The Herald - The Herald Magazine

ENDURA PRO SL 3-SEASON JACKET

- SEAN DIMMOCK

What is it?

A road cycling jacket designed for use in autumn, winter and spring.

Good points?

Knowing what to wear on a cycle, particular­ly at this time of year, can be tricky. Irish cycling legend Sean Kelly famously followed the mantra that less is best when it came to piling on multiple layers as, in his view, you would soon heat up if you pedalled hard enough.

But that is not always strictly practical, especially when factoring in rain and wind chill. Livingston-based Endura has tackled this dilemma by developing the Pro SL 3-Season Jacket with the help of former German pro rider Marcel Kittel, a winner of 14 Tour de France stages.

The outer shell is made from highstretc­h, waterproof membrane fabrics to help keep you dry and snug in dreich weather, while also targeting cooling ventilatio­n towards key areas around the upper body. The lightweigh­t, detachable vest can be worn to give additional insulation on chillier days.

This is a winning combinatio­n for those who hate the sticky, boil-in-a-bag feel of traditiona­l waterproof garments. Breathabil­ity is excellent. Meanwhile, the jacket lining is soft and remains pleasant against your skin, even as you start to build up a sweat.

Bad points?

Although the importance of comfort can’t be overstated, some may initially baulk at the price. But, after tallying the potential cost of three separate jackets, it may not seem quite as unreasonab­le.

Best for ...

Those long seeking the elusive holy grail of a decent cycling jacket that can be worn pretty much all-year round in Scotland.

Avoid if ...

You are fairly new to cycling and aren’t sure yet if it’s a flash in the pan hobby.

Score: 9/10.

Endura Pro SL 3-Season Jacket, £179.99 (enduraspor­t.com)

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 ?? ?? Neil McIntyre captured this quintessen­tial Scottish scene: a stag, a loch and mountains
Neil McIntyre captured this quintessen­tial Scottish scene: a stag, a loch and mountains

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