Hoy-Vulpine Senko Bib Shorts

The Hoy Vulpine Senko Bib Shorts offer impressive performance and comfort while looking and feeling good. They're well worth the reassuringly expensive price tag.

The term Senko is used in the rarified atmosphere of Japanese Keirin racing, and means to be on the front and attacking with half a mile to go. Vulpine has a long-term collaboration with Sir Chris Hoy, and the Senko products benefit from his experience at the highest levels of racing. If anyone knows a thing or ten about going fast and putting the hours in, it's Chris Hoy. Add in a healthy dash of British understatement delivered in top-spec fabrics and it's a recipe for sartorial speed.

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At £125 the Senkos are getting into the upper reaches of bib shorts pricing, and for the money there's a good deal of competition from established premium brands.

With the words 'Sleek flattering elite level compressive lightweight aerodynamic race fit' in the marketing description, you can see the direction Vulpine is going. As in any 'aero' product, sizing is key. I'm a 32-33in waist and in most products am at least a medium, but for the Senkos I had to go to a small to get the best fit. Pay attention to the sizing chart, and if in doubt the Vulpine folks are quick to respond with answers.

The Senkos come up very snug around the thigh and waist, which is a good thing – the ultimate job of a pair of bib shorts is to keep the pad in the right place, and with the Senko's fit the premium Cytec pad is going nowhere.

The pad is triple density, putting the right thickness just where you need it and nowhere else. Of course pads, saddle contact points and sit bones are all unique, but for me, on both a Prologo Kappa2 saddle and a Brooks B67, on the rivet or sitting up, it worked a treat.

The pad is not going to be forgiving if you have your saddle choice wrong, though, as the thicker bits are smaller than the one-size-fits-all options where it's all one density. As per the marketing, this is a pro-level product and assumes you're well set up on the bike – no pad is going to compensate for poor bike fit.

> Everything you need to know about cycling shorts

The leg gripper is a full 4cm wide, and initially felt tight enough to make me think I'd regret it later. Not the case, though. Once out and riding, the gripper did what it was designed to, holding the thigh fabric in place over many hours and levels of in and out of saddle exertion.

The feeling of being held tightly extends to the upper body, where the sides and back come higher than most bibs designed for summer riding. The 4.5cm bib straps are laser-cut, so no seams to annoy over the shoulder.

The construction of the Senko is exemplary – every seam is flatlock stitched, and the build quality cannot be faulted. Also, there are no scratchy care or manufacturer labels inside – all relevant info is printed onto the inside of the back panel. Including how to iron (yes, iron).

I was impressed with the fit and feel of the Senkos over a month or so's riding every other day. From turbo sessions in dark places, to long and slow country rides on the Brooks-saddled vintage steeler, and high-octane carbon-racer blasts, the Senkos faded into the background and let the legs and bum get on with things. That to me is the mark of a superior pair of bib shorts – you forget you're wearing them after 10 miles.

Across weather ranging from 10 to 23 degrees, in sunshine or pouring rain, they performed. Some people might not like the feel of the high-rise sides and back, but as I've come around to the idea of wearing baselayers regardless of the weather, the feel of bib fabric on skin wasn't an issue. When worn by themselves against skin, the flatlock stitching and panel design meant everything felt just right.

Being caught in an hour-long biblical deluge proved the Senkos' ability to not suck up water and to dry quickly afterwards – essential factors for long rides in the United Kingdom of Weather Guessing.

> Check out our guide to the best bib shorts here

There are two choices of colour – black/red or black/charcoal, which actually looks dark green. The only logo is a black-on-green or red-on-black 'HOY V' on the side of the thigh – nothing reflective or shouty about these, which bodes well for matching with other kit if looking sharp under sunny skies is your aim.

At £125, the Senko bib shorts are a premium product, with premium performance and looks to match. Pay attention to sizing while being aware of the compressive feel and you'll get along just fine.

Verdict

Premium performance matches the premium price tag, and they look pretty sharp too