With its soft touch, four-way stretch material, the IXS Sever feels a lot like the Altura Attack 180 — it even has a similar 15in leg length and generous cut. The fabric has a climate control feature, which is a sort of ribbing on the inside to improve breathability and wicking. It’s also soft against the skin and surprisingly resistant to scuffs and dirt.

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The IXS Sever has heavy-duty poppers on the fly, with additional safety Velcro on the closing tab. Chunky waist adjusters get plenty of wrap-over, and the hand pockets are zipped for security.

Our writers’ bellies were no match for the heavy duty poppers

We’re not fans of the lower cargo pockets, but at least they don’t add bulk to the short. The Sever features crotch vents, for improved airflow when the heat rises. IXS doesn’t include a liner with this short, but it does offer one, which you can purchase for about £30.

As a standalone baggy, the Sever is expensive, but it does have a top quality construction and finish. It loses a mark simply because you can buy a similar quality short for about the same money, and get a liner included.

Find out what to look for in a short with our handy buyer’s guide