Endura Luminite II Jacket

Endura's Luminite II jacket has been around a few seasons now and is, in my view, one of the better budget options for commuting and winter training. However, it does face stiff competition from continually improving store brands.

In technical terms, we have a polyester 2.5-layer laminate shell, which works to the same principle as Gore-Tex, albeit less efficiently. The outer layer is completely waterproof, with sealed seams, while still allowing the inner to traffic rider-generated heat outwards.

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Overall performance is good, and I've felt extremely comfortable on 20-mile round trips at a steady 18-20mph in temperatures between 2 and 10°C. Wearing it over two polyester layers, I could feel icy winds and rain swirling outside, while remaining completely temperate.

The front zip has a double storm flap to help keep out the weather, and the long back and decent cut ensured that the whole jacket didn't flutter like the proverbial builder's tarp when hurtling down steep descents.

More sophisticated fabrics steal a notable march when temperatures and tempos climb, though. At 23mph for the best part of 50 minutes on a milder morning, breathability was struggling to keep pace, resulting in some clamminess around the armpits and lower back. As long as conditions aren't too wild, though, dropping the zipper a few inches will retain a dry inner climate.

Our Hi-Viz Green option is more subtle than the yellow, but there's a black version available too if you wanted something more 'civilian'. All three feature acres of sensibly positioned Scotchlite that burst into life under vehicle and street lighting.

Integrating LEDs into clothing has been a quietly popular trend in recent years, though some are still better designed than others. This version – the light incorporated into the rear pocket – is reckoned eight times more powerful than its predecessors, and has three flashing modes.

The integral lens-cum-switch is easily operated with gloved hands, though it does require a definite prod. Flashing modes seem visible to approximately 150m on murky days, and I've managed 37hrs 49mins from the original CR2032 cell in these settings; that's 12hrs 1min short of the 50hrs quoted, but in fairness, there's no telling how fresh the battery was.

> Check out our guide to the best waterproof cycling jackets here

Detailing elsewhere is pretty good too and I was pleased to discover nelson and hip pockets in addition to the rear one with the light. The former gulps small-to-medium smartphones or mini CSC/large zoom compact cameras. The latter provides parking space for hands when mooching about sans bike, and the cut stops your keys from clouting your knees when you're belting along. There's also that increasingly obligatory headphone port.

Verdict

Likeable technical jacket for commuting and general riding