Shutt Velo Rapide Women's GreenTech Bib Shorts

The Shutt Velo Rapide Women's GreenTech Bib Shorts are well made and suit all ride distances, with one of the most comfortable multi-density foam and gel pads I've tested. They don't come cheap, but for the comfort on offer they're worth the cash.

• Pros: Comfortable pad
• Cons: Grippers a tiny bit loose on my legs

The fit was great right from the off, in my usual medium size. They are made of Miti recycled Lycra, which has the right amount of support and stretch around the legs – although the lightweight gripper at the ends was a bit loose on me. It's a laser cut design that kept the shorts nicely in place while riding, but off the bike was a tiny bit baggy.

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The legs are also about 4cm longer than my usual shorts, judging by my tan line. I don't mind the length but would prefer the grippers to be a tiny bit tighter; there is a fine line between too tight and too loose.

The bib straps are made of lightweight mesh material and are claimed to be high wicking; riding with and without a mesh baselayer, I certainly had no issues with being too sweaty up top on warm days. The straps are very comfortable, too, not too tight at all, and there is even a little pocket on the back.

I did a lot of rides of between two and five hours, in a mixture of temperatures, and really enjoyed wearing these shorts. On one particularly scorchio day I did get quite hot and felt a lack of wicking and the shorts rubbed at the edge of the pad, which I haven't had before. It was a one-off, though, and I had no more issues.

On slightly cooler rides I was fine, as I was on shorter rides. I'd say they are suited to days up to 24/25°C and when the weather is a little cooler. I tested the Lusso Stripes bib shorts last year and I'd say those are better for hotter days as they wick really well, though the pad isn't as well suited to longer rides.

The pad is the most important part of the shorts and Shutt VR has designed its own 3D multi-density foam and gel pad, claiming optimal shock absorption and rapid sweat absorption. I really liked this pad, and as someone who likes a simple, smooth type pad I wasn't sure that I would. However, the combination of the gel and multi-density foam works really well – for me, anyway.

According to Shutt VR, the pad has a 3mm flex layer, 6mm flex taper, 9mm nerve relief channel, 12mm contact padding, and 15mm critical padding with gel. I found it really comfortable on both short and longer 80-mile rides. The seams are all flat and neat and tidy. It was just that one super-hot ride that I experienced some rubbing, so I'm not sure about the 'rapid sweat absorption' claim.

In terms of value, at £110 they are pretty expensive, but if they have the right pad for you then the quality and comfort could be worth the investment. You can certainly buy cheaper, though, for example the 2XU Women's Sub Cycle bib shorts at £95, which got a good review from Emma (if you like the colour), and Ashia found Alé's £65 Solid Traguardos comfortable for medium rides, though not longer ones. I always hear good things about Rapha's £100 Core bib shorts from fellow cyclists, too.

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Overall, for all but one of my rides, I was very comfortable in the Shutt Velo Rapide shorts, and thought the pad was great. They're definitely a pair of shorts I would be happy to use for longer rides – just maybe not the hottest of hot days.

And if you find you don't get on with them, Shutt VR says 'If you don't love them, simply return them to Shutt within one month for a full no quibble refund.'

Verdict

Very comfortable shorts with a great pad for all distances