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review

Endura Luminite II jacket

7
£89.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Good daily commuting jacket that's visible in all conditions, the rear light is a good touch but it'd be nice if it stayed put.
Weight: 
360g
Contact: 
www.endura.co.uk

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Endura's Luminite jacket has been a commuting staple for many years. The Luminite II has a fabric that's slightly thinner than the original, plenty of reflectives and a built in rear LED. It's a good choice for the daily schlep to the office.

The Luminite fabric is a 2.5 layer breathable and with fully taped seams it's very waterproof There's adjustable neck and hem cords to keep the chills out and there's plenty of chevrons for great all-round visibility after dark. The green base colour (yellow and black are also available) stands out in the day, too.

The generous cut means you can get a couple of layers inside, although if you're race shape you might want to size down. The thin fabric can be a bit flappy in the wind but it's not too bad, and it's surprisingly warm, mostly down to being a very effective wind barrier. If you work hard you'll find it's not the most breathable fabric out there, but for a commuter jacket it's fine.

There's three pockets at the front (two side and one chest) and one at the rear, protected with a storm flap and holding the Luminite LED which shines through a translucent window. It's a good little safety addition, although I found that it wasn't too keen on staying put in its little home, wandering into the pocket on occasion and disappearing from view.

The obvious comparison is with the Altura Night Vision Evo, which is similarly specced but with a slightly more luxurious-feeling soft-touch fabric and a better-located light to the rear. And a touch more reflective. The Endura is £10 less at RRP but the Altura can be had at a fairly heavy discount, so in terms of value at the till it probably edges it. They're both good options for a daily commute though.

Verdict

Good daily commuting jacket that's visible in all conditions, the rear light is a good touch but it'd be nice if it stayed put.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Endura Luminite II jacket

Size tested: Hi Vis Green, XL

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Fully seam-sealed compact 2.5- layer waterproof, breathable fabric

Emblazoned with high visibility 360 degree reflective safety chevrons

Luminite LED light unit integrated into the rear pocket for additional security 3 flash phase options

Zipped chest and handwarmer pockets

Rear zipper pocket with storm flap

Adjustable neck and hem cords concealed in front pockets

Bonded and laser cut double storm flap on centre zip

Cosy-touch lining in handwarmer pockets and inner collar

Reflective Velcro cuff adjusters

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Well made, taped seams and good attention to detail.

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10

Light, waterproof and windproof. Not especially breathable.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

Fabric has survived fine during testing but it is thin.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10

Good protection for the weight.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10

You'll need a full length layer underneath or it gets clammy, but it's fine if you're sleeved up.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Decent value for the quality and level of performance.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Well.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Protection from the elements, visibility in all conditions.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Fabric is fairly thin, light didn't stay put.

Did you enjoy using the product? Mostly, yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Possibly.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Possibly.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 190cm  Weight: 102kg

I usually ride: whatever I'm testing...  My best bike is: Genesis Equilibrium 853

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track

 

Dave is a founding father of road.cc, having previously worked on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike magazines back in the day. He also writes about e-bikes for our sister publication ebiketips. He's won three mountain bike bog snorkelling World Championships, and races at the back of the third cats.

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6 comments

Avatar
dmgtree | 10 years ago
0 likes

I've had a black one of these since October '13. Generally good but some complaints. Very reflective with a good array of pockets - ideal for what I wanted. I agree with the comments on the light, but I have found I can reach around and switch it on whilst cycling - handy if it suddenly gets dark, like it has alot recently as the next rain storm arrives! The complaints: One small one - No protective 'garage' for top of zip so it rubs the chin a bit. One larger one. After only 4 months and one wash, the reflective patches have all started peeling off. I'm going to have to get back to the retailer or Endura about this as it is not good enough for a £90 jacket!  2

Avatar
mattyw | 10 years ago
0 likes

I've had the old model one of these for just over 2 years, it completely stopped being waterproof in the arms and shoulders a couple of months ago, tried nikwaxing it to no effect so took back to lbs who phoned Endura to be told that 2 years is about the life of a commuter jacket... seems crazy?

Avatar
nortonpdj | 10 years ago
0 likes

is it 1st April?

Avatar
Metjas | 10 years ago
0 likes

I think I saw this design on cbeebies recently.

Avatar
paulfg42 | 10 years ago
0 likes

Oh my, who would want to wear a luminous lime jacket, with a macaque's arse?  40

Avatar
kraut replied to paulfg42 | 10 years ago
0 likes

So that the coroner has a good laugh when the guy who ran you over claims he didn't see you.

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