Reviews of the UYN Biking Racefast Man bib shorts

The Italian company UYN is a relatively new player in the field of cycling clothing. She formed in 2018, but rose to prominence in a short time and even provides underwear to the WorldTour outfit, Israel Start-Up Nation. For any brand, however, reputation and perception are going to be decisive in terms of reception in the market – and the only thing UYN has going for it is style, design, and distinct fabrics, which are the complete antithesis of trends. current which dominate the best segment of cycling shorts.

We have tested the Biking Racefast Man Bib Shorts over the past five months in a variety of temperatures and riding conditions. Read on for the verdict.

Design and aesthetics

The UYN Biking Racefast Man bib shorts are available in a choice of two colors: solid black or black / yellow, the latter being shown here. While the black version is naturally more subdued in appearance and better positioned to complement existing kits and colors, the black / yellow showcases the shorts’ structural hybrid fabric nicely. It also improves visibility when driving on the road or trail. I say road or trail because these bibs are quite durable from a fabric standpoint and will withstand the rigors of off-road riding as well as mild fall temperatures well.

The bold graphics on each exterior leg panel are made from a knitted fabric and might not appeal to everyone, especially in the lumo yellow look pictured here. Constructed from Natex yarn, the knitted fabric has a number of advantages – such as weight reduction, odor control properties and organic fibers, not to mention faster drying than lycra equivalents. The knitted fabric is very elastic and helps to counteract the restriction as well as the lycra sections that make up the crotch, inner thighs and back of the shorts. The knitted fabric also dramatically improves ventilation, but we’ll get to that later.

The design is quite racy and the fit is snug and compliant – but it’s nothing too restrictive. The outer fabric on the legs has a ‘woolly’ feel and the texture against the skin is very different from what we’d expect from lycra options, but it’s comfortable nonetheless. As has become of rigor, the bib’s short cuff length is quite long and sits just above the knee as opposed to mid-thigh low / mid-thigh like many of its rivals. I quite like the way it fits and the extra length feels nice and provides a supportive feel around the thigh and quads.

As mentioned before, UYN talks ad nauseum about the ventilation properties of the garment and this is true for much of its anatomy, including the cuffs which also use a series of vents called “Dynamic Ventcuff”, and it really works, not only from a cooling perspective, but also from the point of view of moisture wicking. The chamois is also great, but it’s not often that you find a low performing chamois these days. Dubbed ‘HP110’, the chamois developed by UYN is anatomically shaped to provide comfort and support – it is neither bulky nor too thin. Instead, it offers a good fusion between the two extremes, and not once in my many outings (some up to four hours) have I experienced any discomfort or numbness.

And what about my now famous indoor cycling test? The UYN Biking Racefast Man Bib Shorts aren’t the best option for any kind of indoor training or racing on Zwift, but they don’t claim to be elsewhere – there is too much material and along armband doesn’t help the cause either. They work best outdoors where the ventilation properties of the entire garment, combined with the naturally moving air, help keep things cool and temperate.

Performance

I’ve been using the UYN Biking Racefast Man Bib Shorts for quite some time now – around five months to be precise – so the temperature difference has been quite large. Admit they weren’t my go-to choice, but they never let me down or underperform in any way. For me, the reason I’m not my first choice is more in the bold color and graphics than anything else, and that’s purely personal.

In terms of actual performance the UYN Biking Racefast Man Bib Shorts are really good. Often times when testing items of this nature, sizing will have a big role in how things play out. UYN has a super handy and accurate size guide on their site that should make sure you get a perfect fit or at least get really close to it. The fit, especially around the thighs and crotch area, is perfect (helps prevent irritation and keeps comfort levels noticeably high), there is no sagging and the lower legs remain securely positioned at all times, even during intense efforts.

At 181g (size small), the Racefast Man Bib Shorts are somewhere in the mid-point in terms of weight – but due to the knitted fabric’s high levels of moisture management and ventilation, it’s actually lighter than some of its sweat-saturated fabrics. rivals after high intensity training. The moisture-wicking properties of the bib shorts also help prevent the occurrence of saddle sores and the like.

Verdict

The Biking Racefast Man bib shorts from UYN are a great option for anyone looking for a comfortable and close-fitting shorts. The chamois is great, the fit is racy while providing good support, and the fabric does a remarkable job of managing moisture and keeping you cool. However, the item you see here may not be suitable for everyone due to its bold design language and choice of colors, but it is possible to specify it entirely in black if you find it offensive – something that I would recommend.

Sadly, at £ 199 / $ 279 / € 199 it sits at the high end of the price range and is something some might find it hard to swallow coming from a company that doesn’t have the cachet of mark of its more established rivals. That said, there aren’t many options in the best segment of cycling shorts that can match it in terms of comfort, fit and performance.

Technical specifications: UYN Biking Racefast Man bib shorts

1. Price: £ 199 / $ 279 / € 199
2. Materials: Cushion (83% polyester, 17% elastane), legs (56% polyamide, 25% polyester, 18% elastane, 1% polypropylene), fiberboard (82% polyamide, 11% elastane, 7% elastolefin)
3. Sizes: 5 (S-XXL)
4. Weight: 181g (S), real
5. Colors: 2 (black, black / yellow)