Showers Pass Men’s Scout Shirt Short Sleeve

The Showers Pass Scout Shirt is a sharp-looking option for hitting the trails, lanes or cafés. Part-merino, with two pockets and reinforced bits, it's likely to be a warm-weather favourite – just check the sizing lest ye Hulk-out the look.

• Pros: Casual design doesn't scream 'cyclist', while tech bits work on the bike, very fast to dry
• Cons: Size is a bit out – comes up small, defo order larger

Warm weather means cruising to a country pub or café, looking sharp and not arriving a sweaty mess. Maybe via a favourite trail, or a few choice lanes. If that's your bag, then the Scout shirt might be what you need. Made from a merino-synthetic blend (30% baa-baa), the fabric is super-light and ever-so-slightly translucent in the reviewed 'Glacier Grey' colour.

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The standout tech features are the shoulder gussets with inlaid mesh panels, and the stretchy knit underarm panels. My only gripe with the design is the darker underarm colour here, which does seem to me to draw the eye to what could be a sweaty patch if you've been warm for a bit. (It looks to be slightly less obvious in the darker 'Dark Shadow' option.)

The shoulder gussets allow for comfort on a dropped-bar bike while not having to look baggy when upright. Often, fitted cycling clothes aren't that comfy upright whereas the Scout needs to work in all situations, hence needing the articulation which also doubles as cooling vents across your back. They're pretty much invisible off the bike.

The snap buttons are set into a reinforced strip of material, and are easily opened or closed one-handed: handy when on the bike. The same material reinforces the V-cut at the hip for leg articulation. The hem's ever-so-slightly lower at the back, and there's a wallet-and-mobile-size hidden zipped pocket on the right.

The chest pocket is perfectly positioned for sunglasses when reaching the bar. A small reflective tag rounds out the features at the lower left hem.

Fit-wise it was a bit on the snug side – my 38in chest should be more than accommodated for by the reviewed Medium, which is listed as 40-42in – but standing straight, the buttons over the sternum were ever-so-slightly stressed, meaning the front overlap didn't sit flat. Also the feel around the shoulders and back was snugger than you'd expect for a casual shirt like this. Definitely go a size larger. This fit seems an anomaly, as other Showers Pass kit has been bang on chest size for me. (It's not me in the photos.)

On a bike – mountain bike, Dutch or road – the Scout ticks the boxes you'd expect: feels great, breathes well, doesn't flap, easily opened or closed as needed. Off the bike it's a good look and ideal for kicking back getting rays in a pub garden (okay, next year maybe).

The value of being able to make that transition from decent bike ride to town and back in both comfort and style is entirely in the eye of the beholder. A 100% cotton shirt would likely take a while to dry out, due to work effort or if you get caught in a bit of rain en route. The Scout will be dry in minutes, assuming you got sweaty in the first place. Having someplace secure to stash wallet, phone and keys is a bonus, as is a pocket for sunnies.

> Buyer's Guide: The best casual cycling kit for commuting

Is it worth £65? You can certainly spend less on 'a shirt', but I doubt it would meet the spec here (Rapha's Air Cotton Shirt is £85). Showers Pass excels at making functional, good-looking premium kit, and the Scout ticks those boxes. Just watch the fit.

Verdict

A great-looking casual shirt with a bunch of bike-tech features to aid comfort