Review: Giordana FR-C Cargo Bib Short, comfortable and functional

I have spent a lot of time in cargo shorts. In fact there may have been a time when I had more pairs of cargo shorts than regular shorts. This was around the same time 10 speed drivetrains were all the rage and we had no clue how many watts we were losing thanks to our externally routed cables. Cargo shorts were cool and practical. However with time comes change, and usually for the better. I prefer having 12 speeds instead of 10, and internally routed cables do look better and save energy.

Nonetheless over the years our need for carrying capacity in our shorts has not changed. Some would argue thanks to big smartphones and monster key fabs we need more pocket capacity now than ever before. Despite these valid claims cargo shorts remain on the periphery of the fashion world. Until recently when we have seen a resurgence in the freight focused design thanks to the gravel riding movement and the need to carry more stuff on longer rides.

Enter the Giordana FR-C Cargo Bib shorts. Spawned from Giordana’s flagship FR-C Pro bib, the cargo has many of the same attributes that make the originals so popular, but with a host of additional features that make them ideal for people looking to take more items on rides. At the core the shorts use the same HC 50 material and Cirro S Chamoix as the FR-C Pro bibs. The Cirro S chamoix is a little on the thicker and firmer end of things, which I personally prefer. Especially for bigger/longer days, or for rougher roads and surfaces. The HC 50 material feels good against the skin and breathes very well.

It’s worth mentioning that since the pockets use an extra layer of material the shorts do feel slightly warmer when compared to shorts with a single layer of fabric. I wouldn’t say this is a deal breaker by any means because I was still comfortable even on hot days. The woven elastic leg cuff sits just a few inches above the knee and stayed in place well during testing. Giordana has a great elastic cuff that has got to be one of the most breathable and comfortable on the market. I’m not a true roadie and thus have hairy legs, which don’t get painfully pulled by the FR-C cuff. Lastly, the bib straps sit comfortably on your shoulders without being too tight or moving around under a jersey. I would say that other than being slightly warmer than the original FR-C Pro bibs, they perform very similarly, which is a good thing because the FR-C Pro bibs are fantastic.

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