Rated 5 out of
5
by
David W Pan from
In A League Of Their Own
I'm new to Rapha but have been cycling for decades. Bought several pairs of bib shorts to try as they seem to be a true staple of the devoted cyclist, however I lift weights and can't get used to the straps quite yet. The solution? These awesome core shorts. The fabric is superior to any cycling short I've ever worn, regardless of price. Leg grippers are wide and keeps the shorts where you place them. Even the waistband is carefully thought out using a gripper-like material in the back that prevents them from riding up or rolling down. The defining element of course is the pad. It's thick and generously cut to protect what needs to be protected. Since discovering the wonder of Rapha garments I've purchased other bibs as well as shorts from other 'premium' cycling brands but these Core Shorts are in a different league. Suppose I could liken them to training wheels until I get comfortable with the bibs and I'm more than pleased to wear them. I bought two pair since they are in daily rotation.
Date published: 2021-03-21
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Jools1963 from
If you want shorts these give Core benefits
I was looking for a pair of shorts to wear on the turbo and being a fan of the Core bib shorts I decided to give these a try.
Fit is absolutely fine and consistent with the Core bibs.
Comfort is also very good, but you forget that shorts simply aren’t as comfortable as bibs due to the strong waist elastic- this is no fault of these shorts, though. In future I think I will just put up with the extra heat build-up and dangle my bib straps.
Date published: 2021-03-22
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Junker from
Excellent Quality and Value. Beware of Sizing!
Excellent build quality. Robust chamois. Good for an hour+ of saddle time. Perfect for indoor bike training. The leg grippers are very effective. Beware if the sizing! I wear a medium is everything else from Patagonia to Arc’teryx etc. My waist is 32.5”. 186cm height. 90cm inseam. 15% body fat. Goal is 13%. The medium size on the Rapha says these are good for 33”. No way! It was like putting on a too small wetsuit and immediately started to inflict cruel torture on my man goods. That was it… way too tight for what they are saying. Maybe it’s a British thing?! Anyway my sizing recommendations are go with a L if you are 32-34. Or if you are uncertain then order a L and M and send one back. Trust me you’ll be happy you did or you’ll have a lot of downtime waiting for the right size to get sorted. I didn’t order the cargo version for hope since I have a table to go with my Wahoo Kickr Bike but would be tempted if I needed stash pockets for a phone or fitness device, or if I ride outdoors raw dog (not my style), With MTB over shorts these would be better. Stay healthy! Live simply!
Date published: 2021-05-23
Rated 1 out of
5
by
Used to be No1 Shorts from
Different chamois from Past
Shorts have changed , they used to be No1 for value and comfort but are now different with thinner different chamois. The old version had better quality chamois , new version is thinner and not as much comfort.
Date published: 2022-12-29
Rated 4 out of
5
by
None2 from
Tight squeeze
For reference, I'm a 6'3" 185# 50 year old who rides about 4K miles per year. I love the material of these shorts and find the pad to be just about perfect. They are light which makes them perfect for summer rides, but I would wear a heavier short in cooler climates.My only complaint is that the shorts run small and the legs are a little long. The result is a short that feels pretty good when I get it on, but the process of getting into them feels a bit like being an 80's rocker trying to get into leather pants.
Date published: 2021-11-09
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Norman D from
All About Comfort and Look
Core Shorts have just the right fit and comfort for your daily commute whether short or long distance. Its the same sizing and cut with the bib but more comfortable because its easier to pee.
Date published: 2021-03-29
Rated 5 out of
5
by
JohnDavie from
Comfy
Comfiest pad out there by some distance and I have tried almost all brands. Very expensive but my butt thanks me for the investment.
Date published: 2021-04-17
Rated 4 out of
5
by
nlei from
none believer to a believer
first none bib short i purchased in a long time. i like the waist compression, very comfortable. it's true to size.
Date published: 2021-05-06
Rated 3 out of
5
by
Hans t from
Little bit disappointed.
Stitches came loose after few times using , little bit disappointed
Date published: 2021-05-01
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Gareth G from
Good looking shorts
This is my first pair of these and I'm pretty happy. My only thought is that the waistband is very high – intentionally for performance reasons – but then it's quite 'hard' narrow elastic, sitting high-up, cutting into the softest part of my torso.... maybe just my fit... but I have other shorts with comfier waistbands.
Date published: 2021-12-12
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Jake the snake from
Great shorts and super comfy with brilliant fit
Great shorts. Perfect for indoor riding. The waist line does not dig in and the shorts maintain their form without the bib straps. One too tip is to fold the awesome leg grippers over before you pull the shorts on. The grippers work so well that it is difficult to get the chamois in the correct place so by folding them up beige putting the sorts on this solves that issue and potential poor fit. Fold them back after and you have a great fitting pair of shorts.
Date published: 2022-04-16
Rated 5 out of
5
by
SM42 from
My best padded short
Design: Sleek - Black on black Rapha logo looks very classy.
Pad: I have compared this to another premium endurance bib short and this Rapha padding is far more superior
Fit: I’m 5’10, 80kg and medium fits me well. The pad and panels are stitched and positioned perfectly for a very comfortable fit. Far more comfortable than a bib short in warm weather
Durability: I’ve only had it for a few months. Looks super durable as with all Rapha gear
Date published: 2021-10-07
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Wookie Shorts from
Not for me.
I applaud Rapha’s attempt at a quality pair of shorts that don’t dig into the waste. However, these dug into my waste. The waste band is big and sits high, to avoid digging into the waste. I wanted a pair of shorts as opposed to bib shorts for riding on the continent in summer. However, these don’t work for me. In the end I kept the Core Bib Shorts and, like pro riders on the continent in summer, wore them :-) I still give them a 4 as the quality is good. It’s just personal fit and personal choice and IMHO I think it’s a valiant effort but not for me.
Date published: 2022-07-25
Rated 2 out of
5
by
Tootight in Philly from
Shrinkage
These shorts in medium got smaller since the last pair I ordered. And no, I haven't gained an ounce in weight. Rapha needs to check this out and get this fixed. Not watching QC.
Date published: 2023-10-28
Rated 2 out of
5
by
Sobe36 from
Men's Core shorts
disappointed with the foam padding, expected a higher quality pad. Very nice packaging but mediocre product
Date published: 2023-05-13
Rated 1 out of
5
by
Alar from
Not meant for strong legs :)
One ride in and the seems started coming off. Second pair with same problem.
Date published: 2022-08-10
Rated 5 out of
5
by
RNappi from
It’s turbo time
What can I say… other than these are great value for money and are perfect for indoor training. I’m not a big fan of indoor training and feel a rush of disappointment whenever I don my bib and base on just to sweat it out in the conservatory… but no more! These shorts are a great fit, easy to chuck on for the turbo and I get to save my bibs for the real deal once winter has come and gone.
Date published: 2021-10-13
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Anonymous from
Great option for spin cycling
I was looking for some padded shorts for longer (60 min plus) Peloton rides and found all the advice and choice online somewhat bewildering. Rapha came up regularly in “best of” lists so I got two pairs of the core shorts because they seemed like the best basic option I could go for. Zero regrets. Comfortable and make a significant difference to my comfort on those longer spin cycles
Date published: 2022-07-06
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Fred SB from
Excellent Fit, Great Comfort
Shorts are well made, very clean looking, and tend on the tight side, although I would not recommend ordering a size up. They are biking shorts after all, and you don't want them to be loose. You never notice them while you are riding, which is about the best thing you could ask from a pair of cycling shorts.
Date published: 2024-09-17
Rated 3 out of
5
by
Anonymous from
Chamois is amazing, fit could be better
The chamois is amazingly comfortable. I could be sitting on a rock and still find it comfortable. I've taken these on 100km rides and my bum is still fine. The fit itself is a bit too tight, at with my slightly shorter than average inseam for 170cm rider height, the legs are an inch or two too long (although I wish I had read the other reviews that said the same thing).
Date published: 2023-07-10
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Beauknows from
Best shorts I've used.
My go to XC race short. Very supportive short with great chamois pad. I'm 6 ft tall 195 lean muscular build with average length legs and torso. The shorts are about an inch too long or I would give 5 stars. My remedy is to just fold them down once at the waist band so they don't cover my belly button.
Date published: 2021-10-07
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Greg Grandgeorge from
Best cycling shorts I've owned...
These are the best cycling shorts I've owned... and I've tried many brands. One of the ultra-cycling athletes I coach, who set the Guinness World Record for the fastest time riding in the 48 contiguous US states (averaging nearly 230 miles per day for 31 days straight), recommend these as his favorite cycling shorts. I recently used them for the VTXL route, and had zero issues... no chaffing, no saddle sores, no issues. I have no affiliation with this brand... it's just been a great product for me.
Date published: 2021-11-01
Rated 4 out of
5
by
Bob Mc from
Core Shorts
Core shorts are comfortable for shorter rides (20-30 miles), but begin to rub after 25 miles. I wear them regularly on days when recovering from longer rides. Wish leg cuffs were more pressure sensitive.
Good shorts for the price!
Date published: 2021-05-26
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Todd M from
Great Chamois Positioning
I really like where the chamois is positioned, particularly in the sit bone area. I’ve tried a lot of different shorts and these are my favorite, my go to short now, particularly on long rides. Wish they had some color options.
Date published: 2021-07-25
Rated 2 out of
5
by
NYC Cyclist from
Durable?
Good fit and feel, but after two rides contact point of shorts to saddle is already wearing. Also, I tend to do 5 hour + rides and have noted some chafing on my sit bones that i don't have with other high end shorts.
Date published: 2021-06-19
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Anonymous from
Tried them, loved them, just bought 2 more pair
Tried them, loved them, and just bought 2 more pair. Although I'm no longer riding centuries, these are the most comfortable shorts I've used and at half the cost of the second most comfortable.
Date published: 2021-04-02
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Anonymous from
Unbelievable product in every way
Best bike shorts I have ever owned. I wish I would’ve have tried these first years ago. Comfort, fit and quality is so far superior to any others I have tried
Date published: 2021-09-27
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Ben Gaz from
Should be in every cyclists rotation
Super comfortable on long 5+ hour rides, also perfect for the trainer. Super comfy shammy, sexy aesthetic. Can’t go wrong. Sticking with Rapha for a whiiiile
Date published: 2021-10-09
Rated 2 out of
5
by
Flashgo from
A Miss
Pros:
1. Nice pad
2. Well made
Cons:
1. Difficult to put on because the leg ends are too grippy
2. Legs are too long and rub behind my knees
Date published: 2021-05-24
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Tyty from
Excellent shorts!
Great shorts - I am 6' 145 lbs and small is perfect.
I wear them on hot days when I feel like riding topless and don't want the bib look :D
Date published: 2021-09-29