Santini 365 Mago 2.0 Bibshorts

Santini's 365 Mago 2.0 bib shorts are good all-rounders, with some interesting fabrics creating a performance-orientated garment. For me, though, the chamois could be a little more comfortable for longer rides.

• Pros: Durable fabric, good breathability and overall quality
• Cons: Chamois might not be for everyone, long leg length

The core of any bib short is the pad, and the Mago 2.0's might not be to everyone's taste. It's a 'NAT' model, which uses graded foam laid over a gel insert. The idea is to make use of the properties of gel – namely, shock absorption and vibration damping – and blend them with the cushioning of classic foam found in most pads.

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That foam is covered by a perforated blue cover that helps reduce heat build-up and increase breathability. However, the core of the pad certainly leans on the gel for comfort, with the foam overlay less dense than I have come to expect.

In truth, it does a great job at absorbing vibrations and smoothing rough surfaces up to a point, but when you've spent a good long 100km or more in them, the reduced amount of foam just can't quite reach the same levels of comfort that, say, Castelli's Progetto X2 Air or Rapha's Cytech pad can.

Part of that could be down to my shape not suiting the obviously thought-out shape and distribution of the pad, where you can see the pre-set folds designed to help it mould to the body, but my overriding feeling is that it's not the plushest chamois you can get for around this price tag.

Nevertheless, I was still impressed by the overall performance of the Mago 2.0s both at home and on a holiday around Lake Annecy.

The fabric – which Santini calls 'Revolutional' – is denser than your standard lightweight bib shorts, with a matt black finish, yet doesn't cause them to gain that much weight, coming in at 206g in a medium. It provides a clean fit around areas that can bunch up (hips, for example), and gives a lightly compressive feel that's well distributed across the leg.

The legs are long, easily covering my entire upper leg to the point where I was half-concerned about the ends rubbing or catching in the crease behind my knee, but in the end I had no worries aside from my preference towards a more mid-thigh leg length. They're finished with wide and thick grippers that have a low profile silicone pattern to help them stick to the leg.

The fabric is cool but thick enough to resist cutting freshness, such as when you first step out into an early autumn morning up in the Haute-Savoie. Breathability is aided by the waffle-like panels fitted down the side of the leg, and I felt well regulated whether in 12 degree coolness or working hard in the heat of the day, which can remain significant even in September.

The bib section features a compartment for a radio, and the Revolutional fabric extends a fair way up the back before giving way to a standard black mesh construction. It's comfortable and adds an element of support around the lower back.

The front doesn't cut that low either, so going to the toilet without taking the bib shorts off is a little more of an effort, but it's hardly a deal-breaker (and I am quite long in the body). In fact, the sense of solidness in both the main fabric and the quality of the seams is really reassuring, and these look well up to lasting through a few summers of use.

You could also use them – as I have until this point – as cool-weather autumn bib shorts, despite Santini's 18-35°C recommendations.

At £150, the Mago 2.0s aren't cheap, but they're competitive with the likes of Podia's Club bib shorts at £148 and Le Col's Pro models, also £150. If you require the extra padding you might want to look at the Le Cols, while the Podias offer excellent all-round performance on a par with the Mago 2.0s.

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I'd say the Mago 2.0s offer a little more flexibility than either of those thanks to the impressive Revolutional fabric, which has proven both durable and effective in a decent range of temperatures. Overall, I'd say they're very competent all-rounders.

Verdict

Very good quality performance-orientated bib shorts, though the chamois won't suit all