Greetings all,

I like Pearl Izumi bibs and have used them over the years. But you need to understand how the Pearl Izumi line works and this will help you understand why---even with other manufacturers---the most expensive ones are not necessarily the most durable ones and this is by design.

Pearl Izumi has three general lines: Select, Elite and Pro. The Select line is their "value" line for novices and casual riders. It is designed for less fit riders so the cut is a little bigger and the bibs have very little if any compression fit. Their durability is average. The Elite line is for more serious riders who are assumed to be more fit. And it also tries to catch the budget-minded pro. The cut is tighter for a fitter rider and the bibs will have a medium compression fit. The materials will be better than the Select line. Usually, the Elite line is the most durable and many "pro" features trickle down to it over the years. Their pads are very comfortable. The Pro line is, as you'd guess, for the professional cyclists---or advanced amateurs. The bibs will have a full-on compression fit for a very athletic body type and the "latest" and "greatest" materials will be used. For summer clothing, this means the lightest materials with the best cooling properties. As a result, the Pro bibs will appear to be lighter and will, in fact, be slightly less durable than their Elite line. But this tradeoff was intentional in order to provide a better bib for competitive racing. And the pads in the Pro bibs are the absolute best. I've never used a chamois any better than the ones in the Pro Pearl Izumi shorts and bibs.

Another factor that effects durability is the compression fit. The more the bibs are designed to provide compression (to support long, intense muscular exertion), the quicker they will wear out because the elastic materials have the shortest lifespan. After a few thousand miles, you'll begin to notice that your pro bibs aren't quite as "tight" as they use to be. Eventually, you have to replace them in order to get a new pair with fresh fabric that hasn't relaxed its elasticity over time.

These differences in design cause lots and lots of confusion in the market. Some novices who started with entry-level Select bibs may think "I'll buy Pro bibs so they'll last longer". When they get them, they are angry because they fit too tight and, if they use them a lot, they may not be as durable. They purchased the wrong bibs and did not understand their design. They were made for someone with low bodyfat who would be doing extreme exertion and needed a compression fit. They were made to offer competitive advantages that unintentionally made them less durable for multi-year high mileage.

So, when you shop for bibs, keep these differences in mind because Pearl Izumi is not the only cycling clothing manufacturer that does this---it's just the one that I'm most familiar with. Honestly assess what will work best for your application and, if you decide to purchase outside your present body fitness level, be prepared to upsize or downsize accordingly based on the cut and compression level that the bibs were design for.

Kind regards, RoadLight