The Endura MT500 Spray Gilet is designed as an added layer of insulation with enough weather protection to remain comfortable on damp days. While its colour will certainly divide opinion, it performs its role almost perfectly thanks to well-placed waterproof panels and a sorted fit. However, it would be great to see more ventilation and a bit more room around the arms. Read on to see how it fares among the best cycling gilets.
- Six tips to upgrade your winter cycling experience
- Endura Hummvee Women’s shorts review
- What to wear for winter cycling - the essential tips
Endura MT500 Spray Gilet - Technical details
The MT500 Spray Gilet provides wet weather protection in a cool and breathable package using durable four-way stretch fabric. It gets strategically positioned waterproof panels, providing waterproofing to key areas of the body that sit alongside the top’s naturally breathable fabric construction. The whole gilet gets a PFC-free and non-toxic DWR (durable water repellant) finish, adding some water resistance to those portions that aren’t covered by a proper waterproof membrane.
The shoulder area gets silicone grips which are there to help keep bag straps in place. There are also a pair of front pockets that can double up as vents as well as laser-cut perforations on the back panel to encourage more airflow. It’s packable, too, which will come in handy during those bike-packing excursions.
The Spray Gilet comes in two colours, Harvest (pictured here) and Black. There are also six sizes available from XC up to 2XL.
Endura MT500 Spray Gilet - Performance
For riding through the British autumn, spring and generally when temperatures rarely tip over the 10-degrees centigrade mark, gilets make a lot of sense as they offer some protection against rear-wheel flung water and mud while remaining cool. The MT500 Spray gilet has been a go-to option throughout the autumn and as we head into the winter because it successfully straddles the lines between a protective waterproof jacket and a riding jersey.
But before getting into the performance details, the gilet’s fit is incredibly good. I chose a medium and I can only commend Endura for its sizing choices. The shoulders are wide enough to provide coverage across the breadth of my shoulders and there’s plenty of room around the chest. The gilet is long and the rear tail runs far down the back, covering any potential gap between waterproof trousers and the gilet itself.
There is a minor issue with the fit, however, and that’s in the circumference of the arm holes. They’re a little on the tight side. They’re finished off with a bit of elastic which helps keep the crud out but it results in a tighter fit around the arms which impacts comfort to a certain extent.
The bottom hem is elasticated, too, which also comes with its niggles. Again, it’s not enough for me to turn against the gilet but, instead of keeping the hem secure around the body, the elastic hem allows it to hang up on the trouser waistband which causes it to rise. This happens even without using a hip pack and it can be a bit of a pain to constantly pull it down after each descent. It would be better if there was no elastic in this area to keep the hem free to drop by itself and allow for movement underneath.
But then, this could come at the expense of the weather protection that the gilet offers. It’s safe to say that Endura has done a great job in the strategic placing of the waterproof panels as they fend off the spray and other debris that’s come off my rear wheel after puddles and river crossings. The front of the gilet has also been impressively impervious to water ingress.
The collar is nice and tall, too, while being lined with a soft fabric on the inside. Where initially I found it to get in the way, it was actually very comfortable and a great feature as it offers protection to the back of the neck, against stuff that’s been flung particularly high.
Despite the efforts from Endura, ventilation isn’t the MT500 Spray Gilet's strong suit. When cranking up a climb I’ve come close to the very edge of overheating and that’s with the vents open. To combat this, I would like to see larger vents/pockets as seen on Endura’s MT500 Waterproof Jacket II that span from the chest to the stomach. Zippable vents at the rear would be useful, too, but that’ll surely compromise the gilet’s excellent weatherproof properties.
I'd also say that the colour is perhaps a little too orange for my tastes but the upshot is increased visibility. You could also just opt for the black version.
Endura MT500 Spray Gilet - Verdict
With a £90 price tag the MT500 Spray Gilet comes in at a good price point with Gore’s Everyday Gilet and Leatt’s 2.0 Endurance MTB vest both costing £100.
Gore’s offering gets a similar build but lacks full waterproof panels. Instead, it pairs a wind block fabric at the front with a breathable panel at the rear. The Leatt gilet is kitted with a handy silicone gripper on the extended rear hem, as well as wind block fabrics paired with knitted mesh panels to encourage more airflow. It can also be packed into a small size and there’s a strap included that allows it to be strapped onto a bike. It’s finished with a DWR coating.
There’s also Scott’s Trail Storm Insuloft AL Men’s Vest which steps into a slightly different ballgame, focussing on warmth with its Insuloft insulation. So it’s a better choice for rides that take place deeper into winter. It will also set you back £90.
The Endura MT500 Spray Gilet is a great bit of kit if you’re looking for rather good weather protection in a garment that won’t overheat like a full jacket. It’s not perfect with its elastic components requiring some tweaking in the name of comfort and to stop it from rising but Endura’s wise placement of waterproof panels, and its excellent eco-friendly DWR coating up the weather protection to impressive levels. However, more ventilation would elevate it as a frontrunner among the best cycling gilets.
