The Boardman 9 Series Bib Shorts are some of the most impressive bang-for-your-buck bike clothing I've ever had the pleasure of wearing. They're very comfortable, the fit is excellent and they perform better than some options costing more than twice the price.
For other options, check out our best cycling bib shorts buyer's guide.
I'm always a little sceptical, rightly or wrongly, when it comes to testing more modestly priced cycling kit, but Boardman seems to be on a roll lately, bringing out some great new products at affordable prices, such as its newest SLR road bike – and these bibs certainly don't disappoint.
2025 Boardman 9 Series Bib Shorts - straps back.jpg (credit: road.cc)The shorts end above the knee, in the modern style, with the laser-cut ends accompanied by a wide strip of small silicone dots, which proved very effective at keeping the shorts in place.
2025 Boardman 9 Series Bib Shorts - cuff gripper.jpg (credit: road.cc)The straps are wide without being restrictive. The front of the bibs comes up higher than on a lot of other shorts, so stopping for a pee is a little more of a mission, but I found the support the shorts offer a worthwhile price for this slight inconvenience.
2025 Boardman 9 Series Bib Shorts - straps front.jpg (credit: road.cc)All this results in bib shorts that are impressively comfortable – they don't squeeze you anywhere, they sit very well and they don't ride up at all.
The chamois is also very impressive for such modestly priced shorts. I tackled a 240km ride wearing these, and suffered no saddle soreness or any issues whatsoever over seven and a half hours on the bike, which is almost unheard of for me.
2025 Boardman 9 Series Bib Shorts - chamois.jpg (credit: road.cc)The pad is thick enough to provide you with a good amount of cushioning, without any accompanying discomfort – though it's not so thick that it feels like you're wearing a nappy. It's clearly working too, as the shorts' long-distance comfort is excellent.
2025 Boardman 9 Series Bib Shorts - legs back.jpg (credit: road.cc)The shorts also come with a couple of small pockets on the lower back. I didn't use them, but they're a handy addition for carrying gels, a multi tool and the like.
2025 Boardman 9 Series Bib Shorts - back.jpg (credit: road.cc)Boardman has clearly embraced the minimalist approach recently, and it's no different with these – there's a small logo on the back of the right leg, and that's it.
2025 Boardman 9 Series Bib Shorts - cuff 2.jpg (credit: road.cc)Value
The price is excellent. Their £60 price is much less than you'll pay for high-end bibs from numerous big-name brands – but the performance is their equal, if not better than some of them.
For example, Sam loved the Assos Equipe R bibs, but they cost £165 – not far off triple the price of the the Boardmans.
And while Galibier's Classique bibs are a very affordable £55.33, Dave didn't think their bibs were the most comfortable he'd experienced, and I reckon the Boardmans have a more classy look.
Conclusion
I've been amazed by these bibs, which have blown me away with their comfort and value, and whether you're a beginner or a more seasoned rider I'd seriously recommend trying them. I really don't think you'll find anything that will beat them for the price or anything like it, and these are going down as one of my first choices for big rides – and I think that speaks highly.
Verdict
Great comfort, excellent quality and some of the best shorts I've tried – and at a truly remarkable price
road.cc test report
Make and model: Boardman 9 Series Bib Shorts
Size tested: Medium
Tell us what the product is for
Boardman says: 'The Boardman 9 Series Bib Shorts are expertly crafted to provide maximum comfort for all-day rides. Featuring a soft-touch medium-density foam chamois, these shorts effectively reduce friction against the skin while offering protection at saddle contact points.
The innovative laser-cut leg openings come equipped with silicone grippers to ensure that the shorts stay securely in place without riding up. Meanwhile, the elastic bib straps provide just the right amount of support, allowing for unrestricted movement without compromising comfort.
Constructed from breathable polyamide fabric, these bib shorts not only enhance airflow but also dry quickly, keeping you comfortable on longer rides.'
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Boardman lists:
Breathable and quick-drying polyamide fabric
Laser-cut leg openings for a seamless fit
Silicone grippers to keep shorts securely in place
Soft-touch medium-density foam chamois for added protection and comfort
They're very well made.
A 10 is very hard to give, but these have been so excellent for long-distance riding that I simply couldn't fault them.
So far they've held up without showing any signs of wear and tear.
They fit very well, they're comfortable and not too tight.
I tested the medium, which is my usual size, and they are true to size.
They don't feel like a heavy pair of bibs.
I think seven and a half hours in the saddle without any discomfort speaks for itself.
The price to performance ratio is basically unheard of.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
They've washed very well without any issues.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
These bibs perform superbly, they're extremely comfortable, and I think they're a great option for any type of riding.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The chamois is excellent – which is very impressive indeed on a pair of shorts that costs just £60.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
They're at the cheaper end, by a long way – not much more than a third of the price of the Assos R bib shorts, for example.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Absolutely
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Without a doubt.
Use this box to explain your overall score
Excellent bibs at an incredible price, providing amazing riding comfort and performance.
About the tester
Age: 24
I usually ride: Storck Aerfast My best bike is:
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Semi pro
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, commuting, touring, club rides, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,
Great comfort, excellent quality and some of the best shorts I've tried – and at a truly remarkable price