by Endura MT500 Waterproof Jacket II
The MT500 is the label that Endura puts on their outerwear, built for the most extreme weather, which is evident when you pull on their second generation waterproof jacket. The feature-packed “MadeKind” construction uses waterproof zippers and taped seams throughout the ExoShell40D material, all for $229.99. There are zippered vents under the arms and on the sides of the chest for maximum air circulation, and the large hood can be pulled tightly down and also around the neck. Beneath the adjustable velcro cuffs, a stretchy lycra leg warmer helps lock in the elements, which also has a small zipped pocket for a lift ticket.
Endura MT500 Burner L/S Shirt and Pants
Burner seems like a fitting label for Endura’s downhill gear, as the fast members of the Atherton Racing team helped develop the series. Both the $89.99 shirt and $149.99 pants are loaded with technical features and multiple fabrics in all the right places. Waterproof material is used on the upper shoulders and arms of the shirt where you are most exposed, but there are small openings in the armpit area and lighter materials are used throughout the body. They’ve even slapped a little zippered pocket on the left arm for bike park passes.
Even though the Burner pant is gravity-focused, it’s flexible and light enough to find its way into trail rides. If you take a peek at the knee area, you’ll notice a lot of stitching that allows room for the larger knee pads to move underneath, but remains breathable thanks to the vents in the back. The waist has a zip fastening and ratchet fastening, which gives a little extra thanks to the stretchy end of the integrated belt. There are even snaps inside the waistband that can be attached to Endura’s Clickfast compatible liners.
Endura MT500 Thermal L/S II
The $139.99 MT500 Thermal isn’t just a casual layer to keep under a jacket or over a shirt before and after a ride. Small highlights like reflective logos, hidden zippers and silicone straps on the shoulders that keep the backpack in place are hidden in plain sight. The hood is also flexible enough to fit over a helmet either to line a shell jacket or to keep extra warmth in the parking lot.
Like all Endura clothing, they come with a 90-day satisfaction guarantee and fit a wide range of sizes from small to 3XL.
Giordana MTB clothing and bibs
New to the MTB scene is the popular Italian road cycling brand Giordana with the MTB ¾ sleeve shirt and FR-C shorts. As you might expect, both garments are minimalistic in weight. The t-shirt uses high transfer mesh with a relaxed fit and is priced at $100. There is no shortage of sizes or colors either; seven fits and eight colors, to be exact.
Matching the construction of the shirt are paper thin shorts that are without a doubt the lightest MTB shorts I’ve ever tried. Basically, if you’re just looking for a layer to cover up your lycra racing kit on days off, these are the ticket. At $195, they’re not cheap, but they have a few built-in features like a zippered card pocket on the right leg, welded cuffs, and an elasticated velcro behind the adjustable, Velcro-fastened waist.
Here’s one for you; Giordana claims that their ceramic base layer made with Resistex Bioceramic claims to reduce calorie consumption. Whether this is true or not, the top can be worn in either hot or cold climates to withstand warmer outdoor temperatures or to reflect heat in cooler times. The high-tech-looking base layer comes in six sizes from small to 3-XL, costs $80, and is made in Italy, like the rest of the high-end apparel.
Giordana may be best known for their quality bib shorts, and the cargo version of their FR-C Pro model is no exception. The wear-resistant High Compression (HC) 50 fabric is very comfortable and the upper bands do not use seams, as in thigh cuffs.
These $250 bibs have enough pockets to carry all day supplies, two on the back of the waist and one on each thigh. Inside, Giordana’s Cirro S chamois is infused with aloe vera for added comfort for long days in the saddle.
Scott Sports Trail Storm WP One Piece
Do you want to fight the worst climbing days, e-bike research missions or surviving enduro training? Scott created a full meal deal, the Storm WP One-Piece Shell to stay warm and dry in the atrocious conditions.
The splash suit construction with “DRYOsphere” 3L waterproof material is not too claustrophobic. The front of the jacket opens all the way down and opens. It is only attached to the back of the waist, where the spray is likely to come from. This design also allows the jacket to be neatly folded into a mesh pocket if you want to cool down quickly. The sides of each leg have a double-ended, full-length zipper that opens up to the hips, allowing you to step in and out of the garment without removing your shoes or adding a little ventilation. You’ll also find a zippered chest opening under the arms and velcro cuffs to adjust airflow.
The Storm WP One Piece is available in men’s and women’s cuts, priced at €399. A size six should cover most riders with a 28-38 inch waist, although it’s worth checking the Size Chart. For those who aren’t fans of the shimmery green tracksuit, there’s also a plain black option to fly under the radar.
Scott Sports Trail Storm WP Jacket and Pants
DRYOsphere might be the sharpest piece of marketing material to describe the material Scott Sports uses in its Trail Storm WP jacket and pants. This three-layer material has 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 flexibility as well.
Shaped for riding, the back hem is longer than the front and the Trail Storm WP jacket fits me exactly. The medium left space on the chest for the bottom layers and the arms were certainly long enough.
The same material is used in the lower part of the combination, with two hand pockets and two vents along the thighs without mesh. At the waist, a simple hook-and-loop fastener tucks into the sewn-in waistband to tighten it, and at the cuffs, these pants have no zipper, just a simple elastic.
The color options include either an 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 might end in the dark.
Scott Sports Storm hybrid pants
When the temperature drops below zero, the €140 Storm Hybrid Pants should work, as they are lined with soft fleece and are still waterproof. There is plenty of room around the knee for larger knee pads, and long-legged riders won’t get cold ankles thanks to the generous inseam. As with the regular Storm WP pants, there are two zipped pockets and two vents that open to access any base layer.
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