Endura MT500 Waterproof Bib Pants review: my new go-to winter MTB trousers

SQUIRREL_13184248

The MT500 Waterproof Bib Pants from Endura offer excellent coverage and protection for wet-weather riding, with some highly useful features that make them easy to live with.

Bib-style trousers, dungarees, or whatever you want to call them, are now the go-to for riding in the wet, and for good reason.

Not only should they keep your legs and backside dry, but the front and rear panels cover a good chunk of your torso, too.

Even with one of the best waterproof jackets on, we all know that if it’s wet enough, mud and spray from the trail will find its way up and under the back of your jacket if you’re riding for long enough.

This means you get cold and wet more quickly, and despite the waterproof layers, you still end up hosing off jerseys and mid-layers – which is no fun.

Priced at £200 / $240 / €250, the Endura MT500s have quickly secured a place among my favourite waterproof MTB trousers.

Endura MT500 Waterproof Bib Pants specifications

Endura makes the MT500 waterproof bib pants from its ExoShell30 DR fabric, which is said to be very breathable but waterproof, as well as durable and tough.

There are two elasticated, adjustable shoulder straps to keep the MT500s held up and in place, along with a long zipped opening at the front, the lower half of which is covered with a poppered storm flap.

To adjust fit around the waist, two Velcro tabs can be cinched in for a more figure-hugging fit.

There are also Velcro tabs down at the ankle cuffs to ensure you can tighten the lower legs up and prevent excess material flapping around once soaked.

You’ll also find a long zip on either leg, designed to make getting them on and off easier.

There are two hip pockets with waterproof zips to keep essentials safe.

Endura offers these pants in five sizes (S-XXL), although only one leg length.

Endura MT500 Waterproof Bib Pants performance

At 172cm, I opted for the size-small MT500s and the fit was as expected. Now, I’m far from perfectly proportioned and have a fully grown adult-sized torso, but short legs that stopped growing when I was about 12 years old.

That meant, once I’d adjusted the shoulder straps, things were pretty cosy in the crotch area.

This didn’t cause me any real comfort issues, though, and it meant I never struggled with a loose, saddle-snagging fit, as can be the case with some waterproof mountain bike trousers.

Thanks to the waist adjustment and lengthy front closure, I felt properly locked into the MT500s once they were on. It helps that you can make the ankle cuffs tighter, reducing the amount of material flapping around your lower legs.

When done up to the maximum, I really liked the tapered cut and fit, and the pants held their shape well when slathered in mud.

On occasion, during long days on the bike, I found myself readjusting one or both of the shoulder straps to maintain the impressive fit. The adjustments were always small, though, and never detracted from overall comfort.

The hip pockets are handy, although quite big, which can mean the contents shift around a bit when pedalling. It's not a deal breaker by any stretch, though.

Even in absolutely terrible conditions, the MT500s became my regular go-to riding pants, even over waterproof onesies, which can feel cumbersome and a little more restrictive.

Thanks to the cut, weight and feel of the fabric, these felt more like wearing regular riding pants, albeit waterproof ones.

In the three months I’ve been testing the MT500s, they’ve done a good job of keeping my legs and backside nice and dry, preventing splashes and rain showers getting through and soaking me.

I’ve had the odd damp spot on my underwear after really damp days out, although it’s hard to say whether this is water getting in or sweat trying to get out.

On that, thanks to their weight, construction and flexibility, I found them perfectly comfortable and not too noisy when pedalling around in them.

Naturally, they’re not as cool or breathable as regular riding pants, but considering their waterproof credentials, I’ve been impressed by how well these trousers have handled heat build-up, even if most of my winter rides have been in cold temperatures.

I did find my legs getting chilly on cold uplift days – while they’re clearly breathable, they’re also quite thin and therefore not particularly warm, especially when the temperature is hovering around 0ºC.

The additional coverage provided by the extended front and rear panels protects you when there’s loads of spray flying off your rear wheel, keeping your lower back dry and your jersey clean.

Getting them on and off is a breeze thanks to the long ankle zips, which are quick and easy to operate, enabling you to slide out without teetering on one foot while manoeuvring them off and away from your legs.

Endura MT500 Waterproof Bib Pants bottom line

The MT500s are well-made bib pants that offer extra protection and work well on the trail. They’ll keep you dry and offer some neat features that make living with them easier.

Although they're not the warmest, they’ve still become my go-to winter riding pants.

SQUIRREL_13184248