Endura Pro SL Bib Shorts review

Endura's Pro SL Bib Shorts leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of comfort.

The Pro SL sits near the top of the Scottish cycling brand’s bib shorts collection, the standout features being the choice of pad size and leg lengths to suit your fit.

Combined with a mesh back area and unrestrictive grippers, the result is a high-quality pair of bibs at a mid-level price point.

Endura Pro SL Bib Shorts specifications and details

Starting with the chamois, three pad widths – narrow, medium and wide – are on offer when you pick your sizing for the Pro SL bibs. You can also enter your saddle details at Endura's pad fit service to secure the most precise fit.

There are also two leg-length sizes, standard and long, with the latter 4cm longer than the shorter version for taller riders or anyone seeking heightened aerodynamics.

Elsewhere, there’s a mesh back area, material composition from Italian Lycra, raw-edge leg grippers and wide elastic straps.

Endura Pro SL Bib Shorts performance

Moving back onto the chamois, my own Pro SL Bib Short test sample came with the medium pad, but the brand's website recommended the narrow option for my gender and 131mm-wide Selle Italia SLR saddle.

My backside soon concurred, with some excess chamois bunching up somewhat, especially during longer rides.

The brand’s 700 Series pad, designed in collaboration with German bike fit experts gebioMized, still achieved plenty of support for extended saddle sojourns, thanks to the ample padding under each cheek and at the frontal area for when riding on the drops.

There’s also a mesh area at the tip for increased ventilation, while the pad is tidily secured into the material beneath it to reduce any chafing.

The raw-cut hems and internal silicone grippers are slick in their construction, keeping the leg sleeves in place on the thighs without a hint of restriction.

The standard leg length felt long enough for my Hobbit-esque limbs, but there is a 4cm longer-leg option for tall riders.

Coldblack technology is utilised on the black fabric to deflect heat and there’s a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating of 50 , which has done its job on both the mid-summer UK and early-summer European excursions I’ve used the Pro SL Bib Shorts for.

A mesh panel positioned on the spine helps with wicking sweat, while the bib straps themselves provide a seamless design that successfully thwarted any chafing.

They also sit flush on the shoulders without digging in. That mesh area, which Endura labels a ‘lumbar support panel’, seemed to provide some extra support for my Quasimodo-like frame, especially when tired during lengthy rides.

The fit on the upper-body and legs is great, but I felt a little bit of digging in around the front of the waist.

I am carrying a few rolls of excess timber in that area, but it’s worth noting that the Endura Pro SLs aren’t as forgiving of your figure as some of the best bib shorts.

Considering all the tech on display and pad/leg-length choices, the £129.99 price is pretty good.

The Endura bib shorts offer similar levels of performance to some of my favourite mid-range bibs, such as the Giro Chrono Expert (£119.99), and the Pro SLs can be found cheaper online, including on Endura’s own site.

Endura Pro SL Bib Shorts bottom line

The Pro SLs are innovative, semi-custom bib shorts that achieve their goal of maximum comfort, support and breathability. I wish more brands offered the choice of multiple pad sizes.

However, while the fit is largely comfortable, those carrying extra midriff weight might struggle with the waist area’s positioning.