Lusso Ladies Stripes Bib Shorts

Lusso's Ladies Stripes Bib Shorts are very well priced at £70, and during the mixed summer weather we've had they've been very comfortable for shorter rides, but for me the pad – though classed as 'long distance' – wasn't comfortable for much more than two hours.

With the stripes on the gripper band round the leg, these shorts are designed to be worn as a set with the Stripes jersey which I also tested, though they look good with other tops too.

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British company Lusso makes its kit in Manchester, and these shorts are well made using a 10-panel anatomic design, with the stitching finished to a high standard.

They feel comfortable as soon as you put them on. The fabric is Italian CoolTech, which has a stretch to it and hugs your legs, with long 75mm laser cut silicone grippers holding them in position well. I found the size small a great fit, though normally I would wear a medium/12 so do check on sizing.

The fabric also has UV 50+ protection, which isn't that unusual these days and is good for when the sun comes out to play.

The bib straps fitted comfortably over the shoulders, just right on the length, with no rubbing and no problems getting them on and off. Lusso hasn't created any fancy way of getting in and out of the bibs at loo stops, so undressing is needed. They're a straightforward over-the-shoulder design, with CoolMesh fabric on the straps and back with good sweat-wicking properties. I don't often wear bib shorts in the summer as I worry they might become a bit sweaty, but the CoolMesh fabric here did its job well.

The 14mm thickness pad is billed as 'long distance'. It's Italian-made, with multi-density foam – more padding on the sit bone areas, for example – and an antibacterial surface.

I used the shorts on rides of various different distances from one hour to four. For me, the shorts performed really well for up to two hours, but after that I would have preferred a different pad. I know everyone is different and pad comfort is a very subjective thing, but I found it softer than the pads I am used to, so it was a pressure issue not a rubbing issue; I think if it had higher density padding on the sit bone area I would have felt more comfortable.

At £70 they're well priced, sitting in the mid-range for women's bib shorts. You can find similarly priced shorts from Evans brand Kalf (its Club Women's Bib Shorts are £64.99), or Louis Garneau's Neo Power Motion Bib Short at £79.99. BTwin's 700s are worth a look if they come back in stock, at £34.99, or at the other end of the scale if it's long-distance shorts you need you could splash out on Rapha's £180 Brevets.

> Cycling shorts – everything you need to know

Overall, the Lusso Stripes are a good pair of shorts for warmer, shorter rides, but for longer outings I would prefer a thicker, higher density pad.

Verdict

Good-looking, well-fitting summer bibs that are great for shorter rides, but pad comfort is challenged on longer distances