Bibs are basically bike shorts made with upper shoulder straps added on to them. The straps on the bibs help to keep the chamois pad in place, meaning that area of the shorts won’t rub as often if you change positions on your bike or take a break to walk around somewhere. That means you’ll experience a lot less chafing, saddle sores, and waistline soreness. Also, you won’t have fabric slipping up around your crotch area, which can be very uncomfortable while you ride or walk. With a bib, you won’t have to worry about problems when you get off your bike and walk around, because you won’t have to worry about adjusting yourself or worrying about where your pad is rubbing or settling.
Bibs also offer an extra layer of comfort around the waist. Regular cycling shorts can put more pressure on your abdomen area, and that can cause a lot of stomach distress that isn’t fun while you are out on the road. Plus, bibs don’t require a waistband, meaning it’s easier to breathe while you are wearing them.
While bibs do have several benefits, many cyclists still prefer shorts as a matter of personal preference. Shorts do have some benefits over bibs. For example, most shorts feel cooler when you ride than bibs do. Bibs tend to trap heat in, while shorts don’t. Some bib manufacturers try to cut back on the heat factor bibs can create, with mesh material and vents on the lower back. Also, most shorts have extra venting features in the legs, which don’t always come designed into bibs.