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Rapha Cargo Bib Review

You’re getting great touring shorts, but you’re paying a premium
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Rapha Cargo Bib Review
Credit: Rapha
Price:  $310 List
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Manufacturer:   Rapha
By Ryan Baham ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Jul 23, 2019
71
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#11 of 13
  • Padding and Protection - 25% 7.0
  • Comfort and Fit - 20% 8.0
  • Breathability - 15% 7.0
  • Efficiency and Pedal Friendliness - 15% 7.0
  • Durability - 15% 6.0
  • Style - 10% 7.0

Our Verdict

These shorts are meant for riders out there putting in a lot of miles, but they're a pretty good design for commuters and those looking for more storage without compromising on performance. There are extra pockets along the back and both legs, adding tons of space for gels and other consumables. Their chamois is a bit thicker than most padding, to help you get through those last few dozen miles. They are ideal for the touring, but they're high-performance all-purpose shorts that will excel across activities.
REASONS TO BUY
Solid comfort
Durable
Decent water resistance
Convenient storage
REASONS TO AVOID
Pricey
Pockets stretch out
Retain water once wet

Compare to Similar Products

 
rapha cargo bib
This Product
Rapha Cargo Bib
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Bike Shorts for Most People
Editors' Choice Award
Best Premium Bike Shorts
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
Best Buy Award
Best on a Tight Budget
Price $310 List
$310.00 at Backcountry
$175 List
$122.49 at Amazon
$160.99 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers
$129.95 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers
$54.99 at Amazon
Compare at 3 sellers
Overall Score Sort Icon
71
86
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59
Star Rating
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Bottom Line Excellent commuting, touring, and pack-muling bib shortsPro performance for a fraction of the priceRight in the sweet spot of reliability, quality, and comfortA top choice for experienced budget-conscious ridersRiders just getting into cycling still doing low mileage will get a lot out of these
Rating Categories Rapha Cargo Bib SUGOi Evolution Bibs Endura Pro SL Bib S... Castelli Competizio... Pearl Izumi Quest
Padding and Protection (25%)
7.0
9.0
9.0
7.0
6.0
Comfort and Fit (20%)
8.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
Breathability (15%)
7.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
6.0
Efficiency and Pedal Friendliness (15%)
7.0
9.0
8.0
9.0
6.0
Durability (15%)
6.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
Style (10%)
7.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
5.0
Specs Rapha Cargo Bib SUGOi Evolution Bibs Endura Pro SL Bib S... Castelli Competizio... Pearl Izumi Quest
Main Fabric 71% nylon 29% elastane Evo Plus (polyester/spandex blend) Main: Elastane 22%, Nylon 78%. Trim: Elastane 20%, Nylon 25%, Polyester 55% Affinity Pro Lycra 80% recycled nylon, 20% spandex
Inseam Measurement 11.5" 9" 11" 10" (M) 9"
Number of panels 9 8 11 7 6
Fit Type Bib Bib Bib Bib Short
Chamois Yes RC Pro 700 Series PadEndura KISS Air2 Levitate
Weight 7.37 oz 7.08 oz 6.03 oz 5.68 oz 4.62 oz
Other Features Large side pockets, two smaller pockets at the back, reflective logos, water repellent fabric Compressive EvoPlus fabric, Powerband leg cuffs Silicone grips, 50 UPF rating, 2 leg length options available on manu site. Silicone grips, reflective details, flat-lock stitching, Vortex BLC textured fabric on legs BioViz reflective accents, silicone grips

Our Analysis and Test Results

Performance Comparison


After exhaustive testing and research, we're able to bring you our best effort in comparative analysis. We break these shorts down across six categories and compare them to the top road bike shorts available on the market so you can determine whether they're right for you, and if not, where you might look to find what you need. Take a look below to see how the Rapha Cargos perform.

Style


Style is in the eye of the beholder, sure, but we can consider what's going on in the pro peloton and use a little judgment to get through this one. They get extra points for having color options, though the only real pizzazz comes with the orange shoulder strap option. The side pockets add a little texture, and the lines do inject a little more character into what is otherwise a smooth, no-nonsense appearance.

rapha cargo bib - even full of goodies, the rapha brevets look pretty sleek and ready...
Even full of goodies, the Rapha Brevets look pretty sleek and ready to lay down the pace.
Credit: Tara Kharrazian

We think they did a particularly good job with reducing the Fred factor with the pockets. They're designed to be both useful and attractive. There's a certain demographic of us who gravitate toward cargo shorts, to the eternal chagrin of those who love us, but Rapha does a good job of giving us cargo shorts without alarming those around us - they look good for cargo shorts.

rapha cargo bib - ample, well-designed storage along both thighs and each side of the...
Ample, well-designed storage along both thighs and each side of the back. You should have no problem pack-muling yourself with all the calories you need for a self-supported century.
Credit: Tara Kharrazian

But we understand if you aren't into the pockets and need something a little sexier. You'll find our Top Pick for Short Course winners, the Gore C5 Bib Shorts+, to have a few more color options and a little more flare to them. The SUGOi Evolution Pro bib shorts also had a really nice cut with some color if you're after something a little flashier.

Breathability


The Raphas are pretty good for what they're meant to do: get you across all sorts of terrain with a little extra cargo, in estimable comfort. Their nylon content is just slightly lower than most other cycling shorts, so they have a small degree of extra give compared to competitors, but the gauge is also slightly thicket. That may make up for the loss in material strength, but there's a modest tradeoff in moisture retention and breathability.

The Rapha Cargos are designed with a new hydrophobic material that confers a good degree of water resistance upon them, but once they're soaked through with sweat or rain, they feel something like a thick wetsuit and seem to retain the moisture. The Castelli NanoFlex 2 Bibs use a similar material, Nano Flex fabric, but do a slightly better job of getting rid of moisture. The thinner fabric in the Gore C5 Bib Shorts+ does a better job of releasing heat and moisture. The Assos T Equipe Evo top the measure here with both thinner material and a higher mix of polyester, which is somewhat hydrophobic.

rapha cargo bib - there are few times you notice breathability as urgently as when...
There are few times you notice breathability as urgently as when you're locked inside of the trainer. Also take note of the reflective strips set off by the flash.
Credit: Tara Kharrazian

Padding and Protection


These shorts have a bit of a different job from most of the other shorts in our lineup because they're made for touring. They need to have thicker, broader padding, which might be more of a hassle on short, hard rides, but the butt appreciates it when the ride is predominantly spent in the upright position, maxing out at 15 mph for half a day or more. That said, they're also good for commuting, especially if you need to stuff your ID badge in a quick-access spot or don't wear a jersey.

If you take a look at the picture below, you can see that the Raphas on the left have thicker padding that covers more area. The foam is a bit more firm than the other shorts, which spreads the pressure across the rest of the sitting region, making long, slow days in the saddle a more reasonable prospect. Their top layer is also pretty forgiving on the ol' undercarriage, using something like a fleece cloth to reduce friction.

rapha cargo bib - you can see from the brevets' large footprint and thickish padding...
You can see from the Brevets' large footprint and thickish padding, far left, that they're designed with the expectation that you'll spend many hours in the saddle discovering all sorts of new positions.
Credit: Ryan Baham

If most of your rides are shorter than a few hours and you're spending a lot of time hammering and rarely see zone 2 or below, you'll probably want something with leaner padding and a smaller footprint. The SUGOi Evolution Pro bib shorts fit that description, making great functional mid-distance shorts. But our Editor's Choice winning Assos T Equipe Evo have the ultimate combination of friction reduction, form-fit, and padding.

Comfort and Fit


One of the best things about these shorts is their brushed inner lining. It has a smooth, fleece-like feel to it that also insulates and keeps your warm in chilly weather and has the added benefit of being hydrophobic, so it keeps you dry when you're creating moisture. The shoulder straps are especially appreciated. They're pretty smooth and reduce chafe on the shoulders and front bits, so you don't have to use bandaids to mitigate a bloody nipple situation.

rapha cargo bib - wide, fine mesh shoulder straps are just another fine detail...
Wide, fine mesh shoulder straps are just another fine detail improving comfort for serious distance riding.
Credit: Ryan Baham

Whereas some models like the Gore C5s are just short, athletic cuts, these are a much more relaxed, long cut, ending just above the knee. That can cause a bit of extra adjusting if you prefer your shorts to be a bit higher on the thigh. Luckily, the leg grippers do a good job of holding the shorts in place, though they can start to rub or itch after a few hours, causing you to have to run your finger under them and readjust every now and then.

rapha cargo bib - the leg grippers are effective, but can become uncomfortable after a...
The leg grippers are effective, but can become uncomfortable after a few hours.
Credit: Ryan Baham

We should also mention that the front is cut to drop below the belly button, making the wee experience even more fun and convenient. But if you're looking for something just a little more comfortable, you'll have some luck with the SUGOi Evolution Pro Bib Shorts. They have a bit more flexibility, and the cut is a little more athletic. You might also like the Editor's Choice Assos T Equipe Evo bib shorts, which have supple, form-fitting fabric in addition to one of the best chamois designs on the market.

rapha cargo bib - well, the droopy diaper isn't always avoidable, but the raphas have...
Well, the droopy diaper isn't always avoidable, but the Raphas have great padding without getting to the bunched-up stage.
Credit: Tara Kharrazian

Efficiency and Pedal Friendliness


These bib shorts are ideal for their intended use: long, slow days in the saddle. Shorts with better efficiency and pedal friendliness usually have similar of 70% nylon with the remainder made up of something stretchy, like elastane and/or polyester. These use 71% nylon and 29% elastane - a good mix for durability, strength, stretch, and flexibility.

These cycling shorts are a little different, though. Their cut is a little less athletic, and the chamois padding is both thicker and broader. That makes sense because the Cargos are meant to help save your tail while you're out touring the countryside and it's a reasonable trade-off. If you were using them to get down into an aero position for an hour, all that padding would get in the way and screw up your form, but since they're meant to facilitate and more upright, relaxed position, the larger chamois and padding makes sense.

We'd also be remiss if we didn't mention the obvious impact of the cargo pockets. Generally, you don't notice them, but if you're stuffed to the gills, you're going to notice, and it's going to have an impact on efficiency. We suggest trying to limit it to a few food items. They're probably fine for phones and other important objects, but…

If you are after something with a bit more efficiency, you'll be pleased with the flexible, form-fitting Assos bibs. Their chamois is also a lot thinner and moves with your body, so it's much more efficient on rides in the 3-hour and under range. If you want something with lighter material and less padding to fight with, take a look at the Gore C5 bibs.

Durability


These shorts use a fair amount of strong nylon in their mix, ensuring they have good toughness and longevity. That's aided by the thicker gauge of the fabric used. Add to that their minimized and protected seams, which cuts down on potential weak spots. Generally, these shorts should hold up to some good touring over a few seasons, but there are a few concerns.

Obviously, the mesh pockets have some limitations - like getting snagged on corners if you're walking around stores. But they also stretch out and don't return to their original tautness if they're over-stuffed. The material also tends to lose shape, which might be more concerning to riders looking for tighter, more supportive cycling shorts. And the most important concern: the fabric along the inner thighs tends to fray and wear down faster than you'd like in touring shorts, but still not terrible.

If you want something a little tougher, you'll probably have to sacrifice some desirable aspects of these. If you want a more general model that has top performance, you can't go wrong with the Editor's Choice Assos T Equipe Evo bib shorts.

Best Applications


These shorts perform pretty well across mo0st riding activities, but they're ideal for touring. That said, if you just do short rides, but would prefer to keep gels in your thigh pockets instead of stuffing your jersey pockets, they're fine for that.

Value


We think these are great bib shorts, but $270 is a bit steep. There are probably a few other great options that you could consider, but if you'll be crossing vast expanses of uninhabited terrain, and absolutely need to tap out your legs and back for extra calorie storage and want to retain race-like performance, these will make more sense.

Conclusion


For the self-supported rider, there are few things more valuable out on the road than extra storage space for consumables. The Cargo shorts are clearly meant for the riders who believe pit-stops are sinful and therefore need to carry all fuel on-board, but they'd be great shorts even without the pockets. For sitting comfort, their chamois uses thick, targeted foam protected by a silky fleece-like cloth cover to help the miles roll by. Their durability and comfort really come into play for long-distance riders and touring. Nothing ruins a ride like discovering that the extra chafing you're feeling on the inner thigh is because you now see, you've rubbed through your shorts and it's all saddle on skin now. They also do a great job both wicking away sweat and resisting environmental moisture, adding to the reasons they're a smart pick for covering a lot of geography.

rapha cargo bib - the rapha brevets feel great out for a spin around the weekend loop...
The Rapha Brevets feel great out for a spin around the weekend loop, but they're designed for, and excel at, centuries and touring.
Credit: Tara Kharrazian

Ryan Baham