Scott

RC Pro Tec Plus Bib Shorts - Women's

Most bib shorts are built solely for riding, but the Scott women's RC ProTec Plus Bib Shorts also take into consideration those unavoidable instances where a ride ends with the cyclist on the ground. The side panels are made from a peculiar "fabric" called ITD ProTec, which involves carbon threads and printed-on ceramic dots to effectively upgrade the shorts' tissue-thin synthetic material to a scaly coat of reptile skin. Given that Scott claims a minimal impact on fit and mobility in the saddle, we're happy to have that reinforced exterior as an insurance policy against a possible tumble.

Chances are good that, as a cyclist, you've been in the situation that ITD ProTec is aimed at preventing: scrubbing strips of disintegrated Lycra out of your road-rashed skin while screaming obscenities in the shower. It's a graphic image, we know, but it's also accurate. The idea is that the carbon and ceramic materials stand up to more abuse than the painted-on synthetic stretch fabric normally would, so if you lay the bike down at 30mph, your skin enjoys an extra layer of protection.

Despite the extra protection, the RC ProTec Plus Bib Shorts are still meant primarily for riding hard, and the main body's blend of polyamide and elastane provides accommodating stretch and gentle compression. The shorts are finished with mesh bibs, silicone leg grippers, a radio pocket, Scott's Pro women's chamois, and reflective detailing to help keep you visible and off the tarmac in the first place.