Morvélo Rise And Descend

£70

The RAD shorts are designed to have “everything you need and nothing you don’t”, and – excluding the belt loops – we’d have to agree. Three pockets are provided – two zipped side pockets, which are sensibly positioned and well-sized for packless rides, and a rear waist pocket, just big enough for a phone.

The raised back stays in position thanks to an extensive section of silicone gripper, and the elasticated Velcro waist straps offer ample adjustability. While the fit is athletic, it’s not restrictive, and the inseam is long enough for the legs to extend over knee pads. The four-way stretch fabric is form-fitting around the waist and bum, but baggy enough on the thighs to maintain good ventilation (aided by mesh panels). There’s no bunching of the seamless crotch when pedalling, and the legs don’t ride up.

The DWR-coated ripstop fabric offers better saddle traction than smoother materials, but is a little harsher to the touch, although this isn’t noticeable when worn over a liner. To top it off, we think the RADs look, well, rad. The branding is inoffensive and features are subtly integrated into the construction of the shorts – for example, one of the press-stud clasps is hidden away under the fabric waistband and the pocket zips are discreetly covered by small fabric strips. While the price has risen by £5 this year, they’re still considerably cheaper than most equivalent shorts.