There’s a difference between gear that looks good on paper and gear that holds up after six hours in the saddle. You probably know this already. Or if you don’t yet, you will. A few hours in, and things either just work or they don’t.

That’s why bib shorts are such a critical piece of kit. On shorter rides, you can get away with a lot. Slight discomfort? You’ll be home soon. A pad that shifts a little? Annoying, but manageable. On long rides, those small things become big things. Distracting, painful, maybe even ride-ending.

So let’s talk about bib shorts that actually work for long rides. No fluff. No vague claims. Just what we’ve learned from real experience and how it shaped the bib shorts we created at Label Collective.

What actually defines a “long ride”?

This depends on who you ask. For some, it’s 80 km. For others, it’s a full-day affair, maybe 160 km or more. It’s not really about distance though. It’s about time.

Once you’re out for more than three hours, everything changes. That’s when discomfort builds. That’s when you find out what’s been rubbing you wrong or putting pressure in odd places. So for this article, when we say long, we mean anything over three hours. The kind of ride that tests your body and your gear.

Why bib shorts matter more than you think

It’s tempting to focus on the visible upgrades. Bikes, wheels, tyres. Bib shorts don’t always get the spotlight. But the contact point between your body and the saddle is where it all begins. It’s what keeps you riding or forces you to stop.

Think about it. Your bike might cost thousands, but if your bib shorts are off, the ride can feel wrong. You’ll shift around, feel sore, maybe numb. We’ve all been there. And it’s not something people always talk about. A lot of cyclists just accept the discomfort. But you don’t have to.

Comfort is the result of everything working together

Let’s break it down.

1. Fit

This matters most. A good fit means no bunching, no sagging, no pressure where it shouldn’t be. But also, it shouldn’t feel constricting. You should be able to move, breathe, climb out of the saddle, and still feel supported.

At Label Collective, we tested many options. Different panel cuts, leg lengths, stitching placements. In the end, we landed on a pattern that adapts to your position on the bike.

It’s a close fit, but not aggressive. If you’re in between sizes, stick with your usual. Compression is useful, but comfort becomes more important when you’re five hours in.

2. Straps

Straps get overlooked. Until they start bothering you. Too tight, and they dig in. Too loose, and the shorts shift.

We designed ours to be flat, wide, soft, and stretchy. They move with you. They stay in place. And you forget they’re even there.

Also, for women, the cut is not just a resized men’s version. Our women’s bibs have their own design, based on actual feedback and ride testing.

3. Chamois (the pad)

Padding is a personal thing. Some prefer thick, others minimal. What we found is that support matters more than thickness.

Our chamois is gender-specific and layered to deliver support where you need it. It stays in place, breathes well, and doesn’t feel bulky.

I rode 200 km in one of the final prototypes. At some point, I realised I hadn’t thought about the saddle in hours. That’s when we knew it was doing its job.

Also, it dries quickly. That might not sound like a big deal, but after a long ride, sitting in damp kit can really ruin your mood.

Real talk: no short works for everyone

Let’s be honest. No single pair of bib shorts will be perfect for every rider. People have different body types, ride habits, pressure points. What works for one person might not work for another.

That’s why we always suggest trying our best bib shorts for long rides on the bike. Not in front of the mirror. Not just indoors. Out on the road. That’s where it matters.

We’ve had people tell us they used to avoid long rides because of discomfort. Now they look forward to them. Others give us feedback that helps us improve. We take that seriously. This isn’t finished. It keeps evolving.

What about fabric?

Fabric affects comfort more than you might expect. Ours is recycled, but that wasn’t just a sustainability choice. It’s soft yet supportive, stretches well, and holds shape over time.

It’s not too thin or too thick. It doesn’t pill. It breathes. It moves with you. We’re not saying it’s magic, but we’re proud of how it performs.

Grippers: the small thing that can ruin a ride

Some brands overdo it here. Silicone that pinches. Grippers that roll. Or no grip at all.

Ours are simple. Soft, wide elastic that holds your legs without squeezing them. They stay put. No pulling, no sliding. No thinking about it during the ride.

Women-specific features

Our women’s bib shorts aren’t an afterthought. They were designed specifically for women’s bodies from the start. Shorter torso. Different pressure points. A chamois shaped for female anatomy.

Same materials. Same performance. Same focus on long-ride comfort.

Lessons from long rides

A few habits we’ve picked up over time. Not all related to bibs, but they help.

• Use chamois cream. Especially for rides over 3 hours. It matters.

• Wash your bibs properly. Cold cycle. No softener. Hang dry.

• Rotate bibs if you ride often. Even good ones need recovery time.

• Test them on your bike, not in your hallway. Fit feels different in riding position.

Choosing your first bib shorts?

If you’re newer to cycling and wondering how to choose your first pair, we wrote something that might help. It breaks down the basics in a simple, no-pressure way. Read it here.

Are our bib shorts right for you?

We’re not here to say ours are the best for every single person. We just know they work really well for long rides. They’re designed for people who care about riding far, but don’t want to obsess over gear.

They just want to feel good on the bike. To stop worrying about what they’re wearing. That’s what we designed for.

A few words from Julian

Julian, who co-founded Label Collective, once said something I still think about:

"Good bibs let you enjoy the ride. Great bibs make you forget you're even wearing them."

He’s right.

You might be wondering

How long do they last?
We’ve used our oldest test pairs for more than two years. Still going strong. Take care of them and they’ll take care of you.

Are they made ethically?
Yes. Made in a factory with an above living wage. Recycled fabrics. No shortcuts.

Do they look good?
We think so. Clean lines, minimal branding, nothing flashy.

Are they race-fit?
We have two lines, One will hug your skin as its made with a specific technical fabric that supports your muscles, the other is more relaxed but still fits like a glove. But not overly tight. You can race in them, and they’re made for distance.

Final thoughts

Long rides expose everything. Your mindset, your pacing, your gear. That’s where you find out what works. And what doesn’t.

The best bib shorts for long rides aren’t necessarily the ones with the most features or the biggest marketing campaigns. They’re the ones you stop thinking about.

That’s what we made. Bib shorts that disappear into the background. That stay comfortable when the ride gets long. That help you stay in motion, for as long as you want to be out there.

You can check them out here.

Try them. Ride in them. And if you have thoughts, let us know.

Every ride tells you something. We just want to make sure your shorts aren’t part of the problem.