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TECH NEWS

Endura release new Xtract jacket and FS260-Pro SL shorts

New body-specific shorts launched along with a lightweight packable waterproof jacket

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

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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4 comments

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Dante256 | 8 years ago
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I've had a go with the Padfit now for the FS260.

The purpose of the PadFit system is that all other approaches to your position when OFF the bike given an incorrect reading, so the best way to check the pressure on the sit bones, like a bike fit is ON the bike.

I'll be honest, I was skeptical, especially then the system suggested I need a narrow fit, but they have been very comfortable, equally so compared to my Castelli's

I've written about going for the PadFit here:

http://www.titaniumgeek.com/gear-reviews/endura-padfit-review/

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euanlindsay | 9 years ago
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You really managed to prove that reliability with a sample size of 2.

I tried on some of the new World Tour stuff the other week. Its great stuff.

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vorsprung | 9 years ago
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When they originally did the fs260 pro bib shorts I got some.
They were great

After a few years of wear and tear I got some new ones. They were awful. The size, type of pad and the whole design was different and worse. The old ones had a thin pad and the net effect was that I could wear them in rain and they would dry out if the rain stopped. The newer ones had such a thick pad that it was like a sponge, acting as a water container.

I won't be trying this new design. Gore Bikewear shorts are much more reliable

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The _Kaner | 9 years ago
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Interested in those shorts....

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