HOY Vulpine El Toro Bib Shorts

Chris Hoy made his first ventures into retail with his range of bikes and accessories a couple of years ago and has now made the move into apparel. Hoy's experience and Vulpine's technical knowledge have combined to create a range of cycling clothing, including the HOY Vulpine El Toro Bib Shorts.

The first thing you notice about the shorts when you put them on is that they are a thin lycra material that has a lot of flex. They stretch well, which means that they sit nicely whether you are off the bike or in the saddle. The thin material means that you aren't forced into one position or another, because of the shape of the shorts. This certainly gives them more flexibility in use and allows for comfort on and off the bike but does mean that they don't have the specialised fit that others offer.

At the bottom of the legs, the grippers work well, their small circular silicone dots allowing for movement without the shorts riding up. I often find that with grippers which circle the entire leg opening, that there can be a certain degree of pulling on leg hairs (I am not a leg shaver) so this design is certainly effective in minimising that. It is also secure, with only the smallest amount of movement, which is clearly allowed for in the design, meaning that they stay comfortable throughout longer rides.

The bibs have a Cytech pad, as you expect to find on many upper-echelon cycling shorts. My two favourite shorts in recent years (Rapha's pro team bib shorts and Assos' T.campionissimo_s7) use Cytech pads. It wiorkds very well here, and is more similar to the model used by Assos rather than the thicker Rapha chamois. Thanks in part to the pad, the El Toro shorts work well for hours in the saddle and compare favourably to bibs at twice their price.

The chamois has a dual density and thickness throughout the pad, with a thicker padding towards the rear and thinner towards the front. This is a nod towards higher range shorts, with a clear message that these are not meant to be budget shorts.

The straps are also comfortable, with good ventilation due to effective meshing and a lack of rubbing thanks to good thick straps. They sit comfortably on your shoulders without any kind of twisting or rubbing.

The shorts in general are very well ventilated and effective in keeping you cool. The highest temperature that I managed to test in was 25 degrees, but even then I could feel a slight breeze running through them. This meant that on longer rides, they managed to keep me cool and comfortable whilst also preventing the chafing and irritation that excess heat and sweat can create.

This breathability comes from the thin fabric on the legs, but this thin material does have some unwanted side effects beyond keeping you cool. Due to the pad sitting further back than many other brands, and the multi density nature of the pad meaning that the front is thinner than the rear, you can get a clear 'Linford Christie' effect. This can be a tad embarrassing with your particulars clearly outlined more than with other shorts I have used, what is a bump in most shorts becomes a clear outline.

The flexibility of the shorts also creates issues with the logos on the legs, which after a few rides are already cracking and I expect them to begin peeling within the next couple of weeks. This is odd as the the rest of the shorts are well stitched and seem like they would last for years, but the logo would probably be in tatters, if there at all, within the first six months.

In terms of looks the shorts have clearly used Vulpine's trend of understatement, with a plain back design complemented by a very subtle black Hoy logo. They have a good fit, but it is worth looking at sizing before buying, I normally wear large, but these fit perfectly at a medium.

Coming in at £80 these are very good value for money for the pad and breathability alone. When I compare them to the more expensive bib shorts, like those from Rapha and Assos, the difference comes down to the little things that matter, like the logo, specific bike fit and pad placement. At this price range though, these bibs are well worth a punt and are certainly a strong start from a new partnership.

Verdict

Nice shorts, good breathability, but some small changes would be welcome in the next version