Assos T Knicker Roubaix knickers £153.99

Three-quarter tights (or knickers), are invaluable and they don’t come much nicer than the T Knicker Roubaix’s from Assos.

The fleece-backed material gives a sensational feeling of comfort when you slide your legs in, and the padding is nigh-on perfect- these are incredibly comfortable shorts for long distance riding, and ideal for current weather forecasts.

The material Assos use is good for typical spring and autumn weather, and it’s in this unpredictable temperature range that the Roubaix material works wonders. The fit is perfect too, with a seamless feel – there are no seams that irritate, no unnecessary stretching, and the panels are well shaped to not interfere with the motions the legs go through on each pedal stroke. The length is just right too, and there’s absolutely no discomfort around the lower leg when riding, with the elastic and silicone–gripper taped openings keeping them from receding and placing just enough pressure on your legs.

It’s in the chamois that that Assos really score highly (and where the high price becomes a bit easier to swallow), with a well designed pad that provides sumptuous comfort but without ever feeling overly bulky. The pad is the company’s F1 Mille S2 version, which is labelled as being suited for longer distance rides where overall comfort is a priority. And on long rides, they certainly lived up to their claim. It’s not until you’ve sampled the sheer comfort that Assos shorts provide can you realise quite what you’re missing out on.

The bib straps are wide and support the shorts well, and the back section of mesh keeps temperature down aiding sweat removal. There’s a short front zip that does seem a bit unnecessary at first, but it does marginally ease getting into them. An over-abundance of Assos logos litter the shorts and though discrete, are perhaps a little over the top. Some small reflective tabs provide a level of visibility.