Endura MTB Bike Wear Summer 2025

Endura has been accompanying our editorial team as an outfitter for years. We happily mix and match some favorite pieces from past seasons with new styles and colors—sometimes for the upper body, sometimes for the lower body, and occasionally as a complete outfit.
In the MTB sector, Endura has created classics with the Singletrack and Singletrack Lite pants as well as the shirts of the same name, which we love to rely on for our tours, as has been reported multiple times on Bikeboard. But we've also grown fond of the more robust MT500 line, which is complemented by airier Lite versions.
Occasionally refined with a few details, both lines impress with appealing designs and affordable prices. Excerpts of the 2025 color palettes can be seen below.

If anyone concludes that there’s nothing new in the northwest this year, they need to take a closer look. Because behind familiar names, Endura often hides completely new developments—or at least such fundamental revisions that other manufacturers would immediately come up with new product names.
Not so with the Scots, who—thanks to their origins as true rain specialists—recently revamped one of their flagship products, the MT500 Waterproof Jacket.
In June, which was the third hottest on record in Austria’s 259-year measurement history, there were quiet doubts as to whether we really needed this fine piece. But in recent weeks, the moment finally arrived for this rain protection, which, unfortunately, has also become more expensive with the update. The MSRP of €299.99 not only marks the most exclusive piece of clothing in the entire collection. With this, the new MT500 also reaches unusually high price levels for Endura.

What do you get for this money? First and foremost, a waterproof, breathable off-road rain jacket with excellent ventilation options and a helmet-compatible hood. As an add-on, it offers an unusually large amount of storage space and numerous adjustment options that not only perfect its use on the MTB but also increase its suitability for everyday use.
The men's model comes in three designs (black, tweed green, and graphite gray), while women can choose between the shown berry color and a solid Machair Green. The size range extends from XS to XXL.
The foundation is the robust ExoShell30DR membrane, following the ExoShell40 material of its predecessor. This change comes with several modifications: As the specifications suggest, the breathability of the now-used 3-layer material is lower: "only" 30,000 instead of the previous 40,000 g/m2/24h (which in the world of MVTR ratings is still considered "extremely breathable"). In return, the hardshell jacket is about 150 g lighter (our women's test model in size M weighs 418 g), less bulky, and also more environmentally friendly. According to Endura, they now use a new PFC-free DWR coating, which is said to perform even better in terms of environmental impact.

Since the fabric drapes more softly, a revised cut was made possible. For example, the back is now made of one piece instead of a separately attached extension, and the sleeves have also been ergonomically optimized, such as with extended upper cuffs.
Storage space and ventilation present themselves completely differently. The two zippered front pockets are very generously sized, and the men's model additionally features a zippered chest pocket. Inside, there are now also two pockets: one with a zipper and one with an elastic closure. The latter is made of mesh for the men's version, while the chest-pocket-less women's version uses solid shell material for both.
The ventilation zips, which were previously located on the front sides, have been moved under the armpits, significantly contributing to the cleaner look of the new MT500. The front 2-way zipper is complemented at the bottom and chest height by two subtle flaps with snap buttons, allowing for various ways to vent without flapping, even when the front zip is partially or fully open.

Question: How do you test a rain jacket during constant sunshine and a heatwave? Answer: You don’t. Except for a brief thermal test to prevent cooling down during a stopover at the Naggler Alm, Endura’s new ultimate bad-weather protection stayed either in the backpack or at home after arriving in the editorial wardrobe.
But after June came July, and with it the big, albeit unnoticed by the usually omnipresent professional photographers, debut of the MT500 rain jacket. Off-bike, though, because for cycling with a child, it was simply too wet in a place where it rained continuously for two weeks – apart from the Salzkammergut Trophy weekend. Instead, the Waterproof Jacket had its moment during all the activities one might consider during constant rain on vacation: hiking, visiting the riding stable, trips to the thermal baths, café outings…

So, here’s a shoutout to the versatility of the MT500! At the same time, however, my only real criticism, which probably only became apparent due to this excessive use off the bike: the zippers of the two front pockets tend to catch the slightly overlapping inner fabric when opening. That’s annoying but only relevant if you frequently open and close these zippers – for instance, during a city stroll where wallet, tissues, and other items are constantly being taken out and put back in.

That the jacket actually keeps you dry doesn't really need to be mentioned. I'm pointing it out here anyway, because (supposed) water leakage is often associated with collars being too wide, sleeves too short, hoods too small, or similar issues. Not so with the MT500, which was deliberately ordered one size larger (and therefore has very long sleeves for the tester, for example), so it can also be worn over a sweater or even used for winter snowshoeing and ski touring.

Brilliant, alongside the truly generous storage space - even climbing skins seem conceivable in the front pockets - are the adjustment and ventilation options. Ventilation zippers under the armpits are among my favorite features when cycling or hiking uphill, as it can hardly rain so heavily that you'd need to close them unintentionally. And simply fantastic is the new option to close the jacket at the front at up to three points (twice fixed with snap buttons, once variably with a two-way zipper pushed together). This allows for flutter-free ventilation, no matter how much you need it!
As for the numerous adjustment options on the hood (back of the head and sides), the cuffs (Velcro), and the bottom edge (hem width), we were initially overwhelmed by some mechanisms, as the fastenings are so well hidden under flaps, in collars, and in front pockets. The buttons, stoppers, and cords also seem somewhat delicate and are hardly operable with one hand. But they serve their purpose and make the Endura MT500 a jacket that always fits perfectly and never has anything flapping annoyingly in the wind - not even a hood that's not currently in use...