Bellwether isn't the first apparel brand to try to make bib shorts easier on women, and they certainly won't be the last. Unfortunately, few have perfected the combination of style and substance needed to make a women's-specific product like these bib shorts successful. Bellwether has gone the halter route with this particular design, featuring an adjustable buckle system in front that is intended to make the call of nature a bit friendlier. Sadly -- and in spite of an excellent chamois that kept us comfy for many miles -- the halter/buckle design is a total failure. We had difficulty getting the clasp to hook time after time, and the front closure means you still have to remove your jersey for bathroom breaks.
The good news is that, while the buckle functionality may need some work, the Physio Pro Carbon Chamois was tops among the women's bib shorts we tested. Padding is strategically positioned at varying densities and heights based on anatomy, and we suffered no numbness, reduced blood circulation or general discomfort over many miles in the saddle. Both the top and bottom are made with Coldblack fabric, which reduces absorption of UV rays and kept us cool on long, hot summer rides. Venting fabric under the arms and microfiber arm and leg bands added to the comfort level. If Bellwether can perfect the buckle design, they'll have one of the top women's kits on the market.
Rating: 4/5