dhb Aeron Speed bibshorts review

At £80, the dhb Aeron Speed bibshorts cost just £10 more than the standard Aeron bibshorts, but dhb has added quite a lot of extra features for your money.

For starters you get an upgraded pad. The Cytech Comp HP pad is a bit thinner than the pad in the standard Aeron shorts, but just as comfortable and supportive for long rides.

Dhb has used a different fabric in the Aeron Speed shorts too. It’s not quite as soft as that in the standard version, but it is treated with coldblack technology. Developed by Swiss textile company Schoeller, this reflects infrared light to reduce heat build-up and also protects against ultraviolet. It’s a treatment often used in high end bibshorts.

The cut of the shorts themselves is very similar to the standard Aeron. So you get a wide silicone gripper on the outside of the leg. If you don’t like the contrasting red, there are a variety of other colour options, including plain black.

The inside leg bottom seam is a doubled layer of the fabric used in the rest of the leg. It’s comfortable and means that the part of the leg in contact with the saddle is seamless, as the main seams running the length of the leg are displaced to the top and bottom of the thigh.

As with the standard Aeron though, the seams are not flatlocked. You don’t get any reflective elements and sizing is a bit more generous than Italian makers’ shorts too.

The front straps of the Aeron Speed’s bibs are flat, wide and hemless, making them just that bit more comfortable and less noticeable than on the standard Aeron model. And the rear of the bib is made of a more technical, less stretchy mesh.

It all adds up to a nice package of extra features for your additional £10. And at £80 the Aeron Speed bibshorts are the match of £100-plus premium models from leading brands.