MillieKY

So I've been really trying to up my miles this year, and it seems like this means appropriate cycling gear is more important than it used to be. I have a couple pair of padded shorts and they are great, except I carry my weight in my middle so the waistband is always rolling down. I bet it's a pretty common problem for those on this forum. Pretty uncomfortable, and it makes me more self conscious about my belly. I think bibs must be the answer.

I can't seem to find any well reviewed bib shorts (or capris or even long pants in a lightweight material would work) for plus-sized women. Lots of the websites have selections for men and not women. The Team Estrogen site doesn't have any listed.

Any suggestions? Bibs that did or didn't work for you? I'd rather not spend more than $100, but for a great pair I'd think about it.

dagray

I am a large man (6' 3" and 380), and Aerotech Designs bibs worked for me. I picked up their shorts in 3x and the bibs in 4x, but could have probably gotten away with the 3x. $89.00 on Amazon.com.

Dave

Beachgrad05

Hello! I can help somewhat.

I wear bibs.

I think you would benefit from talking to my friend Lisa who owns a women's specific cycling shop called The Unlikely Cyclist. She is super knowledgable as she is an Athena herself. She knows the good brands and which carry plus sizes if you need beyond XL

If you are on Facebook reach out to her by the shop page. Search for The Unlikely Cyclist on FB

Or Google the shop and contact her thru that.

nkfrench 

I have not purchased any bibs - the women's ones I've tried are too tight across the back and cheststraps won't buckle even in the largest size available, which is too loose on my rump.

I was advised by an Athena bike shop employee that some women can wear men's bibs and be comfortable despite the different chamois style. She has some she's worn on century rides. Men's versions will be cut wider at the waist and would give me the extra room on top. I was also told that torso length wouldn't be a problem (mine is short relative to my height).

I haven't tried any on yet.

spdracr39

I tried bibs once and the waist was good but the shoulder straps were to short. There is also the issue of having to completely disrobe to go to the bathroom. I chose to just live with the roll.

Beachgrad05

I have not seen any with buckles across the chest. Interesting...unsure what that would be for.

I have a pair of Hincapie women's bibs XL size that have a buckle in the back so you can go to the bathroom without stripping your jersey off which is nice. The bib is very comfortable and has a really nice chamois. The legs on the pair I have could be a bit more compressive around the band portion but overall they are one of my favorite pairs.
These do have a odd configuration in the front:

https://www.hincapie.com/products/wo...ttoms/R220W14/

My team kit is made my Hincapie and the most recent kit we finally went with bibs. As they are custom we were able to get the Velocity (pro) level bibs with a women's chamois. These are super comfortable and I love them. No escape buckle on them and the straps are not funny in the front like the other Hincapie bib. The upper part is mesh which is nice.

https://www.hincapie.com/custom/prod...4/#Chamois-tab

I have a pair of Performance women's bibs XL size that are actually one of my favorite pairs. The compression on the legs is nice. Tho sadly no escape buckle.

I have a pair of Women's Squadra bibs and the chamois in them has often felt like it was giving me a wedgie tho the last ride I did in it was a metric century and I had ZERO issues with that feeling. Odd...tho I was happy with that.

I also have a couple pairs of Mens bibs. 1 performance brand and 1 Louis Garneau. The chamois in the garneau is darn near nonexistant and thusly that bib is not one of my top ones to wear. The chamois in the performance bothers me on long rides after a while and I find myself feeling like I need to keep repositioning it. For me the mens bibs have longer legs than I prefer and I would prefer my shorts not to reach my knees.

We are soon to get a shop kit from Giordana with bibs and so hoping those are comfortable.

I carry my weight in my gut and chest...but have not had issues with straps and torso length on women's bibs.

I seriously recommend hitting up Lisa who runs the women's shop. There ARE options out there and she can help you find them.

There are actually a few women's brands that have a buckle on the back for easing using the bathroom w/o taking jersey off. Want to say that Giordana was one of them (I tried a pair on in the shop before settling on the Hincapie Power bib shorts).

nkfrench 

The only womens bibs I found close to my size were Pearl Izumi's with a droptail: Womens Pearl Izumi Elite Drop tail 9 inch cycling bib short - Free Shipping
One local store had Gores: https://www.teamestrogen.com/prodGB_WLXENO.html
I am not too keen about wearing bibs and using reststops with less-than-pristine porta jons. It's complicated enough with regular bike shorts.

Beachgrad05

I found Gore when they fit "right" tend to be a tad too sheer....if you get my drift. My friend is no longer stocking Gore and I wonder if that is part of the reason. Good stuff but....

Have not tried Pearl Izumi bibs...but know they make good stuff. Just haven't had opportunity to try as I get 99% of my stuff now at my friends shop and she does not sell Pearl Izumi for some reason.

Hear ya on the issue with porta-johns...I just try not to think about it. With the drop tail tho I don't have to take my jersey off and try to find a place to put it.