Trek’s Circuit lineup of gear and apparel has a lot of value from head-to-toe. The all-new 2022 Circuit Bib Shorts get subtle Trek branding this year and a whole lot of chutzpah in an affordable package. At this price point, these are a good choice.
Trek Circuit Bib Shorts Features:
- Certified bluesign® product and STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® tested
- Features Elite inForm Chamois
- Lightweight, breathable fabric
- Low-profile bib straps with extra elasticity
- Raw edge leg cuffs with silicone grippers
- UV protection 50+
- Fitted cut
- Made from 80% recycled material
- MSRP: $114.95
Eco-friendly, low-priced bib shorts
Trek’s latest wave of cycling kits are hitting the shelves with an eco-friendly twist and subtle, high-end looks. Gone are the days where the expectation was to wear rolling billboards and in its place are crisp looks that not only blend well with other Trek kits, but also fit in with those from other brands. While testing the new Circuit Bib Shorts, I’ve worn it with the Trek Circuit LTD Jersey and a Pearl Izumi Interval Jersey and both look fantastic with the classic navy color and subtle Trek branding.
Pulling them on, the cut is really nice and they come up above my belly button in the front. The mesh back and stretchy bib straps feel great next-to-skin. Bontrager/Trek has long made excellent-fitting bib straps and these are no exception — it’s a recipe that just plain works.
The main body fabric is very stretchy, so don’t expect a ton of compression. With a simple panel design, the cut isn’t doing your muscles any favors either. On the plus side, the stretchy comfort is off-the-charts with the Trek Circuit Bib Shorts. With wide leg cuffs, everything stays put like a champ and they stretch unobtrusively with every pedal stroke.
Due to the stretchy fabric and simple panels, the frontal area does get a little bunchy and loose. However, the Elite InForm chamois still stays put. At this price, don’t expect an all-day chamois and Trek owns up to it by saying it’s ideal for rides up to 2.5 hours. I’d say that’s spot-on. Most riders looking for a bib short at this price aren’t going to be pushing those limits, but if you will on a consistent basis, I’d say look at the Trek Velocis Bib Shorts at least.
More on the chamois. Aside from the lack of all-day padding, the Elite-level chamois also isn’t as breathable as more expensive liners. You’ll definitely notice that at the end of 2 hour, mid-day rides when it can get a little… well… saturated. And, I do feel road and gravel chatter a little more than I do in higher-level liners. After long road climbs of 45+ minutes, you’ll also start to feel the lack of padding, but it’s still a good chamois overall. I know how a high-end chamois feels, but you’ll spend at least 2x to get the ultimate. At the end of the day, you have 30 days to decide if they work for your needs (and I’m guessing most riders won’t be pushing this one beyond its limits). For longer rides, I’d suggest some chamois cream as well — which will also extend the comfort.
I’ve worn the Circuit Bib Shorts for road, gravel and MTB — so rest assured you can too. And, that inherently means I’ve worn them with a variety of saddles. Further good news was that the fabric fabric doesn’t get snagged as you sit back down on any of the saddles I’ve tested them with. It’s always nice to have a snag-free experience during hard efforts.
Fit: I’m 5’11: and 173 lbs. with a 33″ waist and 40″ chest. I pretty much consistently wear a size medium top/bottom with Trek/Bontrager and it seems like the right fit for me.
The Good
- Fabric is ultra-comfortable
- Excellent, wide bib straps
- Leg cuffs stretch well and stay put
- Easy nature breaks
- Solid price point
- Eco-friendly story
The Bad
- Chamois isn’t super-breathable
- Compression is lacking
The Bottom Line: Trek Circuit Bib Shorts
Affordable bib shorts aren’t going to deliver Tour de France-level comfort, but Trek owns up to that with the Circuit Bib Shorts and tells you exactly the ride length these are good for. Within those expectations, the Circuit Bib Shorts perform well. And, they offer a ton of stretchy comfort with excellent, wide bib straps to keep everything in place.
Buy Now: Visit TrekBikes.com
