All Arround MTB

The SingleTrack gloves have quickly become some of our favourites. This is down to the well-shaped, thin palm, which ensures you get plenty of feel and feedback from the grips. It doesn’t bunch when you’re gripping on for dear life either, and gets some useful reinforcement on the thumb. There’s silicone print on the palm (though not much of it) and some on the index and middle finger too, which can give a bit of extra purchase in the dry, but gets a little slippery if your brake levers are wet. The back of the glove is a robust affair, with some added TPU strips to protect your most exposed knuckles. These are flexible, so go unnoticed while riding. The thick neoprene cuff has a small Velcro tab to keep things feeling secure, though it can get warm on hot days. Considering the level of quality on offer, the price is good. Some riders may miss having a snot wipe, though. Price $40

This is a limited edition print, so you’d best be quick if you love it. But it was more than just the eye-catching graphic style of the MT500 Print II that stood out during testing. It can be hard to deconstruct why a jersey finds its way to the top of the riding pile time after time, but it normally comes down to one thing – it simply feels good to wear. In the case of the Endura jersey, much of that is down to the fabric, which is very lightweight, with an airy quality that means it wicks efficiently and dries fast. It also has a smooth feel, which makes layering – whether over armour or under a jacket (it’s been a cold spring) – easy. The fit is relaxed but not too baggy, so it sits well when you’re riding and doesn’t flap. Slim sleeves help anchor the loose-fitting body – a design feature that only works if the sleeves fit well, and these do, falling into a good shape on the bike and allowing ample freedom of movement. When it comes to bike jerseys, we always talk about fit and...

Essentially a technical hoody, the SingleTrack is light and comfy, with a relaxed cut that’s all casual style off the bike but, thanks to a longer back hem and plenty of movement through the shoulders, works well on it too. The DWR finish will keep a shower off but it’s not waterproof, and if you ride hard it gets warm, though not to the point where you overheat. To aid breathability it has ventilation holes under the arms, but we’re not sure these make a lot of difference. Despite its simple styling it has two zipped hand-warmer pockets, an internal chest pocket (with media port) and useful inner stash pockets that are perfect for keeping gloves in. The taped back neck is a quality construction detail. In case you don’t love colour blocking, the SingleTrack comes in an understated black finish as well. Weight 428g Price $150

Endura say these overshoes are an industry first, because they’re designed to work with flat pedals and not just clips. The ‘sole’ is made of rubber and has been left as open as possible, except for a bridge connecting the two sides. Tough toe and heel sections add durability, and there’s a large Velcro opening at the rear. The body is made from nylon-faced neoprene, which adds warmth but isn’t waterproof. Our size-large samples weighed 396g for the pair. We didn’t notice the extra bulk when wearing weighty shoes, but with lighter footwear their presence was felt. The sole bridge is especially thick and forms a noticeable ridge between your foot and the pedal, but this was something we got used to in time. Fitting the overshoes is hard work – especially if you’re wearing your shoes at the time, as Endura recommend – because the neoprene doesn’t have much give. Even with fairly small shoes (UK8.5 Shimano AM7s), there was no space to spare. The MT500 Pluses do keep your shoes clean a...

This is the lightest jacket on test, thanks to its minimal design and lightweight fabric. Don’t be fooled by the slim fit – well-placed stretch inserts plus a good cut through the shoulders mean there’s plenty of room to move and the MTR doesn’t feel restrictive in any way. ‘Minimal’ means no pockets, but if you’re wearing a pack that won’t worry you (plus there are silicone wear/grip patches on the shoulders for that) and the advantage is a no-fuss style that just works. The hood can be removed but won’t fit over all helmets. There’s an elastic loop at the back of the collar that allows the jacket to be rolled small and secured fast (it even fits into a jersey pocket). This is a waterproof to take with you on every ride, but it’s much better than just an emergency shell. The price isn’t bad too. Weight 205g Price $210

If you like to keep your riding kit well organised when you travel, you’ll love this bag from Endura. Open it up and you have four easy-access compartments. The main one swallows enough clothing for a big week away, and contains three smaller pockets for gloves, eyewear and whatever else you want to keep separate and easy to find. On the other side, you’ll find three more zipped compartments, which are ideal for your helmet (although a full-face won’t fit – you’ll have to use the main compartment for that), shoes and riding kit. If you don’t want to compartmentalise your gear, the walls between the sections can be removed. Externally, the construction has been well thought out. The corners are reinforced, the material is robust and the buckle fasteners are neatly recessed, out of harm’s way. It’s a nice square shape too, which makes it easier to pack into a car boot. There’s also a handy pull-out mat to keep your feet dry when changing after a ride. Large, robust wheels and a lon...

This rather casual-looking jersey from Endura holds its own when compared to some pricier and more tech-laden alternatives, and has become a favourite of ours for really sweaty rides. The lightweight fabric feels incredibly soft next to the skin and wicks well. It dries extremely fast too, which makes a difference if you end up stopping a lot during a ride. Raglan sleeves help to ensure things remain comfy when wearing a pack, and there’s enough stretch around the neck to make sure you never feel too restricted. The sizing is accurate enough, and it’s really hard to argue with the price. Price $50

While the SingleTrack Lite IIs may sound quite pricey, coming in at a shade under $105 and with no liner included, they do offer a lot when it comes to performance. For starters, there are two zipped hip pockets, which are well positioned and sized for stowing the essentials, plus a smaller zipped stash pocket on the rear of the waistband for cards and keys. Velcro adjusters on the waist let you alter the fit, and there’s a zipped vent on the outside of each leg to help cool you down when working hard. The lightweight fabric is stretchy and comfortable next to the skin, although it does rustle when moving. There’s ample depth in the waistband and enough articulation in the cut that the SingleTrack Lite IIs will stay put when you’re sat down pedalling. The legs are long enough and roomy enough that they’ll sit over knee pads without issue too. Comfort on the bike is decent, but if your pack sits low on your back or you have to cinch the Velcro adjusters up quite a bit, you can rea...

These gloves fit seriously well and offer some well-considered features, but aren’t cheap. The deep elasticated cuff wraps around the wrist snugly and adds to the overall sense of support and security. This is bolstered by the well-contoured cut of the rest of the glove, which means there’s next to no bunching of the palm when holding onto the bar and a nice tight fit around the thumb. Aramid impact panels at the base of the palm, on either side, go unnoticed when riding, as does the soft, thin padding that covers the three outer knuckles. The silicone print across the palm and on the middle and index fingertips adds a little extra grip in the dry but can get slippery in the wet, so we’d happily live without it. Both the thumb and index finger get touchscreencompatible patches, just in case you need to use your phone while on the trail. The stretchy mesh back means the MTR IIs don’t overheat but they don’t feel overly lightweight or flimsy, thanks in part to that great fit. Price...

This new enduro helmet from Scottish brand Endura looks set to tick all of the boxes, with a deep shell that offers good coverage, some neat features and extra protection courtesy of an impactabsorbing Koroyd layer. On other helmets we’ve found that this honeycomb mesh material can limit airflow, but the MT500’s 17 vents and upper ‘Air Intake Zone’ should help with that. At 352g (M/L), weight is comparable with similar helmets from other brands. This sleek-looking lid offers a good range of peak adjustment, a goggle clip and a slot for a removable light or GoPro mount. Price $225

The updated Endura Singletracks are very much shorts of two halves. The fit through the body is very good indeed – the back of the waist is nice and high, and the rise is spot on for a neat, secure feel.

Edinburgh-based clothing manufacturers Endura have been quietly revolutionising what British riders wear for over 20 years.

The Scottish gear gurus at Endura know a thing or two about rain. The emergency shell does what it’s supposed to: stuff it in your bag and deploy it when the heavens open. Rain and water beads and runs off without soaking in. Even after subjecting it to the washing machine, water was repelled superbly.

SO GOOD The Endura glasses' flexible, easy to mould arms help provide a secure, comfortable fit that's tight enough to ensure they don't move about but not so snug that they'll leave you with a headache.

THE SINGLETRACK IS Endura's second stab at an MTB helmet and it's got a lot of good points. It's lightweight at 278g , has great airflow thanks to big full-length vents and worked with all the riding glasses we tried it with.

IT’S ALWAYS A great moment when you pull on a jersey fresh from the pack and it just feels right. The Singletrack Lite is one of those. The fit is relaxed but not baggy, and instead of just relying on stretch in the fabric, it has a panel construction that articulates perfectly to follow your shape on the bike. This creates a subtle but noticeable difference in feel.