Cycling trousers

These Fusion SO Lady Pants from Gore Bike Wear – also available in a men's version- are along the lines of the zip-off walking trousers hikers will be familiar with.

Cycling specific trousers are a tricky area at the best of times. There are a few companies offering jeans and casual trews for urban hipsters to ride in, and a few offering more technical loose fit pants, but they are quite thin on the ground, especially for women. It's a tall order to provide riding comfort in something that looks OK for wearing about town.

Showers Pass Hybrid zip-off pant is two very competent bits of clothing in one and arguably the most innovative take on the street smart, bike practical leg wear brief. Versatile enough for general riding, cantering across town for those straight to business meets and a spot of touring too thanks to their cut, convertible nature and host of civilian practicalities.

Gusset. Go on, say it with me. It is not, let's face it, the most inviting word in the English language. But for cyclists who want to wear jeans (which includes most of us at one time or another), it's a very welcome concept. Normal jeans don't have one, you see; specially tailored cycling jeans like these from Swrve do. And a gusset (say it again) transforms a usually restrictive item of clothing into one that moves and performs much better.

New York's Outlier are not the only brand offering tailored city cycling clothing out there, but their take on it bring a distinctively American preppy-meets-hipster style. These Climber Pants fit the bill: smart, hard-wearing and 'reassuringly' expensive.

Bontrager's lightweight Commuting P{ants are spot on for general riding, retaining a sense of c'sredibility when sashaying past the photocopier, meeting friends in town or collecting the kids from school. They'd also make good touring companions thanks to low bulk. However, padded inserts are must haves for all but the shortest hops and sizing isn't quite an exact science so try before parting with your hard earned.

The one thing that is predictable about the British climate is that it is unpredictable. You could be dressed for the beach and two minutes later it is hailing which is why cyclists always have to prepare for the unexpected and why something like the dhb Amberley over-trousers can be such a useful part of your weather fighting armoury.

Surface Liquistretch Trousers