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Morvelo Covert Stormshield Bib Shorts are amongst the new breed of shorts tailored for those riders looking for extra weather protection and carrying capacity whether it’s just a credit card or a rolled up waterproof, some food and an extra bottle. The Covert Bib shorts offer a range of carrying options, are weather resistant and are extremely comfortable.

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The Stormshield Covert bib shorts are made from a multipanel construction which is initially pretty snug but has become supremely comfortable through use. I recently reviewed Morvelo’s Stealth knee warmers and these Covert bibs feature the same properties of Roubaix fleece warmth with a windproof and highly water repellent membrane to block out the elements.

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The Roubaix fabric works well to keep the heat in whilst allowing the sweat to evaporate so these bibs have proved extremely useful in our recent fairly rubbish British weather only becoming too warm under baggies as the temperatures have risen to more acceptable summer levels.

When coupled with the aforementioned Stealth knee warmers these shorts offer a brilliant level of protection in cold damp and drizzly conditions, so there's no need to get a separate pair of 3/4 bibs or waterproof baggies unless it's going to be biblically wet.

The major talking point about these bib shorts is not surprisingly the fabric but that of the pockets and what would you put in them that you don’t mind getting hot? On the website, Morvelo shows a bottle and I’m sure that is one of the more logical options if you need more water on hot long days, but food bars need more consideration as many would melt in their wrappers against your body heat.  Essential travel documents might be another option, out of site, in a waterproof wallet or perhaps your phone as long as it or its case is waterproof.

I’ve taken to using the pockets in the bib shorts for food bars of the sort that benefit from a little extra warmth making them easier to eat - not a bad solution on cold days with very stiff awkward slabs of energy bar. The pockets have proved easy to access especially as I find reaching the pockets in some jerseys difficult. ­These three pockets allow you to explore your local trails without the need for a backpack or a bumbag and still carry some essentials, although you will obviously have to accept your mate's camel jokes – that’s part and parcel with the design.

So these shorts have pockets in the rear of them, much like your traditional jersey, but you don’t have to use them if you don’t want to and they are slim enough to not get in the way when wearing baggies. If they are not your thing and you just want comfortable bib shorts don’t worry you won’t notice them. If you do wear them with baggies the pockets will hang over the back of the baggies with well-designed execution that makes access simple. Nice work.

With an excellent quality Italian dual density chamois, they have proved to be one of the most comfortable I’ve ever used. The mesh material for the bib construction is light and breathable and helps to wick the sweat off your back and although the fleece backed lycra is not the coolest as the temperature increases, it breathes well enough for the moment although I can see myself wanting the standard set in a month or two as summer kicks in. The leg gripper is a wide silicon woven backed panel and stays in place perfectly.

The Covert shorts offer another added bonus – that of a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 50. Eh? SPF is more normally applied to grade sun tan cream so you know how much longer you can stay out in the sun without going red as opposed to not wearing any. I suspect they mean UPF which is Ultraviolet Protection Factor and is a measure of how much dangerous UV rays can pass through the fabric. 50 offering more protection than 1.

These Stormshield Covert bib shorts are not particularly cheap at £105 but they are not super expensive either. For high end shorts, they are about average which when you factor in the extra storage options and the technical weather-resistant fabric makes them actually good value. 

Morvelo Stormshield Covert bib shorts have fast become my go-to pair of shorts whether wearing them under my baggies or on their own. Like a lot of good cycling kit, the price seems a little steep at first but once you realise how useful they are for multiple riding situations they make sense, especially if you find them as comfortable as I have done. An excellent multipurpose bib-short for 3 seasons in the UK.

• www.morvelo.com

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