Spanish Cool: Endura

Feb 25, 2016 – How does a company from the cool climate of edinburgh, Scotland, make a kit designed for the hottest days of mid-summer in southern Europe? For endura, the answer was simple: work directly with the greatest climbers in the world on the best Spanish team in the peloton, movistar. the result is the FS260-pro Sl jersey and bibs, directly off the backs of Alejandro Valverde and Nairo Quintana.

peloton

FS260-Pro SL Jersey
Super light and crazy cool, the FS260-Pro SL has become as important to us as lightweight wheels and hydration when the mercury rises in Southern California. The jersey itself is 40-percent lighter than a standard road jersey and 15-percent better at keeping you cool. The fabric is light mesh designed to wick moisture rapidly from your skin, while minimalist silicon grippers around the waist and sleeves keep the jersey in place without bulk or added weight. At first the three-quarters zip was a puzzler; doesn’t a hot-weather climbing kit need a full zip? While we still love a full zip, it was nice to pull the zip two-thirds down for venting but have loaded pockets stay put when out of the saddle.

The issue with many of these new ultralight jerseys has been sun protection. If you’re forced to run a base layer it can defeat the entire purpose of hot-weather design. Endura has you covered, literally, with an ultraviolet protection factor of 25 on the back panels.

Fit: As might be expected from clothing designed for skinny Spanish and Colombian climbers, the fit is close and tailored, but its patterning is spot on for real comfort in the riding position, even giving the Lycra sleeves aero credibility.

FS260-Pro BiBS
The FS260-Pro bibs do so many things well that it’s impossible to categorize them. They are among the most compressive bib shorts we have worn, yet still very comfortable. They offer great f it with three available chamois widths and two leg lengths across six sizes. The chamois itself is completely smooth against the skin with all the careful contouring, in exactly the right places, under the antibacterial top sheet.

What about that hot-weather performance? While not a dedicated hot-weather garment, the FS260-Pro Bibs outshine many that are aimed squarely at summer riding. The Lycra panels are invested with Coldblack, making them reflect heat as effectively as white shorts—which are never a good idea for the rider in your draft. And like the jersey above, the bibs have serious sun protection: 50+ UPF.

Fit: These are designed for f it riders who prefer a race-oriented position. We truly appreciate the slightly more substantial bib straps: They don’t roll up or slide off your shoulders like some of
the new minimalist strap designs.

Get ’em: Clothing doesn’t get more technical or better f itting than the latest in Endura’s FS260-Pro line, but it can be a lot more expensive. The jersey is $120 and the bibs are $180—a bargain for all their versatility, comfort and longevity. endurasport.com