GORE Wear C7 Long Distance Bib Shorts+ and C7 Race Bib Shorts+ Review

GORE Wear C7 bibs utilize their innovative Central Torso Architecture concept, in which the shorts are held in place across the middle of the body to maximize freedom of movement. The body should be able to move freely while the shorts and seat pad remain firmly in place to avoid chafing and maximize comfort. Their Central Torso Architecture anchors the short securely at the thigh, lower back and shoulders to perform those criteria.

The collection consists of three new bib shorts which were designed with the collaboration of Fabian Cancellara, each specifically designed around a particular need with a fabric and seat pad make-up of its own. I tested the C7 Long Distance Bib Shorts+ and C7 Race Bib Shorts+, but not the indoor oriented C7 Vent Bib Shorts+.

For further information, refer to gorewear.com.

Features

The C7 Long Distance Bib Shorts+ uses their lowest resistance yet durable fabric to ensure that the rider is comfortable, yet not wasting any power on those long days in the saddle. The fine gauge, super-stretch knit also makes for a classy and opaque finish that will look good from mile one until the very end.

• MSRP  $199.99

The C7 Race Bib Shorts+ uses an extra supportive new material to provide the compression elite athletes are looking for from a bib short. The woven and abrasion-resistant material has four-way stretch, meaning the short can move with the rider in all situations while keeping the muscles well-supported.

• MSRP $269.99

Chamois Pad

Each of the versions has a performance-oriented chamois pad that is specific to their riding focus. They both feature a preformed windproof and breathable GORE WINDSTOPPER Cup patch in the front of the crotch. The bibs central torso architecture keeps the chamois in place, and their floating three-point chamois anchoring system means no readjustment of the shorts is required when riding. Since the pad is attached to the rest of the shorts with minimal stitching, the reduction of seams decreases the chance for chafing while also allowing the seat pad to move more freely with the rider.

• The Race version (red color) utilizes their EXPERT RACE seat insert that is thinner, has a slimmer pad profile, and is shorter upfront. That design is optimized for the more bent over aerodynamic racing position that doesn’t have as much pressure on the sit bones.
• The Long Distance version (gray color) utilizes their EXPERT LONG DISTANCE seat insert that has a broader profile, longer length, and thicker padding. It maximizes comfort during movement, and while riding in a wider range of positions.

Bib Straps

Both sets of straps on the bibs are 50mm wide, stretchy, and provided plenty of comfort and stability when laid down flat.

• The Race has a stiffer and thicker material for a snugger and compressive fit. The yoke system uses thin mesh material connecting them to the rear and has a stiffening panel at the bottom.
• The Long Distance is lighter and thinner for improved comfort and has a layer of square patterned grippers on the interior. The yoke connects to the straps in an x-shaped fashion, utilizing the same primary stretchy material.

Leg Grippers

They both feature Silicone leg grippers at the lower hem to create a snug fit at the thigh that doesn’t restrict movement while pedaling and keeps them from creeping upwards.

• The Long Distance version has simple 10mm tall and 120mm wide horizontal strips that cover the front and rear sections only, making for an odd 2/3 of coverage of the hemline.
• The Race has 30mm tall wine bottle ticks around the circumference.

Material

Each of the bibs main fabric and mesh is made from a blend of 71% Polyamide and 29% Elastane material, and they’re constructed with flatlock seams all around the build for maximum comfort.

• The Race bibs are made from a stiffer weave which offers gentle compression for muscle support and aids in performance. The 4-way stretch material is abrasion resistant, anti-pilling, and fast-drying. They also feature an angled thin gray band that rolls around the outer leg to provide a slightly snugger and stable fit for the upper thigh.
• The Long Distance bibs are made from a more fine gauge, super 4-way stretch, and durable performance weave. They utilize a dense knit construction that creates ultra-soft next to skin feel to reduce chafing, along with an opaque finish that is ultra-wicking and fast drying.

 

Impressions

The bib straps are wide and flat, though they could use a little more width. When you’re putting the straps on, they tend to twist over themselves, making for a mess, and always need to be straightened out to lay down flat. Once they’re down flat, they were quite stretchy and comfortable, and even with my medium-long torso, they fit just fine. The straps and torso design kept the shorts propped up snug enough to prevent any droopiness, and without getting a wedgie. The straps are cut broader enough that they disperse the pressure onto your shoulders for a flexible, pinch-free, and comfortable fit. Both of the bibs have a radio pocket on the back yoke, which could also fit a small music device or phone, though I never used the location during my testing.

The Race straps are attached to a long extensive yoke system using a thin mesh material connecting them to the rear, along with a stiffening stability panel at the bottom. The Race features an angled strip that goes around the thigh for additional support and stability.

The Long Distance straps are attached to a long thin yoke system with an x-shaped pattern and feature the same stretchy material used throughout the LD bibs.

The chamois on both bibs were both quite comfortable, and feature a central channel, a smooth profile, and a soft fabric covering. Their three-point chamois anchoring system with its minimal stitching was an excellent innovation. The reduced seams and the ability for the pad to float provided decreased chafing and improved comfort during movement and pedaling. The thicker and more extensive area of the Long Distance insert significantly improved the cushioning and plushness for the tush and sit bones. The Long Distance’s significant comfort levels from its design offered more exceptional long term mileage capabilities. It was most welcome while mountain biking, especially when bashing down rugged terrain, and those ultra-long days on the saddle.

The Windstopper Cup, which is just a preformed flap of the material attached in front of the crotch, was highly breathable. The material offered wind protection when required, yet provided plenty of ventilation on warmer days. The bibs main body fabric in front of the cup is an open weave/mesh material, which offers a lot of ventilation. It is cut a bit more extensive than the cup section, so it provides air throughout on the edges into the torso, offering a functional cooling effect.

The Long Distance straps had some mild wear spots in which the gripper material seemed to fray away, though it didn’t seem to get much worse over time.

The bottom Silicone grippers kept the shorts in place and prevented the hem from creeping upwards while pedaling and moving around on the bike. Neither of the grippers caused any pinching or pulling on my skin/hair. The Race versions vertically placed Silicone wine bottle-shaped patches did the best job of staying put. The Long Distance two horizontally placed strips could minutely move upward, though not enough to be annoying. I’d like to see the LD use a full circumference strip, or perhaps the same pattern as the Race?

The design and highly wicking and breathable materials of both bibs meant they worked well in warmer temperatures, with a thin barely-there feeling while riding. The Long Distance offered improved ventilation and comfort with its fabric weave, compared to the stiffer Race. Each of the bibs material was still tight enough to work on colder days, and the Windstopper Cup helped the crotch from getting chilled. The Cup resides behind a section of some mesh material on the main. It’s only stitched at the top and bottom, allowing the two layers to float freely, and air to flow through to your crotch.

I remained comfortable across a wide range of temperatures, from chilly to hot days, without any discomfort at either extreme.

The shorts have a snug wrinkle-free fit, but the 4-way stretch fabric has enough relief to accommodate different body shapes and sizes. The construction design creates few flatlocked seams which prevent any chafing issues.

The Race features a more compressive fit and has a stabilizing back panel on the yoke and an angled thigh wrap-around support strip. Each of those designs offers muscle support and aids in performance, both of which are important during race sessions and when hammering hard. The Long Distance uses a lower resistant material that provides more comfort, softness, and stretch, which are perfect for long days on the bike. Both of the bibs have a low cut in the front, making nature breaks a bit easier.

Both of them feature grey reflective sections all around the bibs, such as GORE logos, chevrons, and stripes, for 360-degree visibility at dusk and dawn.

Note: I mainly worn the bibs while mountain biking, and some commuting. I would forgo outer baggy shorts on warmer days, and add the shorts when it was cooler or riding gnarlier trails. I did usually wear them with knee pads when riding downhill or more rugged terrain. They fit a bit small, so I suggest moving up one size for the proper snugness, and comfort.

Bottom Line

The form-fitting C7 Long Distance Bib Shorts+ and Race Bib Shorts+ utilize an airy lightweight, stretchy, wickable, and breathable fabric that’s soft and comfortable. Their innovative three-point chamois anchoring system allows the pad to float for decreased chafing and improved comfort while pedaling. The breathable front panel, combined with the Windstopper Cup in the crotch offers excellent ventilation and comfort in a wide range of temperatures. Highlights to the thicker and broader profile pad of the Long Distance version, making for more comfortable rides and long day adventures. The comfortable wide shoulder straps and functional yokes offer a stretchy yet cradled and snug no droop fit. The Race version has a more compressive fit and provides additional stability panels and stripes, while the Long Distance is more comfortable and more relaxed.

The quality materials, functional design, Central Torso construction, 4-way stretch fabric, chaff reducing flatlock seams, floating chamois pad with Windstopper Cup, excellent ventilation, wide supportive shoulder straps, and yoke combine for superb bib shorts, albeit a bit pricey.

I preferred the C7 Long Distance Bib Shorts+ due to the broader and thicker chamois pad, the lower resistance stretchier fabric, and higher ventilating capabilities, all of which provided a comfortable, plush, and cool set of bib shorts.