A decent set of winter bib shorts that, while not the most premium, are good enough that they won't hold you back, and aren't so flash that you won't mind getting them filthy if you're heading off-road.
Pros
+
High stomach is certainly cosy
+
Very good value, especially if on sale
+
More versatile than bib tights when combined with leg warmers
Cons
-
Chamois pad a little basic
-
Straps not the most comfortable
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Endura FS260-Pro Thermo bib shorts
RRP: £109.99, or around $120 Sizes: S-XXL Colours: Black Composition: Polyester 92%, Nylon 45%, Elastane 13%
I have been an evangelist for some time for winter cycling shorts. Yes, the best winter bib tights will see you in better stead through those really cold days, but in the age of indoor training, if you’re only occasionally heading out in really bad weather you might find you get more use out of some thermal shorts, paired when necessary with a set of the best cycling leg warmers.
While I have been known to wear them in deepest winter, I find winter shorts come into their own in spring and fall, where they help keep the chill off without running the risk of overheating. They are also particularly good for gravel riding, as it's either your bare legs (if you’re hard) or your usually cheaper leg warmers (if you’re like me) taking the brunt of the winter muck and slop.
I’ve been using a set of Endura’s FS260-Pro Thermo bib shorts for about three years now, and while I don’t think they will be to everyone’s taste, they are relatively inexpensive, often on sale, and will make a useful addition to most riders ‘just in case’ wardrobe if nothing else.
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The high stomach is the USP of these shorts, for extra cosy sensations while riding in the cold. (Image credit: Will Jones)
Luckily for getting dressed and personal access the front has a zip. (Image credit: Will Jones)
At the rear branding is minimal, save for a logo and some reflective strips. (Image credit: Will Jones)
Here's a closer look at the front zip.(Image credit: Will Jones)
Design and aesthetics
Winter bib shorts really are very similar to their summer counterparts, the main difference usually being that instead of plain Lycra (or mesh, in some cases), they are constructed from fleece-backed Lycra, often called ‘Roubaix fabric’ or other similar terms. Sometimes you get additional features like a durable water-repellent coating, windproof panels, and reflective detailing. Here with the Endura FS260-Pro Thermo bib shorts you get a pretty standard pair of bib shorts, just fleecy.
There is a durable water repellant (DWR) coating applied to the outer fabric, but in all honesty, I’m yet to find a set of thermal bibs outside the Castelli NanoFlex and Sportful Fiandre NoRain - which utilise the same water repellant tech as they are from the same parent company - that can truly stand up to rain. Here you’ll get wet, but that’s fine, dry isn’t really the point.
At the bottom of each thigh are your classic elastic, silicone backed grippers. They are, on the rear, finished with some decently sized reflective flashes, which is a useful addition but naturally it’s no substitute for a set of the best bike lights if you’re riding in the dark.
The main selling point from a design point of view is the high waist, complete with access zip not only to help you get in, but also help you access certain vital parts of your anatomy should the need for a nature break arise. In this respect it’s the polar opposite of Assos’ thermal bib shorts, which are cut much like late 90’s jeans; extremely low in the front. The stomach panels aren’t fleece-backed, but they are double-lined, so they are actually doing something to keep you warm rather than just holding your tummy in for the cafe shop photo.
The straps and back panel are constructed with a slightly curious fabric that is both mesh and fleece backed. I feel like just plain lycra here would have been better, about the same in terms of breathability, and a little more forgiving as they are rather stiff compared to some options.
Finally, the chamois, which is an Endura own brand design. It is relatively basic, and really rather soft too, so if you like either a really thick, or a firmer pad then you might do well to look elsewhere.
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The straps aren't the most stretchy, but they rarely felt biting like some can. (Image credit: Will Jones)
I think on balance I'd rather they were just cut from standard Lycra. (Image credit: Will Jones)
An Endura wordmark down the leg is the final piece of branding. (Image credit: Will Jones)
Performance
Dependable is the word that springs to mind when I think of the Endura FS260-Pro Thermo bib shorts. In the three or so years I’ve been using them they tend to be what I reach for particularly for grim gravelly riding. They aren’t necessarily the most comfortable shorts I’ve ever worn, but they do a good enough job that I’m willing to put them into the line of fire when things are rather grotty.
The chamois pad is, admittedly, a little basic, but also as I’ve proved having pressure mapped loads of pairs of bib shorts, if you’re finding a set of shorts uncomfortable it’s probably your saddle that’s the issue, not the shorts. It’s showing its age now, but after three winters I can hardly complain.
What they do well is keeping my legs warm. The fleece backing isn’t so high loft that they feel particularly soggy in the wet, but fluffy enough that things feel cosy in the cold. The high stomach helps a lot with this, and also (provided you tuck it right down first) can help to keep your base layer from riding up as the ride progresses.
Without being too graphic I have a slightly sensitive stomach, and have at times, when a mid-ride fuelling strategy has gone wrong and I’ve blown up like a balloon, found the high stomach to be something of an imposition, but these occasions are relatively few and far between. I also run hot, and so am rarely in need of the extra layer around my midriff. If you are cold-blooded however I can absolutely see how it would be a benefit.
They aren’t compressive in any meaningful sense, but no bib shorts at this price are, and they have held their shape better than many cheaper options would without ever getting saggy. The leg grippers are tight without ever biting or giving me sausage legs, and seem to remain resistant to riding up too, so a tick in the box there. They have also remained well and truly elastic across the years, only just now slightly showing signs of becoming a little tired out.
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The chamois pad is a little basic and not the most firm. (Image credit: Will Jones)
Here's a closer look at the leg reflectors, plus you can see the red grippers inside the leg elastic. (Image credit: Will Jones)
The backing material for the straps is a fleece mesh, which is an odd combo. (Image credit: Will Jones)
Value
The RRP for the Endura FS260-Pro Thermo bib shorts is £109.99. They don’t appear to be available at the time of writing in the USA but are ‘coming soon’, with a listed price at $64.99, though I suspect this is the most recent on-sale price rather than the full RRP - Expect to pay around $120 when they come back.
This is relatively cheap for what is a well-made, dependable set of bib shorts that will absolutely extend the temperatures you are comfortable riding in. Particularly if you’re getting really mucky in the winter and don’t want to fork out top dollar for a set of winter bib shorts that you are going to trash, these are well worth your consideration.
Verdict
While the Endura FS260-Pro Thermo bib shorts aren't exactly my out-and-out favourite set of thermal bib shorts, they absolutely have a pretty regular place in my cycling wardrobe. They offer excellent value, are warm and pretty comfortable despite a relatively basic chamois pad, and have stood up to years of abuse out and about on gravel rides.
If you want to invest in staying a bit warmer over winter, but especially in happier spring and fall riding, then these are a great first step.
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Testing scorecard and notes
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design and aesthetics
Nothing groundbreaking here, but nothing daft either, just a sensible pair of bibs with some useful additions like the reflective details.
7/10
Comfort and fit
Snug with no constriction or compression, and never saggy even after 3 years
8/10
Chamois
A little soft and basic, but does the job
7/10
Thermal management
Cosy, though if you run hot the high stomach may be too much for you
7/10
Value
For what you pay you're getting a pretty decent product
Will joined the Cyclingnews team as a reviews writer in 2022, having previously written for Cyclist, BikeRadar and Advntr. He’s tried his hand at most cycling disciplines, from the standard mix of road, gravel, and mountain bike, to the more unusual like bike polo and tracklocross. He’s made his own bike frames, covered tech news from the biggest races on the planet, and published countless premium galleries thanks to his excellent photographic eye. Also, given he doesn’t ever ride indoors he’s become a real expert on foul-weather riding gear. His collection of bikes is a real smorgasbord, with everything from vintage-style steel tourers through to superlight flat bar hill climb machines.
