Endura release new Xtract jacket and FS260-Pro SL shorts

The spring weather is proving unpredictable at the moment and the new Xtract jacket from Scottish clothing company Endura looks to be the ideal lightweight and packable waterproof for such conditions. They've also released the new FS260-Pro SL Bibshort Fit System, which matches insert size to your body.

The Xtract jacket is designed to be completely waterproof and breathable, and the lightweight fabric used means it packs up very small, so you can easily stuff it away in a jersey pocket when the rain shower passes and the sun pops back out.

An ‘athletic cut’ suggests it will be a close-fitting garment so shouldn’t flap in the wind, but still allows room for a couple of layers underneath. It comes with its own stuff sack and, says Endura, “packs down to the size of a can of Irn Bru.”

There are mesh back panels to help with the breathability, a mesh pocket and details like elasticated cuffs, neck and hem to tailor the fit. There are also reflective trim details and the full-length zip is lined with a storm flap to keep the elements out.

It’s available in men and women-specific versions and range of colours (Black, Red, High-viz Yellow; Women’s: Black, Ultramarine Blue, High-viz Pink). It costs £54.99.

Also new from Endura are the FS260-Pro SL Bibshort Fit System. Now, we’ve gotten used to the idea of different width saddles to suit sit bone width, but Endura are now offering bib shorts available in three widths and two leg lengths.

Endura supply the Movistar and NetApp-Endura teams and this involvement has given them much feedback, and they’ve used it to develop these new shorts. What they’ve learned is that the “the fit of cycling shorts is highly individual and varies with different body types.”

The FS260-Pro SL Bibshorts address this problem by offering a choice of sizes to suit. They’ve developed the shorts with gebioMized, a fitting system from a company that claims to have a long history of working with WorldTour teams. Together they've developed the gebioMized®-Endura Pad Fit™ System. It involves simply sitting on this pad, and special software matches the correct seat pad to a rider’s shape and riding style. That’s similar to some systems used by saddle manufacturers to choose the correct width saddle. On paper it sound very clever, and we’re going to try and get fitted to see how it all works.

The shorts cost £89.99 and are constructed from Power Lycra with coldblack treatment to reduce heat buildup and offer an SPF of 50+, with 3D mesh uppers and a pre-curved race fit with a 700-series insert with an antibacterial finish. The insert has Continuously Variable Profile (CVP) technology, which basically means there is more padding where you need it most, and less where you don’t need it.

More at www.endura.co.uk