Bontrager Troslo InForm Bib

Utilitaint

Words & Photos Drew Rohde

Bontrager’s Troslo bibs have been spending a lot of time in a pretty unpleasant place – my crotch. Bib shorts may not be glamorous, but for some they’re an essential part of every ride. When it comes to undershorts, you’re either on the “gotta have it” or “never wear ‘em” program. After a recent “short and mellow ride” that ended with me believing molten lava was flowing from a torn urethra, I remembered why I chamois up, every ride…except that one of course.

The last few years have seen chamois-lined shorts change from being purely comfort based products, to multi-functional pieces of kit. That’s right, like the Utilikilt, which blends grundle ventilation with flask storage, Bontrager’s Troslo bibs offer bum cushioning, package protection and five storage pockets! No longer are bibs simply built to delay the onset of saddle sores and keep your bits tucked safely away from harm. Now you can pack tasty gel packets, a multi-tool, Twinkies and flat repair essentials. You can even pack a water bottle in all the dead space that used to just be suspenders for your weirdly-padded wrestling shorts.

In all seriousness, the new generation of bibs has been a gift from the mountain bike gods. If I’m going out for a short ride and don’t need to pack a CamelBak I can pack all my essentials on board without needing to wear a fanny pack.

Features

Bontrager designed the Troslo bib with three pockets across the back, one center pocket that easily fits a water bottle and two large outside pockets. I’ve stuffed everything from bananas and tools to small rain shell jackets in them without any discomfort. On the outside of each thigh sits a slim pocket that is great for thin goodies like Gu packets, a Clif Bar or credit cards.

The bibs are built out of a knit, antimicrobial 83% Polyester/ 17% Elastane material. It’s been proven that compression helps prevent muscle fatigue and these shorts provide plenty of comfortable compression while the mesh panels keep air flow moving. The Bio Dynamic chamois is sewn-in and blends padding with comfort. Some shorts feel more like diapers with overly thick padding and still others have an almost non-existent chamois that does little to nothing on rides over an hour. Bontrager does a nice job with this chamois pad and we love it on rides from one to four hours.

The Wolf’s Last Word

Aside from the handy storage compartments, these bibs are also extremely comfortable and breathe quite well. Bontrager uses Profila Power materials with Profila Cool inserts to help keep sweat off your body on long pedals. Temperature control, the ability to pack trail essentials and the BioDynamic chamois help make these bibs the complete package. They’re comfortable, practical, affordable and they come in my favorite colors, black and camo! If you’re looking for a pair of useful bibs that will last, I have no hesitation suggesting the Bontrager Troslo.

Price: $79.99

Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL

Website: trekbikes.com