Lusso 2-Zero Thermal Bib Shorts

The Lusso 2-Zero Thermal Bib Shorts are warm, comfortable shorts that pair perfectly with Lusso's Max Repel Leg Warmers (review to come). Just be aware the shorts come up a little smaller than usual Lusso fare.

Dave gave the previous incarnation of the 2-Zeros four stars, finding them 'Good quality Roubaix bib shorts that are comfy and warm'. They were £70 back in 2015 and they're still that RRP – often available for closer to £60. Still made in Britain from quality Italian Roubaix fabric, they represent excellent value.

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There's a change in aesthetics over the previous model from grey to all-black, with Lusso's trademark minimalist-to-non-existent branding limited to two small white roundels. As such, these will pair sartorially with just about any top.

The finishing is excellent, with flatlocked stitching where it counts and breathable back/shoulder material. This is important as Lusso positions the 2-Zero as suited for 'Racing or Training with Leg Warmers' – these are shorts for going hard and fast in.

Given the name and fabric you'd hope they were warm, and that they are – riding in 3-5°C I never felt cold when using with the Max Repel leg warmers. The multi-density pad felt comfortable and didn't move around.

Lusso has treated the fabric at the yarn stage with its 'Repel' finish, prior to it being woven. While not waterproof, there is a strong resistance to absorbing water. Holding the bibs under a running tap after two months of frequent riding and washing, the water sheets off with not a trace of wetting out. Lusso doesn't openly claim any sort of weatherproofness – neither wind- nor water-resistance – but in practice, performance in adverse conditions is excellent.

> Buyer's Guide: The best cycling clothing to keep you warm in winter

I've tested a lot of Lusso kit. In the case of the 2-Zeros they seemed to size more accurately than other medium size Lusso bibs I've tested – technically I should be just into a large, but my other Lusso kit is medium and fits perfectly, in the case of the Carbon bib shorts to the point of surviving a 300km day-ride feeling fine.

Out on the road for hours in winter temperatures of 4-10°C, in often stupidly high winds, the 2-Zeros kept me warm and comfy when paired with leg warmers. As I run pretty cold, this is no mean feat. The generous laser-cut leg grippers did the job of holding things in place, and the breathable back and side fabric kept clammy feelings at bay. I was always working reasonably hard at around 85% of max heart rate, and was able to focus on the work at hand instead of worrying about discomfort.

For under £70, made in the UK, with minimalist branding, a trouble-free pad, and with great weather-resistance, the 2-Zeros are what every pair of bib shorts should be: not a problem.

Verdict

Warm, stylish, comfortable and made in the UK