The Case for Cargo Bib Shorts

Spent years cramming energy bars into jersey pockets until one hot day everything melted into a sticky mess against my back. That’s when a friend mentioned cargo bibs. Pockets on your legs instead of your torso. Sounded weird. Tried them. Haven’t gone back to pocket-less bibs for long rides since.

What Makes Them Different

Cargo bib shorts look like regular bibs except for mesh pockets on the thighs. Usually one on each leg, sometimes with a smaller pouch near the hem. The pockets sit lower than jersey pockets, which means easier access while riding and less weight on your shoulders.

The stretch fabric keeps items secure without bouncing. Snacks, phone, multi-tool, cash — all accessible without stopping or reaching behind.

When They Make Sense

Long gravel rides where you’re hours from resupply. Bikepacking without wanting to stop and dig through bags. Hot days when your jersey is unzipped and nothing is staying in those back pockets anyway.

They’re less critical for short road rides where you might only carry a phone and one gel. But for anything over three hours, having thigh-accessible storage changes the experience.

Brands That Do It Well

Rapha: Their cargo bibs run expensive but the construction holds up. The pockets are sized for phones without being enormous. Good chamois quality.

MAAP: Australian brand with growing reputation. Their cargo line balances capacity with a sleek look. Not cheap but competitive with Rapha.

Gore Wear: German engineering, reasonable pricing. The C7 Pro cargo version breathes well and the pockets are placed thoughtfully.

Specialized: Their Trail cargo shorts work well for mountain biking. Looser cut, still with thigh storage.

Fit Considerations

Loaded pockets affect fit slightly. Start with items positioned so they don’t bunch or shift. The better cargo bibs use fabric that compresses around contents. Cheaper versions can let stuff migrate during the ride.

Size as you would regular bibs. The pockets add minimal bulk when empty.

What Actually Fits

Phone in a slim case. Nutrition for hours of riding. Arm warmers or a vest on variable days. Multi-tool. Small pump if it’s compact. Cash and cards. More than you’d expect from something that adds almost no visual bulk.

What doesn’t fit well: bulky jackets, large tools, anything rigid and long. Those still go in frame bags or packs.

Care Instructions

Same as regular bibs. Cold wash, no fabric softener, hang dry. The pockets don’t complicate washing but check them for forgotten items before throwing in the machine. Trust me on that one.

The chamois lasts as long as any quality bib if you care for it properly. The mesh pockets are durable but snag if you’re careless with Velcro or rough surfaces.

Worth the Money?

For gravel riders and bikepackers, absolutely. For road riders doing sub-two-hour rides, probably overkill. For commuters who don’t want a backpack, surprisingly useful.

I keep one pair for long adventure rides and use regular bibs for training. That balance works for how I ride. Figure out your own based on how often you need accessible storage.