Altura Endurance Bib Shorts review

Altura’s Endurance Bib Shorts are designed for long days in the saddle, with a chamois pad from Elastic Interface rated to eight-hour plus rides.

In testing, I’ve found the shorts to perform well for their price point and there are some well-thought-out features such as the wide and soft bib straps.

However, I found the chamois started to get uncomfortable after the four-hour mark.

Altura Endurance Bib Shorts construction

The Endurance Bib Shorts sit at the top of Altura’s men's range, above the Progel and Allroad models.

Altura doesn’t advise a specific temperature range for use as it says there are “lots of factors that affect how comfortable the rider is in different conditions”.

Altura says the Endurance Bib Shorts were developed in collaboration with ultra-endurance athletes. The brand claims the fabrics were chosen with breathability and ventilation in mind.

The bib shorts use an ‘Endurance Pad’, which has been engineered by chamois specialists Elastic Interface.

Altura says it opted for a traditional stitched construction of the pad so it can flex and stretch. The 11mm thick dual-density foam is claimed to offer a low-bulk feel in the saddle, yet provide extra cushioning at the sit bones.

A central channel is incorporated into the pad, which Altura says is to relieve pressure and improve blood flow. The pad is also said to be antimicrobial for improved hygiene.

The wide and soft bib straps are designed for long-ride comfort. A brief section of ventilated fabric is sandwiched in between the transition of the strap and the main lycra material of the short for breathability.

The side panels feature an abrasion-resistant ceramic print coating by the Swiss brand Schoeller, which is claimed to extend the life of the fabric and provide protection in case of a crash.

It’s also designed to draw sweat away from your skin, while the inside is soft for comfort and freedom of movement.

The front hem of the leg is bonded to reduce the risk of chafing. There’s a silicone band with grip dots above to keep the short in place on the leg.

The shorts are available in sizes XS to 2XL in a single black colour.

Altura Endurance Bib Shorts performance

I’ve been testing the Altura Endurance Bib Shorts for a couple of months on a variety of short rides and longer escapades.

The shorts have been used with four saddles during testing: the Specialized Power Pro Elaston, a Bjōrn Setka, a Fabric Scoop and a Forza Stratos.

The shorts have a form-fitting but relaxed fit, offering light compression for muscle support.

I would say they are on the more generous side of the sizing spectrum and I found there to be a slightly baggy fit on the inside of the hip. This perhaps indicates an excess of fabric, although everyone’s legs differ.

I particularly appreciated the wide and soft bib straps, which proved comfortable on all my test rides.

The first ride on the Endurance shorts was a hilly 90-mile epic around the Surrey Hills and they were comfortable from the off. It wasn’t until the four-hour mark of that ride that I started to feel any discomfort.

This would become a theme throughout my longer rides. After the four-hour mark, the padding would start to get uncomfortable and my behind would feel numb.

The Endurance Pad is a little thicker than most other bib shorts I’ve come across, but not overly so and certainly not to the extent of the Rapha Core bib shorts.

I also tested the shorts on an evening gravel ride, filled with dry and rutted trails, and the shorts effortlessly dampened the vibrations.

Unlike the Elastic Interface-produced pads I tested on the dhb Aeron and Van Rysel Road Cycling Racer 2 bib shorts, this Altura option didn’t soften up post-washing.

Although I was initially concerned the thick silicone gripper might imprint on my thigh, it didn’t and the grippers performed as intended, holding the shorts in place. I didn’t detect any degradation over the test period.

Ventilation also seems to be excellent, but I haven’t been able to test the shorts in conditions warmer than 23-degree air temperature.

I didn’t notice the Schoeller abrasion-resistant side panels when riding (a good thing), but the fact they offer an element of added protection did provide some peace of mind when riding off-road past trail obstacles.

Altura Endurance Bib Shorts bottom line

The Altura Endurance shorts are a good option from the British brand, with some well-considered details that kept me comfortable on most of my test rides.

The shorts perform well on rides under four hours, especially for the modest price tag.

Considering the pad doesn’t live up to the eight-hour comfort claim and the bagginess around the inside of the hip, performance-conscious cyclists may be better off with the Alé Strada bib shorts or Castelli Competizione bib shorts.