It’s possibly a little early in the year to tell you about some new shorts, but never mind – Hypnotic Designs is a new clothing company to the UK, although it’s been operating in its native Northern California for a while now.

The official press release describes HD stuff as “bike kit with an edge for cyclist[s] who don’t feel the need to look like they’ve just ridden the Tour”. We’d have to say that this is hardly a revolutionary concept – baggy shorts and loose-fitting jerseys are perilously close to de rigeur these days. But Hypnotic has pushed the shorts envelope a little bit further with the Hankster Messenger shorts. They’re three-quarter length in a casual style featuring all the accoutrements that you’d expect from everyday trousering – pockets, zip fly, belt loops. But they’ve also got all the necessary Proper Cycling Shorts features – anti-microbial pad, reinforced seat, Velcro pocket tabs and the like. They’re £90 which sounds like a lot but then you are getting 50% more shorts than usual…

Hypnotic’s Haystack FZ jacket is a very NorCal garment. They don’t have real winters or proper wet rain, you see, so they have no need of full-on waterproofs. Probably. Anyway, the Haystack is very much a UK Spring/Autumn jacket, being of wind and rain resistant Schoeller® Dryskin nylon. It’s got a snug high collar, full-length zip and front and rear pockets. You can choose two colours. The Haystack is £110.

More details from importers Sorted Cycles at www.sortedcycles.com or go straight to the horse’s mouth at www.hypnoticdesigns.com.