Specialized's race-level bib shorts have long been appreciated for their lightweight, supportive and articulated fit, excellent chamois pads, and superior construction. The chamois has to be perfect- soft on the skin with appropriate levels of foam in all the right places, and a perfect shape. Overall, the materials and fabrics must be compressive, yet still comfortable while being sized correctly. The design team at Specialized continuously works to refine, improve, and innovate with every product, with some changes being incremental, so monumental. The SL Bib Short represents a tiny step down from the SL-R version with a slightly different bib upper and a different leg gripper system

Body Geometry technology is often the center of Specialized's equipment, and on a bib short that starts with the chamois. The pre-molded, triple-density foam Race-level Body Geometry Contour 3D Chamois is contoured to perfectly match the curvature of your body, all while being soft and supportive in all the right places. Essentially the pad is a 4-layer construction, that seeks to conform to the body while meeting the shapes of Body Geometry saddles. You get aligned support and comfort featuring “Reduced Points of Contact”, a race posture informed anatomic shape with excellent breathability.

A welded bib upper construction reduces friction and dials-in the fit by reducing the need for seams. The bib upper fabric, meanwhile, incorporates a carbon yarn for anti-microbial and thermal regulation properties. The external obliques and lower abdominal get lightweight, mildly compressive support. The short section is pure performance, with anatomically aligned support, proper fit and ergonomics while pedaling, and impressive breathability. The four-way stretch fabric ensure features plenty of compression, for long days in the saddle, but has excellent resilience ride after ride. Specialized finished off the leg openings with silicone-infused fabric cuffs that provide a gentle, secure hold on the legs in order to ensure the perfect, shift-free fit.

For many everyday road cyclists, the Specialized SL Bib Short represents all the performance and features that are desired, at a great price point. The fit, feel, and function are all here, along with a superior chamois pad and high quality construction.