Dozens of brands now offer outfits that "look good on and off the bike", designed for commuting and casual riding (whether you need special clothes for this - the Dutch don't, and they know cycling - is a matter for another post). But wardrobe options for the road cyclist are less inspiring: Lycra still tends to come in bright, busy designs and the rare exceptions, such as Rapha, tend to be a bit pricey.  So Howies' latest range is well worth a look. They have a short but distinguished track record of making decent, ethically-sourced gear and their new Slipstream jerseys and Leadout bib shorts - ignore the cheesey names - are easy on the eye. Actually, the plain black design wouldn't look out of place commuting, on a Sunday club ride or at your local mountain bike trails. But the sizing is pure roadie-snug, so do check the sizing guide carefully and be brutally honest with yourself before making an order.  The company says they're made with a special knitting machine that can output tubes, so there are no seams to irritate thighs or torsos. They also manage to weave the fabric a little thinner over the sweatier parts of the body and a little stretchier over the bendy parts. They're certainly as comfortable as regular Lycra kit, and, on a hot day, slightly more breathable. All the kit is weaved from manmade fibres but it feels a tad softer, somewhere between merino wool and normal cycling gear.  Tops come with the traditional three pockets on the rear and a zip on the middle one keeps valuables in place. The bib shorts also have a tiny pouch on the back, but it's placed in that awkward spot between your shoulder blades which you can't reach with either hand. I popped an emergency fiver in there before a ride and there it remained, despite my best efforts at the café stop.  A few trips through the washing machine and several hundred miles of riding have had no impact on the comfortable padding in the shorts, which Howies treats with an anti-bacterial coating.  The price is competitive, for cycling gear, which seems to have been levied with a popularity tax in recent years: a jersey will cost you £49 (£10 more if you want arms) and the bib shorts are £59. That seems quite reasonable for comfortable, classy cycling gear that's well put-together and should last a few seasons.  All products are available from www.howies.co.uk.
Welsh outdoor clothing company Howies has launched a range of cycling jerseys   and shorts that will appeal to those who shun garish colour schemes and   large logos. Matthew Sparkes takes it for a spin.