The Cotton Summer Shorts are designed for commutes or casual rides in the sunshine, made with a lightweight 170gsm cotton fabric that keeps your legs cooler in warm to hot weather. Rapha City products are all designed to be worn both on and off the bike, and the clean style of these shorts dovetails with its technical features: the zipped side pockets have a new zip garage to stop things falling out; the fabric offers a slight stretch to move comfortably with pedalling legs; and hi-vis pink piping runs up the seam of each leg. Simply fold up your hem while riding to keep you more visible on the roads. Other features include two rear pockets (one zip and one button), a smart fold-over waistband, and bonded belt loops which help stop your belt sticking out or digging in as you pedal.

“It’s often difficult to find a pair of shorts that fit properly, let alone a pair of cycling shorts that fit as advertised. The Cotton Summer Shorts do that and more. The size 32 shorts I tested fit perfectly and did not require a belt to stay secure while at work or while riding.”

“I folded the hem of the shorts about an inch and a half to reveal the hi-vis pink along the inseam before I went on my first ride in them, which is what Rapha suggests. I liked the look, but I loved the unrestrictive ride feel of these shorts. On several occasions, I commuted to work in them and then wore them all day, and I’d be hard-pressed to answer the question, “Are these shorts better for riding or wearing?” I truthfully think the answer is 'Both.'”

Gabriel Lodge, Bicycling.com »