Cyclingnews Verdict

Warm whatever the weather, supportive and not restrictive, but fabric arrangement could be better and the diaper-thick pad is a love-hate feature

Pros

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Fleecey inner for warmth
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Merino stays warm when wet
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Extended legs
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Great stable fit
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Massive pad if you like it

Cons

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Massive pad if you don't like it
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Splash protection is misplaced
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Pricey

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Mavic’s Ultimate Merino bib shorts mix traditional and modern materials for a super-warm and supportive fit on those days where full tights are too much but you’ll freeze in normal shorts. Mavic’s super-fat memory foam seat pad is a real opinion-divider, too. So how do they stack up against the best cycling shorts on today's market?

Performance

We’re big fans of longer-legged, heavier-weight shorts for cold-but-high-energy rides and these Mavic UItimate Merino bib shorts nail the fit. The inseam is only listed as 24cm but the broad hem gripper keeps it sitting longer in reality. A super-stretchy soft knit fabric gives a great fit up the inside of the legs, crotch and seat and they’re high enough to stop your bladder getting frozen, too. Thick bib straps also keep them in place when you’re dancing in and out of the saddle. A more water-shrugging, fleece-backed fabric is then used up the side panels and for the back of the bibs.

A 35% Merino wool content slows down wicking but means they stay warm when wet, so the overall effect is extremely cosy on long, mixed-weather days. However, the fact that the weatherproof fabric is on the sides - rather than front and back where you get more windchill and water spray - is a counter intuitive choice that’s startlingly apparent if you’re riding through icy puddles or descending with serious windchill.