RDO LAB // Explorts 3.0 Beta
Original price was: $185.00.$145.00Current price is: $145.00.
In keeping with the way that we developed many of our products in the early Rodeo years, you’re invited to the early beta for our newest bibshort, the Explorts 3.0. Our 3.0 Explorts are the seventh refinement of our well loved and successful RDO LAB bibshorts. As happy as we are with each iteration of the shorts, we always know that there is room left to improve, and with each revision we raise the bar higher and higher on ourselves. Our 3.0 shorts are an entirely new short design, construction, and fabric from the waist down. The bib straps and upper part of the bib are carried over from the 2.0 shorts because that part of the design is already so successful.
Explorts 3.0 are improved in the following ways:
- Fabrics: Our main bib fabric is now constructed from a more premium, softer, and more comfortable Italian-milled fabric. The leg grippers now use micro silicon dots instead of strips for improved grip and improved wear characteristics.
- Fabrics: Our fabrics are now more durable and supportive than our earlier Explorts. The fit parameters are identical to previous versions of our shorts, but you’ll feel just a bit more support, and the shorts will resist chafing and pilling better. The 3.0 shorts also feature the softest feeling fabric that we’ve used to-date.
- Fit: The 3.0 shorts now have a multi panel construction which allows for them to follow body contours more closely, and with less bunching.
- Fit: The 3.0 shorts have a 15mm longer inseam than 2.0 shorts, and they better resist pulling up the leg while riding.
- Fit: The panel above the waist brings up the belt line on average about 4cm per size in the front, and higher in the rear. This higher belt line provides more fit support, and also ensures that no gap between jersey and shorts opens up while the rider is in the riding position.
- Fit: Our new bib straps are lighter and more elastic, which will improve fit and help riders forget that they are there at all.
- Function: The higher beltline and new bib strap design allowed us to insert a hidden pocket on the lower back, which is useful storage for those that like to ride in a loose fitting tee, but still want the space that cycling jerseys traditionally have.
- Function: The pockets on the 3.0 version are sized down from 2.0 and Expedition Explorts. They are perfectly sized to hold the largest iPhone sizes, for instant, and they still carry snacks of course, but a smaller pocket allows a more sleek, streamlined short overall.
We kept the graphics minimal on these shorts so that they would pair well with most jerseys. These first 3.0 Beta shorts are offered in a unique shade of blue that we’ve not yet used before.
The cut and chamois of the 3.0 bibshort are tailored around men’s proportions. We are at work behind the scenes on refinements to our Women’s shorts.
All RDO LAB cycling clothing is designed and developed in-house and in collaboration with an independent clothing manufacturer, from scratch. Cut, fit, materials, and function are designed, chosen, and refined by Rodeo Labs. Each design and revision is rigorously tested in real world riding before being put into production. We work directly with a sewer to combine rigorously selected European fabrics, chamois, zippers, and other components into a high quality and functional final garment. Our sewing is completed in Asia.
Quantites on the Explorts 3.0 beta are intentionally limited. We would very much like to solicit feedback (email, text, or call) on this new short, and as such we’re offering this first batch at a discount over the 2026 retail price.
Welcome to the Explorts 3.0 beta!
Details and features.
An entirely new short
Our 3.0 short uses an entirely new construction and pattern compared to any previous version of the short. We’re quite pleased with the single panel construction of our 2.0 and earlier shorts in terms of comfort, but we thought that by circling back to the pattern and creating a multi panel short, we could achieve a fit that was that much more comfortble and supportive to ride in. The new construction contours better, and resists bunching.
Now that we’ve spent thousands of develment miles in the 3.0 short, we’re confident that we’ve accomplished our goals. That said, we feel that one final round of user feedback might help us refine this short that much more before their wider spring 2026 release, so that’s where the invitation for you to ride in them comes in.
An entirely new premium fabric.
The 3.0 Explorts uses an entirely new fabric that is softer and more supportive than the 2.0 short. If we had to describe the feel-to-touch, we would say that it is even slightly silky feeling. It’s the most premium Italian fabric that we’ve specified on any short yet. The improved feel is noticable on and off the bike.
Integrated rear pocket
The higher rear belt line and revised bib strap design allow us to incorporate a hidden central pocket on the lower back, which brings the total number of pockets on Explorts 3.0 to three, adding to the useful leg pockets that we’ve featured since our first bibshort designs. This central hidden pocket is particularly useful when wearing a more casual tee that does not include rear pockets often found on traditional cycling jerseys. The cargo pockets on the 3.0 shorts are the same depth of the 2.0 short, but about 30% skinnier, to minimize bulk and streamline fit. They still fit a full sized phone, and plenty of snacks for training and racing.
Seamless leg grippers.
Explorts 3.0 use a semless, stitchless lower leg gripper. The 2.0 short used a ribbed silicone gripper design, and the 3.0 short uses silicone micro dots, which will better resist curling of the fabric at the end of the short leg, and better grip the leg to prevent the cuff from creeping up the leg while riding.
Ultra distance chamois
Explorts 3.0 carry over the ultra comfortable, peerless EIT chamois that we began using in the 1.1 revision of the shorts. We’ve tested a large number of chamois from a wide range of manufacturers for over the six years that we’ve refined our shorts, and we zeroed in on a market leading medium thickness chamois that isn’t overly padded but provides comfort long into a 10+ hour day or even across an extended multi day bikepacking journey. This isn’t just hyperbole as our bibshorts have been used with great success in ultra distance events the world over, from Tour Divide, to Atlas Mountain Race, to Colorado Trail race, to expeditions in Peru, across Europe, and the Americas.
Fit, sizing, returns, and exchanges.
We’ve designed our sizing to be as similar to the sizing of other major brands as possible. Definitely start there in terms of getting your fit right. Next, if you already own our shorts, you’ll find that the fit profile of the 3.0 short is consistent with the 2.0 and Explorts Expedition shorts.
The 3.0 shorts have a slightly longer length than the 2.0 shorts See photo reference before ordering.
Fit is also highly personal and there will always be variances in fit from person to person. We advise measuring and checking our sizing chart carefully before ordering. If you order the wrong size, we can exchange the shorts for another size if they are brand new / unridden as long as we have your desired size in stock and available. We reserve the right to deny refunds or exchanges for any shorts that appear to have been ridden or worn beyond trying on for fit. We will, at our discretion, repair, exchange, or refund any shorts that are found to have incorrect construction or flaws in materials.
The model shown in the phots wears a Men’s Size Large. He weighs 185lbs and has a 33 inch waist.
The 3.0 short is currently developed under Men’s sizing only, but we have a future revisions of our women’s Explorts Expedition in the works, using identical materials and a women’s specific cut.
Size grid
All lengths are body dimensions measured in inches or milimeters
| 2XS | XS | S | M | L | XL | 2XL | ||
| A | Waist in
Waist cm | 24-26
60-66 | 26-28
66-71 | 28-30
71-76 | 30-32
76-8 | 32-34
81-86 | 34-36
86 -91 | 36-38
91-96 |
| C | Inseam in
Inseam cm | 9.25
23.5 | 9.75
24.76 | 10.25
26 | 10.75
27.3 | 11
28 | 11.5
29.2 | 12.25
31 |
| D | Cuff in
Cuff cm | 14-15
35-38 | 15-16
35-40.6 | 16-17
40.6-43 | 17-18
43-46 | 18-19
46-48.5 | 19-20
48.5-51 | 20-21
51-53.5 |
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