PEdAL ED Odyssey Bibshorts

PEdAL ED's Odyssey Bibshorts are part of its range of clothing that caters for the growing popularity of long distance bikepacking trips out into the wilderness. Comfort is key, along with plenty of storage – and these bib shorts certainly deliver.

• Pros: Excellent fit and pad, clever storage solutions
• Cons: Nothing really

Over the last few months my riding time has been split pretty much 50/50 between road and gravel, and the latter is where these Odyssey shorts have really come into their own alongside the Odyssey jersey and gilet.

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On my doorstep I have a network of gravel tracks and trails that cover hundreds of kilometres (that's only the parts I've explored so far) and I can go for hours without seeing a living soul, so I always feel like I need to carry a little bit more – especially in the dark... I love a lonely night ride!

At the bottom of the bib straps, the Odyssey shorts have a large mesh pocket which is easily big enough to carry some snacks, two or three inner tubes or a gilet for instance.

Off the bike it doesn't feel that taut, but once the shorts are on it's a very secure aperture.

For those times when you are in warmer climes and wearing the shorts without a jersey over the top, PEdAL ED has included a reflective strip at the top of the pocket, which is a nice touch.

In each leg you'll also find a pocket for a bit of food, a gel, even some directions written out on a piece of paper – anything that you are going to want to grab quickly while on the move.

It's a similar idea to tucking something up your leg, and the pocket is quite large, with the contents being held in place by a section of the leg cuff being unstitched to create a kind of lip.

I was sceptical at first, but it really does work; nothing fell out during a ride, although I don't know if I could trust it with my valuables purely because I can't get my head round it.

It's not just the shorts' load-carrying capability that ticks the boxes, though.

The pad is simple to look at, with just two sections of thicker density foam either side of a centre relief channel. I found the padding to be spot on when it came to support, soaking up plenty of the bumps and rough terrain without feeling overly squidgy on the saddle.

The shorts' fabric is soft against the skin too, and with a spot-on mix of polyamide and elastane they are supportive and a little on the compressive side.

The straps are laser cut, which does away with the need for any stitches, and although they feel a bit restrictive when off the bike, once aboard they sit just right, keeping the shorts in position without feeling tight.

The Odysseys aren't just for use off-road, though, as I rode in them for plenty of miles on the tarmac with the same great effect. Plenty of long-distance comfort makes them great for day-long rides and epic audaxes.

Priced at £145 they are up there with plenty of top-end shorts, but if you are out for a massive ride that could cover days then these really come into their own. I haven't necessarily ventured off into the unknown for a week, but I finished an eight-hour gravel ride without the slightest discomfort in the short region.

Rapha's Core Cargo bib shorts are an obvious competitor at £110, which David Arthur praised highly saying that they performed pretty much the same as the more expensive Cargo version at £195.

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

If I was heading off for a bit of an epic ride, the Odysseys would definitely be on my kit list. The comfort is brilliant throughout, and while you don't necessarily need the rest of the range, it all works together as a great package.

Overall PEdAL ED has delivered a top notch pair of bib shorts here with some added extras.

Verdict

Top notch bib shorts that work on and off-road, with subtle storage should you need it