RH+ Ladies Elite Shorts

by Diane Vilarem, Senior Editor

If you’re looking for a strap free short that stays firmly in place, then these stylish performance shorts from RH+ could be the right fit for you.

RH+ produces a selection of shorts to match their jerseys. Some bib strap designed and others without straps. Matching with the Venere jersey, I tried the Elite Short, a lightweight short without straps. Sometimes the straps on shorts can feel uncomfortable on the ladies chest, so having a strapless option is always useful. The short is held in place with a soft stretch waistband, which I found perfectly designed and very comfortable. In terms of the colour, it’s a black short, with the same design as the Venere Jersey around the lower part of the leg. The left side of the also has reflective bands for extra safety.

The anatomical waistband is made from a soft stretch fabric, with frontal crossover to increase hold and fit. It’s an elasticated material and wide, so that sits perfectly. Sometimes, this kind of cycling short design tends to be too tight. Thankfully though, RH+ has really managed the design and form fitting well with this product. Throughout my rides, it stayed perfectly in place during all day long. At the leg hem, there’s an elastic webbing Grip Fit Xlight, with silicon print anti-slip on the bottom leg, adding to the fit of the shorts and keeping them firmly in place.

It has a wrapped feel to the design, made of high quality 4 way stretch fabric, meaning that it sits directly and firmly against my body, and doesn’t move or become wrinkly during activity. In terms of the pad, it’s by Elastic Interface, the world leading brand from Italy. RH+ have used the Summus Woman pad by Elastic Interface, designed for up to 7 riding hours. It’s a product intended for long distance rides, with the new Hybrid Cell System inserts with a 200 kg/m3 density: they create an extremely thin, light and resistant pad with an absolute comfort, even in extreme riding situations like ultracycling.

The minimalist design is based on women’s anthropometrical parameters, and the foam inserts are shaped to provide an entirely smooth contact for the female rider’s body and best fit. Made with Elastic Interface® Eco X-Tract exclusive and sustainable fabric, thanks to recycled Polyamide (80%) and Elastane (20%) yarns: its two layers work together to improve the fabric’s moisture management and breathability. On the top, the channel structure collects and canalizes moisture, and on the bottom, the fabric helps expel it. All that I know is that it worlked extremely well, especially here in the heat and sun of the French Riveria. Best of all, the pads remained dry on the skin, fresh and breathable, and I stayed comfortable all day long – and that’s worth big smiles 🙂

Finally, if you prefer bib shorts without straps, then I can highly recommend these shorts by RH+. It’s a high performance short, and it’s designed for keen cyclists, having a stylish and chic look to it. It fits perfectly and feels great – and when I look and feel good, then that’s a great recommendation 😉

Diane