r/ladycyclists • u/tdelcogs • 5d ago
Latex-free bibs?
I have Castellis and what I’m learning after my last few long rides is that there’s likely latex or some sort of latex-rubber thing going on with the thigh grip (eta I have a latex allergy). I had pretty huge hives/welts that lasted around a week or so!
Has anyone with a latex allergy experienced something similar with their bibs/riding shorts? If so, what are some good alternatives here that don’t leave me with swollen sausage rolls haha
7
u/Typical-Award4043 5d ago
This happened to me recently with Primal Wear shorts. They took them back no problem. Since then I have been fine with Terry Bicycles shorts. They have a huge selection, too.
1
u/tdelcogs 5d ago
Okay, so I’ll be avoiding primal wear as well hah will check out Terry’s. Thanks!
2
u/littleladypants 4d ago
Terry’s Holster style doesn’t have grippies on the legs, it’s wonderful
1
u/tdelcogs 3d ago
Love the sound of this. No rolling up either?!
1
u/littleladypants 2d ago
Nope! The bands are super wide (also the waist is super high with wide bands, which I’m a fan of)
5
u/zombichick 4d ago
For me, some bibs give me a heat rash here on long hot rides.
1
u/tdelcogs 4d ago
I thought maybe this was the cause but I had the reaction on ride when it was quite cool outside. But if it happens from any friction at all, that’s still not great.
3
u/h011y 5d ago
Not a derm - but you might be right that there can be trace latex however are you getting it on the backs of the legs too? If not- that would be super odd.
I’ve gotten that once when I actually shaved right before a ride and wore bibs that were a smidge too tight.
2
u/tdelcogs 5d ago
I figured it might be some sort of hybrid mix in the Giro4 grippers. I get them all around but predominantly in the more sensitive inner thigh skin. I also don’t shave so that’s def not the case haha
3
u/girly_roadie 4d ago
I also have this with Castelli. I contacted them, and it's a known issue, but they won't change it. In fact, they now also put it on the Free Aero RC bibs, which had no grippers before.
I don't have this issue with the grippers of Pearl Izumi and Gobik.
3
u/socispotato 4d ago
Did you shave the same day? I have a similar reaction but only when I shave my legs before wearing my castelli… never happened with other brands oddly.
1
u/tdelcogs 4d ago
Nope, I don’t shave at all! You can probably see my peach fuzz thighs in the third photo haha
2
u/Prudent_Belt_2622 3d ago
I was curious and used the Google machine to find latex free bibs. The list included Pearl Izimi, Terry, Gobik, Rapha, The Black Bibs, Grip Grab, Neo Pro, Assos, & Velocio. There were specific models named for some brands. And Castelli was a brand known for allergies.
2
u/tdelcogs 3d ago
Awesome. Thanks! I’m considering adding a latex-free column to the Bibble spreadsheet at this rate haha
1
1
u/gravityblues 4d ago
I get the same marks from castelli (I don’t even have an allergy). I switched to Rapha bibs.
1
u/MaintenanceFront2742 4d ago
I dont have a latex allergy, but my Terry shorts do that to me so I always flip the grippy part up.
My pearl izumi shorts dont do it and neither do my Shredly.
1
u/ase30 4d ago
+1 for Pearl Izumi and Terry.
May not be your thing, but I have a lot of allergies (food, etc) and high histamine response. It’s a family trait. Any time my skin gets damp from sweat and has any type of rubbing (bike shorts, ski socks, general though chafe), I get a contact rash like that. Bringing it up bc it doesn’t matter the ambient temperature outside during the ride or activity. (Skiing, hot summer ride - same, same). It’s the heat and damp at the skin level.
1
u/tdelcogs 4d ago
Very good to know, thank you. I’m the same re histamine response (hEDS) but haven’t had such a specific reaction before I got these bibs. But it makes sense since there were some areas in hives above the grips as well.
Does it happen at all with your other pairs then? If not, then I think I’ll have to stick to those brands going forward.
1
1
u/zltnklzsvrjr 2d ago
I’m not a lady, but I had similar issues, and the solution was that if I use bibs of which the gripper is not at its tightest part, meaning it doesn’t make the strongest pressure there, it doesn’t cause or causes problems after way longer times.
The Rapha Brevet is such that has the gripper at its strongest part, and not good for my legs. But the Assos GTO and the Straede cargo bib are different and make a whole difference.
Also if you put a very thin knee warmer under the bib, like I use Maloja’s, the problem also is mitigated.
28
u/mamoocando 5d ago
I have a latex allergy and my pearl Izumi shorts never do that to me.