Answer
May 26, 2023 - 07:49 AM
Hello. Good question. The main differences are the chamois, pocket design, fabric, reflective placement and color schemes.
The chamois pads are about the same thickness for both (12mm thick at the sit bones for the Gel Touring, 13mm for the Core) but the Gel Touring is one of our gel options so there is an additional gel layer at the sit bones in that style. The Century pad in the Core bibs is a foam-based chamois with dense foam layers and no gel. That's not to say one is better than other; just different styles and some riders have different preferences.
Fabric-wise, the Gel Touring bibs are fully nylon/spandex fabric while the Core bibs use polyester/spandex. The difference may not be too noticeable to most riders but the polyester blend of the Core bibs is a tad "beefier" in its fabric weight. They're not thermal or winterweight or anything like that; they're still lightweight and meant for warm weather though.
With pocket designs, the Gel Touring has our classic large mesh side pockets on each leg, whereas the Core has one central pocket more concealed in the back. And the reflective and color option differences are evident too, depending on your preferences there.
I hope that this helps but please let us know if you have any questions at all: 1-800-783-8326 or cyclewear@aerotechdesigns.com.
Thanks!
