Endura FS260 DropSeat Bib Shorts - Women's Review

The Endura FS260 DropSeat Bib Shorts are women's cycling bibs made from “Italian Power Lycra”, a blend of nylon and elastane with supportive compression throughout. They come in several colors and a range of sizes from XXS to XL. The women's-specific, perforated chamois pad design with gel inserts kept us super comfortable on long rides, and the effective drop seat function made bathroom breaks a breeze. These features, combined with excellent fit, comfort, and high performance across the board, made these shorts the best in test for best women's cycling bibs.

Comfort and Padding

As far as bibs go, these are really comfortable to wear both on and off the bike. The super stretchy mesh shoulder straps are wide enough to not dig into your skin, and they stay in place well. The legs feature wide raw-edge hems with effective silicone grippers that keep them perfectly in place without being too tight. The chamois padding is narrow and soft enough that it doesn't bunch up or feel bulky off the bike. These bibs support a full range of motion and have just the right amount of compression to prevent fatigue, and the silky-smooth feel is a pleasure to pedal in.

A standout feature of the Endura DropSeat Bib Shorts is the effective, women's-specific “600 Series” chamois. It has a 3D design meant to mold to your body, with strategically placed multi-density foam to give high-impact spots more support, and perforation to support better breathability. In those specific spots, there's also gel inserts for even more support and vibration absorption. The chamois also incorporates “Silver Dry” technology, meaning that there are silver ions woven into the fabric, which have an anti-microbial and moisture-wicking effect for better hygiene.

Fit and Features

The Endura DropSeat Bib Shorts have the aerodynamic, svelte feel that road cyclists know and love. With perfect compression, raw edge hems, silicone leg grippers, and pre-molded multi-panel construction, these bibs hug your curves without squeezing. With a slightly longer inseam than some performance options, these bibs offer a bit more coverage. Our main tester loved the fit, and these seemed to fit well universally when we had other female cyclists try them on.

These ran slightly large compared to other shorts and bibs we tested, but we found them essentially true to size. To accommodate the drop seat function, they're a bit loose around the high-rise waist. Honestly, we found this an advantage rather than a disadvantage, because it made them a lot more comfortable than some uber-tight options that can dig into your midsection when you're in riding position.

Breathability

With their relatively thin, high-stretch material that sits close to the skin, the Endura DropSeat Bibs had excellent moisture-wicking ability and generally kept us dry and comfortable, even for all-out riding in high temperatures. We also liked the ultra-thin mesh material used to construct the straps and upper part of the bib, which prevented us from building up sweat there.

The only factor that works a bit against the breathability of these bibs is the extra material up top to accommodate the drop seat function, and the fact that they have a slightly longer inseam (8.5 inches) compared to some other bibs and shorts in the lineup. The “Silver Dry” chamois with perforation gives these bib shorts an edge in breathability, and we definitely noticed that it kept the chamois pad drier when we were sweating. No one likes a soggy chamois to sit in for hours on the bike, and these help prevent that uncomfortable feeling.

Fabric Quality

Endura notes that these bib shorts are made from “high quality Italian Power Lycra”, which is a blend of nylon, elastane, and recycled polyester. The fabric has a silky-smooth feel, and we didn't experience any snags or pilling. While we love the extra breathability provided by the mesh upper straps, and they held up well during the testing period, this thin fabric is more fragile and could potentially wear over time with heavy use.

Though we reached for these bibs more than any others in the lineup, they show no wear whatsoever after over 100 miles of riding. While that's just a drop in the bucket in terms of how much use you'll intend to get out of these if you purchase them, it's a good sign that they'll hold up well for lots of riding.

Style

These have a classic road cyclist look, and don't have any design elements that necessarily make them stand out from other bike shorts. We do like how Endura has integrated the drop seat function into a crossover design in the back. The compressive support of the short has a flattering look rather than making your backside look flat and saggy, which we appreciated. But overall, the style is pretty understated.

We liked how these bib shorts looked, and they matched a wide variety of tops, but they aren't exactly a standout in terms of style. If you're looking for super stylish bib shorts, you might want to consider other options. The Endura DropSeat Bib Shorts definitely have a more functional look than a fun, whimsical design. We didn't mind this aspect.

Should You Buy the Endura Drop Seat Bib Shorts?

We're confident that the Endura DropSeat Bibs will be an excellent choice for the vast majority of female road and gravel cyclists. We love the drop seat for bathroom breaks. If you're looking for qualities that lie on one end or the other of the bell curve – like ultra-high performance, or super casual, you might want to consider other options. But for most rides and most women, these bib shorts are the ones we recommend the most, and it's hard to beat their comfort and value.

What Other Women's Bike Shorts Should You Consider?

If you're looking for an even more streamlined, high-end bib short, take a look at the Pearl Izumi Pro Bib. They'll cost you a premium, but they have excellent performance to match. We also like the Endura Pro SL Bib, which has a slightly more supportive chamois with a similar design if you're frequently heading out for century rides and beyond. For a casual but reliable short, look into the Terry Hi-Rise Holster Short.