The Endura Stealth II jacket could be the only one you’ll need to see off all winter conditions.
Warm, with an excellent fit, and completely waterproof, it will do good service in weather that’s cold, wet, or cold and wet. We’d change the rear pocket (more of which below) but nothing else.
The most important facet of a waterproof jacket is its ability to keep out the rain and in this regard it was impossible to fault the Stealth II Jacket. The exterior of the chest panel darkened under sustained assault, but moisture did not penetrate. Lighter rain simply beaded. The Entrant DT® fabric, a product of the Toryaca firm whose carbon fibre filament is used in thousands of bicycle frames each year, did an excellent job.
The fabric’s role in keeping out the elements was aided by the fit and features, which were excellent. The high collar and zipped cuffs provided much in the way of a seal against the worst of the weather. The fit was similarly impressive. The small size we tested combined a dropped tail of useful length and sleeves long enough to provide coverage when in the saddle and stretching for the handlebars. The cut of the torso was close but not restrictive. Full marks.
Our only criticism concerns the rear pocket, which is in the ‘poacher’ style, and which made retrieving the contents a matter of groping blindly for a zip which gave access to a pouch only six inches wide by seven inches deep, and so of limited use (it was unable to accommodate our eight-inch Topeak pump, for example).
Slightly better news could be found in the accompanying pocket, one that runs the entire width of the jacket and was accessed from a vertical six-inch zip on the side of the poacher’s pocket; the eventual location of our pump.
On the plus side, all pockets are sealed with waterproof zips. The ‘Napoleon-style’ chest pocket was the most accessible and provided a convenient haven for keys, bank card, and a few sheets of the folding stuff, carried in case of emergency.
Conclusion
A waterproof, soft shell jacket promises the best of all worlds and the Endura Stealth II jacket largely delivers. Warm, comfortable and waterproof, it’s a versatile garment able to shrug off a host of inclement conditions and this broad range of abilities might go someway to justifying an investment of £169.99.
Price: £169.99
Size: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Colour: red, blue, green, black
Website: Endura
