Home Gear Review: Albion Black ABR1 Pocket Bibs

Review: Albion Black ABR1 Pocket Bibs

A high quality, versatile and comfortable pair of bib shorts, perfect for all day riding

Feature type Review

Read time 4 mins

Published Nov 15, 2023

Sam Firth Sam is an outdoor, sports and lifestyle photographer based in Devon. He feels most at home outdoors whether that’s on a bike, on foot or on a rock face.

OUR VERDICT

A high quality, versatile and comfortable pair of bib shorts, perfect for all day riding.

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£155 from Albion

Features

3 x mesh pockets, bluesign® approved fabrics, Albion x Elastic Interface ultra pad technology, anatomical design, 4-way stretch, wide exterior silicone leg gripper, flatlock seams, reflective tabs

Pros

Very comfortable
High quality construction and materials
The pockets are really useful and functional

Cons

If I had to be picky the legs are quite long, which I don’t personally mind but I could see it being an issue for some people

WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR

Bib shorts are a core piece of any cyclists wardrobe. For a lot of people they are worn for most of the year and then paired with leg warmers or switched for bib tights in the colder months. As something that’s worn on most rides, comfort is key!

When it comes to cycling clothing I’m always looking for items that are versatile. As someone who does a variety of riding, I like having clothing that performs and is comfortable whether I’m doing a short road ride or an all day gravel ride.

When it comes to bib shorts in particular, I’m looking for a pair that’s really comfortable, breathable and that hugs you in all the right places and doesn’t dig in in any of the wrong places. They also need to be hard-wearing as they are going to be worn a lot!

As something that’s worn on most rides, comfort is key!

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

My initial impressions of the Albion ABR1’s were that they felt really high quality, the overall finish and materials looked top notch. They also look great, I personally really like the styling and minimal branding that Albion use on their products.

When trying them on for the first time I was really impressed by how comfortable they felt, in particular the comfort of the straps stood out as they are soft and wide. The legs are definitely on the longer side so this may be an issue for some people, but for me they are spot on and sit just above the knee.

THE TEST

I tested the ABR1 Pocket Bib Shorts on a multitude of rides both in terms of length and terrain. The main test was a 90km gravel ride in the Shropshire Hills which contained some really tricky terrain and some hot weather and they performed really well, both in terms of comfort and breathability.

The straps in particular are great! They are quite wide which helps them not to dig in during extended use and they are extremely soft. Additionally the silicone band on the inside of the leg did a great job and I didn’t experience any slippage or them riding up during any of my testing.

The leg pockets are definitely my favourite feature of the shorts. I’ve not had a pair of bib shorts in the past that feature pockets and was excited to try them. I was a little worried they would be hard to access and things may wiggle out, but I had no issues with accessing them whilst riding and none of my precious snacks fell out. I found myself using them more than my jersey pockets as they felt easier to access. I’m definitely a pocket bib short convert now and I don’t think I’ll be buying a pair of bib shorts in the future without them. I didn’t utilise the rear pocket as much, but that was purely because the hot weather has meant I haven’t really been carrying extra layers. However on the odd occasion I have, it worked great and kept the jacket in place and didn’t cause any discomfort.

WHO ARE THESE SHORTS FOR?

These shorts are great for anyone who’s looking for a really comfy and versatile pair of bib shorts that are great for all day riding on all kinds of terrain. With the addition of the pockets they are also great for someone who wants an additional bit of storage on their rides, whether that’s to carry extra snacks or an extra layer.

WHAT STANDS OUT?

Comfort

These bib shorts are extremely comfortable and throughout all of my testing I didn’t experience any discomfort.

Pockets

The pockets are a really nice feature. The leg pockets are easily accessible and great for snacks and the lower back pocket is great for stowing an extra layer, such as a rain jacket.

Quality

All the materials used are high quality.

Eco construction

The shorts are constructed from 80% recycled nylon and the materials are bluesign® approved.

VALUE FOR MONEY

At £155 they aren’t the cheapest pair of bib shorts but they also aren’t anywhere near the most expensive. When comparing it to some of Rapha’s offerings they sit somewhere in the middle.

I think they are decent value for money and can definitely see myself getting another pair.

BASE BOTTOM LINE

The ABR1 Pocket Bib Shorts have quickly become my favourite pair of bib shorts and I find myself choosing them way more than any other pair I own. They fit me really well, are extremely comfortable on all types of rides and the pockets are really useful.

I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a versatile pair of bib shorts at a decent price that work well for all types of riding.

PLANNING A TWO-WHEELED ADVENTURE?