Pistons Then Pedals

Last year, I spent nearly $300 each for two pairs of bicycling bib shorts from a “premium” manufacturer that I won’t name.

Many of the values which the company supposedly embodied were important to me. The company claimed to be creating a brand which focused on sustainability, quality, and ethical manufacturing. The bibs were comfortable and, at first glance, seemed to be built well.

However, as time went on, I realized that the fabric didn’t dry quickly. Even worse, a hole appeared in the lower back of the bibs after only a year of use.

I reached out to the manufacturer. My assumption was the pair had a manufacturing defect.

Considering the high cost of the product, I thought they would either replace the shorts, or, at the very least, offer a discount towards a replacement pair.

They did neither. The manufacturer’s response was that I could could patch the shorts.

I’m not opposed to repair. However, this isn’t a realistic solution for technical clothing. Also, this wasn’t a wear hole in a common friction area.

Disappointed, I threw the expensive shorts into the trash.

At least I had a second pair, right?

Sort of. The second pair began to fail in the exact same place shortly later.

It turns out that you don’t always “get what you pay for.”

Durability as Sustainability

With the end of summer in sight, a replacement was needed. I turned to a manufacturer that I wore years ago: Pactimo.

To me, durability is a critical factor in sustainability. I think it’s better to keep a single item for a long time than to purchase the same thing repeatedly.

Factors like raw goods, transportation, and packaging contribute to the total impact.

After months of use, I’ve been very happy with the Pactimo Range Stratos cargo bibs shorts.

I wear them on both road and gravel rides. The fabric and chamois are very comfortable. The shorts dry quickly after washing and I’m not noticing any areas of accelerated wear.

Like anything, proper maintenance is crucial for longevity. Follow the care instructions carefully and don’t throw technical fabrics in the dryer. At least in my experience, I’m confident these shorts will last a long time with proper care.

These Bib Shorts Have So Many Pockets!

The Range Stratos Cargo has pockets on the thighs. There’s pockets on the back. Then, my personal favorite: a zip-up key pocket on the back. I use this to hold my driver’s license, my health insurance card, and a credit card.

Once you combine these pockets with the standard three pockets on the back of a cycling jersey, there’s some serious storage capacity.

Inflation Strikes Again

One downside of these bibs is the cost. Like nearly everything, they have gotten expensive. Comfortable bib shorts nowawdays seem to run between $200 and $300. These are no exception.

Regular price on these shorts is now $279. I managed to grab a pair during their summer sale for $168, but it’s still an investment.

Truth be told, I don’t know why I stopped buying Pactimo’s stuff. I think I fell for marketing from other trendy manufacturers.

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