Giro's Ride Halter Bibs are part of the firm's New Road collection. They're some of the best women's bib shorts we've tested, and feature an innovative solution to the problem of on-the-go comfort breaks.
Related: The best women's bib shorts group test 2015
Giro’s Ride Halter Bibs were our first introduction to the halter style of straps for bib shorts. As with the Velocio Superfly zipper, we was hesitant at first, thinking the halter design would cause added neck and shoulder pressure. However, after just a few minutes on the bike, we nearly forgot the strap even existed. The smooth, elastic halter strap rests comfortably across the back of the neck but it doesn’t rub or pull in uncomfortable ways.
The halter-top strap style makes bathroom breaks easy. Simply unzip your jersey, pull the halter strap over your helmet, and then easily pull the bibs down and back up in no time. Initially, I struggled to get the strap over our helmet, but it quickly loosened up enough for smooth breaks without any hassle.
While Giro’s lightweight chamois didn't come out right on top of the selection of bibs we tested, it was comfortable for both long and short rides. Also, the elastic leg bands fit well and kept everything in place while riding. Unfortunately, the material used for the leg paneling was a bit too loose compared with the elastic leg bands. This made for some unflattering bulging around the thighs and left me wishing for a more compressive material.
This combination of price, quality and performance make Giro’s Halter Bibs an excellent choice for any cyclist on a budget. Not only are these bibs extremely comfortable, bathroom-break- friendly, but they also look and feel great as well. In fact, they topped our best mid-range bib shorts group test.
Related: Buyers guide to women's bib shorts