Sportful has started to create some unique and stand-out designs that will likely divide opinions, with the Sky Rider Supergiara bib shorts being one such item. With additional cargo pockets, they are designed to give you pro-worthy gravel performance, but there are some questions about the fit.
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Sportful Sky Rider Supergiara bib short - Technical details
Let’s start with the styling, as that is probably what will catch most eyes first when you first see them. The spotted texture is comprised of different-sized and coloured spots, with the possible aim to create a mud-splattered effect. I will admit that at first, I was not a fan, but after several rides, they started to grow on me, slightly.
The shorts are available in sizes S to 3XL, with a fit that I found quite relaxed, and despite being within the correct size range in the guide, there was some fabric slack around most of the shorts while in a riding position. For a short that claims to be suitable for racing, a slimmer and tighter fit might be expected.
The shorts feature a single pocket on the left leg and two pockets on the back section within a mesh fabric. The legs come with a wide band with silicone grippers, and this makes them long in the leg, and while I am on the shorter side for riders, they are longer than almost all other bib shorts I have previously used.
The DMS seat pad is a specific version that Sportful has created for gravel riding, with multi-density construction that is shorter, and lighter than the road-orientated seat pad with the aim to provide less space for water to accumulate and dry out faster if it does get wet.
Sportful Sky Rider Supergiara bib short - Performance
The fit and feel of the Supergiara shorts are somewhat mixed, with the main fabric that feels loose, and in excess next to a wide silicone gripper that is tighter. I found the main fabric was loose enough to occasionally catch the edge of the saddle when moving in and out while climbing, and it also meant the seat pad moved more than I would have liked. The shorts are on the long side, with the wide gripper not helping, and actually, it wasn't that grippy.
There is just a single mesh pocket, located on the left leg, and I would have preferred to have seen one on each leg, for extra storage and left/right preference with different riders. The mesh fabric feels flimsy, and there is a sign on the seam where the fabric is pulling. The pocket feels wide, extending all the way around the side of the leg, to a point where contents could be felt when riding, but the depth is quite short. The rear pockets are similar, with a mesh fabric, and a wider but slim shape that feels more fitting for this location.
However, the shorts were comfortable for several hours, but on longer rides, the movement in the seat pad did eventually start to cause a little irritation, with the slightly loose fit resulting in a little too much movement.
Sportful Sky Rider Supergiara bib shorts – Value & Overall
The Sportful Sky Rider Supergiara Bibshorts are £150, putting them in a competitive market among other popular shorts. Stu highly rated the PEdAL Ed Odyssey bibs, featuring a very different design for the pockets.
Personally, I feel they couldn’t match the more expensive £195 Castelli Free Unlimited bib short, and these also have pockets on both legs that some might find useful.
Sportful has created a cargo bib short that stands out against most others, with a design that steers away from just a plain black colourway. The looks won’t appeal to everyone, although the style did grow on me. The sizing and fit of these bibs can't match the best cargo shorts available, and with a single-leg pocket that is quite shallow, the cargo functionality is not as useful as on some other shorts.
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