Wild Rye Baddie Bib Short Review

Are you tired of uncomfortable waistbands and restrictive cycling shorts? It’s time to give bibs a try!

I have been testing the Wild Rye Baddie bib for a while now–wearing them on my quick lunch-time rides as well as a few weekend epics–and have been impressed by the chamois quality as well as how free I feel while I ride!

While the Baddie Bib is marketed to mountain bikers and gravel riders, there is absolutely no reason you can’t wear these on the road as well. There is nothing that makes these an “off-road” bib other than perhaps the shorter inseam that allows you to wear them underneath baggies if desired.

Read on to find out if the Baddie bibs are the right fit for you. (Pun intended).

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Review In A Nutshell

Pros:

• Extremely comfortable chamois
• Affordable
• Wide, non-irritating leg bands
• Offered in a wide range of sizes (0-18)

Cons:

• Sizing is a little off
• Not as much compression as a more expensive bibs
• Limited color options
• No easy drop for bathroom breaks

Rating:

• Comfort – 8/10
• Fit – 6/10
• Chamois – 10/10
• Fabric – 7/10
• Compression – 7/10

Price & Where To Buy:

• $149 List
• Buy at WildRye.com*
• Buy at Moosejaw.com*

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Why Try A Bib?

If you aren’t already a bib convert, you might be wondering why you should try a bib at all. I’ll tell you why: ultimate comfort.

There are no waist closures to dig in or rub. And you don’t ever have to worry about exposed back or plumbers crack.

While I pretty much only wear bibs on the road bike, I usually wear baggies on the trail.

But after wearing the Baddie on several mountain bike rides, I was second guessing myself. It’s amazing to let your tummy hang out and take in a deep breath without anything pressing into your stomach.

Additionally, I was maneuvering around the saddle with greater freedom of motion than I get with my baggies. Maybe it’s time to go back to bibs on the trail after all!

If you’ve never tried a pair, I’d definitely recommend it. You might end up sticking to baggies, but you might find that you love bibs even more.

One Of The Better Chamois I’ve Tried

The best thing about the Wild Rye Baddie Bib is the chamois. I’m not always a huge fan of chamois (I usually mountain bike without one), but I actually really enjoyed my time testing these.

Wild Rye has somehow managed to create a chamois that feels plush but not diaper-esque. It is contoured to the shape of a saddle with more padding where your sit bones and soft tissue have direct contact, and less padding down the center of the butt, for example.

The stitching around the edge of the chamois is really next level also. You don’t have any of the exposed foam edges you see on a lot of chamois.

The Pactimo chamois on the left has an exposed foam edge, while the Wild Rye chamois is fully enclosed.

Instead, the stitching is really delicate and encloses the entirety of the edge of the chamois. I have really sensitive skin and often have trouble with seams, and had no problem with these shorts (on the chamois or elsewhere).

Sizing Was A Bit Off

One of my favorite things about Wild Rye is that they offer all of their clothing in street sizes (0, 2, 4, etc) rather than generic sizes (S, M, L). While this is more expensive for the company, it ensures a superior fit. They also go up to a size 18 which we appreciate.

I’ve always had really good luck with the Wild Rye sizing. In both my Wild Rye Freel shorts and my Freyah pants, I fit perfectly in a size 6, which is what I wear in normal life as well.

With that in mind, I confidently ordered the Baddie bib in a size 6 as well. But when I tried it on, I think I would have actually been better off in a size 4. It runs a little larger.

The torso and thighs fit me just fine, but in the butt and at the lower back, the shorts were way too big. There’s a bunch of fabric.

I test a lot of bibs, and this was one of the strangest fit issues I’ve run into. As I’ll mention later, I assumed this extra fabric was to act as a drop bib, but that didn’t pan out, so I’m still puzzled.

In any case, I would recommend closely checking the size chart before ordering and perhaps ordering down a size from your normal street pant size.

7 Inch Inseam Is Shorter Than Many Bibs

The Baddie bib is unique in that it has a 7 inch inseam. This makes it quite a bit shorter than most bib shorts. The Pearl Izumi Pro, for example, has a 10.5 inch inseam.

This is neither a good thing nor a bad thing, but a personal choice. It is nice if you want to wear the bib underneath baggies, or you just want to preserve more of your summer tan line.

It does mean that you have less coverage in the event of a crash, and less compression for your thighs.

Comfortable Straps

The straps on the Wild Rye Baddie bibs are made of a mesh material. This makes them highly breathable and great for summer riding.

The racer back design also helped keep the straps firmly in place, without the need for a chest buckle. Women with larger boobs will appreciate this.

Not Very Potty Friendly

Unfortunately, the Baddie bibs are not the best for bathroom breaks. Unlike many of the more inventive drop bib designs on the market, the Baddie doesn’t have any clips or a way to drop the straps without taking off your jersey.

I was hoping given the scoop at the lower back, that the bibs might be stretchy enough to pull down in back and pee without taking the straps off. No dice there either. It seems like this is how it is designed to be used, but maybe because of my longer torso, there just wasn’t enough give.

If you have a fear of bibs due to the pee factor, there are probably better options for you out there. If you have no fear ripping off your jersey and dropping trou on the trail, have at it.

Comes In 2 Colors

The Baddie comes in two colors: black (a classic) and Mahogany. The latter has an adorable pattern at the leg gripper as well. Hopefully, if the Baddie sells well, they’ll offer more color options in the future.

Comfortable Leg Gripper

Are you familiar with the dreaded sausage leg that many spandex bike shorts cause? You don’t have to worry about this with the Baddie.

Wild Rye has borrowed from more expensive bib designs and included a nice wide leg band that doesn’t dig into your thigh. This is far more comfortable than a narrow band that can cut off circulation and irritate your skin.

While the leg band was narrower than many of the high end bibs (perhaps because the inseam length itself is shorter), it didn’t seem to affect the functionality. The legs stayed in place nicely and I didn’t have any issues with them riding up.

Less Compressive Than Other Bibs

Perhaps because these are marketed for mountain bikers, but the material is thinner and far less compressive than most of our favorite bibs. They do provide a gentle squeeze but don’t expect the support you might find from a short like the Velocio bibs. This might be a good or bad thing depending on your personal preference.

Fairly Affordable

No, they aren’t THE cheapest bibs around (look at the Specialized SL Race bib for something more affordable), but they are certainly on the lower end of the bib spectrum. Our favorite Velocio Lux bibs, for example, are nearly $300.

If you want the softest, most compressive bibs, with the most durable fabric, you’ll want to spend more. If you just want a good affordable bib with a super comfortable chamois, we’d highly recommend the Baddie. It offers good bang for your buck.

Bottom-Line: A Bib We’d Recommend (If You Can Get The Fit Right)

The Wild Rye Baddie bib offers a comfortable and high-quality chamois that sets it apart from other bib shorts. The plush yet contoured padding provides excellent support for sitbones and soft tissue, and the delicate stitching ensures a comfortable experience without any exposed foam edges.

While the sizing may be a bit off, with some inconsistencies in fit, Wild Rye’s range of street sizes and inclusive sizing options are commendable.

The 7-inch inseam makes it a unique choice, suitable for wearing underneath baggies or for those who prefer a shorter length.

The mesh straps and racer back design enhance breathability and keep the bib securely in place. However, the lack of a drop feature for bathroom breaks may be a drawback for some users.

With limited color options and a less compressive material compared to higher-end bibs, the Baddie bibs still offer a good balance between affordability and comfort. Overall, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option with a comfortable chamois, the Wild Rye Baddie bib is worth considering.

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About The Reviewer