The best cargo bib shorts are designed to take on the demands of gravel cycling, which can involve long hours on the saddle on rough terrain and a need to be self-sufficiant.
A comfortable pair of cargo bib shorts are the foundation of any gravel bike clothing wardrobe and have become my go-to for all gravel, bikepacking, road, and cross-country mountain biking.
The best cargo bib shorts combine the fit, breathability, and chamois pad of road bib shorts with lots of extra storage to stash snacks and any accessories that you may need on your gravel travels.
Of course, you could opt for a pair of the best mountain bike shorts, but they're not as breathable or aero as the best cargo bib shorts. Gravel bib shorts share many similarities with road bike bib shorts but usually have a more endurance focused chamois with a little more padding and the added cargo storage.
Our expert reviewers have been putting the best cargo bib shorts to the test and I have rounded up our top picks below to help you narrow down the plethora of choices and find the shorts that work best for your needs.
Best cargo bib shorts
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1. Best overall
Attaquer is a premium cycling brand from Australia and its All Day clothing line is designed for riders looking to go far and fast. The All Day Cargo bib shorts have become one of my favorite cargo shorts for several reasons.
Firstly the tailoring and fit are second to none, I found sizing to be well-considered and the chamois pad ensured I was comfortable in the saddle whether I was out for a quick hour or riding from sun up to sun down. Leg length and shoulder straps never needed to be adjusted mid-ride and the material compression provides support without excess pressure.
Attaquer hasn't done anything revolutionary with the storage options but offers plenty of capacity for everything I need to carry on a gravel ride. The cargo leg pockets offer plenty of elasticity and I could securely store a range of items in them while riding. There are two reasonably sized pockets on the lower back for additional storage too.
The All Day Cargo bibs may be expensive but they are hard to fault which is why I awarded them five stars in my Attaquer All Day Cargo bib short review.
2. Best for performance
Velocio's Utility cargo bibs are my favorite cargo bib shorts when I'm heading out for a gravel ride of the fast and furious kind. The highly compressive performance fit may feel a bit restrictive at first but once on the bike the bib shorts offer loads of muscle support and the leg hems, shoulder straps, and chamois are locked in place no matter how hard you're riding. The Elastic Interface chamois Velocio specced has a medium thickness with multi-density layers and I found it to be very comfortable no matter how long I am in the saddle.
Velocio has always been a leader when it comes to offering a wide range of sizes and both the women's and men's Utility bib shorts come in eight different sizes to cater to a wider spectrum of riders.
The luxurious material is lightweight and breathable but still feels durable enough to the rigors of gravel riding and my review samples are still looking brand new after over a year of regular use.
The laser-cut leg pockets are stealthily bonded to the thighs giving a clean finish and offering secure storage for slimline bits and pieces. There is a single medium pocket for additional items on the rear of the bibs.
Want to read more about why these are some of my favorite cargo bib shorts, check out my Velocio Utility cargo bib short review.
3. Best for bikepacking
Rapha's Cargo bib shorts are part of its Explore range so it's no surprise that the Cargo bibs excels on multi-day long-distance adventures. I have chosen these cargo bibs for several big trips including the Pennine Rally, a 500km bikepacking event in the UK.
Rapha has been designing bib shorts for the road for decades and the well-judged close but relaxed fit means they are super comfortable when rides are measured in days rather than hours. The size-specific chamois is the same one used in its Brevet bib shorts, which has a well-proven track record for providing comfort during long rides. Rapha has finished the Cargo bibs with plenty of reflective detailing to help enhance visibility when riding into the night.
The pockets are massive and offer a huge amount of useful storage. The mesh used on the thighs is very stretchy and gives plenty of scope for loading them up with all manner of unusual-shaped snacks. The rear pockets offer plenty of additional storage and hold items close to the body to stop things from jumping around while riding.
Construction and durability have been impressive and my Rapha Cargo bibs have easily handled plenty of scratchy bushes and general bikepacking and XC rough and tumble. Rapha offers a repair service if bought directly from its site, after a huge off that tore my shorts a little I sent my shorts away and Rapha patched them up.
For more, check out our full review of the Rapha Cargo bib shorts.
4. Best for style
We all like to look good on the bike and Maap's Alt_Road Cargo bib shorts are my favorites when I want to look my best on a gravel ride. The fashion-forward Aussie brand Maap is one of the leaders when it comes to creating trendy cycling kits with tasteful color schemes and contrasting detailing.
To look great clothing needs to fit well too and I found Maap's shorts to offer a close fit with a decent amount of compression to add muscle support and a smooth finish. Medium short leg length is spot-on for me and the elasticated hem stays locked in place while riding. I have done a ton of long-distance riding in these and the 3D Thermo molded chamois developed with Elastic Interface has been comfortable throughout.
Unlike other brands, Maap has opted for a single mesh pocket on the left thigh and a zipped valuables pocket on the right. I personally prefer two mesh pockets although I can see the advantages of having a secure pocket for stashing valuable items without worrying about them escaping. The rear pockets are well-sized and have an angled entry making it easier to get your hand in while riding.
Looking for an alternative to the black and olive green gravel short status quo, read our Maap Alt_Road Cargo bib short review.
5. Best budget cargo bibs
Endura has a background of producing performance kits and affordable prices, particularly its Pro SL bib shorts which have been a stand-out budget pair of bib shorts on the road. Endura has used that knowledge to develop the GV500 Reiver bib shorts for gravel riding.
They share the same performance fit with high levels of lumber support, compression, and Power shoulder straps as the Pro SL bibs and Endura has fitted its own ‘Continuously Variable Profile’ (CVP) 600 Series with integrated gel inserts to help reduce vibrations. The GV500 adds double-layer side leg panels to help reduce crash damage and gravel rash in case your tires come unstuck in a corner.
The double layer offers plenty of support to the two thigh pockets and are large enough to store a phone and some bars. The rear pockets have an unusual layout, rather than a traditional lineup of two or three pockets which mimics a jersey the jerset has two mid and two small mesh pockets on either side of the spine. It's designed to align with the large center pocket on the Reiver jersey, although it limits rear storage if you use it with a top with no pockets.
Find out more about the GV500 bibshorts, and the rest of the GV500 range, in our Endura GV500 kit review.
6. Best for chamois comfort
7Mesh takes a different approach to its RK2 bib shorts with the design focusing on the chamois pad and ensuring it stays in place when riding. The 7Mesh Performance Force pad is mounted to a floating layer within the shorts so it doesn't move no matter how much you shuffle around the saddle. This bib construction works too requiring zero readjustment while riding and not creating any uneven pressure on the overall fit of the shorts.
The materials have a premium finish to them and feature neat raw-cut hems for a smooth transition between thigh and short let. Silicone grippers keep them in place and overall the shorts RK2 shorts offer a nice amount of compression.
7Mesh has needed to use a lot of paneling and seams to achieve this chamois support and I found the shorts tended to wrinkle too, making them appear less aesthetically refined next to other premium options. This was entirely visual though and caused no discomfort while riding.
The raw-cut leg pockets are almost invisible when empty but, with some smart folding and sewing, they can expand to hold a lot of cargo securely if required. Bad news for those who like to ride in pocketless t-shirts or power pocket users as there are no pockets on the rear of the bibs.
To find out more, be sure to read our 7Mesh RK2 Cargo bib short.
Also tested
A close second when it comes to budget cargo bib shorts, Rapha's Core Cargo shares a lot of the great features of the premium Explore Cargo bibs in a more affordable package.
Although Rapha has used more paneling and thicker material, the ’classic fit’ is still snug and supportive without feeling restrictive. The Classic chamois pad is also size-specific to ensure a better fit across the wide size range. The Core model features the same pocket layout as the premium Cargo shorts, providing equally ample and secure storage on the move.
While I think the Endura GV500 cargo shorts have the edge over Core Cargo's in terms of compressive fit, breathability, and durability, the Core Cargo's less restrictive tailoring and considerably larger cargo capacity make them a much better option for bikepacking and long gravel riding.
Check out our review of the Rapha Core Cargo if these bib shorts are ticking your boxes.
The Convoy Cargo bibs from Spatzwear are a great option for gravel racers, as their bulk/capacity balance favors speed over stowage. Power pocket users will find cargo capacity tight although the three pockets on offer are enough to carry all the gels and bar essentials on a fast-paced ride.
As you would expect from a performance pair of bib shorts, the multi-panel construction and tenacious extended gripper hem hold everything in place. The fabric is a bit heavier which is perfect for cooler days, although those in hot climates will want to look for a short that uses thinner materials
The chamois is synthetic, 3D-ribbed, and perforated, and is up there with other premium chamois' that we've tried. Perforations ensure drying and wicking properties are good enough to leave you feeling fresh and comfortable over long, hot, or wet rides.
For the brand's first foray into cargo bib shorts, Spatz did a fine job with these. Read our full review of the Spatzwear Convoy Cargo bib shorts.
UYN isn't a brand that's all that known in the cycling sphere however its Adventour Cargo bib shorts have some unique features that make them stand out, although ultimately the lack of compression affects the overall fit of the bib shorts which means they don't make the top list.
While the structure affected the overall comfort and support, some features still make them worth a consideration. The lightweight material, combined with the Flow Tunnel material rear panel, makes them very breathable in hot weather.
There are no rear pockets, presumably to reduce sweat build-up around the lower back, instead, UYN has equipped the shorts with a unique double-layer cargo pocket on each leg. These mesh pockets work really well giving versatility and secure storage for loads of different items.
While the bibs didn't work for me, if you're looking for a forgiving cargo bib short that's breathable and practical these could still be an option. Find out more in our review of the UYN Adventour Cargo bib short.
How to choose the best gravel bike shorts
Do I need cargo bib shorts?
Cargo bib shorts aren't necessary for a gravel ride however if you are planning on going on a long ride then they could greatly enhance comfort on the bike.
The key part is the chamois inside the bib shorts, usually consists of a multi-layer foam pad with a soft face material. These are designed to improve saddle comfort, reduce gravel vibrations, and deal with sweaty nastiness from riding that could irritate.
How should cargo bib shorts fit?
Cargo bib shorts should fit close to the skin as they are designed to eliminate any points of friction or discomfort. Different shorts will offer varying levels of compression which affects fit and how tight they feel.
Not enough compression and the bib shorts won't sit close to the body and lack support, too much and they could become uncomfortable on longer rides. The compression promotes blood flow, reduces muscle fatigue, and helps recovery so cargo bib shorts designed for gravel racing will have more compression than those aimed at bikepacking and endurance rides.
Depending on your body shape there may be some trial and error when it comes to finding the best size as you will need to find a balance between compression, leg length, and shoulder strap length.
What are cargo bib shorts for?
Pockets were first added to cycling bib shorts to give bikepackers and endurance gravel riders more storage options. Unsurprisingly the convenience of pockets caught on and now many riders, myself included, couldn't imagine giving up our precious pockets and going back to a normal pair of bib shorts no matter what type of ride we are going on.
How many pockets do I need?
That depends on what you want to carry and have close to hand when riding but at a minimum, I would want two leg pockets. Most cargo bib shorts have two pockets on the leg and between one and three pockets on the lower back. Although there are plenty of brands that offer different configurations.
If you are anything like me, the leg storage is saved for items that you need close to quickly grab or stash away while riding. That usually consists of my phone, snacks, and small bits of clothing like gloves or a neck tube. My rear pockets might also be used for these items but will generally be reserved for items I don't in a rush like small tools and spares.
I generally find cargo bib pockets to hold items a little more securely than jersey pockets too as bib shorts are made from more compressive material. Rear pockets also make it easier to forego a jersey entirely and wear a t-shirt without losing the jersey pockets.
How we test the best cargo bib shorts
All the cargo bib shorts we've tested here have been put through many hours of riding in many different conditions. From quick rides to multi-day adventures, off-road and on-road, and frequently stuffing pockets to maximum capacity along the way. Bib short comfort is very subjective so we have tried to be as fair and open about the performance, fit, materials, and the chamois pad as possible.
Meet the testers
Guy Kesteven is Bike Perfect's contributing tech editor. He’s written several million words about several thousand test bikes and a ridiculous amount of riding gear.
Graham is all about riding bikes off-road. He has some of the best mountain biking and gravel riding in the UK right on his doorstep. With almost 20 years of riding experience, he has taken on his fair share of epic gravel rides and bikepacking trips so he knows how important a comfortable pair of cargo bib shorts is.
