Altura NV2 Bib Shorts

Altura's top-of-the-range NV2 Elite bib shorts are certainly comfortable to wear, if you like the pad, and their understated branding means they'll go well with anything in your wardrobe. Just beware of overstretching them at 'comfort stops'.

• Pros: Comfortable, well vented, great leg grippers
• Cons: The high front makes toilet stops a chore – you may over-strain a seam, and they're a bit expensive

Firstly, I'd like to thank Altura for making a pair of shorts that don't have shouty graphics. While the leg grippers do carry the brand name, it's grey-on-grey in daylight (reflective at night) so pretty subtle and means these shorts will go with any top in your wardrobe.

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You would expect a pair of shorts coming in at £100 to be well-thought out, well-constructed and comfortable, and the NV2s are all that, though with the odd qualification. I wasn't wild about the pad – it wasn't bad, but my sit bones started to make complaints around the 50-mile mark and on longer rides I was seeking to stand up at every opportunity. I'm well used to this, so don't be put off if you are not a martyr to soreness, but don't expect a miracle in comfort.

The first time I stopped for a toilet break, my sighs of relief were accompanied by an ominous 'pop' as the top hem on the front panel gave way. I was surprised at the seam giving, as every other Altura product I've ever owned has been pretty well indestructible to the point where I was sick of the sight of them and they were still like new. I'm sure if I'd been a regular punter and taken them back to the shop they would be replaced. Of course, I shouldn't be tugging them down so far at the front, it's asking for trouble, but in my defence they come a long way up toward the chest and getting undressed to wee isn't always a practical proposition.

It's pleasing to see most of the seams – where they matter at least – flatlock stitched and this may well contribute to the price premium. I think it's worth the trouble as the garment is smooth against the body in use. The ventilated bib sections are similarly carefully hemmed and sat wide and flat over my shoulders; the yoke at the back also did a good job of sweat transportation. I'd say these excel in summer conditions.

This makes me wonder why Altura makes such a big deal out of the reflective properties of the leg-grippers. 'Altura Darkproof® technology offers superior retroreflectivity. NV360° performance offers 360 degree reflectivity for maximum dark light visibility', it tells us. Setting aside what 'dark light' might be, I only ever wear bib shorts without anything over them in the summer and probably never at night, so it seems a bit redundant; every little helps, I suppose.

I do like the move towards raw-edge leg grippers, though – considerably better than the silicone grip they are replacing, especially when as well-constructed as these are.

Altura's product descriptions are littered with trade-marks and patented names: ProGel, Darkproof, NV360, Altura Dry, ErgoFit and so on. Whether a 'Pro 3D pad with full carving conch' is a better thing than a '3D Mold construction pad', especially as both include ProGel and Altura Dry technology, is hard to say as I have no idea what a 'full carving conch' is. All I can go by is whether my bum hurts more, less or about the same as other pads I use.

In this case, I'd rate the NV2 above the Pearl Izumi Pro Escape bibs I tested last year, but not as comfortable as the Endura M90s which also come in slightly cheaper.

> Buyer's Guide: 22 of the best cycling bib shorts

Will I reach for them for a 100-miler? In all conscience, I think not, but that doesn't mean I didn't like them.

Verdict

There's much to like in Altura's range-topping bib shorts, but saddle-sufferers may want a denser pad