Pearl IzumiMen's Elite In-R-Cool Bib Short(Return to Product Page)

IMHO bib tops are one of the top advances in cycling over the past 50 years, right up there with all the technical improvements in bicycles. Compared to the old drawstring shorts, bib tops allow much fuller breathing and are more comfortable to boot. I haven't done a comprehensive comparison, but these PI's are definitely extremely comfortable. In particular PI's chamois is so comfortable that I don't bother with gel saddles or even chamois cream (so far at least). And the uppers are great, even on hot summer days. I prefer the all-black version I got a couple of pairs with the neon bands at the bottom of the legs and the neon color seemed to fade a bit with washing.

Reasonable prices and good fit

Really comfortable fit and made for a smooth ride. Did 75 miles in one day and had no discomfort. Will be ordering another pair

Comfortable, great quality, and good price!

Bib cycle shorts were sized accurately and of expected quality. The order process was painless. The shipping and delivery time was quick and efficient.

The short is comfortable however i have noticed that the material in the thigh area of each leg has thinned out. The issue with that is that i do not wear them that often.I would say less than 8 times. So i was dismayed to see that the wear is excessive for the times worn. The shorts were washed with other shorts that did not show this kind of wear. So, personally I would not buy this bib short again.

For years, I wore higher end Pearl Izumi shorts. I never understood the whole bib thing - more material, more expensive. Well, so many of my friends swore by them, I thought I would give them a try. They are fantastic. No more hoisting up the edges of my shorts as the waistband creeps down. The bibs give me a nice tucked in feeling all around. And with a jersey over the top, no one knows you look like a WWE guy from the 80s. The only drawback would be needing a bathroom break...I have yet to tackle that task, but I imagine it will involve getting mostly stripped!!

This bib short fits well and is very comfortable. The leg cuffs don't cut off circulation and remain comfortable during a ride and don't creep. I found the shamois/padding to be good on does not chafe even after extended rides. I will be buying more

Not my fav's... but very good for the price. Lot's of material around the torso... average chamois.

J

These short are typical of Pearl Izumi's consistent quality. The cut and fit are comfortable without being too compressive. The chamois is good for a long ride without being too bulky.

These are the only bib shorts I will wear. Very comfortable, long lasting and a reasonable price.

Ride about 100 miles a week for enjoyment.trying to find better padding without the bulk.

Very comfortable, great cushioning, stays in place because of the bib. I'm 5-8, 155lbs and the medium fits me well. I'm going to get a pair of the Elite In-R-Cool Shorts to have those too. I'm super sensitive to the feel of material on my body while I workout, and that's why I choose this product.

i'm liking this so far. it fits well and is comfortable. i prefer bibs over pants now, but ill note that these are the only bibs i own.

these bibs are great, they wick away the moisture, never ride up on your legs, and best of all the chamois is extremely comfortable

Shorts work well. Love the fit, true to size. I wear them 3-4 times a week. Good training short. Definitely recommend, they are a great value. Only negative...needs a small pocket in the back.

I've worn these bib shorts for years and they have been consistent in fit and wear. For

The price, they can't be beat.

I have been a huge fan of PI stuff for twenty-plus years now. My only quibble has been some inconsistency in sizing in recent years, as PI started upsizing stuff for us fatter Americans. Thus, I have had to return some XL jerseys for Large, however, on shorts, bibs, knicks, and tights I have stuck with XLs with good success.

Recently I retired two pair of bibs that I have had for probably ten years-and one only because an errant saddle bag strap wore a hole in the inner thigh! I replaced them with one pair of the new PROs and one of these Elites. I wanted to see if the PROs were worth the 30% premium over the workhorse Elite models.

Sizing-wise, both pair of XLs fit my 6'! 182lb frame well. Though I am blessed with a 32 waist, I do have large glutesupper thighs, which has always necessitated I go XL but then run the risk of a looser waist or less compression in the thighs. That was not the case with either here. Both provided firm and comfortable compression with no excess material evident anywhere. I will say that the PRO might run just a tad smaller, which is exactly what I was once told by an inside rep at PI.

Regarding finish, the PRO clearly has a more refined look with smoother and flatter seams and a few more panels used in its construction. I cannot say that I discerned any difference in the feel of the fit as a result of this, however.

Finally, the pad in the PRO felt a bit firmer and, well, a bit more pro. But for my typical two-to-three-hours-max ride, the Elite pad held up well and was consistent with other brands I have tried. If you're a long-distance rider, you may find the slightly firmer PRO ride an advantage.

Summing it up, the PRO model is clearly a step up above the Elite but for a fairly significant premium. If you are more value-conscious and are not a typical four-hour-plus rider, you will likely be happy with the cheaper Elites. But if you are one whose ego demands having PRO on your logos, and you are a high-mileage rider, you will likely find the additional premium over the Elite worth it.

Pearl Izumi makes awesome cycling kit. The fit is a little tight but they are very comfortable for longer rides.

These are great bibs. Pearl Izumi hits the sweet spot between technology, fit, price and quality. You can spend a fortune on bibs, and I have, but the incremental performance and quality improvements just don't justify the added cost. Even the high-end Pearl Izumi bibs aren't worth it. These are the perfect compromise on all criteria.

These bibs seem to fit just right. I'm a guy that is not an elite racer. Rather my BMI is in the healthy range. These bibs give just the right amount of compression to be 'all-day' comfortable.

The best way to measure life of bibs is the number of washings they endure. These seem to be just fine in that regard. However, I learned long ago that cool water temperatures and air drying extend the life considerably.