To design a jersey that is just as at home being worn by time trial specialist and rouleur Alex Dowsett as it is by climbing sensation Nairo Quintana is quite a feat. Endura hope they have done just that with their Equipe Classics Short Sleeve Jersey.

I got my hands on the jersey to see if it lived up to its World Tour credentials. First impressions were good; the fabric felt lightweight and stretchy, yet also durable. At 172cm tall and of a slight build I opted for the small size. It is worth noting this has been designed as a performance piece of kit and the cut is of an athletic nature, allowing the jersey to feel aero and snug.

A nice bonus with the Equipe Classics Jersey is the addition of arm warmers. These match perfectly with the contemporary design on the jersey and although they do not have any warmth built in, they are aerodynamic. My only gripe with the arm warmers were how tight they were to get on and off, even on my rather skinny arms. The price you pay for speed I guess!

As part of the Scottish company’s Equipe performance range I was impressed with the subtle yet stylish design and from a practical point of view the full length zip, positioned off centre, made zipping the jersey up a simple task.

Paying homage to Belgian Classic races, the Classics jersey has been designed to ward off even the harshest of spring and autumn days. The guys at Endura have used a waterproof, windproof and highly breathable softshell fabric and placed thermal Roubaix panels on the underarms for added comfort.

The attention to detail on this jersey is something to behold, with a soft against the skin inner collar and a zip guard added to further enhance comfort and performance.

Ready for a windy and wet autumnal ride in the jersey, I packed the three rear pockets with my ride essentials and was impressed with their cavernous dimensions. They held my energy food, phone, mini pump, keys and money with ease.

Riding into a strong biting headwind the wind cheating qualities became apparent. My chest and stomach were protected and I felt warm as I pounded on the pedals. The only slight issue I found was after an hour of riding hard a bit of moisture was starting to build up inside the garment but this was easily regulated by slightly unzipping the jersey.

Starting in light rain, the jersey shrugged off the showers and only when the rain began to become heavier did the water start to seep in. For riding in low light, in the rain or on wet roads, the hi-vis rear flap is clever and effective feature. The elasticated design means it does not flap in the wind and it can easily be rolled into the rear of the jersey when not in use.

Conclusion

After riding extensively at different times of the day and in a range of weather conditions I found the jersey to be ideal for temperatures ranging from 8 - 16 degrees celsius.

The construction makes it perfect for cold spring races, autumnal training and mild winter group rides, when you’re looking for a protective jersey for riding in showers and the wind. The all black design makes it easy to pair with your favourite pair of shorts, so there is no excuse not to #RideLots with the Endura Equipe Classics Jersey.

Pros:

  • Wind resistant
  • High performance fit
  • Comes with matching arm warmers

Cons:

  • Only available in black