After seeing firsthand how easy and comfortable bibs are compared to the alternative, it's easy to understand the push for women's bibs.

After seeing firsthand how easy and comfortable bibs are compared to the alternative, it's easy to understand the push for women's bibs.​

Editor's Note: This article is courtesy of the team at Art's Cyclery and was written by Zoe Zappas. The original post can be found here.

Lowdown: Assos T.laalaLai Short_s7 Bib Shorts ($249)

The women's Assos bib short will definitely be a highlight of your cycling wardrobe. It has what you need to go the distance with ease and comfort.

Pluses

Comfortable and soft, with easy to remove bib straps.

Minuses

The shorts' rise is a little off.

Review: Assos T.laalaLai Short_s7 Bib Shorts

I am, by now, used to wearing and have a preference for bib shorts. But during a recent photo shoot I wore a certain brand's short and jersey combo. Opting to showcase this kit because the design was cool and the shorts came highly recommended, I was quickly reminded that bib-less shorts just don't offer the high level of "staying put" function that bib shorts do. After the shoot, I was so very happy to slip back into my Assos T.laalalaai Bib Shorts and ride into a seamless sunset.

The issue of going to the bathroom in bib shorts remains on the forefront of women's minds.

The issue of going to the bathroom in bib shorts remains on the forefront of women's minds.​

Functionality

For the last few years, the cycling industry has been desperately trying to get women into bib shorts. After seeing firsthand how easy and comfortable bibs are compared to the alternative, it's easy to understand the push for women's bibs. Bib-less shorts can be difficult to keep in place; lots of adjustments on the fly make for annoying and somewhat dangerous maneuvering.

The issue of going to the bathroom in bib shorts remains on the forefront of women's minds. That conundrum has almost every apparel company throwing everything but the kitchen sink at finding the most efficient way to allow women to empty their bladders. The T.laalalai has a magnetic clasp in the front, allowing for easy exit by throwing the straps over your head, followed by sweet relief. At first glance the magnet system seemed like an "over solution" to the easy-access bathroom problem, but in practice I quite appreciated the ease it added to the process.

These shorts run true to size, so no need to mess around with any sort of size guessing.

These shorts run true to size, so no need to mess around with any sort of size guessing.​

Comfort

The T.laalalai is ultimately a comfortable piece. The fabric alone would easily be worth Assos pricing, but Assos isn't in the business of textile sales so I will gladly take it in the shape of a short. Even the chamois is made of a wonderfully soft material, which is a much different story from many chamois manufacturers. Previously, the softness of a chamois was never even on my radar, but now it will always be a quality I search for. Assos is doing what they do best: spoiling their rider.

The only questionable feature would be the rise of the short. It hugs and hits at my natural waistline, which is not a make or break necessarily, but it tends to be right where most jerseys would like to rise to rest.

Fit

These shorts run true to size, so no need to mess around with any sort of size guessing. The length of short is a little longer than I'm used to, but it hits on a flattering spot on the thigh so rest assured that Assos is looking out for your tan line variability.

The T.laalalai has a magnetic clasp in the front, allowing for easy exit by throwing the straps over your head.

The T.laalalai has a magnetic clasp in the front, allowing for easy exit by throwing the straps over your head.​

Bottom Line

This is an amazing short. It fits like a glove and is soft where it counts. Finally Assos has an answer for those women who want and need the stability of bib short.

For more info please visit www.artscyclery.com.