Gore Spinshift Bib Shorts Women’s review

New to the Gore line-up, the women’s-specific Spinshift Bib Shorts feature an easy-pee mechanism and compression knit construction.

The shorts are designed for everyday riding, and available with or without cargo pockets to suit all tastes.

While many features impressed on test, especially considering the mid-range price, a few elements could have been more comfortable.

Gore Spinshift Bib Shorts Women’s specifications and details

There are three parts to the Gore Spinshift bib shorts – the main shorts are constructed from panels of a recycled polyamide/elastane blend; there are white, seamless bib straps; and a black mesh panel around the waist links the two.

The bib straps combine at the upper back and can be detached from the waistband at the lower back with a magnetic clip designed to make pee breaks easier.

The women’s-specific chamois has been developed by Gore in partnership with Elastic Interface and features thicker padding in the saddle area, flanked by a more minimal edge.

The legs are finished with a raw hem, backed with a line of silicone crosses to keep them in place.

The Spinshift bibs are firmly in the middle of the mid-range price bracket, with cheaper options such as the Rapha Core (£110), Endura Pro SL (£159.99) and Castelli Espresso bibs (£160).

Gore Spinshift Bib Shorts Women’s performance

The first thing to mention about the Gore Spinshift bibs is the sizing. Rarely am I a size small in anything, with a UK12 dress size, but according to the sizing guide from Gore, that’s what I should opt for.

Surprisingly for me, the size small (Gore says this equates to a UK8-10 size) fitted perfectly – the Spinshift shorts would appear to size up larger for a nominal size.

If nothing else, it shows the importance of consulting each brand’s size guide before ordering; one brand’s small, medium and large can be vastly different from another's.

With the Gore Spinshift bibs, you too may find you need to size down compared to what you’d usually order.

Once on, the bibs gave a lovely fit, staying securely in place without being constrictive at the leg or bib. The raw leg hems are excellent too.

The magnetic clasps of the easy-pee mechanism work well, too.

The bibs performed well on the bike, though I occasionally felt the waistband dig in a little.

The chamois seemed fine too, although the raised chevrons in the saddle area – designed to offer extra padding – took a little getting used to.

I felt a little sore after riding with these shorts though, which I don’t experience with other bibs shorts featuring a chamois best suited to me.

Of course, someone else may fare better, given the subjectivity of experiences with different pads.

The bib portion is minimal and functions well, although the solid joining piece where the two front parts of the bibs join on the upper back got pretty wet with sweat.

Interestingly, the equivalent men’s shorts feature bib braces that are perforated throughout. Presumably, this is because they don’t feature the easy-pee design, and so can be made lighter.

One aspect that I didn’t like was how loud the branding is. The white Gore word logo on the outer thighs really stands out.

It's a controversial opinion, perhaps, but I’m not a fan of thigh cargo pockets, so I really enjoyed the simplicity of these bibs.

However, if you haven't been turned off by the utility of cargo bib shorts, you’ll be pleased to know Gore also offers these with cargo pockets, at a £20 premium.

Gore Spinshift Bib Shorts Women’s bottom line

Retailing at a mid-range £139.98 / €139.95 / $160, the Gore Spinshift bibs boast multiple premium design features, such as the easy-pee mechanism, luxurious fabric and seamless leg hems.

However, they're not the most comfortable nor easiest to size, so would need refinement before ranking among the best women’s bib shorts.