Road Cycling Clothing

Review: Giordana FormaRed Carbon Shorts

Find out whether Gail loves or loathes the Giordana FormaRed Carbon Shorts...

The Giordana FormaRed Carbon shorts have been designed for riding long hours in the saddle. They have a great chamois, the panelling is sleek, adding not only shape and comfort but using a high compression fabric (HC-44) that gives precision in the fit, maximum comfort and adding an element of performance too. Great looking, and made with superior quality, Giordana FormaRed ladies carbon short will be a great investment for your comfort and style.

The snug fit is a result of the Giordana “Women’s Contour Fit system” and their specific panel shaping. The tight weave and compression fabric (HC-44) help the muscles to hold their shape, the theory being to provide an added element of assistance to fatiguing muscles-I am not able to comment on how well this works, however I can say that I did notice an element of compression and superior level of comfort whilst riding in the Giordana FormaRed Carbon. You do feel like you’re getting a little bit of a leg-hug, if you know what I mean.

Giordana says that the FormaRed-Carbon garments “contour perfectly to the body, forming a second skin that makes every movement natural and comfortable”. Threads of carbon are woven in to the fabric (which also happens to have an ultra violet protection of 50+ which claims to block 98% of UV radiation) to control the stretch and provide strength to the fabric. These shorts will retain their shape while you wear them. I have also washed and worn these shorts several times, and the story is the same. The Giordana FormaRed Carbon short is a great piece of kit.

I think one of the best compliments one can pay, as a rider to any article of clothing is that you forget that you have it on. This is certainly true of the Giordana FormaRed Carbon Shorts. It fits good, so good, you forget you’re wearing it.

Giordana have used a unique fabric on the leg cuffs and waste band that avoid the use of grippers and elastic. The waste band has been designed to sit a little higher at the back of the short too. This makes for a really comfortable ride, and shorts that actually stay put. You may notice that inside the short there is a red semi-perforated material, this is the FormaRed material that creates small pockets of air next to the skin, allowing it to breathe. The use of exceptional paneling and compression fabric, along with this breathable formaRed air pocketing allows for a sleeker look and better aerodynamics on the bike.

Giordana FormaRed Carbon Shorts have a four-needle flat stitch on all of the seams. This also adds to the riding comfort, no itchy elastic marks and also makes the seams discrete and durable. Discreet reflective strips have also been added to the rear of the leg, to make you more visible.

The “W Cirro O.F.” insert pad has been specifically designed for women. Giordana says that the uppermost layer of the chamois padding has had “Aloe Vera permanently incorporated into it” Ooh, hello. Giordana says that this Aloe Vera “cools, protects, fights bacteria and even heals the skin while the rider is in the saddle”.

Whether or not Giordana’s claims of this miracle healing chamois are true, I can say that the chamois is discreet, super comfortable and does have a soft, smooth silk like finish. It rides really well, doesn’t chafe, is padded without being bulky and has padding and support in all the right places. Great work on understanding the female anatomy and bike riding needs Giordana.

Verdict:
Giordana have created a great all round riding short with the FormaRed Carbon. Comfortable. Functional. Affordable. Do it.

Pro:
For all the reasons listed above, shorts stay put, great chamois, great panelling, comfortable, look great, ride best.

Con:
I cannot verify the healing property of the Aloe Vera, or the value of the compression fabric. These shorts were a great ride, nonetheless.
Price: £78.99, available from Winstanley Bikes.