A leg length 3cm shorter than Santini’s normal cut is said to be a feature of the Italian clothing specialist’s Slice Bibshort, although this is still no ‘Yates cut’. The shorter leg length is apparently sometimes referred to as a ‘pro rider cut’, but like many shorts made today the actual height of the leg seam lies somewhere below halfway down the thigh. The answer, supposing you favour an even shorter leg, is to fold the gripper section up the outside of the leg. In the case of the Slice Bibshort, this is made both easy and strangely satisfying by the nature of the gripper itself, which is a kind of rubber-backed and logo’d ribbon stitched to the hem of the leg, rather than a grippy bit on the inside of the Lycra leg.

In this case, the shorts fabric is DuPont’s PowerLycra, which is as elastic as is claimed, while the insert is Santini’s own TwistGel model, and is designed to work with both cutaway and conventional saddles. Fair enough; while feeling a little intrusive when standing, the multiple ridges and indents of the insert feel exceedingly comfortable once in the saddle, as does the whole Bibshort itself. The white mesh braces are just the right length for a proper hold-up without excess tension over the shoulder, and the flat stitching of the various panels is never noticeable. There is a small stitched-on strip on the left leg that can be felt, but it is easily taken off if disliked. Santini’s last trick here is the provision of two small pockets on the back, each just big enough for a mobile or cash stash. The Slice Bib is available in black or Prendas ‘Royal Blue’, and in sizes Xs to XXXL.