Santini Eureka Bibshorts

Santini's Eureka bib shorts are a warm choice for the colder weather, with a very good seat pad and the bonus of good water repellency.

First, though, it's worth pointing out that although the RRP on the Eureka shorts is £124.99, you can get them for £95 – or as a bundle with Santini's Eureka leg warmers (RRP £41.50) for £125 – from independent bike dealers before the end of October.

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The Eureka shorts are made from BeHot yarn that's designed to generate heat as you pedal. The heat generation is said to be a permanent feature rather than something that washes out over time.

'When functional BeHot stretches, it generates heat by decreasing the entropy (disorder or randomness of molecules),' according to Sitip, the company behind it.

Without the same product, in exactly the same weight, made from a different yarn, I couldn't tell you whether the claims made for BeHot stand up, but I can tell you that these are warm shorts with a Roubaix-style brushed back to the fabric. I've been using these comfortably, along with the matching Eureka leg warmers (review to come), in temperatures as low as 7°C on recent autumn mornings. Judging by the level of warmth on offer, I'd say they're good for a couple of degrees lower than that too, depending on your body's internal thermostat.

The fabric has an Acqua Zero DWR (durable water repellent) treatment that causes road spray, fog and light rain to bead up and roll off, even if you're riding in these conditions for an hour or so. Granted, heavy rain does get through. We all know how much difference staying dry can make to warmth and comfort, so these shorts really do make a good case for themselves when it's damp. 

> Essential wet weather cycling kit and accessories

After several washes this Acqua Zero is performing as well as ever although, as with any other treatment of this kind, you'll need to reapply eventually.

The fleecy panels extend well up onto your stomach and lower back so there's no danger of any areas being left unprotected. The straps are mesh and I found them wide enough not to put any particular stress on my shoulders.

Silicone gel inserts and two layers of foam mean that Santini's GIT Evo pad provides plenty of cushioning without being too bulky. The layer next to your skin is antibacterial and channels in the padding add to the airflow. I did a four-hour ride in these at the weekend and didn't give comfort a moment's thought. That's always a good sign.

Wide, elasticated grippers with a silicone pattern on the inside hold the legs in place; I didn't find them riding up at all, even over the top of leg warmers. And finally, reflective tabs on the back of the legs help you get noticed at night.

Verdict

Warm and comfortable thermal shorts with water repellency and a high-quality seatpad