Endura Women's Pro SL Bibshorts review

Forming part of the brand’s high-performance Pro SL range, the Endura Women's Pro SL Bibshorts feature a drop-seat easy-pee design and built-in mesh baselayer panel at the front.

The Endura shorts have several promising features and a smart design.

However, elements of the fit and fabric let them down in testing.

Endura Women's Pro SL Bibshorts specifications

While, from the waist down, the shorts seem fairly typical in their design, with a laser-cut raw leg hem backed by silicone gripper stripes and a multi-panel cut, it’s the top half that’s more striking.

Wide 4cm microfibre bib straps extend from the lower back to the shoulders, crossing over the upper back, before meeting a front mesh panel. This, in effect, doubles up as a kind of baselayer.

Where the straps anchor to the shorts at the lower back, there’s also a petal design of overlapping short fabric.

In tandem with the stretchy bib straps, this enables you to pull down the shorts and pee without needing to touch any clasps or – as per previous Endura models – zips.

The bibs are finished with a multi-density women’s-specific chamois with an antimicrobial treatment.

Because the bibs are Endura’s range-topping option, they retail on the border of the mid-range and premium price points, costing the same as Castelli’s Espresso W DT bibs and £20 more than Gore’s Spinshift bibs.

Endura Women's Pro SL Bibshorts performance

Half bib shorts and half baselayer, the fit of the Endura Women’s Pro SL bibs felt a little different from standard cycling shorts.

While I loved the leg length (which is nearly to the knee), the shorts material is not as compressive as some others. As such, it doesn’t offer as much support, particularly around the abdomen.

The front mesh panel of the baselayer portion gives some much-appreciated added coverage, enabling you to unzip a jersey on the hottest, most challenging rides without feeling you’re exposing yourself.

However, perhaps due to my broad shoulders, I felt that the edge of the baselayer portion dug in a little around my armpits, which proved a little uncomfortable.

The drop-seat design is fuss-free and functions well, enabling you to simply pull down at the material at the back and not have to worry about magnetic clasps or zips.

However, because there’s a considerable area of doubled-up fabric here, I got a bit hot on the lower back, and on higher-intensity rides quickly became sweaty.

Interestingly, on the men’s equivalent, there are perforations in this area to aid breathability (although there’s no drop-seat functionality, of course).

The women’s-specific chamois felt very wide at first, noticeable against the inside of both thighs when walking off the bike. I don’t usually experience this with other chamois, although it did soften a little after a few wears to the point where it wasn’t as noticeable.

What was always noticeable, though, was the shape of the saddle through the shorts. The chamois didn’t offer me the level of support I’d like, even on shorter rides – although my needs may be different from others.

Sizing felt pretty good, with the size-medium shorts suiting my UK size-12 frame well. However, the non-compressive shorts material became a bit baggy around the hips and bum after a few washes, while the upper mesh panel felt more constraining around the shoulders.

Endura Women's Pro SL Bibshorts bottom line

There are some really great elements of these bibs, but unfortunately for me, the lack of compression in the main fabric, snug fit around the shoulders and chamois discomfort are low points.

I suspect those negatives would be enough to put some riders off, although comfort is rather subjective.

If these concerns were addressed, I think Endura could have some really popular women's bib shorts for those who enjoy the added modesty of a front panel.