Neil Gander

Sharp-looking, well-made, lightweight touring shorts that go down to some small sizes – a quality garment at an excellent price

Excellent warmth, windproofing and breathability, but the wet weather performance is less impressive

Good performance from the Polartec fabrics but Le Col needs to look again at the design and construction

Softer than some copper-based pastes in cold weather, a workshop essential in a sensibly sized pot

Secure, rattle-free protection, but quite heavy and pricey, and not compatible with all forks

Warm and comfortable, great water resistance and it looks good – though taller riders may want longer sleeves

Up-to-your-pits coverage and an excellent pad make for a warm and comfortable ride, but beware the Nora Batty knees

A rather 'vague' fit on Presta valves made this a bit hit-and-miss, but it's light and simple

Light helmet at a decent price for including Mips tech, but limited sizing and adjustment limit appeal

Proper touring panniers with a built-in liner to keep everything dry, but heavier than the Ortlieb equivalent