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Kitbag – Endura winter 2017/18

UK designed technical riding clobber and kit - stay out on the hill in the cold and wet

It’s getting nasty out there… winter has set in and we’re up against the cold, wet and windy weather. The trails are riddled with puddles and getting filthy. We look at the latest winter kit and protection from Scottish brand Endura.

Words: Sean White  Images: Dirt

ENDURA WINTER 2017/18

With a location just outside Edinburgh and a stone’s throw from the wilds of the highlands as well as the 7stanes trail centres, the test team at Endura have ideal testing grounds for product development. With Danny MacAskill on board as a brand ambassador, his feedback has played a big part in the latest mountainbike kit from this 25-year-old brand. Endura say it has ‘a no-nonsense commitment to advancing the performance and function of cycle apparel’. When you’re wanting to ride – regardless of challenging weather – the function and performance (along with the latest fabric technology) of the latest riding kit should keep you out there. Here we check out some key products from Endura’s latest winter range.

ENDURA MT500 WATERPROOF PULLOVER

The full-zip version of this waterproof was launched back in the autumn of 2016 and was an evolution of a true favourite. The original MT500 was (and still is) a jacket that we turned to for both high mountain adventures as well as truly wet days knocking out trail centre loops. Tough, reliably waterproof and with all the features we look for in a four season hard-shell jacket. Here’s a quote from one of our previous testers:

“This one is just never going to fail me. It’ll keep out the heaviest of rain and retain warmth in the depths of winter. With zippers and pockets galore this jacket is also the most tailor–able and versatile out there. I love it.”

The MkII version raised the game, with a great fit, Endura’s incredibly breathable Exoshell 60 fabric (64000g/m²/24hrs) and sorted ventilation control. Now Endura has launched a limited edition pullover version of this jacket – a style that’s popular with British outdoor brands such as Buffalo Systems, Montane and Paramo. The Exoshell 60 3-ply fabric and fully taped seams remain, as does the excellent hood. So why go for a pullover? Surely a full-zip jacket is more user friendly?

With long two-way waterproof side zips that run from hem to almost the elbow ventilation is as good as it gets. There’s an added benefit though – unzip one side and this pullover is easy to put on and remove. The lack of a full zip results in an uncluttered front of the garment, feels less bulky and a touch more comfortable. Zip it back up, adjust the drawcord hem and you’re sealed in against the elements. With a full ‘kangaroo’ front pocket and a smaller zipped phone pocket this jacket also performs well when off the bike. Other details are all up to Endura’s usual standards – silicone pack strap grippers on the shoulders, internal insulating stretch cuffs and excellent hood adjustment are all good to see.

Highly breathable, storm proof, as tough as they come and at around 500g it’s a good weight for the protection it offers. This MT500 shell is certainly not cheap but we’ve big respect for the full-zip jacket and this pullover version looks an interesting alternative.

Khaki or Black, S – XXL.

WEIGHT: 512g (Size XL)

PRICE: £189.99

ENDURA MTR PRIMALOFT JACKET

New this winter and available in this stealthy all black colour or a brighter black/blue option is this versatile insulated jacket. If you like to have the right kit for every type of weather condition then this specialist piece of clothing may well hit the spot. So what is it and when will you use it?

Endura’s latest MTR jacket is for cold weather use, when staying warm on the bike can be a challenge. When riding in a hard shell waterproof to keep out the wind and cold, it’s almost a certainty that moisture will build up on the inside of the jacket. Rarely a problem when riding along but when stopped (waiting for the uplift, a mechanical issue or general group faffing…) you can cool down rapidly. A polyester jersey below will be saturated with sweat and can chill you rapidly. Here Endura uses a lightweight Primaloft synthetic insulation to trap the heat and in a similar manner to the Fox Attack Pro Fire jacket aims to keep you comfortable whether on the move or stationary. We’ve been riding in this jacket with either a long sleeve trail jersey or poly/merino base layer beneath and found that when temperatures remained below 10°C overheating was not a problem and comfort was both high and consistent.

The body of the jacket has been cleverly panelled with different face fabrics. Tougher stretch material on the sleeves gives added durability, and light weight fabric covers the upper part of the main torso with perforation on the back panels to aid breathability if you’re not wearing a pack.

It’s a good fit, treading the line between casual (we’ve used it off the bike as a post-ride insulator) and a performance fit. Endura has been making jackets for many years now and it shows in the cut of this MTR number. The fit is ‘true to size’ with a good length to the arms.

A chunky full length front zip runs well even in the filth allowing quick dumping of warm air on climbs and hidden pit zips give additional temperature regulation when needed. There are plenty of useful features – front zipped handwarmer pockets, a roll-away lightweight hood and silicone strap grippers on the shoulders are all well placed. Is anything missing? Well maybe a phone pocket on the chest and some adjustment to the cuffs? Otherwise it’s spot on in terms of design.

At 541g for a size XL jacket this is a piece of kit you’ll be wearing not carrying, in most cases. I’m sold on it for cold days when a damp chill hangs in the air but I’ve also chucked it in the car to put on after a ride. One of those products that I didn’t know I needed but now feels an essential addition to my winter kit bag.

Black or Black/Blue, S – XXL.

WEIGHT: 541g (Size XL)

PRICE: £124.99

SINGLETRACK TROUSERS:

I’m new to wearing full trousers for trail riding, so was curious to see how Endura’s Singletrack pants fitted and performed. The combo of shorts, knee pads and socks usually does the job for me, with a tougher and heavier duty short put into action for the winter – with something like Fly Racing’s Radium shorts hitting the spot.

These Singletrack trousers have had a full re-vamp for this winter and both the details and fit seem to be dialled. Roomy around the thigh but closer fitting below the knee, they had an instantly good feel. There are adjustment tabs on the waist to tweak them in and stretch panels at the front of the thighs and below the rear waistline to aid with unrestricted movement when in the saddle. Kneepads are accommodated for well, with ribbed stretch ‘moto pant’ style fabric panels giving excellent articulation with or without protection below. Soft trail pads fit easily but try before you buy if yours are the bulkier hard-cap style. Ventilation zips and twin zipped hand pockets are enough details without going over board and keep these trousers relatively light at 350g. Tough and breathable, these pants are built to go the distance and with the light water repellent DWR coating will shrug off light rain and water from the trail.

Black, S-XXL

WEIGHT: 350g (Size Large)

PRICE: £79.99

STRIKE II WATERPROOF GLOVES

Fully waterproof gloves are not high on my list, especially for fast riding when bar feel is paramount and you can’t compromise for the sake of keeping dry. However, these Endura Strike gloves aren’t too bulky and with the cold snap we’ve recently experienced have been put to test. Yes, they’re not going to give you the dexterity of a trail or DH glove but when your riding is more exposed (windswept hillsides and the like) and the weather is cold or wet (or both…) then you’ll be pleased to be dry. I say dry but even with a waterproof and windproof membrane, moisture will eventually work its way down your wrist and inside the glove, even with the adjustment strap cinched in. For us here at Dirt, a lower bulk, unpadded palm would improve bar feel but if you want serious weather protection this is not a huge compromise to make.

Black or Black/Yellow, XS – XXL

PRICE: £32.99

OTHER ENDURA KIT SHOWN:

MT500 HELMET:

Endura’s top-of-the-range lightweight trail/enduro helmet using Koroyd technology. Check out Dirt’s first look at this lid HERE.

White, Mango, Navy, Black, S-M, M-L, L-XL

PRICE: £149.99

HUMMVEE HELMET

If you’re after an affordable helmet from trail riding then the Hummvee helmet is an absolute bargain. Lightweight at only 285g (size M-L), with 19 vents and a one piece removable anti-bacterial liner, this is a comfortable lid that stays in place with a solidly made retention system. Sure, it doesn’t have an adjustable peak/visor but what can you expect for a touch over £40? The Hummvee helmet is covered by Endura’s Crash Replacement Policy.

White, Orange, Matt Black, Grey, Bright Green, S-M, M-L, L-XL

PRICE: £42.99

MTR KNEE GUARDS:

As with the MT500 helmet, these MTR knee pads use Koroyd tech to give protection that is lightweight and highly breathable. Three sizes should cover most height riders. We have these on long term test so we’ll keep you posted with our opinion.

Black/Green, S-M, M-L, L-XL

PRICE: £69.99

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