Giordana

Lungo Compression Bib Shorts - Women's

For its 2016 collection, Giordana made some significant changes across its entire line, and the women's Lungo Compression Bib Shorts is right near the top of the resulting hierarchy. Not satisfied with the limitations of the materials it had been using, the brand turned to textile manufacturers from the swim and undergarment industries, creating fabrics exclusive to Giordana that evoke fit characteristics of their swimsuit and underwear ancestors while remaining well-equipped to withstand the rigors of cycling. Impossibly light, flexible, and soft to the hand, the fabrics generate a strong reminder that the Italian brand — already known for its classy styling and clean silhouettes — is only getting better with age.

The other clear distinction Giordana makes in its line this year is that each individual collection has been created for a specific rider type rather than along a spectrum focused on price and quality. In the case of the Lungo, Giordana took characteristics from its race-oriented Forma Red Carbon line and applied them to riders who, while unwilling to compromise on impeccable fit, craftsmanship, and the best materials, don't find themselves needing a race design and all-over compression on their weekend rides. The result is a pair of bib shorts that achieve a contoured, supportive — but not restrictive — fit with added compression along leg panels constructed using only one piece of fabric per leg. Giordana lines each of the wide leg cuffs with a flexible, lightweight gripper to ensure they stay in place as you pedal without disrupting the smooth lines of the rest of the shorts.

Along the waistline, Giordana employs its Core System, which accommodates a wider range of body types than a typical race-cut short without straying from a tailored fit. The wide waistband is supportive and lies flat once the shorts are on to maintain comfort throughout all-day rides. Though the Lungo was crafted to fit its best in the riding position, specific fit tweaks were made to allow it to still feel comfortable while standing up and walking around, including changes made to bib strap construction. The perforated straps are whisper-thin yet maintain stability and structure by stretching more along the front of the bib for shoulder and arm mobility. They have significantly less stretch along the back of the bib, helping to achieve a more natural fit when standing while maintaining support when you're in the saddle.

Giordana also revisited its chamois design for 2016, integrating the all-new Cirro S-W chamois into the Lungo's design. Its features are what you'd expect from a top-end chamois — including plush multi-density memory foam, a soft antimicrobial outer layer, and women-specific shaping — but with a more flexible, less intrusive fit overall this year.