Caratti Sport Bib Shorts

We really liked the Caratti Sport bib shorts the last time we tested them, so it's great to see that Caratti hasn't gone for a redesign, more a few clever tweaks to refine them. It's a great result – and achieved without increasing that unbelievable £40 price tag.

• Pros: Comfortable chamois, well made, excellent price
• Cons: A little rough around the edges

It was back in 2015 when George tested the Caratti Sports and he was impressed by the chamois and the fit, especially for the price.

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They are a classic pair of bibs, black in colour with a simple logo on the leg and a slightly shiny finish to the fabric that I remember from shorts I was wearing 10 or 15 years ago.

As soon as you put them on they feel comfortable; they're close fitting without being restrictive and as they haven't been cut for aerodynamics or a form fit in the saddle they'll suit the majority of riding, especially if it's aimed more at the training, recreation end of the market.

For 2018 Caratti has added more panels, most noticeably at the front of the thigh, which has had more sections of fabric added. This has given a more refined cut.

The bib section is pretty much all mesh which is great for keeping you cooler on hot days, and while it isn't as soft as the Cooldry fabric used for the main section of the shorts, it never feels uncomfortable against the skin if you don't wear a baselayer.

Again you get a snug fit but with plenty of movement. If you sit a little more upright you won't find the straps restrictive like you can with some more expensive race-orientated shorts.

The legs are held in place with an elastic gripper which is covered in silicone dots for added grip. I found them comfortable enough and had no problems at all with them riding up my thighs. Both grippers are woven with the Caratti logo, which gives them a classy look.

The pad hasn't been changed from the original, and that's a good thing as it was well received. The foam isn't massively thick and I wouldn't necessarily say that all of the channels and lumps are making a huge difference to how well it works, but it is comfortable and I suffered from no hot spots or bunching of the material.

As ride times increase I would prefer something a little thicker and more supportive, but up to around three to four hours the Sports are totally capable.

It's rare to see shorts for just £40 that perform so well in terms of comfort and refinement, and these will give those twice the price a run for their money. You can see a few compromises have been made, though. The stitching isn't the neatest I've seen in places and there are the odd stray threads poking out here and there.

Their performance easily outweighs that, though, and the fabrics certainly feel durable enough to stand a good couple of seasons of abuse.

> Buyer's Guide: 22 of the best cycling bib shorts

In terms of price, the closest we've had in lately are the Altura Progel 3 shorts at £59.99, and the women's version of the dhb Blok bibs at £55, though the men's are £75 rrp.

Overall, the Carattis are hard to fault for the money – unless you're doing long day rides, these are well worth considering.

Verdict

Traditional looking classic bib shorts that deliver way more than you'd expect for the price