Specialized EQ 2016 SL EXPERT BIB SHORTS

Racing, training—you name it and the SL Expert Bib Shorts will excel at it. They're made for aggressive riding in total comfort, and with almost every bell and whistle that we're capable of thrown at it, we'd say that they'll satisfy any rider that's demanding of their gear.

To make them, we used some of our lightest knit materials, our VaporRize™ fabrics, in order to ensure that the bib shorts felt breathable, comfortable, and supportive. This selection also came with the benefit that, as the name suggests, VaporRize™ is highly effective at wicking and assisting in the evaporation of moisture. As a result, you get a well-rounded construction that's perfectly suited to intense efforts while in the saddle.

For the fit, you could consider these shorts to fall into the "Form Fit" category, meaning that it lies intentionally close to the body for gains in both comfort and performance. The cut has also been articulated to accommodate the body while in the cycling position, so you'll experience next to no shifting throughout your ride.

At the chamois, we selected our second-tier insert, the Body Geometry SL Expert chamois. Compared to the SL Pro, you'll find it to be slightly more substantial in the density department, but compared to the RBX line, it's relatively minimal. The experience it delivers is dutifully the same, however—it diverts pressure from the soft tissue and promotes a healthy blood flow, which all leads to increased performance and comfort.