Rapha Merino £50

They’re the most expensive knee-warmers on test but the Rapha Merinos are a cut above.

Made from 97 per cent super-fine New Zealand merino wool and three per cent Lycra, they are super-soft on the skin, weigh almost nothing and roll up very small.

There’s a single flatlocked seam that joins what is basically a very simple tapered tube. There’s a silicone gripper at the top while at the bottom there’s a plain un-rubbered cuff.

As with all the knee-warmers in this test, the Raphas are long enough to extend to mid-calf level. However, because the wool is so light and springy they will happily sit directly below the knee with no bunching and work as true knee-warmers.

The Raphas are fit-and-forget comfortable. Being wool they don’t keep the water out but continue to insulate while wet and they dry surprisingly quickly without bagging.

We’ve used a pair for nearly two years and they’ve kept their shape despite regular machine washes with other kit, and ignoring Rapha’s care advice.

Colours: black, red Sizes: S,M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL www.rapha.cc