dhb Women's Blok Fluoro bib shorts

We've already reviewed the men's dbh Blok bibs, and I'm happy to report that good value and comfort are reflected in the women's version too.

The bibs are part of the new Blok range from dhb, touted as fashion forward, highly functional, and in true dhb style, very good value. In addition to the long bib tights version, these shorts comprise the bibs/short in the range of hi-viz and brightly coloured jerseys and armwarmers.

The fluoro in the name makes an appearance on the overseam piping on the edges of the white bib straps, and the dhb logo transfer, as well as the obvious wide gripper band on each leg. The bands are quite striking, and I've been impressed with how they garner attention on the road, especially with a good cadence on a dimly lit morning.

The wide bands are also functional, providing a comfortable but firm grip on the thighs, supplemented by minimal and widely spaced silicone dots to ensure they don't ride up. The moderate elasticity, spread across a wider band, tends to make for a more flattering look on the leg than thinner and more restrictive options, comfortable without being constrictive. The legs reach to about mid thigh.

Bib fit can be much more of a complex issue for women, and, of course, depends a lot on body shape and personal preference. Having owned a few pairs of dhb bibs across the range, and not got on with the bib cut of several, I am quite impressed by the fit of the Blok Fluoros. For reference, I fit comfortably into the 12 in the Blok, though I opted for 14 in the more racy DHB Goldline bibs.

I found the wide soft straps supportive but unrestrictive, and the fabric is incredibly stretchy, which should cater for a good variety of shapes and sizes. I usually struggle with the bibs fitting comfortably over the chest, but the straps are placed wide enough, and the fabric elastic enough, for this not to be an issue for me at all.

The scoop of the bibs at the front is a little higher than most, which I actually found incredibly comfortable across my stomach. When bent over the bars, it sits an inch or two below my sternum.

The high lycra back and sides are sewn onto a white racer-back style panel which is perforated up to the shoulder blades to improve breathability. The lycra appears to be less silky than some, which I didn't find any less comfortable on the skin. It seems to grip very well to silicone hems on jerseys so they don't ride up, and increases staying power between the bibs and saddle.

Arguably as important as the fit is the pad. Dhb have chosen a CyTech pad similar to that found in their Aeron range. The material is soft and highly breathable, but it is also quite thin and lightweight. Pads are hugely down to personal preference, but I really liked the 'barely-there' feel, which provides a bit of cushioning while not feeling like a nappy. I found it especially good for whipping on for quick 10 miles commutes, but I've been totally comfortable on much longer rides.

For me, the mark of good bibs is to get to the end of a ride without having to adjust or even think about what I'm wearing, and this is certainly the case here.

Verdict

Comfortable, eye-catching, and well cut bibs at a great price