Good first impressions
Unpacking the SingleTrack waterproof jacket in the office I was greeted with “Well, if you don’t want that I know someone who does!” It’s fair to say there was a great deal of admiration for the colourful, slim cut waterproof. The bold purple and contrasting teal coloured zips make the jacket immediately stand out without being garish.
At first glance, the SingleTrack appears as if it might be one of the dreaded 'boil in the bag' varieties of waterproof, but on this score I couldn’t have been more wrong. After enduring one of the wettest rides of 2015, the fully sealed 2.5 layer waterproof fabric breathed well and kept me dry, other than the small amount of inevitable clamminess indicative of waterproofs.
It balanced temperatures well, meaning I stayed warm when stopped because of other riders' mechanical issues but didn't overheat when pedalling. The material of the jacket feels slightly rubbery and plastic against bare skin when things do hot up, which can become distracting, but as the fabric breathes moisture is quickly dissipated.
Endura has bestowed the SingleTrack with a roll away hood that tucks neatly into the collar for flap free riding. When tucked away I found the collar unnaturally stiff when the jacket was done fully, up so preferred to keep the hood out at all times. The jacket has a subtle dropped and adjustable hem, keeping drafts and moisture at bay.
Well vented and flattering
The sleeves are also a generous length with adjustable cuffs and the additions of zippered underarm vents for when things get a bit heated. As mentioned above I found the jacket pretty breathable for the most part, but one of our other product testers found she got hot when climbing on warm, wet days, and was happy to have the additional ventilation the pit vents provide.
There is a neat chest pocket including a media port and two further fleece lined ‘handwarmer’ pockets placed in the classic pocket position. All zips have toggles that are easy to grab hold and use of whatever thickness of gloves or mud covers your hands! The jacket also packed down reasonably small, but not tiny, in order to fit into my 10l pack when not in use.
One feature letting down the SingleTrack is the absence of taped waterproof zips, with only the chest pocket benefiting from this characteristic. The full length front zip has a storm flap behind to keep moisture permeating through the zip at bay but be ready for anything stored in the pockets to become wet in a downpour.
With regards to other jackets on the market the SingleTrack's price point is slap bang on the mark with regards to its technical ability. I also found it perfectly balanced the equation between fitted and roomy. It’ a slimming, flattering jacket which didn't flap at high speeds yet afforded me the space to pull some funky shapes on the bike without moving position or leaving me feeling like I was confined in a straitjacket!
If you are looking for a ‘one jacket that does it all’ then the Endura SingleTrack is well worth your time and money.
Endura Women’s SingleTrack jacket specifications
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L
- Available colours: Purple, Red
- Material: Nylon
- Layer Thickness: 2 layer
- Fastening: Full-Zip
- Pockets: 3
- Reflective Piping: Yes
- Price: £100 / US$170