Endura MT500 II Waterproof Jacket
MT500 is the label Endura puts on their outerwear designed for the most extreme weather conditions, which is evident when you put on their second generation waterproof jacket. Loaded with features, the “MadeKind” construction uses water-resistant zippers and taped seams throughout ExoShell40D material, all for the price of $229.99. Under the arms and along the sides of the chest are zipped vents for maximum air circulation and the large hood can also be pulled tightly down and around the neck. At the velcro adjustable cuffs, a stretch lycra gaiter helps lock in the elements where there is also a small zipped pocket for a lift ticket.
Endura MT500 Burner L/S jersey and pants
Burner seems like a fitting label for Endura’s line of downhill apparel, since the fast-moving members of the Atherton Racing team helped develop the kit. The $89.99 jersey and $149.99 pants are packed with technical features and multiple fabrics in all the right places. On the top of the shoulders and along the arms of the jersey, water resistant material is used where you are most exposed, however there are small vents in the armpit area and lighter materials are used in the whole main body. They even slipped a small zippered pocket on the left arm for bike park passes.
Even though the Burner pants are all about gravity, they’re flexible and light enough to find your way on hikes. If you take a look at the knees, you’ll notice plenty of seams allow the larger knee pads to move underneath while still being breathable thanks to the vents in the back. Along the waist there is a zip fly and ratchet closure with some flexibility, thanks to the stretch end of the integrated waistband. There are even snaps inside the waistband to clip them into Endura’s Clickfast compatible liners.
Endura MT500 Thermal L/S II
Under a jacket to keep or over a jersey before and after rides, the $139.99 MT500 Thermal isn’t just a casual layer. Small highlights such as reflective logos, concealed zippers and silicone strips on the shoulders to hold a backpack in place hide in plain sight. The hood is also stretchy enough to fit over a helmet, either to line an outer jacket or to lock in some extra warmth in the parking lot.
Like all Endura garments, there is a 90-day satisfaction guarantee and fits a wide variety of sizes from small to 3XL.
Giordana MTB clothing and bib shorts
New to the mountain bike scene is renowned Italian road cycling brand, Giordana, with their ¾ sleeve MTB jersey and FR-C shorts. As you’d expect, both garments are pretty minimal in terms of weight. The jersey uses a high-wicking mesh with a relaxed fit and retails for $100. Sizes and colors are not lacking either; seven cuts and eight colors, to be exact.
The ultra-thin shorts match the construction of the jersey, which are without a doubt the lightest MTB shorts I’ve ever tried. Basically, if you’re just looking for a layer to cover your lycra race kit on days off, this is the ticket. For $195, they aren’t cheap, but there are a few built-in features like a zippered map pocket on the right leg, taped cuffs, and an elastic gripper at the back of the Velcro-fastening adjustable waistband.
Here’s one for you; Giordana claims that their ceramic basecoat, made with Resistex Bioceramic, claims to reduce calorie consumption. Whether this is true or not, the top can be worn in hot or cold climates to withstand hotter outdoor temperatures or reflect heat in cooler times. The high-tech-looking base layer comes in six sizes between small and 3-XL, costs $80, and is made in Italy, like the rest of their high-end apparel.
Giordana is perhaps best known for its high quality bib shorts and the cargo version of its 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, as do the thigh cuffs.
There are enough pockets on these $250 bibs to carry a full day’s worth of supplies with 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 on long days in the saddle.
Scott Sports Trail Storm WP One Piece Jersey
Looking to battle the most miserable elevation days, e-bike exploration missions or surviving enduro race drives? Scott created the complete mealtime offering, the Storm WP One-Piece Shell to stay warm and dry in horrific conditions.
Backed by 3L “DRYOsphere” waterproof material, the construction of the splash suit isn’t too claustrophobic. The front of the jacket unzips completely and opens. It is only attached at the back of the waist, where the jet is likely to come from. This design also allows the jacket to pack neatly into a mesh pocket if you need to freshen up quickly. Along the sides of each leg is a full-length, double-ended zipper that opens to the hips, allowing you to get in and out of the garment without removing your shoes or adding extra ventilation. You’ll also find zipped ventilation on the chest under the arms and velcro cuffs to dial in the airflow.
There are both men’s and women’s cuts available in the One Piece Storm WP, which costs $399. Six sizes should cover most riders between 28 and 38 inches in height, although it’s worth skimming over the size chart. For those not fans of the shimmering green tracksuit, there’s also a solid black option to fly under the radar.
Scott Sports Trail Storm WP Jacket and Pants
DRYOsphere might just be the sharpest piece of marketing to describe the material Scott Sports uses for their Trail Storm WP jacket and pants. This three-layer material achieves a waterproof rating 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 also offers some stretch.
Cut to ride, the back hem is longer than the front and the Trail Storm WP Jacket fits me perfectly. The medium left room in the chest for base layers and the arms were definitely 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-and-loop closure feeds a sewn-in waistband to cinch and along the cuff, there’s no zipper on these pants, just simple elastic.
In terms of colorways, there’s either the Aruba green pattern or a mellow yellow and black option. All zippers are water resistant and the $230 top and $150 bottom feature reflective logos to keep you visible on rides that might end up in the dark.
Scott Sports Storm Hybrid Pants
When the temperature dips below freezing, the $140 Storm Hybrid Pants should do the trick as they’re lined with soft fleece and still waterproof. There’s plenty of room around the knee for bulkier knee pads and long-legged riders won’t get cold ankles, thanks to their generous inseam. Like the classic Storm WP pant, there are two zipped pockets and two vents that open to access all base layers.
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