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Endura MT500 backpack

Haul cargo and water with added protection

Endura know their game when it comes to clothing, they’ve been doing it for years and doing it well. We check out their new MT500 backpack to see if it lives up to their reputation.

With Danny Macaskill now riding in Endura’s MT500 range, we’ve seen a brighter, revised look, which now includes a backpack as well as the well-regarded jacket we reviewed last year.

With the MT500 range Endura has definitely taken a look at the needs of the modern day trail and all-mountain rider. With looser fitting jerseys, liner shorts with leg protection and tough legwear fabrics all on the agenda, this kit is definitely worth a look.

Endura have two new mountainbike packs in their range, along with a roller kit bag that may be of interest for that summer roadtrip. The MT500 Enduro backpack is the star of the show though, so let’s take a look in detail at what it offers…

This pack is aimed at the rider who is out for anything between a few hours and all day. It has a total cargo capacity of 15 Litres (by comparison, the popular Camelbak Mule is 9 Litres) and has a large main compartment with a zipped front pockets and two others, on each side of the broad hip belt. So, plenty of storage for clothing and kit, with easy to access too. The bag we have has a sleeve and hose routing (both left and right) for a hydration system and you can buy this bag with a Hydrapak 3 litre reservoir included for an extra £20.

 

With ‘Enduro’ in the name, protection has been made a priority too, and Endura have considered this in two ways. First up is a removable spine protector which slides easily in and out of its own sleeve and measures 405mmx170mm. This protector is light, safety certified (to CE 1621-2 Level 2 standard) and constructed from Koroyd, a recycled polymer that has a very high impact absorption. We’ve seen this ‘drinking straw’ like material used before, on the Smith Forefront helmet in the 2016 Dirt 100.

If you’re carrying pads and helmet on a long-haul climb you can strap these on too. Pads can be attached securely to the base of the pack via two quick release adjustable straps. A helmet carry cradle is adjustable and Endura say will carry both a trail and full-face helmet. We feel that a full-face lid may be a bit of a squeeze, especially when the pack is fully loaded but we’ll check this out with various sizes.

This MT500 pack is very well detailed and has a real quality feel to it, from top to bottom. The pre-shaped shoulder straps and back are made from a light yet highly breathable 3D foam with a tough mesh cover. Air can freely circulate within the channels between the foam pads and weight is kept low and comfort maintained, even on long rides in hot weather. A broad waist/hip belt and height adjustable sternum strap keep the pack restrained and the extra width of the bag adds further stability, an issue on some smaller bags when heavily loaded.

Endura have used top grade fabrics on this bag, they look built to last and should shrug off most weather. A lightweight ripstop Polyester fabric is used on the main body and pockets, with a tougher wipe-down PVC material on the base to give added durability and lifespan. It looks like a good blend.

A very well thought through bag with great details and additional back protection. If you’re using a smaller pack and are looking for more capacity without compromising on comfort or weight, this MT500 Enduro should be on your list.

PRICE: £99.99 or £119.99 with Hydrapak bladder

www.endurasport.com

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