Description
You read that right – bib shorts for mountain bikers. Here’s why: bib shorts are awesome. They don’t pinch your stomach, they support more of your body, and they’re super comfortable. A lot of people we talked to were actually wearing road bibs under their mountain bike baggies so we built a dedicated mountain bike bib short. Breathable merino wool mesh fabric will keep you dry and comfortable, even on the most adventurous rides. We’re bucking the trend of price-point driven liner shorts that offer minimal padding and support, so our chamois are mountain bike specific with ventilation perforations and shock absorbing inserts. The front opening on the bib is lowered – with baggies over top there’s no reason for modesty and it makes life easier when nature calls. Finally, there’s pockets on the back – not a roadie race-radio pocket but actual pockets that fit a tube, CO2, tool, and some food in case you want to skip the hydration pack on a shorter ride but still need the essentials.
*Chamois is black, not bright blue like the image
Spencer Sator (verified owner) –
Wool bibs FTW! I picked up these bad boys along with the Conation baggies because I’d read some good magazine and online reviews and thought ‘why not?’ As a lifelong mountain biker (and roadie too) I’ve had plenty of bibs that sucked and a few that really excelled. These are certainly at the top of the heap. Properly cut, no chafing or hot spots, generous (but not stupidly excessive) padding, superior breathability, quality stitching–these are the real deal. On the trail, they allow full range of motion despite the fact they’re not lycra. And, miraculously, when my fiancee sent these through the dryer, they didn’t shrink a bit. In a world where ‘designer’ bibs can cost $300 or more, fly with these bad boys instead. The quality is second and you’re supporting a small company with deep roots in the mountain bike community. I’m a total convert!
Brad Ekin (verified owner) –
Hello Matt. Wanted to tell you how pleased I am with the wool bibs. Rating: Outstanding; 10 out of 10; Excellent!. I seldom provide product reviews and it is more unlikely that I would provide a rating on my first wear of the bibs however, I was so impressed I wanted to be sure and share my satisfaction. I received them Friday and wore them Saturday on a 25 mile trail ride. The comfort is unbelievable. It is obvious that the bibs were designed by trail riders. Heavy duty stitching and material reinforcement are evident throughout. The fabric is form fitting but stretchable. They fit like a second skin. During the the first hour I honestly thought I had forgot If I was wearing them. The pad does not move whether seated and pedaling or standing and pedaling. I noticed the straps had sagged a little upon removal but never once did I have to adjust them during the ride. The merino wool is very breathable. Worked up a sweat on a cool day and never felt damp nor did I feel chilled after the ride. I selected the medium size bibs. I am 5’11” 160 lbs. I highly recommend the wool bibs for trail riding! Great product! I will be sure to send all my friends to Conation Collective!
P.S. The low cut front was an excellent idea!
Journey (verified owner) –
Finally some wool bib shorts! These things are fantastic! So perfect for all seasons. So comfortable. It’s very important to get the right size though with these as they aren’t stretchy like a synthetic bib. I’m 6’0 158lbs with 30-31″ waist, so the size medium shorts and jerseys fit perfect, but for these bibs they were too tight on my (massive) legs (cannons). The bib straps were long enough though. I exchanged for a size large and they are absolutely perfect now.
admin –
Thanks for the kind words Journey! We know unique designs and fabrics can affect fit, so we offer free returns and exchanges to make sure you get the right size every time. Glad you’re enjoying them!
GEO –
I love these bibs! Even in hot weather (up to ~95ºF) these are my go-to mtb. bibs. The chamois is great and the wool mesh moves in perfect unison with my body. CoNation has out Rapha’d Rapha! If you want your lap to live in the lap of luxury, this is the ticket. And that occasional whiff of damp wool when the going gets tough… icing on the cake.
AT –
I normally never write reviews, but this product warrants an exception. Not only the product but also the support from Matt can only be described as exceptional. Matt made it possible to get the product shipped to Europe, payments went through without a hitch, nice work.
But to the product: I now have been riding for more than 40 years and this is simply the best bib shorts I have ever had. You don’t notice them when you ride, they dry fast, the chamois is thick enough, but not too thick, the size fits, just perfect. This will not be my last order from Conation, thanks for the support guys.
Abraham (verified owner) –
Awesome merino bib for a great price; bought to try it out on what turned out to be a pretty crazy serious multiday bikepacking trip & these gave a massive improvement over my padded shorts of yore—very airy & the chamois is a great cut for a more athletic style of riding, as it’s a bit narrower perhaps without sacrificing adequate coverage. I can’t recommend these enough they’re amazing.
Ben (verified owner) –
First of all, these are outrageously comfortable. I’ve put around 1200 miles on them, mostly touring, along with day rides on asphalt and gravel. I’m hoping that the outer shorts keep them usable for many thousands more. They’re also cheaper than many bib shorts, so when I do eventually wear them out, replacing will not be too painful.
They are not perfect for my body type. I’m 6′ tall, ~145 lbs, with long legs and a relatively short torso. The medium does fit my legs, but the straps are quite loose. My short-term solution has been to attach the two straps to one another. I emailed Conation Collective, and I was told that my idea of sewing the straps to themselves, folding them over to take off an inch or two, was probably my best option.
The front of the shorts is very low. They are, as advertised, not designed to be worn as an outer layer. This, along with the wool, has made chafing much less of an issue on multi-day rides. It does take a bit of care to get them to sit the right way on my frame, but they seem to stay there during full day rides (with the exception of the straps, which are too long for me), and keep me looking civilized when I’m off my bike.
D. McGowan –
Love these bibs! Tried them for the first time on my ride yesterday, and found them more comfortable than my R*ph*s by quite a bit. My new gravel-grinding go-to!