Women’s cycling shorts put to the test: The GripGrab Women’s Ride Bib Shorts – comfortable in the saddle

The Women’s Ride Bib Shorts from GripGrab are designed for road and gravel cycling and, thanks to their well-thought-out design, are intended to offer high levels of comfort during long hours in the saddle. At the heart of the shorts is the high-quality Elastic Interface chamois, which, with its anatomical shape and dense padding, is designed to provide noticeable relief on longer rides.

Light compression and breathable mesh

The stretch fabric used offers an excellent balance of elasticity and gentle compression, ensuring the trousers fit snugly without feeling restrictive. At the same time, the built-in UV protection (UPF 50+) provides reliable protection in summer conditions.

The upper body features breathable mesh panels that ensure effective ventilation and moisture management – ideal for warm weather and intense activity.

The integrated leg pocket proves particularly handy in practice, allowing you to keep your smartphone, snacks or small essentials within easy reach.

The wide elasticated leg cuffs with silicone grippers ensure a secure fit, preventing the tights from slipping and ensuring a stable fit throughout your ride. This is complemented by reflective details that improve visibility in low-light conditions.

GripGrab Women’s Ride Bib Shorts – Details & Price

• Price: 100 euros
• Country of manufacture: Albania
• Weight (Size S): 156 grams
• Facilities: Seamless, comfortable leg cuffs with silicone print, elasticated straps, mesh fabric on the back and waistband, cargo pocket, reflective material
• Upholstery
• Length / Width: 22 / 13 centimetres
• Thickness / Damping: medium / firm
• Trouser leg length: 27 centimetres (measured from the hip bone)

GripGrab Women’s Ride Bib Shorts – Review & Verdict

The first time you slip them on, the trousers immediately impress with their comfortably wide leg openings, which stay securely in place – even if the silicone dots are a little too strong for that. We initially had concerns about the straps causing pressure marks, but in practice they’re more comfortable than expected: whilst they don’t lie quite as flat on the shoulders as on some other models, they’re far less uncomfortable than we’d feared.

These shorts also deliver when it comes to comfort: the padding is well-positioned and provides good support on longer rides. The cargo pocket on the right thigh proves handy for everyday use, offering enough space for a smartphone, energy bars or gels and often making it unnecessary to reach into your jersey pocket.

One clear weakness, however, remains the fabric’s opacity. Depending on the angle of the light – particularly in direct sunlight – the fabric can become surprisingly see-through in places, allowing unwanted views. This noticeably detracts from the otherwise solid overall impression, although to be fair, this problem is not uncommon even with significantly more expensive cycling shorts.