With warnings of drought looking increasingly the stuff of a fervent media and profligate water companies, we thought we’d take a look at two items to protect you from the April showers.
First up is Endura’s Adrenaline Race Cape from their really-rather-nice FS260-Pro range. The transparent material is designed to show your race number under the garment, saving you the trouble of pinning it to the cape and damaging it in the process.
It’s supplied with a small, draw string bag, made from the same material, in which to carry the cape when not in use. The usual combination of water proofing and breathability is pledged, but that, of course, is a matter for testing, and something on which we’ll report back to you.
The cuffs and hem end with a very narrow band of elastic, presumably to extend the waterproof material as far as possible, and are finished with reflective trims. A collar is lined on the inside and has an elasticated band at its centre.
The zip extends to the top of the collar for full protection from the elements, and is shielded on the inside with a padded panel to prevent water ingress and entanglement with the garment beneath.
The long-drop tail extended provided adequate cover in our initial trial, and the sleeves proved of sufficient length not to ride up when bent over the handlebars. All the seams are taped.
Like the Roubaix jersey we tested earlier this year, the Adrenaline cape delivers on Endura’s advertised ‘athletic’ fit, and so may not be the ideal choice for the fuller figured rider.
Sizes range from S-XXL. It sells for £59.99
Castelli’s Nano shoe cover is a stylish number created from silicone coated lycra, a mix of 50 per cent nylon, 40 per cent Polyurethane, and 10 per cent Spandex, cut in three panels.
It fastens at the rear with a YKK zip, shielded by a panel from the back of the leg to prevent skin irritation. The ‘sole’ contains the expected two openings, one at the cleat and one at the heel, both elasticated.
The styling is very Italian, and very ‘pro’. The consensus among riding colleagues was that a requirement to ‘dish it out’ would be required of a rider protecting his footwear with such stylish accessories. We’ll get back to you on that, too.
Castelli recommend the Nano overshoe for use in cool and damp and mild and damp conditions, in a temperature range of six to 14 degrees – perfect for the current climate, then.
It’s available in five sizes from small (Euro shoe size 39-40) to 2XL (Euro shoe size 47-48) and sells for £40.
Check back soon for our full review.
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