Designed with long, adventurous rides in mind, the updated Sportful Supergiara 2 Bibshorts promise comfort, practicality, and durability. With multiple cargo pockets, a supportive fit, and a chamois tailored for off-road demands, they’re clearly aimed at the gravel and bikepacking crowd. The overall performance is impressive, though the main fabric does benefit from a few washes to soften up.
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Sportful Supergiara 2 Bibshorts – Technical Details
The Supergiara range has been developed with gravel riding at its core, and this latest version brings refinements in both fit and function. A key feature is the abrasion-resistant main fabric, which uses a blend of polyamide and a generous amount of elastane to create a snug, supportive fit that holds well over rough terrain.
Storage is a big part of the Supergiara’s appeal, with two mesh cargo pockets on the legs and two smaller ones positioned on the rear, tucked beneath your jersey when riding. Sportful's DMS chamois aims to offer comfort for extended efforts on mixed surfaces.
The Supergiara 2 Bibshorts are available in sizes Small to 3XL, in both the Black version tested here and a subtle Olive Green.
Sportful Supergiara 2 Bibshorts – Performance
I found the fit of the shorts to be consistent with other Sportful garments and in line with comparable brands, such as Castelli and ASSOS. The leg panels are long, extending almost to the kneecap, with a generous portion taken up by the elastic gripper. This holds firmly without feeling restrictive. The extended length also provides ample space for the main cargo pockets on each leg.
These pockets feature a mesh outer layer with a good amount of stretch, making it easy to stow items securely. I found them stable while riding, with enough capacity to hold a reasonably sized smartphone or a decent stash of food or spares. The rear pockets, however, proved less practical due to their positioning, as access requires reaching beneath your jersey. They may be more useful when paired with looser tops like the Supergiara Tee, which lacks the standard trio of rear pockets. On shorter rides, or when the pockets weren’t in use, I barely noticed them. The mesh blends subtly into the main panels (except in the Olive Green option), so they remain discreet.
I tested the shorts on a range of rides, from quick spins to full-day efforts, and found the DMS chamois pad to be comfortable, with good depth and a soft finish. The main fabric is designed for abrasion resistance, which could be a welcome feature for off-road riding where brush and overgrowth are common.
However, while I’m confident in its durability, the fabric initially felt harsh against the skin. Although it doesn’t move excessively while riding, I still found it uncomfortable at first. Thankfully, after a few washes, following the 30-degree wash and air-dry instructions, the material did begin to soften. That said, it still falls short of the smooth feel offered by many premium Lycra shorts. Whether that’s a drawback will depend on your priorities. If durability and ruggedness top your list, these shorts are likely to deliver, particularly on demanding routes.
Sportful Supergiara 2 Bibshorts – Verdict
The Supergiara 2 bib shorts represent a clear improvement over the original version, with a better overall fit and more practical cargo pocket placement, along with a slight increase in storage capacity. The available space is comparable to other cargo bib shorts on the market, though Sportful undercuts many competing brands on price. For example, Castelli’s Free Unlimited bib shorts come in at £195 but offer a higher level of refinement and performance. ASSOS’s TACTICA Kieskäfer Gravel Bib Shorts T5 are priced only slightly higher at £160. The Albion ABR1 Bibshorts are £185, and if they perform as well as the All Road Three Season Pocket Tights I have tested, they are worth considering.
The revised Supergiara 2 shorts offer meaningful gains in fit and functionality, with well-designed, spacious pockets that hold their contents securely. For riders who frequently tackle rough tracks and overgrown trails, the abrasion-resistant fabric may prove beneficial. However, for others, the coarse texture could feel harsh against the skin, at least initially. It does soften slightly after a few washes, but it still doesn’t quite match the comfort of more premium alternatives.