Can women wear men's bib shorts?

[lph]

Well, I'll be the party pooper and say that I don't really like my PI Microsensor bibs that much. They have some good points, nice detail, thoughtfully made, good straps, but I find the outer material a little too "soft" (it scuffs and pills easily, and the seams tend to indent a little), the white crotch seam is not my favourite fashion statement (gone in this years model, it seems), the leg openings are a wee bit tight and most important - the chamois feels a bit thin and too narrow for me.

They're perfectly adequate, but I actually prefer my mens club bib-shorts, made by Craft, with a better chamois for my anatomy, for longer rides, and my Gore womens non-bib shorts with a quite firm chamois and a sturdier outer material, for shorter rides.

Guess you just have to try 'em out and find out what suits you.

[Selkie]

Well, I'll be the party pooper and say that I don't really like my PI Microsensor bibs that much. They have some good points, nice detail, thoughtfully made, good straps, but I find the outer material a little too "soft" (it scuffs and pills easily, and the seams tend to indent a little), the white crotch seam is not my favourite fashion statement (gone in this years model, it seems), the leg openings are a wee bit tight and most important - the chamois feels a bit thin and too narrow for me.

.

I'm with you on the Microsensor bibs. The chamois feels almost like soft cardboard and it hasn't improved with time/use. The short's fabric seems almost baggy---seems like it needs more lycra. Thankfully, the PI bibs that TE carries with the red chamois are MUCH improved. Of course, my sinfully expensive Assos bibs are my favorite.

I agree with you about the Craft bibs. However, I have a couple pairs of "older model" ones in the ladies version, not the mens.

[nscrbug]

Hmm...well my PI PRO Bibshorts do have a "red" chamois(I have the 2009 version)...it's the PRO 3-D chamois...so I'm not sure if we're talking about the same pad or not. I like it just fine. But I'd have to say that my favorite chamois, would be the one that it is in my pair of Sugoi RS shorts...it's lime green in color, and a thinner pad which suits my body and type of riding. If I could get that chamois and put it in every pair of cycling shorts I own...I'd be one happy camper!!!

[Crystal]

+1 on :
"Please do not spend the money on Men's bibs, unless you are built more like a Man. Cycling apparel companies are finally putting the time into developing great comfy bibs for Ladies, and we should show them that we are noticing that by supporting Women-specific items."

Additionally:
Personally I hate the Pearl Izumi Bibs. I have found that since the chamois isn't sewn down flush with the short, they give me something similar to paper cuts on the inside of my legs. I have had exceptional luck with the Castelli bibs. They are a little more expensive, but WORTH EVERY EXTRA DOLLAR! I bought one pair to see what they were all about and within a few rides, gave all my other pairs away (including all my PI shorts) and bought 2 more pairs.

I am a smaller rider, and perhaps that is why the PI shorts fit me poorly. I am about 5'3" and wear an XS in both brands.

[shopGirl]

I'm going to try the Castelli bibs! I also wear an XS in the Pearls and I feel like I could use XXS...as for them being obnoxiously expensive: "Quality is long remembered after price is soon forgotten"

[papaver]

I'm going to try the Castelli bibs! I also wear an XS in the Pearls and I feel like I could use XXS...as for them being obnoxiously expensive: "Quality is long remembered after price is soon forgotten"

Castelli is great! But try before you buy!

[nscrbug]

I haven't tried Castelli bibs, but I have tried a pair of their shorts (Vizio.1) and I ended up returning them because they gave me the dreaded "sausage leg" syndrome. Which was odd, considering that these shorts didn't have a leg-gripper at all, so I thought they would be okay...but the "sausage" effect was WAY worse on these Castelli's without the leg-grippers, than it is with my Pearl's that do have leg-grippers. Go figure...