Endura MT500 Waterproof Jacket II
MT500 is the label that Endura applies to its outerwear that is built for the most extreme weather, which is evident when you pull on their second generation waterproof jacket. Loaded with features, the “MadeKind” construction uses water-resistant zippers and taped seams throughout the ExoShell40D material, all for the price of $229.99. Under the arms and along the sides of the chest there are zippered vents for maximum airflow and the large hood can be pulled down tightly and around the neck too. Down by the adjustable velcro cuffs, a stretchy lycra gaiter helps lock out the elements where there’s also a small zipped storage pocket for a lift pass.
Endura MT500 Burner L/S shirt and pants
Burner seems an appropriate label for Endura’s downhill clothing, as the speedy members of the Atherton Racing team helped develop the kit. Both the $89.99 jersey and $149.99 pants are loaded with technical features and multiple fabrics in all the right places. Across the shoulders and down the arms of the shirt, a water-repellent material is used where you are most exposed, but there are small vents in the armpit and lighter material is used throughout the main body. They’ve even snuck in a small zippered pocket on the left arm for bike park passes.
Although the Burner pants are gravity focused, they are flexible and light enough to take on hiking trips. If you take a look at the knee area, you’ll notice lots of stitching that gives way to larger knee pads to move under but remains breathable due to vents on the back. Along the waist is a fly with a zip and hook closure with some feel, thanks to the stretchy end of the integrated belt. There are even snaps inside the waistband to attach to Endura’s Clickfast compatible liner.
Endura MT500 Thermal L/S II
Under a jacket to hold or on top of a jersey for pre- and post-ride, the $139.99 MT500 Thermal isn’t just an everyday layer. Little highlights like reflective logos, stash zippers and silicone shoulder straps to keep a backpack in place are hiding in plain sight. The hood is also stretchy enough to fit over a helmet to either line a shell jacket or keep in some extra warmth in the parking lot.
Like all of Endura’s clothing, there’s a 90-day satisfaction guarantee and fits a variety of sizes with sizes ranging from small to 3XL.
Giordana MTB clothing and bibs
New to the MTB scene is popular Italian road bike brand Giordana with their MTB ¾-sleeve jersey and FR-C shorts. As you might expect, both garments are on the minimalist side in terms of weight. The jersey uses a high-transport mesh with a relaxed fit and costs $100. There’s no shortage of sizes or colors either; seven fits and eight colors, to be exact.
Matching the jersey’s construction are the paper-thin shorts, which are without a doubt the lightest MTB shorts I’ve ever tried. Basically, if you’re looking for just one layer to cover your lycra race kit on days off, this is the ticket. At $195, they don’t come cheap, but there are some built-in features like a zippered card pocket on the right leg, welded cuffs, and an elasticated gripper on the back of the adjustable Velcro waist closure.
Here’s one for you; Giordana claims that their ceramic base layer, made with Resistex Bioceramic, claims to reduce calorie consumption. Whether true or not, the top can be worn in either hot or cold climates to withstand warmer outdoor temperatures or reflect heat in colder times. The high-tech base layer comes in six sizes from small to 3-XL, costs $80, and is made in Italy, just like the rest of their high-end clothing.
Giordana are perhaps best known for their high quality bib shorts and the cargo version of their FR-C Pro model is no exception. The abrasion-resistant High Compression (HC) 50 fabric is extremely comfortable and the upper bands use no seams, just like the cuffs.
There are enough pockets on these $250 bibs to carry a full day’s supplies with two on the back of the waist and one on each thigh. Inside, Giordana’s Cirro S suede is infused with aloe vera for added comfort during long days in the saddle.
Scott Sports Trail Storm WP One Piece
Thinking of battling the most miserable lift days, e-bike exploration quests or surviving enduro race training? Scott created the full meal offering, the Storm WP One-Piece Shell to stay warm and dry in terrible conditions.
Backed by a ‘DRYOsphere’ 3L waterproof material, the wetsuit’s construction is not too claustrophobic. The front of the jacket is pulled up all the way down and opened up. It’s just attached around the back of the waist where the spray is likely to come from. This design also allows the jacket to fold neatly into a mesh pocket if you need to cool off quickly. Along the sides of each leg is a double-sided, full-length zipper that opens up to the hips, so you can step in and out of the garment without removing your shoes, or add some extra ventilation. You’ll also find a zippered chest vent under the sleeves and velcro cuffs to bring in airflow.
There are men’s and women’s cuts available in the Storm WP One Piece, which costs €399. Six sizes should cover most riders between 28 and 38” waists, although it is worth skimming the size chart. For those who aren’t fans of the shimmery green tracksuit, there’s also a simple black option to fly under the radar.
Scott Sports Trail Storm WP Jacket and Pants
DRYOsphere might just be the sharpest marketing to describe the material Scott Sports uses for its Trail Storm WP Jacket and Pants. The three-layer material achieves a water resistance of 10,000 mm per 10,000 g/m2/24h and is coated with a PFC-free DWR spray. It is also said to be durable and offers some stretch as well.
Cut to fit for riding, the back hem is longer than the front and the Trail Storm WP jacket fits me exactly. The medium left some room in the chest for base layers and the arms were certainly long enough.
The lower half of the combo uses the same material with two hand pockets and two vents along the thigh with no mesh underneath. At the waist a simple hook buckle feeds into a sewn waistband to tie up and along the cuff, there is no zipper on these pants, just a simple elastic.
As for colors, there’s either the Aruba green pattern or a soft yellow and black option. All zips are waterproof and both the €230 top and €150 bottom have reflective logos to keep you visible on rides that could end in the dark.
Scott Sports Storm Hybrid Pants
When the temperature drops below zero degrees, the €140 Storm Hybrid Pants should do the trick as they are lined with a soft fleece and are still waterproof. There’s plenty of room around the knee for more volume knee pads and long-legged riders won’t be left with cold ankles, thanks to their generous inseams. Like the regular Storm WP pants, there are two zippered pockets and two vents that open up to access all the base layers.
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