endura hebridean review ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................

endura stealth waterproof tights | endura baabaa baselayer
endura road overshoes | endura lobster winter gloves | halcyon merino jersey
the inevitable wet weather update ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................

endura venturi e|vent jacket

endura venturi jacket

softshell jackets are flavour of the month, but there's nothing wrong with a hardshell - or perhaps a harder shell, as would be a more apt name for them. many cycle clothing purveyors prefer to offer a lightweight stowaway type waterproof that would fit in a rear pocket, particularly those aiming specifically at the road market. the 'harder shell' jacket is almost conspicuous by its absence. but at this time of year, when you're likely to be out for a number of hours in less than clement weather, one jacket that pretty much does it all, may just be the ideal garment to own.

endura's venturi event jacket seems to tick all the boxes: it's windproof, waterproof, breathable, rather stylish and quite reasonably priced when it comes time to hand over the folding stuff. all the seams are tape sealed and, according to a bright orange embroidered logo on the right sleeve, made from event breathable fabric. according to endura's catalogue and website, the jacket can be had in black/grey (tested) or blue/grey.

there always seems to be a bit of a discrepancy between what some of us consider to be a jacket, and the definition by those in marketing. endura and i apparently agree over this one: their 'hardshell' at least is designed to be worn over a jersey, plus perhaps, a baselayer (more on the latter anon). being a particularly average cyclist in every which way, the review jacket was a medium and, as such, was a baggier fit that those of us of a roadie persuasion are perhaps used to. this is in no way a criticism - it's not baggy in an excessive way, and it certainly doesn't flap in the wind the way one of my previous waterproofs used to. maybe a more apt description would be roomy. the full length front zip is shielded from the elements by a velcro fastening stormflap, while the two side pockets, the concealed chest pocket and the single rear pocket employ ykk matt waterproof zips. similar, in fact to those employed in many of the current crop of softshells, including endura's own stealth jacket.

endura venturi jacket

the concealed chest pocket (they're not kidding, i nearly missed it entirely) is deeper than it looks and is equipped with an internal 'slot' to allow a pair of ipod headphones to reach your ears from the inside. the collar is equipped with something i haven't seen before: a toggled drawstring operated from the rear, allowing the collar to be pulled close to the neck and preventing ingress of any element that seeks access (we're talking rain here). the base of the jacket also bears a couple of toggled drawstrings to keep it close at the other end. the bottom rear is cut longer to protect your butt, and the attention to detail stretches to providing somewhere to attach a flashing led rear light. while this may be a throwback to the now surpassed legislation that required a flashing rear light to be only attached to clothing and not the bicycle itself, it's still a welcome thought.

now that you've had the guided tour, i'd love to give you an in-depth review of the venturi's undoubted weather proofing, but unfortunately, the law according to sod intervened on my designated test day. due to a total lack of precipitation i remained disappointingly dry. what's a guy to do? i did wear the jacket on a very wet, but short walk across the village earlier in the week, and arrived home palpably dry, but walking a couple of kilometres is hardly the same as a 65km bicycle ride so, if you'll pardon the pun, i'll need to take a rain check on that.

endura venturi jacket

a quick poll of available cyclists confirms that we generally reckon breathable cycle jackets are all mouth and no trousers. it's hard to find a so-called breathable fabric that can keep up with the rate of perspiration engendered by a honed athlete such as myself (stop sniggering at the back). since my current training regime requires that i keep below an average 130bpm heartrate, i didn't quite give the venturi the workout that would push it to unheard of levels, (who am i kidding?) but i did remain remarkably comfortable throughout my three hour exploration of argyll and bute roads department's craftsmanship. when it rains hard, i'll go a bit quicker and we'll find out. the perfect way to announce the probability of an update.

the endura venturi event jacket retails at £149.99 ($299.99) and can be obtained from your nearest endura or endurasport dealer.

posted on saturday 19 january

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endura stealth waterproof bib tights

endura stealth bib tights

until i was made aware of these, this was an unrecognised gap in an ostensibly complete cycle clothing wardrobe. much like most other cyclists of whichever discipline, i have waterproof tops (see above), waterproof gloves, waterproof caps, waterproof overshoes, but all my legwear would happily soak up any water that reached its collective surfaces. and while endura are not alone in providing waterproof legwear, they may be the only ones with tights that are waterproof and windproof all over - back and front.

as the saying goes, however, it's not possible to make an omelette without breaking eggs - the toray entrant material employed to construct the bib tights isn't quite as flexible as your average pair of roubaix backed winter tights. this restricted flexibility isn't aided by the surprisingly thick fleece back that lines the seat and legs. if i'm making these sound like a pair of concrete leggings then i apologise - they're nowhere near that degree of rigidity, but they are a bit more restrictive than the lycra norm. and always remember that these are a brand new, out of the polythene bag pair of tights, and as with most items of clothing, it's highly likely that the material will 'bed in' through repeated use.

sizing of cycle tights is not consistent across all manufacturers, mores the pity, so it's always necessary to check before ordering. some measure by height (though i can't figure out how that ever works) and i would imagine that sizing by waist makes the more sense, though since anything with bibs is going to have to reconcile both measurements, it can't be easy. endura's tights are sized by waist, and since i measure 30" in that department, endura sent me size small. in keeping with at least one other brand that i own, this almost made me think i had erred when ordering - the tights were difficult to get on, though the relative inflexibility of the fabric probably didn't help. however, i prefer shorts and tights to be a snug fit - far more comfortable over a long distance than those that fit a bit less so. fitting is aided by a waterproof zip at the ankle of each leg which also has the great advantage of allowing them to be fitted over a pair of waterproof overshoes (see next chapter) instead of the more usual inside. it's also worth mentioning that these tights have no 'chamois' pad, and require to be worn over a pair of shorts. just the way i like it.

endura stealth bib tights

the thick, grey fleece lining makes these cosy beyond belief - most of my other tights are roubaix fabric which by definition, are fleece backed. these would scare the heck out of roubaix fabric. each leg is emblazoned with a large reflective endura logo, as well as reflective strips at the back of each leg and all seams are comprehensively tape sealed. the bibs aren't quite so crinkly; in fact there's a mesh panel on the back and the straps seem to be regular lycra. once on, there's a zipped front panel from waist to navel. if you read this review on saturday, you would have noticed that i thought i had a problem with the zip on these tights. however, after wearing them for a 73km ride on sunday, the problem seems to have gone away, and may well have been due to the limited stretch of the material first time on. suffice to say, i now have no quibbles with the fit of the tights - put it down to pilot error.

the only 'problem' is with reference to the toray entrant fabric above. because it's thicker and less flexible than usual, there's slight 'bunching' behind each knee while cycling. again this is only an irritant and not something that was agonisingly noticeable throughout my 65km ride, and in mitigation, endura did advise me of this during preliminary discussions. with reference the venturi jacket review above, i failed miserably to get the stealth tights wet. endura stealth bib tights but it was an informative ride nonetheless, since these would be the legwear of choice if rain was expected at anytime during a winter training ride - it's not fun getting caught in torrential rain when a considerable number of kilometres from home, but unless the tights are comfortable to wear at all times, they probably won't be worn at all.

well, they're as comfortable as the fabric will allow, and while comparison with roubaix fabric is a mite pointless, i for one would be more than happy to don these at the merest hint of precipitation. their breathability and windproofing makes them an excellent choice, even in relatively mild weather, and combined with all the other items on this page makes me invincible in the face of adversity. well almost. the lack of rain wasn't my fault, so again, there'll be an update when the heavens open.

endura stealth waterproof and windproof bib tights retail at £124.99 ($249.99)

posted on saturday 19 january updated sunday 20th

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endura long sleeve baabaa baselayer

baabaa merion baselayer

for starters, anything called a baabaa baselayer deserves to be purchased on the strength of the name alone. that it proved to be not only a worthy recipient of such a cool name was somewhat of an added bonus. merino wool can do no wrong these days, being incorporated into materials such as sportwool and mapp where its natural properties are enhanced by a layer of some polyester derivative which aids the washability and the wear factor. with the baabaa baselayer, endura have created almost the perfect item of merino apparel. i say almost, because one or two pedalists of my acquaintance are not so keen on the long sleeves (a short sleeve version is also available) - i on the other hand, wear my heart on my sleeve (did you see what i did there?) when it comes to the lengthy option - i like them. a lot.

in practice this means wearing a short sleeve cycle jersey under the likes of the venturi jacket to restrain the tendency to overheat. some i know wear armwarmers instead, but to me this seems like the more flexible option. endura's offering features flatlock seams on the outside of the baselayer ensuring maximum comfort from this admirably soft fabric. there are separate, seamed cuffs and a slighlty raised panel at the back of the collar preventing draughts from chilling your neck. always a priority for me, the sleeves are of ample length, and it is so styled that it could easily be worn day to day, in place of a more regular cotton t-shirt. i know, because i did.

merino's anti-bacterial and resistance to smell is well known, meaning that the baabaa can be worn two or more days on the trot, without others leaving large gaps in peloton round about you. even when you get swot and hetty, the baselayer retains its remarkable 'dry-feel', building the wearer a pleasant comfort zone however long it is worn in anger. only available in black but in either long or short sleeve, it's also available for the same price in a women's version. the long sleeve baabaa merino baselayer retails for £34.99 ($69.99)

posted on sunday 20 january

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endura neoprene road overshoes

endura road overshoe

it's quite surprising how many variations there are on the humble overshoe: some are merely windproof, some are wind and waterproof, and then there are the sub-species which offer mostly decorative offence, and are often said to be worn by pros to cover up the fact that they're not wearing the sponsors footwear. the endura waterproof neoprene road overshoe covers pretty much all the bases. the orange lined neoprene is highly water resistant, very flexible, allowing easy fitting over shoes of whatever style.

there are substantial cutouts for cleat and heel on the kevlar soles, kept solidly affixed to the neoprene uppers via kevlar stitching. closure is by means of a rear zip with a velcro tap to cober the snap down zip puller. the endura logo is on the toe and vertically down the ankle section, so that there is no doubt as to who's items you are wearing, and the centre seam is welded to enhance the water resistance.

a common problem with overshoes is that, while their waterproofing keeps the top of the foot warm and dry, cycling through vast quantities of surface water or through heavy rain, inevitably leads to water dripping in at the top of the ankle. endura have pretty much got this covered if these overshoes are worn with the stealth tights reviewed above. since the tights have zips from mid calf to ankle at the rear of each leg, they can be worn over the top of the overshoes, creating a virtually watertight seal and keeping feet cosy and dry. endura road overshoe this is the sort of lateral thinking we need. a clever idea and one that makes this pairing a pragmatic reality. the only perceived downside i could see was the fact that the shiny neoprene can make it look as if you're wearing wellies - but they are rather sleek wellies.

the road overshoes retail at a very reasonable £19.99 ($49.99) and are available in sizes from small to xl.

posted on sunday 20 january

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endura 'lobster' winter gloves

endura lobster winter glove

let's be perfectly clear at this point - it was my request that led to a pair of these 'lobster' winter gloves being sent for review, because i couldn't quite see the point. and after having worn them for about 65km, i was no nearer finding out what that point might be. so far, they have struck me as being a solution looking for a problem. however, they are substantially well made, with a five finger thermal inner (which makes me wonder even more why there's only the two finger 'claw' on the outside).

one of the 'claws' is backed with scotchlite reflective material, there's a softer covering over the thumb and top claw for nose wiping, and the palm is covered in a hard wearing polyester type grip with padding at the heel of the palm. there's a substantial cuff pulled to the wrist by a sewn elastic retainer. the cuff also bears a velcro strap, allowing closure to be adjusted as required. when worn with such as the venturi jacket, it is possible to pull the jacket sleeve up to the elastic 'waist' of the glove before tightening the jacket's velcro cuff strap. unfortunately, having achieved this with one glove, it is well nigh impossible to repeat the procedure with the other, due to having only a claw with which to grip the opposite sleeve. the only obvious way past this dilemma would be to wear the gloves first, then put the jacket on. unfortunately, this is completely undermined if you have to take a glove off when out cycling.

in use, the gloves are superb for comfort and warmth, but they're not really something you'd want to wear if you ride drop bars. on campagnolo's ergopower levers, there's a small 'paddle' lever behind the brake lever to shift the chain to a larger sprocket. i would normally accomplish this with my middle finger - except it's now twinned with the forefinger, so i had to use the upper claw to change, meaning it's well nigh impossible to brake when changing up through the gears. hmmm. and when i stand up to climb, i tend to sandwich the bars between my third and small finger, gripping the lever between middle, forefinger and thumb. with only two fingers, this cannot be done, and i felt far less in control when climbing out of the saddle.

it seems possible that the lobster gloves are more suited to flat bars (mbuk gave them a score of 9/10), and i have loaned them to a flat bar cyclist to see if this is true, but i can see why there are very few lobsters in the professional peloton. endura do, of course, offer an identical glove with the full five fingers (the tundra) which, to me at least, would seem a far more sensible option for riders on skinny wheels and drop bars.

as i said at the start of this part of the review section, it was my idea to test these gloves and not endura's, though assos did offer a similar lobster glove many years ago. that they no longer do should maybe have told me something that my curiosity didn't. the quality, however, is unimpeachable. endura lobster winter gloves retail at £29.99 ($49.99) and are available in sizes from xs to xxl.

posted on sunday 20 january

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endura halcyon merino jersey

endura halcyon jersey

this is brilliant - i've worn it since the box of stuff arrived from endura. every day to work, pre and post ride, indoors and outdoors and it's my jersey of the moment. made from quality merino wool with a quarter length zip and close fitting collar, it has the huge roadie style advantage of having the collar and cuffs finished in white and orange, a la merckx era molteni. that pretty much nobody over here could care less, matters not one whit. with just a nod in the direction of naomi klein's 'no logo', the jersey is principally in black with white hoops where the sleeves join the body, and a black retro endura logo flocked on the chest. very subtle.

unlike a couple of other merino jerseys i own, endura's bears no rear pockets which takes minus one on the roadie style scale, but makes it a much more practical item for those on fatter tyres, or just for anyone for that matter. i haven't tried this on the bike yet, but paired with the baabaa baselayer, i can't see any reason why this wouldn't be the ideal combination for a 'devil-may-care' pedal around the estates.

the halcyon looks just as good zipped up or down, the sleeves are of an ideal length, as is the overall length. if you have a peek at endura's website, you will see said item displayed as a mid-gray - well it isn't, it's black. the header on the page also shows a short sleeve version in light blue with the same retro logo in white, which has been very disappointingly discontinued. can you re-instate this for the summer season please?

the endura halcyon merino jersey retails at £64.99 ($149.99) and is worth every penny, in my opinion.

posted on sunday 20 january

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the inevitable wet weather update

rain, rain and more rain

after what seems like an interminable wait (at least, it does to me) it was finally possible to have the colnago take me out for twenty something kilometres in the pouring rain, to find out whether the above clothing would perform to the standard to which i rather hoped it would. while i'm not in favour of lists (i leave that to mrs washingmachinepost) here's the pack drill for my great outdoor adventure (am i building this up nicely?): venturi breathable waterproof jacket, stealth breathable waterproof tights and neoprene waterproof overshoes. underneath the tights i had my regular shorts, and underneath the top was the baabaa baselayer and a light coloured, long sleeve sportwool jersey. the light colour was important because after my drenching, it would be easier to tell if any water had sneaked in. thoroughly unscientific, but you would expect no less. i'm afraid i left the lobster gloves at home, because we don't see eye to eye at all.

the rain wasn't torrential (not my fault, honest) but it was quite cold and averagely windy for islay (a gale anywhere else). wearing a long sleeve baselayer and a long sleeve jersey was mainly to give the jacket a hard time in the breathability department. looking at all this from an ergonomic point of view, water would drop from the sky onto the jacket (we shall ignore my head for the time being), drip downwards onto the tights and head towards the foot department. revisiting the clever thought that has gone into this natty little black ensemble, having zipped the ankles of the stealth bib tights over the top of the neoprene overshoes, this continuous stream of water simply reached the ground via the tops of the seam welded road overshoes.

in theory, this all makes perfect sense, and in practice that's exactly what happened. with the collar drawstring pulled just tight enough to prevent water ingress, but not too tight as to prevent breathing seemed to have worked exactly as it said on the tin. we shouldn't underestimate the wind effect - i covered about 1.5km at up to 24kph without turning a pedal, after having done 10km into the very same wind, only pointing the other way. the wind would generally tend to force water into places where it would normally fear to tread. happily, in this case, the wind had no adverse effect on my dryness.

so can we take it that it all worked? certainly did. removing the tights revealed a pair of bone-dry shorts underneath, while taking off the jacket showed no damp spots on the front of the jersey at all. if you're out cycling in dry weather, wearing but the usual jersey/shorts combination, there will still be the tell-tale sweaty patches. the gauge of an efficiently breathable jacket is not the complete absence of such, but no real increase. in this case, a large tick in the breathability box was overwhelmingly deserved. the baselayer, while mildly damp through exertion (who laughed?), felt completely dry, which is why we love merino in the first place.

with any brand of overshoes featuring cutouts on the sole (at least one for the cleat) there is always going to be water seeping in (capillary action, you understand) but the tops of the shoes were dry, as were, more importantly, the feet and socks encased in same. so, without any fear of contradiction, i can honestly say that this combination of endura clothing performed in exactly the way that i hoped it would, if only because i hate being soggy in the afternoon. and just as valid a point to me, and probably to you, i was cosy and comfortable while cycling.

just to harp back to the lobster mitts, the flat bar cyclist to whom they have been lent, found them marginally more effective on rapidfire shifters, than i did on ergopowers. but similarly to myself, couldn't quite see why you'd opt for these over a normal pair of five finger gloves. neither of us have any quibbles over the build quality, warmth and weatherproofing - but we have failed to understand the point. sorry, endura. the rest of the stuff is brilliant.

endura.co.uk

posted on tuesday 22 january

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thanks to matthew blakeman of endura for substantial assistance with this review section

endura.co.uk (uk)
endurasport.com (usa)

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as always, if you have any comments, please feel free to e-mail and thanks for reading.

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