, and are durable as well.
- Durable, affordable cargo bib short
- None
Giordana Men's Fusion Bib Short
The Giordana Men’s Fusion Bib Short offers their thicker 3-layer 13 m. Cirro chamois.
It has wide straps ending in a comfortable large back panel, with tall laser cut hems.
The chamois has an Aloe Vera infused layer that prevents bacteria build-up and offers cooling factors. It’s sewn atop a tick 8mm. layer of memory foam. This open waffle-textured layer offers excellent moisture-wicking and ventilation properties.
A bit less performance oriented for the casual rider, these shorts will still amaze when staying many hours in the saddle.
- Durable, great-looking mid-tier bib short
- None
Castelli Competizione Kit Bibshort
The Castelli Competizione Kit Bibshort is an almost perfect combination of design and functionality.
My favorite Italian cycling apparel brand offers the excellent KISS Air2 chamois into an awesome-looking cycling bib. This pre-shaped pad has multiple layers with varying densities to spread out pressure and increase shock absorption across a larger area. It’s topped off with a non-chafing incredibly soft skin layer.
Mesh straps are connected to compression fabric, with aerodynamic Vortex BLC textured paneling on the outside of the legs. Even if it might not actually make you faster, it at least makes you look faster because of its stylish look. A laser-cut GIRO4 leg gripper let the bibs end smoothly.
Probably the best-looking bib of the more moderately priced cycling bibs, that performs fantastically for the majority of road cyclists.
- Very stylish yet reasonably affordable compression shorts
- None
Gore C5 Opti Bib Shorts+
The Gore C5 Opti Bib Shorts+ are unique in that the Swedish brand offers temperature protection for your groin.
While this might sound trivial at first, it totally isn’t. Anyone who’s ridden in chilly or windy conditions knows how cold this area can get, with constant winds sapping heat away from your body. Obviously this leads to energy otherwise used for cycling being diverted, and an allround uncomfortable feeling where you don’t want it to.
The Men Advanced chamois features an extended cup at the front of a double-layered pad, made from GORE® WINDSTOPPER® fabric. Suffice to say this significantly reduces the risk of numbness in the genital area because of cold. The multi-density foam furthermore is anatomically shaped with open-cell foam padding to negate pressure points.
A serious chamois innovation worth consideration.
- Innovative and affordable bib short
- None
Gore C3 Bib Shorts+
The Gore C3 Bib Shorts+ are fantastic-looking cycling bibs for an equally great price.
They offer the ACTIVE Comfort chamois, which is a perfect pad for the recreational rider who likes casual riding. Although at the lower end of their price spectrum, it still offers a dual-density setup, where the support is offered in areas where it makes the most sense. And a slim profile ensures the pad stays in the correct place and doesn’t bulge.
The cycling bib itself shares similarities with offerings that are far more expensive. For instance, Gore uses the same fabric across their lineup, which means you get a premium-looking short for a perfectly acceptable price.
I really can’t fault this excellent offering from Gore, especially not at this price point.
- Excellent value-for-money bib short
- None
POC Pure Bib Shorts Vpds
Called entry-level bibs, the POC Pure Bib Shorts Vpds still pack a ton of features that make it a serious contender.
For one, the VPDS Catalyst chamois feature silicone inserts, a feature usually only reserved for top-tier cycling bibs. Cleverly located around the sit bones, they provide an extra level of shock absorption, within a multi-layered seamless pad, to ensure a comfortable ride for many hours.
Furthermore, the elegantly designed cycling bib has full mesh straps and back panel for maximum breathability in an all black look. Flatlocked seams with large silicone printed leg grippers improve on its no-feel characteristic. And small reflective elements add a bit of safety when it gets late.
- Mid-tier price with top-tier comfort
- None
Craft Essence Bib Shorts
The Craft Essence Bib Shorts are a great allround choice for budget-minded cyclists.
One of Craft’s most affordable cycling bibs feature their C3 chamois, which still provides ample levels of comfort with a hollow-fiber pad.
Craft displays a high degree of corporate responsibility, with this short being created with recycled polyamide. So if that’s something you value and look for in a product, Craft is definitely worth choosing.
The cycling bib has two front straps, which ends in a large back panel.
Highly affordable and with sustainability in mind, the Craft Essence Bib Shorts is a great choice for the recreational road cyclist.
- Extremely budget-friendly bib shorts made from recycled polyamide
- None
Craft Adv Offroad Bib Shorts
The Craft Adv Offroad Bib Shorts are more than excellent shorts for a very reasonable price.
Beautifully designed, they offer a mesh back panel that wraps around your body into a high waist, ensuring a great look with comfortable straps at the front.
The C2 pad has three layers of various densities made in a way that reduces waste. The thickest parts sit at the sit bones offering necessary damping qualities.
The shorts themselves are made from recycled polyamide, so you know Craft is big into sustainability. The brand is known for creating very durable products.
It falls into the category of cargo bibs, sporting pockets at the legs and a single zip pocket in the back.
A great product for road and gravel cyclists who can appreciate high-quality comfortable bib shorts for a great price.
- Cargo bibs made from recycled polyamide
- None
Specifications cycling bibs under 150
Name | Price | Chamois | Straps | Material | Hems | Pockets | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pearl Izumi Men’s Expedition Bib Short | 125 USD | Men’s ELITE Escape 1:1® | straps w. back panel | ELITE Transfer compression fabric | silicone printed cuffs | 2 thigh pockets | |
Giordana Men’s Fusion Bib Short | 130 USD | Cirro | LoPro 0™ straps w. back panel | compression Lycra | integrated leg bands | none | |
Castelli Competizione Kit Bibshort | 140 USD | KISS Air2 | mesh straps w. mesh back panel | Affinity Pro Lycra® and Vortex BLC | GIRO4 leg grippers | none | |
Gore C5 Opti Bib Shorts+ | 120 USD | Men Advanced | mesh straps w. mesh back panel | GORE® Selected Fabrics | stretch woven | none | |
Gore C3 Bib Shorts+ | 90 USD | ACTIVE Comfort | mesh straps w. mesh back panel | GORE® Selected Fabrics | stretch woven | none | |
POC Pure Bib Shorts Vpds | 130 euros | VPDS Catalyst | mesh straps w. mesh back panel | silicone leg grippers | none | ||
Craft Essence Bib Shorts | 90 euros | Infinity C3 Pad Men | straps w. back panel | Lycra Sport Energy compression fabric | silicone leg grippers | none | |
Craft Adv Offroad Bib Shorts | 140 euros | C2 | mesh straps w. mesh back panel | Lycra Sport Energy | stretch woven | 1 thigh pocket, 1 zip pocket in back |
Johan van Seijen
FoundeR Restoration.bike
Johan van Seijen is the founder of restoration.bike. His passion for cycling in general, and restoring older bikes turned into a website to share his knowledge with a broader audience. Starting out on his father’s road bike and riding classics as the Amstel Gold Race and Liege Bastogne Liege he has shifted his attention to trail, XC, and gravel riding since. No matter how much he loves writing about everything related to cycling, nothing beats actually using his ever-expanding bicycle collection.
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