Ground Effect Double Happys
Price: £40 (not incl. P+P)
www.groundeffect.co.nz

Right over the far side of the world in New Zealand a bunch of New Zealander mountain bikers are frantically trying to fill air mail bags with their excellent no-nonsense cycling clobber and send it over here. Mainly because we and other mags generally like it so much we keep telling you to go plunder their website.

Style
The closest fitting of the baggy shorts we’ve got on test. Still some flappiness to them, but definitely more Glen Hoddle than Stanley Baxter.

Cut + construction
The Double Happys use a multi-panel outer shell complete with a curved crotch / inner leg panel so you’re not sat on any seams. Length is mid-length, and there’s enough bagginess for unrestricted movement without snagging the seat when you’re off the back / front.

The lightweight, wicking inner short is sewn in at the waistband, with a shaped one-piece anti-bacterial pad taking care of seating comfort.

A lightweight webbing and elastic belt keeps builders bum at bay without cutting into breathing or belly space and the high back keeps your spine cosy.

Fabric
Lightweight showerproof nylon shell with semi-mesh inner short. Light and free moving and dries very quickly after a soaking.

Pretty much as you’d expect. Medium fits a typical malnourished racer style rider just right.

Pockets
Chunky zipped hand pockets on either hip and a zipped thigh pocket on the left hand leg means plenty of secure storage but don’t overload them as they’ll bounce and bother you at speed.

Special features
Trademark puncture patch sewn into the left hand pocket lining.

Lightweight, close cut fit and full internal liner and pad means you rapidly forget you’re wearing baggies at all once you’re on the bike. This holds true whether you’re out for an hour’s thrash or a peak all dayer making them excellent riding shorts that won’t startle grannies or get teenage girls giggling if you wear them off the bike.

Yes. What do you mean you want a bit more explanation than that? They’re light, they ride like a pair of good Lycra skin shorts, they’re plenty stylish, super tough and they’re well priced. Typical Ground Effect clobber then.