Whilst it’s clear Polaris haven’t followed this years trend of using the brightest colours and goudiest designs they have still managed to make this Vela kit look great. The white and black work well together and the added blue accents brighten them up nicely.

For those who want to be nice and bright but not attract too much attention, this kit is perfect. Another colour combination, with hints of pink is also available and both are designed to mix and match with whichever colour takes takes your fancy, even if it be a bit of both pink and blue!

I have to say I’m a recently converted bib short rider and find it hard to go back to shorts but these are a nice fit. They are very high so they do the job of covering you well even when in the most tucked in position. The only issue with them being so high is the unflattering lines they give under the white jersey. White not being a very forgiving colour in Lycra!

I solved this easily by wearing a tight ‘Skins’ vest over them to make the jersey less see through and to give it a more streamlined look! Made from a fast wicking fabric, the shorts kept me cool and dry. The clever multi panel design of the shorts ensures maximum comfort by following the body contours. A half elasticated waist keeps them snug at the back whilst a seam free band at the front allows for more movement. Flat locked seams are used throughout the set making them comfortable on the skin.

The Polaris Vela Shorts leg grippers are not the conventional silicone hems that dig in or chafe, but lines of silicone dots that work really well and leave no nasty marks. I have been using the shorts under my mountain bike kit regularly too because I find them so handy! I tested a women’s size 10, and I’d say that they are correctly sized, even in the legs. With this and the well designed hems of contrasting colour ways there are no signs of the dreaded leg bulges.

The pad doesn’t look as complex as some of the higher end road shorts but it has proven to be very good. I’m not saying it’s the best I have used but I found it ideal for 40-50 mile rides, comfortable to wear even after days in the saddle on both my road and mountain bike. Manufactured by Italian company ‘Dr Pad’ (used by many road brands); the seamless ‘Doc 13’ has a 3 layer structure of gel and foam which work well to ensure maximum comfort, as well as being breathable and shock absorbing.

The Polaris Vela Jersey is, like the shorts, made from soft to touch fast wicking breathable fabric that takes sweat away from the skin and keeps you dry and cool even in the toughest conditions. The under arm and side panlels are made from a diamond mesh design fabric adding to the ventilation and also aiding the contoured fit. Hints of green and blue make the kit very summery!

The three rear pockets are like the Mary Poppins bag, the elastane/polyester mix material is brilliant for letting you stash a days worth of bars and gels, a gilet and some arm warmers. There is the added bonus of a zip pocket which unlike many other jerseys I’ve worn, is big enough to fit a phone and card in!

A traditional Polaris branded silicone gripper is used to keep the jersey in place over the shorts which works excellently. A full length zip, again in the contrasting duck egg blue, makes the jersey easy to put on and aids ventilation should it get too hot.

The Polaris slogan ‘Just add your bike’ features in numerous places, inside the shorts and on the arm of the jersey, it’s a nice finishing touch to add to the already great looking kit.

My Polaris Vela kit still looks and feels new after many rides which I am incredibly happy about!

Jersey: £49.99, available from Polaris.

Shorts: £54.99, available from Polaris.