Scott Contessa Signature Women’s Gravel Jersey & Bibshorts

£63.99, £108.99 Comfortable multi-terrain kit

CLAIMED TO BE BUILT by and for women, the Scott Contessa Signature range offers premium apparel, here with a gravel-specific jersey, quality bib shorts and matching socks. There’s a watery theme throughout the range, most distinctive on the teal-ripple socks and across the shoulders of the black jersey, with complementing pearlescent teal branding up the thighs of the bib shorts.

The shorts really impressed me, not only with a super-comfortable multidensity Elastic Interface chamois that offered day-long support, but also a fussfree, easy-pee design. Simply pull down at the back of the shorts for toilet breaks without having to remove any other layers, thanks to the elasticity of the bib straps that cross at the back – brilliant!

At the front, the bib straps are merged and attached to the shorts at the centre. Though I found this more comfortable than anticipated, I’d be curious to see how larger-chested women get on with this design. At the leg hem, a 7cm elasticated gripper is backed with silicone dots, giving a comfortable and flattering finish. I did find the cut around the hips quite low though.

Up top, the jersey, made from silky recycled polyester, feels good against the skin and wicks sweat well. I’d rather it was a little closer fitting with longer sleeves though. It sports a halfzip and the typical midprofile collar and three rear pockets you’d expect from a classic road jersey. However, thanks to the looser fit of the top, the pockets can bounce around on rough gravel when they’re fully loaded.

“The fuss-free, easy-pee design of the shorts impressed me”