MTB
4 reasons why this jacket is the only waterproof you’ll need
Tired of your boil-in-a-bag shell? Developed alongside the Athertons, Endura’s new MT500 jacket will make you completely rethink staying dry on the hillside
A waterproof jacket is an essential in any mountain biker’s armoury. Whether rain is forecast or the trails are wet from an earlier downpour, that extra layer can offer some extra protection from the elements, keeping you dry and comfortable, extending your riding time in the process.
Not all are made equal though. Historically, waterproofs have been as breathable as a bin bag. Although outer layers have stayed as dry as a bone, the inside of the jacket resembled something of a sauna. Even today, sessions on the trails can soon turn into a slog if your ‘high tech’ jacket can’t handle the UK’s ever changing conditions.
The new Endura MT500 jacket solves all of these issues. The fourth iteration from the Scottish brand’s flagship range, the latest version has taken what was already a firm favourite amongst the mountain biking community and overhauled it with a little help of racing royalty – the Athertons. The all-important protection from the elements has remained, but you now get so much more…
Durable waterproofing and monster breathability
The MT500 jacket can handle the UK's changeable conditions
© Endura
Previously, you’d have to make a compromise between staying dry inside or outside of a waterproof jacket. But not with the latest MT500. Constructed from an ExoShell40DR fabric that has been treated with a PFC-free DWR treatment, the garment has a 20,000mm hydrostatic head (meaning it can withstand heavy rain and wet snow), while a three-layer design allows for a breathability of 40,000g MVTR (moisture vapor transmission rate) that will keep things comfortable, even during the high stakes situation of a World Cup practice run.
“When the weather demands the MT500, it’s not a sacrifice in performance,” explains two-times DH MTB World Champion Gee Atherton. “You’re not thinking ‘I can still ride but I’m going to be too hot or can’t move’. There isn’t a massive downside to just staying dry like there has been in the past – you’re still light, you’ve still got that same amount of movement as you had before, you’re not too hot.”
Bags of storage that double as smart vents
Waterproof pockets can keep goggles dry and vision clear on the course
© Endura
When riding in the wet, it’s important to have your essentials at hand. The MT500 is renowned for its big double front pockets, which can easily handle a pair of goggles, while there is an internal compartment perfect for keeping your phone dry and a lift pass pocket located on the sleeve.
“It’s good having those big side pockets – they’re amazing for keeping your goggles dry when it’s wet,” says former professional rider and legendary trail builder Dan Atherton. “At the top of Fort William, having clear goggles makes a huge difference.”
The vents are absolutely mint and work in every situation – whether you’re pedalling up the hill or stopped to have lunch at a cafe
These big pockets also double as vents, and the latest iteration includes a two-way zip to ensure they can perform both functions simultaneously. “The vents under the arms and the pocket vents are absolutely mint,” adds six-time DH MTB Champion Rachel Atherton. “It just works in every situation – whether you’re pedalling up the hill or stopped to have lunch at a cafe.”
An all-encompassing hood
Rachel Atherton shows how the hood is great both with and without a helmet
© Endura
One of the biggest improvements on the new MT500 jacket is the hood, which can now be worn over a helmet but also without a helmet on – shielding you from showers both on and off the bike.
“The hood is amazing because it’s got an adjuster like a toggle at the back and tightening at the side,” says Rachel. “When you’re climbing up hills and it’s hammering, you can really pull it over your helmet and stay dry.”
“I actually ride with my hood up on my helmet quite a lot and if you do the zip up it stays on – you can ride down all the way down the hill with it on the helmet,” adds Dan.
A force for good
“Everyone has to think about their impact but Endura are actually doing it"
© Endura
Since 2018, Endura has used a PFC-free DWR treatment on all its waterproof clothing, and the new MT500 releases take the brand’s environmental credentials a step further. The jacket’s membrane is a PU, meaning that it will degrade in landfill, while its fabrics are ‘Made Kind’, which refers to materials that have been made in an environment that doesn’t create any toxic output.
“Everyone has to think about this but Endura are actually doing it and they’ve been doing it for years – it’s not just talk,” says Rachel. “They’re leading the way.”
“What a company like Endura does not only makes a difference to the sheer number of people buying their kit, but it sets a bit of a precedent for the other companies as well,” adds Gee. “Endura are making that effort and making those sacrifices to make themselves sustainable and more eco-friendly. Other companies see that and have to respond and match it.”
The new Endura MT500 jacket is on sale now. For more information, visit www.endurasport.com