Sportful Super Total Comfort Bibshort

With a name like Super Total Comfort, these bib shorts from Italian company Sportful promise much. I'm happy to report that they are indeed very comfortable – as comfortable as practically any other bib shorts I've worn, even those costing considerably more.

The heart of the shorts is a thickly padded chamois, with 16mm high-density foam padding used where your sit bones contact the saddle, tapering down to 8mm at the front. The foam is perforated which helps with sweat management and also gives the shorts a nice level of vibration damping.

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Despite that generous foam padding, they don't feel at all bulky. It makes them an excellent choice if you want guaranteed comfort for any long rides you have planned this summer, evening racing or weekend training runs. There's absolutely no degradation in comfort as the miles and hours tick away, as you can get with some bib shorts that seem to have a definite limit to their comfort provision.

It's a comfortable pad next to the skin as well, with no rough edges or nasty stitching to cause irritation. Flatlock stitching is used throughout the construction of the shorts as well, to further improve comfort, and they're very well made too, with excellent durability that helps to justify the price tag. You should be able to rely on these shorts lasting many hours of riding.

The shorts are made from a stretch weave fabric with a 29% Lycra content, and it's soft next to the skin and to the touch, and provides a compressive fit. The shorts do have a tight fit, but it's not restrictive, instead it's supportive. The cut of the panels and the slight stretch of the fabric ensures they are perfectly contoured to your body, with no excessive ripples or bunching of fabric in areas that could lead to discomfort.

The wide elasticated leg bands have a dotted silicone pattern that grips your legs without any undue pressure, and they stay perfectly in place with no slippage. My only tiny gripe is that the ends of the leg openings can sometimes roll up a small amount.

The bib straps are similarly wide and made from a ventilated mesh material. They spread the pressure over your shoulders well, and the mesh back panel doesn't get in the way of a baselayer and jersey working together to remove sweat from your back. I didn't find the bib straps that comfortable next to the skin, but I always wear a baselayer so it wasn't a problem.

Comfort regarding shorts and saddles is subjective, but I'd challenge anyone not to find these shorts comfortable, whether it's a short blast or an all-day epic of a ride. I've worn them on the mountain bike where their durability in the rough and bramble-strewn countryside has been fine. I've also found them a good choice for cyclo-cross and adventure bike riding, with the chunky padded insert providing welcome cushioning when bouncing around on the saddle.

> Read our buyer's guide to the best cycling bib shorts

At £140 these shorts aren't cheap, but they offer everything you want at this price – and also compare very well to shorts costing significantly more. They're a simple design but Sportful gets the details right, and their understated appearance will go well with any jersey. Shop around and find them discounted and you're onto a bargain. They certainly live up to their name.

Verdict

Super-comfortable bib shorts and totally worth the money