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review

Endura Luminite II Women's Jacket

7
£89.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Very good, low bulk all round commuting jacket with a host of nifty features though the LED is a bit gimmicky
Weight: 
325g
Contact: 
www.endura.co.uk

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Endura Luminite II ticks all the usual commuter jacket boxes; hi viz colours (available in both pink and yellow, plus a more neutral black), and swathes of reflective accents in all the right places, but under its bright exterior there are some nifty features.

We've previously reviewed the men's Luminite II, and the women's version is practically identical, with Endura adapting the cut for a feminine figure, so it sits nicely on the hips. There's a lot of room for adjustability too; the jacket is a fairly loose fit so works well over layering, but can be brought in with an elasticated drawcord in the hem. The toggles are neatly tucked away in the pockets too.

A slightly dipped hem at the back offers some rear protection, and is held in place nicely with a short rucked section. Although there's no elastic in the cuffs, a generous section of Velcro provides plenty of adjustability, and it's the kind of Velcro that doesn't trash everything it touches, which is nice. There's another hidden toggle at the back of the neck to draw in the collar and keep out the wind and wet which compliments the high neck to make a really welcome feature for bad weather.

Despite being wind and waterproof, the material is pretty thin, which makes the jacket a good choice for a wider range of temperatures. You can layer up heavily on colder days while not being hampered with an overly heavy jacket in warmer weather. It's quite a light and compact jacket for so many features, packing down to the size of a small Thermos.

All the seams are taped inside, and it really does a good job of keeping out pouring rain. Mesh lined zipped vents under the pits go a long way to help regulate temperature, which is good as the material isn't hugely breathable in itself. Endura quote waterproofness at 10,000mm, and breathability at 10,000g/m2/24h; they give a breathability rating of 28,000g/m2/24h for some of their more expensive jackets.

The jacket is riddled with pockets. They're all easily accessible with reflective zip toggles-on-strings, making them to grab with gloves. Aside from the standard two on the front of the body, there's a spacious breast pocket which has a silicone audio port for any internal wiring needs. On the back, there's a huge rear pocket covered with a storm flap, and the Luminite LED Light unit, which is accessed from the inner of the jacket.

The light is a key feature to the jacket, and although it's a nifty feature, it's not life changing in itself. It has three flash modes: periodic double flash; high frequency flash; and steady. With a single CR2032 button cell lithium battery, it isn't bright enough that you'll be blinded looking straight in the eye. Endura say you'll need a new battery after 50 hours.

The light mounts in the rear pocket and to attach it you click and twist it into place so it peeps through its transparent window. Unfortunately it really doesn't like staying put and wanders around, disappearing from view in the same way we found with the men's jacket.

Verdict

I think the LED is a bit of a gimmick — and one that probably pushes the price up slightly — but the jacket itself has some features and attention to detail that make it a very good all round commuting jacket, especially with the low bulk factor. The cut and thinness of the fabric makes it ideal for layering across a wider range of temperatures, and zipped vents really help with heat management.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Endura Luminite II Womens Jacket

Size tested: Medium Fluoro Yellow

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:
 
7/10

Great attention to detail, and very well constructed with well taped seams and good stitching.

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10

The jacket works wonderfully in the conditions it's intended for, but the LED doesn't perform as well as it could.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

Zips looks sturdy, and the jacket is easily washable. The material is quite thin though.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

Lightweight and compact for a jacket with so many features.

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

Very comfortable fit, with lots of room for adjustability. The soft touch linings in the pockets add a little luxury

Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

It can be picked up for £5-£10 less online, and is a similar price to comparatively well-made waterproofs, if you're looking for more than a pack in a sack. For £20 more than Endura's Photon jacket '' a very lightweight basic waterproof '' you're getting a lot of features.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Little features like the audio jack and lots of pockets. The non-damaging velcro sleeves are also a nice touch.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The LED slipping out of its housing.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes, for city commuting duties.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 23  Height: 170cm  Weight:

I usually ride: Sabbath September  My best bike is: Van Nicholas Mistral for summer

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, audax

 

Add new comment

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
themartincox | 10 years ago
0 likes

both

Avatar
pedalingparamedic replied to themartincox | 10 years ago
0 likes
themartincox wrote:

both

Thought so, thanks!

Avatar
pedalingparamedic | 10 years ago
0 likes

If I said Mr Jono's post above was a puerile, inappropriate and unnecessary addition to a serious review would I be churlish or correct?

Avatar
Mr Jono | 10 years ago
0 likes
Quote:

there's a spacious breast pocket which has a silicone audio port for any internal wiring needs

Breast.... silicone... internal... needs.... must resist inner Quagmire...giggidy

Avatar
Paul_C | 10 years ago
0 likes

"there's a spacious breast pocket which has a silicone audio port for any internal wiring needs"

this is so wrong... manufacturers should NOT be encouraging the wearing of headphones while cycling by making features like this.

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