Three-quarter bibs were the brainchild of Belgian hardman Edwig Van Hooydonk. In 1989, wearing shorts, he won the Tour of Flanders in horrendous conditions, aggravating a recurring knee injury. His solution was a pair of cycling shorts that reached below the knee, offering some extra protection against the elements, and an elegant alternative to the wrapped bandages routinely used at the time. The new look (in smart WordPerfect dark blue) was introduced in 1990 and gained further international acceptance when Van Hooydonk returned to Flanders to win again in 1991.

Rapha’s three-quarters use a fleece-backed Thermoroubaix fabric to keep you warm through cooler months. Finishing just below the knee, they use the same exceptionally comfortable pad as the Classic Bib Shorts II, with flatlock stitching throughout to prevent chafing. They are finished with a soft gripper around the legs.

“Ordinarily I've steered clear of 3/4s for the simple reason that I usually wear bibs with knee warmers or go full leggings. However, after a few months with these Rapha bibs my opinions on 3/4s has changed – I'm now a massive fan!”

“As someone who has never removed knee warmers mid-ride, the 3/4s are far more comfortable than even the most comfortable knee warmer/short combos that I've tried.”

★★★★☆ Jamie Williams, road.cc