Rapha Women’s Core Bib Shorts review

Rapha’s Core range brings the brand’s reputation for high-quality cycling apparel to a lower price point for everyday riding.

The Rapha Women’s Core Bib Shorts retail at a reasonable £110. But what has been compromised to reach this point?

Not much, it would seem, according to our testing, with the lack of an easy-pee function the only negative.

Rapha Women’s Core Bib Shorts specifications and details

The multi-panelled shorts are topped with a set of white bib straps, which join at the lower back and shoulders, leaving a cut-out across the centre of the back.

The legs are finished with a 4.5cm-wide strip of elastic, which is backed with low-profile silicone dots.

Rapha’s women’s-specific Classic chamois pad is used, which features areas of differing density and a soft upper.

The polyester/elastane mix features a high-density weave for the main body panels, according to Rapha, to help maintain modesty and enhance durability.

Branding is minimal, with the Rapha logo on the legs and back in black print.

The Core bibs are priced competitively for mid-range bibs, with similar options from Specialized and Pearl Izumi retailing at £130 and £148.50 respectively.

Rapha Women’s Core Bib Shorts performance

From the first ride, the Rapha Women’s Core bibs exude quality.

They may not have the same level of compression support that their premium-performance Pro Team bib range offers, but the shorts are cut and put together in a way that's both comfortable and stylish.

The wide leg grippers do a great job of keeping everything in place without causing any skin irritation or the dreaded ‘sausage-leg’ effect, while the soft, simple bib straps sit flush against the upper body in just the right place.

Sizing seems to be spot-on, with the medium shorts fitting my UK size 12 body perfectly.

They’re a little longer in the leg than some women's bib shorts (such as the Pearl Izumi Attack or some Castelli models); good news for taller riders or those with a preference for a longer cut.

The chamois features the same smooth microfibre upper as other Rapha shorts, but feels a little thinner than chamois pads in some bibs designed for longer-distance riding.

Given that the Core Bib Shorts aren’t designed specifically for mega mile munching, this is forgivable, though. Generally, I found them very comfortable.

My one gripe with these bib shorts is they don’t feature an easy-pee design, meaning you have to ditch your jersey in order to go to the toilet.

This may not be an issue on shorter rides or commutes. However, for longer days out, it can get a bit tedious, especially when there are so many good alternatives out there – the Endura Pro SL, Castelli Espresso and Pearl Izumi Attack Air bib shorts all spring to mind.

In fact, Rapha sells its women’s Detachable Bib Shorts, featuring an easy-pee mechanism, although these retail at a little over twice the price of the Core bibs.

Rapha Women’s Core Bib Shorts bottom line

At £110 for such well-considered shorts, you can’t argue with the value of the Rapha Women’s Core Bibs.

I’ve certainly tried several more expensive options from other brands that haven’t matched the level of comfort or style Rapha offers with this more budget-friendly option.

If Rapha was able to integrate an easy-pee design into the Core Bib Shorts, these would easily be worthy of a five-star rating.