ENDURA TRAIL GEAR
The tag says, ‘Born in Scotland, Ridden Worldwide’ and the Endura brand lives up to this mantra with their clothing found on many riders from professionals to weekend warriors. Their top-tier sponsorship of the Movistar road cycling team gives them incredible insight into the function of cycling kit. On the mountain bike, they sponsor none other than Danny MacAskill, and getting feedback on how kit performs from the most agile rider on the planet must come in handy. First up to test was the SingleTrack line of shirts and shorts. This trail designed line-up has been created for all-day backcountry adventures as much as the post-work spin. Integration is key for Endura, and the SingleTrack line of shirts and shorts has been developed to complement each other.
SINGLETRACK PRINT T
This trail shirt is made to fit loosely on the skin to accommodate armour - while not being too baggy. The fit was true to size and the loose feeling was aided by the super lightweight fabric. It’s a fast wicking fabric that proved itself out on the trail even in hot temperatures. A great point was the quality of the finish. The stitching was top quality, particularly around the neck and collar. The collar and shoulders seemed to keep the top section of the shirt in place both on the bike and at the coffee shop, which was great.
SINGLETRACK III SHORT
These shorts are made from a tough Cordura nylon fabric that feels like plastic fabric. It’s not a bad feel though and sits comfortably on the skin and offers a lot of protection. The front and lower back panels feature this tougher fabric while the side and top back feature a much stretchier fabric that allows the shorts to move with the leg while pedalling. There are thigh vents added to aid in ventilation, and as with the shirt, there is great stitching across the seams. The regular pockets on the front are joined by two vertical pockets on the thighs that don’t seem very secure at first - but throughout the test they proved a perfect pocket for multi tools and food. The shorts also feature Endura’s Clickfast system that allows the shorts to connect via buttons to the bib liner. I didn’t find the system particularly necessary, nor especially intuitive to use though. The fit of the shorts was so good and with the side Velcro straps that adjust the waist, I didn’t find I needed any further support. Overall, although the shorts aren’t made from the most comfortable fabric, they do offer great protection and an awesome fit.
SINGLETRACK BIB LINER
To go with the shorts, the SingleTrack line also features a bib-and-brace liner to go under the shorts to increase comfort. The
liner isn’t a traditional bib short as it’s made from a very light and breathable mesh fabric, which is great as a comfort base layer. The liner uses a comfortable padded chamois under your bum, and smooth leg grippers. The liner also features two pockets with a gel pocket on the leg and main pocket at the rear. The gel pocket is narrow but has enough support to carry a CO2 cartridge with relative comfort. The rear pocket isn’t overly deep, though it did hold a tube and phone securely for the test. Overall, the liner was a great addition to the set and opened options for carrying more stuff easily, which can be a pain on trail rides.
MT500 PRINT SHIRT
This long sleeve jersey is much like the SingleTrack shirt and features longer sleeves for more aggressive riding. The fabric is the light and fast wicking fabric of the short sleeve version but is still thick enough to provide some warmth on cold days. The ‘loose not baggy’ fit continues down the arm and there is plenty of room for elbow pads while not being too floppy. The tapered wrist keeps the bottom of the sleeve away from the hands, which is a great addition. Overall, the long sleeve looks great with a fit to match.
HITS
- Thorough thought to design
and materials - High on useful and simple
features, low on fuss
MISSES
- Shorts material was odd at first
RRP:
SingleTrack Print T - $69.95 SingleTrack III Short – $129.95 SingleTrack Bib Liner – $99.95 MT500 Print Shirt – $79.95 FROM: Advance Traders