When the founders of VeloVixen cycled 10,000km through the Americas, it was the Sugoi RS shorts that kept her comfy in the saddle, and she says on her website, “they were as good at the end as at the beginning”. A comfortable pair of padded shorts is an absolute essential – make that two. You will be spending hours and hours on your saddle, so it’s vital you do so in as much comfort as humanely possible.

Price: £90, available from Sugoi.

Best Price: £70, available from Velo Vixen.