If you like your shorts roomy, Altura’s new top-end baggies could be the ones for you. They reach down to just below your knees and are fairly wide so there’s quite a bit of flappage, but they fit close enough through the seat not to snag easily.
They’re fairly weighty but that’s down to the volume of fabric rather than its thickness; the hard-working shell material is very light while zipped vents at the front of the legs funnel cool air inside. You can leave the mesh side pockets open for more ventilation if you need it, although we never felt like we were burning up in these.
Stretchy yoke and crotch panels provide extra movement – with all that room we doubt you’d feel restricted anyway – while Velcro adjusters hold them securely around your waist.
The Progel removable liner, which is effectively a skinny short, isn’t as airy as mesh offerings but the flat stitching, silicone leg grippers and soft seat pad kept us comfy even on long and lumpy rides.
Also consider: Altura Summit, £55: Lightweight and durable with a comfy removable liner, these are great value budget shorts.
