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review

MAAP Training Bib

8
£141.79

VERDICT:

8
10
Very good shorts with understated looks that perform well on longer rides
Comfort
Supportive fabric
Understated looks
Weight: 
182g
Contact: 

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MAAP's Training Bib shorts are the cheapest in the Australian brand's line-up. That's not to say they're cheap, either in terms of price or performance – in fact they are very good, as you'd hope for £140-plus.

On rides of up to about seven hours I've found the MAAP shorts perfectly pleasant companions. The pad works well, and I've not experienced any irritation from logos, stitching, seams or straps. They are simply very good. The fact that I haven't really got anything to report here is testament to that, though you'd probably like a little more information than that, so here goes.

> Buy these online here

The shorts have a multi-panel construction and are made using a 79% polyamide, 22% elastane Italian fabric (I know that doesn't add up to 100%, but that's what it says on the website).

2021 MAAP Training Bib - legs back.jpg

That fabric is Bluesign approved, which according to MAAP means 'our goods are made from materials that are produced only using chemicals and processes that are safe for people and the environment, minimizing the impact on air and water emissions from the manufacturing processes'.

It also incorporates SPF 50+ protection.

The straps and back portion of the upper body are made from a mesh fabric for more effective moisture management. The length of the straps is well judged, as is their width, not making their presence known while riding.

2021 MAAP Training Bib - straps back.jpg

I tested a size medium, which is generally right for me in any non-Italian bib shorts, and the MAAP sizing chart confirmed this, with my waist measurement in the middle of the medium range and my hip measurement on the lower end of the medium range.

2021 MAAP Training Bib - legs front.jpg

The straps and the stretchy fabric combine to give just the right level of supportive feel to these bib shorts. They are not tight enough to force you into a cycling position off the bike, but there's enough compression to give a bit of support.

2021 MAAP Training Bib - back.jpg

The hems are a 5cm wide band of elastic material imprinted with the MAAP logo. I found them just the right side of too tight on me. There's the tiniest amount of thigh bulge just below the hem when I relax my leg muscles, which goes away when I engage those muscles. No issue for me while riding, nor off the bike, but something to bear in mind if you have particularly well developed thighs.

2021 MAAP Training Bib - cuff.jpg

On the inside there's a dotted pattern of silicone grippers which together with the tight elastic work well in stopping the legs riding up.

2021 MAAP Training Bib - cuff gripper.jpg

Pad

MAAP doesn't say who makes the pad, only that it's ergonomically engineered. Its more expensive Team Bib Evo shorts that we reviewed recently use a pad made by Elastic Interface.

2021 MAAP Training Bib - chamois.jpg

Regardless of its provenance, I found the pad comfortable for rides of around seven hours in duration. The MAAPs aren't quite up with the Pactimo Summit Stratos Range Bib Shorts I reviewed recently in terms of comfort, which would be my choice for all-day epics or multi-day events, but then those are £186.

Other features

Other than the embossed logos on the hem, there's also a white MAAP logo on the side of the right leg, which isn't showing any signs of peeling.

2021 MAAP Training Bib - leg logo.jpg

There's a reflective tab on the back of both legs, which is better than nothing, but not big enough to rely on for being seen.

2021 MAAP Training Bib - cuff back.jpg

The shorts are also available in navy blue.

Value

At €165, which currently translates to £141.79, these are neither cheap nor what you'd really call expensive.

They're a little less than Gore's Ardent Fade bib shorts at £149.99, and nearly £20 less than Alé's Agonista Plus Bibshorts at £160.

You can spend more – Le Col's Hors Categorie bib shorts are £180 and Castelli's Premio Black Bib Shorts are even more expensive at £220 – but you can get decent shorts for a lot less: Stu really liked the Endura FS260 Pro bib shorts which are a lot cheaper at £84.99.

> Buyer’s Guide: 38 of the best cycling bib shorts

It's worth mentioning that MAAP has a crash replacement policy. If you damage your bib shorts, it'll give a 40% discount on a replacement pair. Conditions apply.

Conclusion

MAAP's Training Bib shorts have an understated look and perform well on rides of at least seven hours. They're well priced at around £142, and offer premium performance.

Verdict

Very good shorts with understated looks that perform well on longer rides

road.cc test report

Make and model: MAAP Training Bib

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the product is for

MAAP says: 'The MAAP Training Collection is a functional range of apparel, designed with comfort and durability in mind. Made to go the distance, it's the perfect training partner, from the first day of the season until the very last.'

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

MAAP says:

Ergonomically engineered chamois

Breathable and moisture wicking fabrics

Lightweight mesh braces for ventilation

Rubber Screenprint logo

Elastic leg hem band with printed silicone gripper

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

No signs of bobbling or other wear after a good few hundreds of kilometres.

Rate the product for fit:
 
9/10
Rate the product for sizing:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

The care instructions are: 'Machine wash cold. Do not bleach. Do not tumble dry. Do not iron. Do not use softener. Do not dry clean. Do not soak.'

As usual, I ignored all this and just bunged them with the rest of the washing at 40 degrees. They look as good as when I first picked them up.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

They perform well on rides of up to about seven hours.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The fit.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing to report really.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

At around £142 these are in the mid-range for bib shorts. They aren't cheap, but you can spend a lot more. Conversely, you can get bib shorts with similar performance for substantially less from other manufacturers such as Endura, Stolen Goat and dhb.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

They're very good, performing well on rides up to about seven hours, and aren't overly expensive. I like their understated looks, too.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 44  Height: 1.78m  Weight: 77kg

I usually ride: All of them!  My best bike is: Ribble Endurance SL disc

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, club rides, mtb, Zwift

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