Castelli Inferno bibshort

Castelli's Inferno bib shorts, as you can probably guess from the name, have been designed to excel when riding in the hot weather. They've used seven different fabrics to make a short that keeps you cool and prevents overheating, combined with one of the most comfortable inserts, the Progetto X2 Air, I've ever tested.

The Infernos were created at the request of the professional cycling team they sponsor, Garmin-Sharp, for a short designed to cope with the hottest days. They achieved this by using very thin and lightweight fabrics with mesh panels all carefully placed to offer very high breathability.

Pull them on and they do feel lighter and airier than regular shorts. Go for a ride in them and you can feel the air passing through the fabric. I tested them in Italy recently where the temperature nudged into the low 30s, and they lived up to their billing: I felt cooler and more comfortable.

Cleverly, for a short designed to be used when it's hot, they've incorporated a titanium dioxide into the fabric to act as a sunscreen to reflect harmful UV rays. And they realise that shorts used in hot weather are going to be some of the longest days in the saddle, so they've added an abrasion-resistant nylon fabric on the side of the legs to they don't wear out prematurely.

Fit, as is always the case with Castelli, is excellent. It's Italian so it's on the snug side, but there's enough stretch in the fabric that they don't feel at all tight or restrictive when pedalling. They come in sizes from small to XXXL and I would heartily recommend trying before you buy. The bib straps are stretchy and slip comfortably over the shoulders, and the back panel is one big piece of mesh material to aid the base layer's ability to wick sweat away.

There's also a small race radio pocket in the back as well, but that's a pretty pointless feature for us mere mortals. It is a good place to store an MP3 player though. I largely didn't use it at all though.

Castelli are moving away from the traditional silicone leg grippers to large elasticated hems, which they call GIRO3. These are extremely comfortable with no irritating silicone and the legs stay firmly put, with no evidence of them riding up during riding.

Inside is the real business end of the shorts, the Progetto X2 Air seat pad. We've said in previous reviews how comfortable this pad is, it's really one of the best on the market at the moment. It's a two-layer design with a stretchy cover and separate padding beneath, the two are free to move over one another, reducing the chance of anything rubbing, and causing irritation.

Which just leaves the price. Yes, they're expensive. Here's the thing though, comfort when cycling is the most important consideration and investing in the most comfortable shorts you can afford should be right at the top of your list. The comfort these offer is right up there with the very best. I've done loads of riding in them, and you barely notice they're there. You don't even feel the chamois. But it's there, keeping you comfortable mile after mile. There are a lot of shorts that cost a lot less and I'm not going to say these are two or three times better than those. If you are spending this sort of money though, then rest assured you won't be disappointed.

Available in six sizes and black or black/white.

Verdict

Keep you cool when the going gets hot. Comfy chamois and top fit.