Best textile trousers on a budget

Q. After 28 years off bikes I have decided to go back to riding. A lot has changed in this time and I need some advice.

I am thinking of buying a pair of textile trousers with a limited budget of £75, but I’m not sure what to look for, as this type of clothing is new to me. Can you give me some ideas at what would be best in my budget.
Stephen Price, email

A. The main priority is the same as it ever was, the fit. You might want to wear them all year round in which case room for thermal leggings is good, but the main thing is that they are comfortable when you are on your bike, stretching forwards to the bars with your knees tucked up on the footpegs, so adopt a ‘riding crouch’ when you try them on.

If you haven’t got the budget for a combined outfit that zips together, and there’s a gap between the trousers and any jacket you have, it might be better to go for salopettes as you will have a good overlap around the kidney area which will help you keep warm too.

Beyond that you should be looking for claimed 100 per cent waterproof; CE-approved body armour fitted at the knees, perhaps with the facility for hip armour too; a detachable inner lining for summer use; stretch panelling so they are comfortable on the bike, but you don’t have a crotch round your knees off it; and reflective panels for extra visability.

There are Spada Mito trousers on the MCN shop (www.mcnshop.com) that are bang on budget at £74.95 or the George White clearance sale has some great bargains.

Finally, there’s Hein Gericke’s own brand clothing, which is available in their wide range of shops so you can try before you buy.