If you’ve followed us for long, you might know that the Terry Breakaway short has long had a home on our list of the best women’s cycling shorts. And considering that it’s one of the most popular bike shorts around, there’s a good chance that you have a pair too.
If you love the Breakaway short but wish it came in more exciting colors, had a longer inseam, or that it had a pocket, meet the Terry Bermuda. It’s very similar to the Breakaway: same comfortable fabric, same chamois, same elastic-free waist and leg bands. But it adds a few things that make it unique and great in its own way.
Review In A Nutshell
Pros:
- Same comfortable fabric and chamois as the popular Breakaway short
- Comes in fun, unique colors (mauve, blue, purple-pink) you don’t often see in cycling apparel
- Phone-sized pocket that actually holds your phone securely
- Long 11″ inseam for women who want more coverage
- No silicone gripper
- Relaxed, not overly compressive fit
Cons:
- Sizing runs larger than other Terry shorts (or the fabric is just a little looser?)
Price: $110
A Pocket That Fits Your Phone
If you’ve read our Terry Breakaway review, you already have a pretty good sense of what you’re getting with the Bermuda. The fabric is the same soft, comfortable material, and the chamois is identical.
What the Bermuda adds? Several things, but the first and most notable is the addition of a pocket! And not a sad little pocket that barely fits a credit card.
This one is big enough to securely hold a cell phone. I found myself grabbing these shorts for road rides where I didn’t want to put on a handlebar bag, but my jerseys pockets were already over-stuffed with all the snacks and tools.
The other time I like having a short pocket is for stashing snack wrappers. It’s a quick and easy place to stuff something.
Fun Colors
The other thing that the Bermuda offers are fun colors!
One of our only complaints about the Breakaway line is the limited color options. The Bermuda goes in a totally different direction, offering some fun color options, including the mauve I’m wearing here, as well as a light blue, and a purple-pink that are refreshingly different than the usual black, black, and more black options.
If you like your kit to feel a little more bright and joyful, the Bermuda gives you options.
Long Inseam For More Coverage
The final thing that separates the Bermuda from the Breakaway is its 11-inch inseam, which is longer than the Breakaway (8.5″) and most other bike shorts for that matter.
If you’ve ever felt like your shorts show a little more thigh than you’d like, or if you just prefer the feeling of more coverage on the bike, you’ll appreciate this length. It also provides extra protection from the road if you happen to have a crash.
No Elastic or Silicone Grippers At Waist Or Legs
The Bermuda doesn’t have a silicone gripper at the leg or waist, which is a real plus for women who have a silicone allergy. (I’ve learned there are a surprising number of you)!
There’s also no elastic in either spot, which makes the short particularly comfortable and non-restrictive. I like that when I finish a ride in these shorts, I don’t have any indents in my skin. The lack of elastic also means that you don’t end up with the dreaded sausage thigh or muffin top where the bands compress.
Considering the lack of elastic and grippers, the shorts do a surprisingly good job of staying in place. I never had an issue with the waistband, and there was only minor creep at the leg. Considering that the inseam is long, this tiny amount of creep was a non issue for me.
Chamois Is Best For Shorter Rides
The chamois on the Bermuda is the same moderately thin pad found on the Breakaway. If you’re someone who prefers a more minimal chamois, or rides primarily shorter distances, this is going to feel just right. It doesn’t have that diaper feel which I for one appreciate.
If you’re planning an all-day ride or long century, though, you might want to reach for something with more padding.
Relaxed, Non-Compressive Fit
Like the Breakaway, the Bermuda is not a super compressive short. While it does have a little compression, compared to a high-end bib for example, it has a more relaxed fit that makes it easy to pull on without any kind of wrestling match.
If you don’t like shorts that feel like they’re trying to cut off your circulation, you’ll appreciate the easy-going fit of the Bermuda. It feels more like comfy spandex shorts than technical cycling gear (in a good way). If, on the other hand, you like that feeling of your muscles getting a good hug, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
I do feel like the Bermuda runs a bit larger than my beloved Terry Bella shorts (including the Bella), probably because of this more relaxed fit. On me, there was some extra fabric at my glutes. If you’re between sizes or typically size up in Terry, you may want to size down here.
Bottom-Line: A Playful, Practical Variation On The Breakaway
The Terry Bermuda is a great choice for women who want the laid-back comfort of the Breakaway with the added bonus of a real pocket, a longer length, and some actual color choices. Because of the moderately thick chamois and less compressive fit, it’s not the short for your longest, hardest days in the saddle, but for shorter and more relaxed rides, it’s a great fit (pun intended).
More Help Finding The Right Short
About The Reviewer
Kristen Bonkoski is a USA cycling and NICA coach, bike educator, and founder of Femme Cyclist.
She’s also the host of the Femme Cyclist podcast and runs Rascal Rides, a website about biking with kids.
She’s been riding bikes for more than two decades and is passionate about empowering women on the bike.
IG: @femme_cyclist