The new Downhill Shorts from Scottish clothing firm Endura arrived just in time for tackling the Megavalanche. Their tough construction, fit and features makes them the perfect baggy short for riders seeking something able to stand up to more aggressive riding.
They tick two key boxes – toughness and bagginess – that make them suitable for trips to places like the French Alps but equally tougher riding in the UK. The outer shell is a thick Oxford Canvas fabric which helps them shake off impacts with the ground easily and they’re long and baggy enough to sit over the top of knee pads comfortably.
I’ve always found Endura clothes to measure up about right; that’s key to their success and why they’re so popular with UK mountain bikers. These are no exception, and the medium fitted me nicely.
Several features contribute to their great fit on the bike, and also make them agreeable for long stints of pedalling (when you’re not relying on chairlifts in the Alps, that’s just as well). Large ribbed stretch panels on the inside of the shorts and around the bum allow enough stretch to avoid restriction.
A zipped fly and two large poppers provide secure closure and the two Velcro waist adjusters allow you to personalise the fit. There was enough adjustment on the size medium I tested to ensure they stayed in place.
Two zipped side pockets are a nice inclusion, just large enough to stash a pair of gloves or mobile phone. The contents of the pockets don’t hinder pedalling either.
Endura’s ClickFast system means you can use an existing Endura liner if you already have one, it simply clicks into place using the poppers in the waist band. Endura have just released a new MT500 Protective Liner short, which while we didn’t choose to test it, would be a good partner if you are intending to do some aggressive riding in these shorts.
Verdict
Well priced and well designed shorts for riders who want a little more protection. Don’t let the downhill tag put you off, these are great for trail riding too if you want a bit more protection than cross-country baggies offer.
Price: £59.99
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Share