Bib shorts at this price point usually make you choose between a chamois that works and construction that lasts—the Castelli Competizione 2 Bib Short refuses that compromise. The Progetto X2 Air Seamless chamois handles the comfort side, using a multi-density foam construction that Castelli developed for their higher-tier race bibs, while the Giro3 leg fabric brings the kind of compression and muscle support that keeps everything in place during hard efforts without cutting off circulation on longer days.

The fabric story here matters more than the spec sheet suggests. That Giro3 material manages the balance between supportive compression and actual breathability, which becomes the difference between a bib that works for two hours and one that works for five. Castelli uses a raw-cut leg edge instead of a traditional gripper, eliminating the silicone band that inevitably starts digging in around hour three. The mesh bib straps run wide enough to distribute load without the shoulder pressure that makes you want to constantly adjust, and they're light enough that you forget they're there once you're rolling.

Fit runs true to Castelli's race-oriented sizing, meaning snug through the legs with enough chamois contact to eliminate any shifting or bunching. The seamless chamois construction removes the edge stitching that causes hot spots on longer rides—a detail that sounds minor until you're fifty miles in and realize nothing hurts. The whole package weighs less than you'd expect from a bib with this much chamois density, which matters when you're already dealing with summer heat.... Read More