When cycling-apparel veteran, Claire Goodman, set out to create a pair of cycling shorts, it was with the proviso that everyone would be able to find their size, regardless of what that size was.
We spoke to the founder of the size-inclusive, technical clothing brand Petrichor Projects in depth last year about her goal of creating a pair of the best women's bib shorts. But can one design truly fit all of us? Is it possible to scale from size XXS to XXXL while making the perfect pair of shorts for everyone?
Construction
There are three main points of interest regarding the anatomy of a pair of cycling bibshorts: the shorts, the bibs, and the pad.
Deconstructing the shorts into these fundamental parts is an effective way to understand Petrichor Projects' design and construction process. Starting with the shorts themselves, the 002 women's bib shorts use what the brand calls 'a matt, mid compression fabric.'
It's composed of ECONYL, a fabric made from 'regenerated nylon yarns.' This fabric is generally considered more sustainable than traditional nylon and regarded as a better alternative to using virgin nylon. We would need a standalone feature to discuss ECONYL's full credentials so, in summary, its yarns are made from 100% nylon waste rather than recycled bottles.
The issue with the latter was discussed when I explored the problem of greenwashing in the cycling industry. Although it's worth noting that ECONYL will still shed microplastics through washing and wearing.
Turning to the athletic performance of the fabric, Petrichor Projects claims that it's supportive and comfortable, without transparency, and boasts a UPF 50+ rating.
There's also a right-side leg pocket and a couple of reflective tabs at the rear of each leg, along with a reflective logo on the left.
Inside the shorts sits a 'pre-shaped' anatomic cut Elastic Interface chamois. The brand states that the flat surface pad uses gradual areas of transition to create a high-density insert. The top layer offers natural antibacterial properties and is made from recycled fabric, engineered with increased airflow at the front of the pad. The garment also reaches OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification, which indicates that a textile product has been tested for harmful substances and is safe for human health.
Holding the shorts up is the all-important bib element. The up-and-over arm fit of the wide strap has been constructed to sit beside the breast area to minimise pressure points.
The very interesting tech on offer here is the shorts' 'easy pee' design, which enables the right-side strap to detach from the shorts thanks to a magnetic clip. A handy fabric loop has been added to the strap to assist with strap relocation post-use.
Putting the shorts on the scales, they hit the 165g mark. To put that into perspective, the size medium Assos Women's UMA GTV Bib Shorts C2 are 185g, the 150g Velocio Women's Ultralight Bib Shorts, and 210g for the size medium Endura Women's FS260-Pro Bibshort.
The ride
Pulling on the PP002 women's bib shorts, I immediately noted the compression. They are just the right side of supportive and provide a feeling of being held together rather than restricted.
The brand has placed the side pocket in just the right location. However, if you plan to pair them with overshorts, you'll need to wait for Petrichor Projects to release a specific corresponding pair to maintain access, as none of my overlayers' access points aligned.
In general, the fit is excellent. The bibs lay nicely in position and aren't even noticeable once on, in a good way.
When it comes to the padding, I personally found it too big for the size of the shorts. Due to its high density level, it wasn't the most malleable and failed to conform to my body shape. I'm 5ft6"/ 167cm and around 60-odd kilos, size UK 10/small. I've measured myself according to the Petrichor Projects size chart, and I've got the right size shorts, but the padding isn't quite right for me.
This comes with a huge caveat that padding in shorts is of course very personal – just because I find the pad too large doesn't mean that everyone else will. Passing the shorts to similarly shaped and sized Tech Writer Rachel Sokal, she found the shorts' padding way more comfortable, proving that it really is horses for courses.
What we both agreed on, however, was our joint struggle with the easy-to-pee feature. We're both not fans of the feature in general, and due to the high back of the Petrichor Projects PP002, and lightweight straps (that also frustratingly magnetically shut on themselves), we both found that a certain level of arm flexibility and a mirror was required, or in some cases, we felt you might even need external assistance.
Rachel and I have discussed the easy-to-pee shorts in general and after some back and forth, have concluded that once you have figured these out, they are the best on the market; so if you really require the feature, the Petrichor Projects PP002 will be the pick of the bunch.
We also agreed that our favourite element of the PP002 women's bib shorts was the leg finish. The printed-on silicone holds the legs perfectly in position, reducing the need for additional hems and bulk. This, teamed with the length of my thighs, made me wish that the rest of the shorts were just as perfectly tailored for me.
Value and conclusion
These are on the high-end option of easy-to-pee shorts, for US customers its the UK price, plus taxes, although shipping is free, at £165 they are almost double the price of some of the cheaper options on the market, such as the previously mentioned, Endura Women's FS260-Pro Bibshort DS.
The price point also feels a little contradictory to the brand's ethos of cycling inclusivity, which originated in the belief that mainstream performance wear was elite and priced out for many riders.
I really wanted to love the Petrichor Projects PP002 women's bib shorts. It's rare to find a female-led independent cycling apparel brand doing good things and making ethical decisions rather than opting for the cheapest or easiest choices.
Unfortunately, the pad fit just wasn't right for me so they won't become my go-to pair of black shorts. However, I would urge everyone to try them, as this wasn't an issue for CW's other female Tech Writer, so may be perfect for you.
