Reviewed: Ashmei Bib Shorts

Ashmei delivers an excellent bib short that fits well and compresses around the legs comfortably for a race-inspired fit. These bibs are nearly perfect, yet for $340, I wanted them to be exactly perfect. As it turns out, I only have one nitpick. It’s not a major one, but it makes the high price tag a bit tough to swallow.

The highly compressive racer’s fit felt familiar, though I was surprised to find it wasn’t restrictive anywhere, especially at the thigh cuffs. There’s none of that pinching sensation in the crotch, even when you stand up straight off the bike. The bib material seems to loosen up after a few trips through the washing machine too; right out of the box, they have a bit of a stiff, synthetic feel to them, but it disappears after a few rides.

The chamois is quite thick, and it does have that full-diaper feel. But for all-day rides over rough terrain, you’ll be glad you have it. Minimalist chamois fans need not apply.

Ashmei says the bibs are wind and water-resistant, though we haven’t tested them in rainy conditions to verify it. The lay-flat bib straps offer exceptional comfort and support over your shoulders, which we love.

So here’s my one nitpick that makes me wish for a lower price point: There are seams that connect the lay-flat straps to the mesh material, and those seams are perfectly positioned to rub on my shoulder blades. This is an easily-solveable problem that would erase perhaps the only downside to these remarkable bibs.