Northwave Blade bib short

The Northwave Blade Bib shorts are part of their mid-range line. With SuperRoubaix fabric, meshed straps and a variety of colours, they are only let down by a thin, unmalleable pad.

The shorts are a fairly traditional panelled construction with flat-locked stitching. Tradition isn't a bad thing; these shorts fit well. Leg length is good and held in place with silicone grippers which don't create any tightness. Back and side panels transition well to the '3D' meshed braces just above the hips.

Polyamide and Elastane form the material in a 80:20 ratio, otherwise known as SuperRoubaix. This is a tightly knit material, often found on tights for chillier temperatures - perfect for the British summer! There isn't any fleece like you'd find in tights so the idea is just to limit the air penetration. As I said, this is good for UK shores, as the continental top of the range shorts are often so breathable that staying warm enough at the beginning of a ride can be an issue; it is a nice change.

These shorts are extremely versatile - they can be worn in the summer and then paired with knee/leg warmers to extend their use - making them great value.

Onto the pad; one I couldn't get on with. It was like a piece of cardboard between my legs, and it bunched up rather than cup my...package. Labeled with 'man specific comfort project', well, I guess I need to grow a pair. The pad is apparently gel based but feels very thin and lacking to me. The middle - presumably where the gel resides - feels competent, so I think it is the more rigid sections around it that create the problem.

On the bike, the problem remained. The pad just wasn't comfortable for me. It was unforgettable as it rigidly moved with my pedal strokes. I thought it might bed in but it didn't. A groove down the centre of the pad does suggest it should mould correctly so perhaps the shorts were a little on the large size for me - although the rest of the fit was fine.

Iron-on logos look like they won't survive the wash but actually seemed to fare alright throughout my testing. Once they do crack though, logos like that can often make a decent piece of kit look older than it is, which can be a shame. There isn't any luminance in them either.

If you've already used a Northwave pad and know you get on with it then I can fully recommend them. Otherwise, best bet would be to try them somewhere first.

Verdict

Decent, versatile shorts let down by a cardboardy chamois.