Ale PRR 2.0 Fusion HD Bibshorts

Alé's PRR 2.0 Fusion HD Bibshorts offer a supportive feel, plenty of breathability and a seatpad that's capable of keeping you comfortable throughout a long day in the saddle.

• Pros: High breathability, comfortable seatpad, supportive fit
• Cons: £170 price tag

These shorts really do earn their place at the head of Alé's range. They're made from several different fabrics that work together well to put in a top performance. The crotch area and inside of the legs are Serie C-Boost material that's designed to offer resistance to pilling as you pedal. It has certainly proved hardwearing enough to look unaffected by two months of regular use, although you'd probably expect that.

The remaining sections of the legs are made from a fabric called Aero G.250 that comprises a hexagonal lattice with less-dense material filling the gaps. I wouldn't call it a mesh but it's getting on that way. It's highly breathable and Alé says that it has 'a low aerodynamic impact' too, although I couldn't tell you if it's effective on that score.

The leg grippers are a whopping 75mm deep and do a great job of keeping the shorts in place, never riding up in use. That depth means the force is applied comfortably over a large area and the two ends are bonded together so there's no stitching to dig in or rub as you crack into the miles.

The legs are cut long. Despite being 189cm tall I took a size medium in order to get the waist measurement I need, and these shorts covered my quads completely.

The overall feel is slightly compressive – at least, it was for me. I don't mean that theses shorts are over-tight or restrictive – they're neither – but you do feel that your muscles are getting a bit of a squeeze here.

The bib section consists of stretchy straps with a perforated insert running between them at the back. It works well to keep the shorts in place without any particularly noticeable pressure over the shoulders, and there's enough breathability to keep dampness down on sweaty climbs.

The Double Ergo seatpad uses high-density foam (120kg/m3) at the main contact points with the saddle (both the perineal and ischiatic areas) and lower thickness material elsewhere that reduces bulk and improves breathability while offering protection against chafing. I'd say that on the whole it's a medium-sized pad but it provided sufficient cushioning to keep me feeling comfortable throughout rides of four or five hours.

The build quality is good too. I've just checked the shorts over and all of the stitching is still in perfect condition. Several seams are bonded and they're all stuck fast after goodness knows how many trips through the washing machine, so I've no reason to think that these won't last. The logo on the left leg gripper – which you can have in white if fluoro yellow isn't your thing – remains firmly attached too.

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At £170, these sit towards the upper end of the price range for bib shorts, although Le Col's HC shorts we reviewed recently are £180. You can get decent shorts much cheaper than this, but there's no doubting the quality here. The fabrics are great, the seatpad works well and the construction is very good. The appearance is pretty understated too. These are high end but don't feel the need to shout that they're high end.

If you're happy with the price, you'll get an exceptionally comfortable pair of shorts that should provide plenty of durability.

Verdict

High-end shorts that are breathable, comfortable and very well made