dhb Aeron Men’s Equinox Bib Shorts

If you like to keep your legs exposed for as much of the year as possible then these dhb Aeron Equinox Bib Shorts are worth a look. Using three different fabrics to keep your thighs warm when the autumn temperatures start to drop, they are brilliant either on their own or when paired up with knee or leg warmers. The chamois is spot on for long winter training rides too.

• Pros: Extremely comfortable pad; great fit
• Cons: Some competitors offer water resistance for the same money

dhb's Equinox range is all about kit to get you through the change of the seasons, and what the company has done here is to introduce new fabrics to its excellent Aeron Bib Shorts (which I tested back in March) to keep you a little bit warmer.

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Wearing both pairs in identical conditions (about 8°C), the Equinox shorts were noticeably warmer pretty much everywhere, most noticeably when descending at speed or riding into a chilly northerly wind.

dhb has achieved this by using three different fabrics in the construction from Italian material house MITI.

For covering the glutes and your lower back dhb has chosen a tight-knit fabric which adds wind resistance, and giving it a Roubaix style brushed back means it traps body heat in these areas, too – areas that are likely to be most affected by windchill.

The inside leg and seat panels use a fabric similar to that found on the standard Aerons, with a slight compressive feel to it. The overall fit and feel is spot on. They fit close and move with you when you are in the saddle.

The third material is used in the bib section, with the straps being constructed from a lightweight mesh. For autumn/spring riding you are likely to be wearing a few layers up top, so keeping the straps light and breathable makes a lot of sense.

You'll likely be riding in the dark, too, and there have been a few reflective strips added to the legs and a reflective dhb logo at the rear.

Being warm is one thing, but you need to be comfortable too. The Aeron Equinox use the same Elastic Interface Paris HP pad as the standard Aerons and it is very good. While it is a great choice for riding hard and fast, it really excels when it comes to those longer rides when the pace drops a little and you put a bit more weight on the saddle. In the cooler conditions and in the dark, you are likely to ride a little slower, and those long winter training rides will just be lapped up by the Paris HP pad.

The list price of the Aeron Equinox is £80, a fiver more than the standard version, but that still offers great value for money in my eyes.

The shorts are very well made, impressively comfortable and when paired with a set of leg or knee warmers will work right the way through the winter, giving you plenty of versatility.

> How to dress for cycling in autumn

For comparison, the thermal Sportful Fiandre NoRain 2 shorts will set you back £100, although you do have the added benefit of some water resistance thrown in.

Lusso still makes its 2-Zero Thermal bib shorts which now also come with a water-repellent fabric; that's nudged the price up to £80, so there is some competition out there for the dhbs.

> Buyer's Guide: 46 of the best bits of clothing for winter cycling

Overall, though, even without the water repellency offered by some competitors, the dhbs are still an excellent pair of shorts that will get you from autumn through winter and into the spring.

Verdict

Excellent all-round bib shorts that can take on the chilly temperatures of autumn and winter