The Endura Pro SL Primaloft Gilet II offers a lot of insulation and warmth for all-ride use, with four pockets for ride gear, so you don’t need to use your jersey pockets. The Primaloft insulation does mean that it’s difficult to carry if you begin to overheat though.
Endura Pro SL Primaloft Gilet II features
Chris Teagles
Endura’s cool weather gilet is padded with lightweight Primaloft insulation. Endura hasn’t just used one type though. The front panels are wind resistant and backed with Primaloft Gold, while the upper two-thirds of the back include Primaloft Silver Active, which Endura says improves breathability and adds stretch.
The rear insulation stops at the pockets, of which there are four, including a zipped valuables pocket. All three open pockets are gusseted at the base to increase carrying capacity, while the two outer pockets have laser cut drainage holes, so they shouldn’t fill with water in a deluge.
Chris Teagles
There’s a reflective Endura wordmark on the central rear pocket and reflective stripes at the neck.
As with the front and rear, the high collar and the full-length storm flap behind the two-way zip are both also insulated. The side panels, though, are uninsulated, with extra stretch to ensure a close fit.
Men get six sizes from XS to XXL and three colours, including yellow and orange/red, while women’s sizing is XS to XL in black only and priced £10 higher at £129.99.
Wearing the Endura Pro SL Primaloft Gilet II
Chris Teagles
The Endura gilet is something of an insulation tour de force. There’s plenty of protection from the cold both front and rear and the padded collar fits close, so it’s a piece that will keep you comfortable even as the temperatures head down towards zero.
That’s apart from your arms – there’s a Primaloft jacket with a removable internal gilet available if you want more wind and rain protection for your arms.
Chris Teagles
It’s easy to partially unzip the front of the gilet to increase the airflow, as I did, if you start to overheat when climbing.
On fast descents, I could feel some wind penetration through the front fabric. It wasn’t uncomfortable at temperatures around 10°C, but might feel a little chilly if the temperature drops closer to freezing.
Although Endura describes the Pro SL Primaloft Gilet II as packable, you’d probably want bike luggage to stash it away. It will just about fit in a cycling jersey pocket when rolled up, although it will bulge out of its top. It’s really a piece that you should expect to wear all ride.
Endura Pro SL Primaloft Gilet II review verdict
The Endura Pro SL Primaloft Gilet II will handle chilly rides with ease thanks to its extensive insulation. You’re probably not going to want to carry it in a jersey pocket if you overheat though as it’s quite bulky, even if the weight isn’t that great.
Endura Pro SL Primaloft Gilet II details
Price: £119.99
Weight: 178g (size M)
Sizes: XS – XXL men’s XS – XL women’s
Colours: 3 men’s, 1 women’s