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endura xtract roubaix long-sleeve jersey

endura xtract l/s jersey

the article that fostered my recent baselayer interlocution of james lamont, recommended acquiring just such a garment, but as close-fitting as possible. the two-fold reason, according to the narrative, was to aid the wicking properties of the fabric, and to trap warm air between skin and this first of layers, ensuring an appropriate level of warmth in the heat of battle. there's every likelihood that such advice is highly pertinent for the fastest amongst us, and possibly even for the slowest, but it's maybe not for everyone.

endura xtract l/s jersey

if i might once again, refer to the fastest amongst us, the enemy of those is undoubtedly 'flappage', where garmentage slightly larger than it needs to be, irritates the heck out of everyone by following robert zimmerman's advice and 'blowing in the wind'. for that reason, the majority of performance clothing offers a skin-tight fit, even on those who could perhaps afford to lose a pound or two. from a layering point of view, it makes perfect sense, but not all of us have performance in mind when heading out on the bike. and there's little doubt that many cycling aspirants are put off purchasing bona-fide cycle clothing for that very reason. race-fit is certainly not for everyone.

endura xtract l/s jersey

so, you might ask, why do the apparel purveyors, keen to attract our business, not sell decent kit, occasionally offer a more relaxed fit? well, actually they do. or at least, endura do. their xtract roubaix long-sleeve jersey is described either as a relaxed or athletic fit, meaning you can still breathe normally while cycling. since day one, i have worn medium-size jerseys from pretty much every cycle clothing purveyor on the planet. i am sufficiently slim to allow small sizes to fit ok, but they're rarely long enough in the torso, or, in the case of long-sleeve jerseys/jackets, the arms seem to be missing a centimetre or two. however, the medium size in the xtract jersey seemed a tad larger than the medium-size i own in other endura jerseys, most notably, bruichladdich's port charlotte single malt s/s jersey. maybe it's all down to perception?

endura xtract l/s jersey

in the case of the xtract jersey under review, i could probably have opted for the small size after all, but there's always the chance i'd have lost the benefit of the relaxed fit. however, the general fit of this bright, fluorescent jersey was remarkably comfortable. fastening the full-length zip at the waist involved no effort whatsoever, and the sleeves are perfection personified. in keeping with all endura's jerseys, the rear pockets are amongst the most generous on the planet, probably capable of swallowing a spare gravel bike, and the fleecy roubaix lining was utterly essential on two rides, where windchill and rain threatened to make me cool (and not in a good way).

endura xtract l/s jersey

in the current spate of weather, riding al fresco, solely in a long-sleeve jersey, would be largely inadvisable, so i topped the xtract jersey with an endura softshell jacket, principally for waterproofing, but also for additional warmth. one of the sunday morning peloton advised that my saturday ride had taken place in minus-five degree windchill. in wet weather, that's a smidgeon more than this particular jersey was built for. however, it kept me mostly cosy while i pretended not to suffer.

for those who neither need nor want race-fit clothing, this is precisely the jersey you want, at a more than attractive price. there's no need, however, to emulate my brightness; the jersey is also available in black, navy or red, in sizes ranging from small to xxl. i'd advise taking a look at the size chart, for if you're normally of a pelotonic persuasion, you may benefit from moving down a size. as it states on endura's website: "simple, versatile insulation"

endura's xtract roubaix, long-sleeve jersey retails at a remarkably modest £59.99.

endura xtract roubaix l/s jersey

sunday 14 march 2021

twmp ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................