Vulpine Women's Summer Cycling Capri Pants

The Vulpine Women's Summer Cycling Capri Pants look smart, with a good fit when you're on the bike, and their diamond gusset keeps things comfy on shorter rides if you're going unpadded. A fiver off £100 isn't to be sneezed at, though, and you can certainly get a pair of cropped chinos on the high street for a lot less, albeit without the subtle cycling touches.

The least subtle of those – though it shouldn't appear obvious to anyone around you – is that diamond gusset. This keeps seams away from where you don't want them when riding without padded underwear or shorts. From the outside it's just a simple hidden seam, while on the inside green piping covers the joins; it's perfectly comfortable, despite being raised rather than flatlock stitched.

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That same green piping covers other seams on the inside too, around the waistband, the pocket edges, and either side of the zip, while others are stitched flat. However they're constructed, none of the seams are irritating in the slightest.

I found the capris a very good fit on the bike, shaped by the seams and darts and helped by a bit of stretch in the fabric. They're also cut high enough at the back so when you're cycling you don't expose too much flesh or leave a gaping hole. The fabric isn't hugely stretchy; I'd say they're closer to cotton chinos than 'jeggings'.

They are a slim fit, and although you get zipped front pockets you probably won't want to put too much in them, especially as the fabric tends to show up whatever is underneath – whether that's coins in your pockets, VPLs or the hems of Vulpine's extrafine padded merino boyshorts (review to come).

What also shows through – after washing and before ironing – are the label/care instructions printed on the inside of the left 'cheek'. The lettering has that slightly rubbery feel and it puckers up in the wash, meaning you have to iron it to smooth it away.

Talking of which... the seams down the back of each leg might create a good shape for cycling but they're a bit of a pain for ironing, as you have to fiddle around them so you don't iron creases in where you don't want them.

On me, at 5ft 6 3/4in, the hems sit just below the knee and I can feel them grabbing slightly while I ride, but these aren't designed for hours and hours in the saddle, so I really don't think it's anything to worry about.

If you're caught out in a summer shower, the fabric – with Swiss Schoeller 3X Dry technology finish – is slightly showerproof. Vulpine says it will 'repel light showers' and that's about right: water beads on the surface at first, but it does get through fairly rapidly. It dries quickly, though, and also repels stains. This 'Dove grey' colour has certainly washed up cleanly so far.

> Buyer's guide to casual cycling commuter wear

Overall, they're a very nice pair of smart/casual cropped trousers for cycling round town. They are expensive, though – you can buy a pair of chino crops from Asos for about £20-£25, so whether the Vulpines are worth £95 depends on how much you value the diamond gusset, the shower-repelling fabric and the cycling-friendly fit. They're more attractive at their current sale price of £45, and are available in dark navy and black as well as this grey.

Verdict

A good, if not cheap, option for shorter cycling trips while looking smartish