Endura FS260-Pro SL Shell

The Endura FS260-Pro SL Shell is an exceptionally breathable, fully-fledged miserable-weather jacket with a host of features but no excess faff. It's a cracker.

Being based in Scotland, Endura should know a thing or two about keeping dry. That's not stereotyping – it rains a lot up there. And if you like riding a bike, fast, in the rain, below a certain temperature, you want a proper shell.

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Modern design, fabrics and fabrication mean that even humble-priced garments can perform exceptionally well, so to stand out the technical features of a garment need to be spot on, and it's here where the FS260-Pro shines.

Endura has used a three-layer Exoshell40 fabric (in black or fluoro green) of amazing thinness and only 70g per square metre (for reference, even a thin merino baselayer is twice that). The fabric can apparently breathe 60 litres of moisture per square metre per day, and has a waterproofness measure of 18,000mm (meaning a tube of water 18m tall with a patch of the fabric over the bottom wouldn't seep through). The whole thing is fully tape-sealed – even around the small square stretchy panels near the hip. It's a masterclass in detailing.

We should all take technical marketing claims with a hefty pinch of the proverbial, but in my experience Endura has a product that works. Despite repeated drenchings, working hard on the bike over up to four hours in low single-digit temperatures, I never once noticed rain getting through.

I also never felt the need to ventilate more than a half-zip pull on some of Hampshire's and the Yorkshire Dales' finest climbs, even with breaks of sun and temperatures in the low 10s. More impressive, some of these rides were done wearing the matching FS260-Pro SL Classics Jersey – in itself a very waterproof garment with excellent breathability (review here). The FS260 shell is so good at breathing, it can layer over other similar garments no problem. 

Feature-packed

The technical features show Endura's designers work hard for their Scottish pound. Starting at the neck, there's a sculpted flap that wraps around high under your helmet retention mechanism, making a near-perfect seal to prevent water getting down your back. The collar stands high but not too tight, with no zip garage but I honestly didn't notice any throat/chin irritation. The zip is protected back and front by a generous, semi-rigid storm flap and is perfectly adjustable one-handed with gloves on.

Down the right side at a slight diagonal is a long access zip to let you get your right hand into the centre and right-hand pockets. I used this feature a lot, and it works flawlessly – god knows how many samples it took to get the zip position just perfect.

On the left side there's a tiny credit-card-sized pocket replete with drain-holes, good for quick access to a few gels or bars.

At the end of each generously-long sleeve there's a slanted neoprene-type cuff that does a great job of diverting rain away from your gloves and keeping wind out. It's snug and not adjustable so no chance of venting a breeze up there, but because of the jacket's breathability I didn't miss what I use often in other jackets.

Under the tail there's a large 'Endura' logo in grippy silicone, and in use I never felt the tail ride up. On the tail there's a large reflective Endura logo matched by similar reflective racing stripes on the sleeves and collar – Endura has branded the jacket subtly but clearly.

And finally, a simple but oh-so-useful elastic loop, hidden in its own tiny Velcro'd pocket on the back of the collar. Once the jacket is rolled firmly up from the hem, this loop is then wrapped around it to keep it rolled up for popping into a jersey pocket.

Fit for purpose

I'm 6ft with long arms and broadish shoulders and weigh 73kg, and the fit of the medium was perfect. Approaching 70kph I couldn't detect any flapping, probably down to the stretchy panels around the back of the shoulders keeping everything snug. Throwing the bike around on climbs, the flexible fabrics and cut meant no tightness across the shoulders, and no nasty gaps appearing around the neck or waist. It's a water/windproof second skin that rolls up into a small package and weighs less than half a small bidon.

> Check out our guide to the best waterproof jackets here

At £140 I don't think the FS260-Pro SL Shell is overpriced or even just on par: I think it's a bargain. You'll love getting it out and laughing at the rain/wind/hail gods. Just appreciate that it's unashamedly a race ('athletic') fit and you'll be fine.

Verdict

Superbly waterproof and breathable, it redefines what you can expect from a lightweight shell