Castelli Free Aero RC Bib Shorts

CASTELLI FREE AERO RC BIBSHORT

The Free Aero RC Bibshort is the top race short by Castelli, which also means that it's insanely comfortable even if you never pin on a number..

15 years ago the Free Aero Bibshort was first introduced, initially as the top-of-the-line race short. Since then it has won three Tours de France, three Giri d'Italia, one Vuelta and San Remo, but it also became the best-selling product in the history of Castelli because, simply put, this is the short that does everything well.

The concept is quite simple: start with the best pad we know how to make, surround it with a supportive short with good muscle compression, and then remove everything else that's not absolutely necessary. You feel Free thanks to the reduced number of panels and the reduced number of seams. In fact, the short portion has just 5 panels compared to 10 in the previous generation.

You feel Free because of further refinements to the Progetto X2 Air seamless seat pad. The two densities of foam plus the gel pads provide progressive damping, while the separate Skin Care Layer is soft and stretchy to move with your skin. You feel Free thanks to the most minimal bibs you've ever seen in a short, including open-weave straps for maximum airflow. But they reinforced the yoke so the straps stay in place and made the mesh back narrow for coverage that is minimal yet just enough to hold the shorts in place.

And the bib elegantly frames a convenient pocket at the center back. You feel Free because this is the first high-end short that doesn't need any sort of gripper or elastic at the end of the leg to keep the leg in place. Getting this right meant 28 prototypes and our most extensive test program ever, and it results in the most comfortable leg ending we've ever made. The Forza 2 fabric has 32% Lycra® with a high modulus for exceptional muscle support and just the right amount of compression. There's reflective piping on the back. And all logos are either stitched or embossed for durability.

KEY FEATURES

High-compression 215 g Forza 2 fabric with 32% Lycra® content provides exceptional muscle support and compression
Progetto X2 Air seamless seat pad is soft against the skin but well padded for long-distance comfort
Minimalist bib straps allow maximum airflow, while a reinforced yoke keeps the straps flat over the shoulders
Rear mesh pocket
5-panel construction for reduced seams and less chafing
Stitched scorpion logo patch and embossed Castelli wordmark for durability
Reflective piping on back of legs
Raw-cut edge at waist for extra stretch and comfort
Raw-cut leg ending engineered to stay put without silicone grippers