Liv Signature Bib Shorts

Liv's Signature Bib Shorts are comfortable and stylish and offer excellent protection for the longest of rides on road or gravel.

Sizing/fit

Following Liv's size guide (see the test report, below), I tested a medium and the fit was good, both on and off the bike. Despite being a 'Race Fit' for performance, the shorts don't compress excessively – they're just snug enough.

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The bib straps are not so snug; in fact I found them to be on the generous side in terms of length, though they do the job well enough under a winter jersey. Under a skin-tight short-sleeve jersey they are not discreet, having more 'substance' than some. (It's not me in the photos, that's Tass, who would be a large according to the size guide.)

Personally, for me the legs are a bit short. This is very much personal preference, not a criticism – I simply prefer something with a bit more length.

In use

On the bike, the shorts are really comfy. They move well with your body and don't feel restrictive. I've done some seriously hilly rides in them, relentlessly in and out of the saddle, and they've never once felt uncomfortable or needed adjusting at the leg.

Unlike the Race Day shorts I reviewed a while ago, they stay put thanks to the wide band of silicone dimples at the leg ends. This was against leg warmers rather than bare skin. I sadly haven't had the opportunity to test the Signature shorts in this way. Given that they grip leg warmers, I'd suggest, from experience, that they will not budge from bare skin either.

The fabric itself has a nice sheen and a soft feel to it. It's still looking and feeling like new after a significant amount of washing. The leg band has stayed nice and bold, too. It's nice to see a splash of colour on shorts, though I'm not won over by Liv's claim that it gives a sense of speed...

Pad

Liv has used its Signature Series Chamois, an excellent pad with flat seams and stretch thread. I've not experienced any chafing or hot spots throughout the test period. It's served me well on longer rides of more than four hours, as well as hilly ones involving lots of movement. The substantial part of the pad is exactly where you need it, while the surrounding area's much thinner. This forms a tapered effect, with no 'edge-of-chamois' irritation and it doesn't look so bulky off the bike.

I never noticed an excessive build-up of heat around the hips and groin, even when working hard. The pad is claimed to 'guarantee exceptional moisture control and hygiene'. I cannot comment on its performance in warmer temperatures, but it certainly does well in British winter-to-spring climes.

The mesh panelling used for the bibs comes down quite low so helps to minimise heat build-up around the torso.

Bib aside, there is no variation in the thickness of the shorts fabric. It feels and looks like a durable and substantial material. Coupled with leg warmers, they offer perfect protection in temperatures hovering around 10°C, though how this more substantial material compares to something like Alé's PRR-20 Future shorts come the summer remains to be seen.

Value

If you are shopping around for spring shorts, though, the Signatures are certainly worth considering. They are mid-to-high range price-wise but, I'd say, offer the comfort of higher end shorts.

They're £15 cheaper than the Alés mentioned above, which are £140, and I wasn't keen on their halter-neck design.

I'd say the Signatures are comparable to Lusso's RS19s, which are £25 cheaper, though the Livs use a more durable fabric.

> Read more road.cc reviews of women's cycling shorts here 

There are certainly much cheaper options out there, particularly if you have no intention of staying in the saddle for more than a couple of hours. Janine reviewed a similarly designed pair of shorts from Cycology towards the end of the summer, also £25 cheaper, and the Signature's Race Day siblings are £79.99.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a pair of shorts with a chamois that's up to long hours in the saddle, these are well worth considering. Just be aware that they have a short leg length, and that distinctive purple band won't be for everyone – details that don't detract from the performance but might be personal niggles.

Verdict

Well-made shorts with substantial fabric ideal for moderate UK temperatures and a pad that's up to long days in the saddle