[Editor’s Note: Several of Blister’s bike reviewers tested a range of Specialized’s bike apparel on a recent trip to Whistler, BC. Here are their thoughts.]
Enduro Comp Jersey
Reviewer: Noah Bodman
Size Tested: Medium
Color: Black / White
MSRP: $60
Features:
- VaporRize Moisture Transfer Fabrics
- One zippered side pocket with sunglass wipe
- DeflectUV 30
- Relaxed Fit
Reviewer Info: 5’9”, 150lbs. Typically wears a size Medium.
Days Tested: 5
Location Tested: Whistler, BC
The Enduro Comp is a simple, short sleeve jersey made from Specialized’s comfortable VaporRize fabric. The Enduro Comp also comes in a 3⁄4 sleeve style.
The Medium Enduro Comp jersey fits true to size. While I’ve worn some Medium jerseys that are a bit longer, I didn’t find the Enduro Comp to be too short. Because of the loose fit, it isn’t a jersey I’d pair with spandex shorts.
The Enduro Comp jersey, like many of Specialized’s products, is made out of VaporRize fabric. It’s worth mentioning, though, the VaporRize fabric is not an identical fabric in each garment. So, the VaporRize in the Enduro Comp jersey is quite different than the VaporRize fabric in the Mountain Bib short.
The Enduro Comp’s VaporRize fabric has a tighter knit than other common jersey fabrics. The tighter weave of the fabric feels really comfortable against the skin, but that also makes the jersey a little hotter. The Enduro Comp jersey dries out quickly, and hasn’t gotten too smelly so far.
The Enduro Comp jersey doesn’t have any pockets on the back panel, but there is a zippered triangular pocket on one side. Unfortunately, this pocket is really too small to hold much, but can fit a car key and, just barely, a credit card or ID.
Bottom Line
The Enduro Comp doesn’t have a lot of features, but it’s a great option if you’re looking for a reasonably priced and comfortable jersey.
Enduro Sport Shorts
Reviewer: Noah Bodman
Size Tested: 32
Color: Neon Blue
MSRP: $72
Features:
- VaporRize Moisture Transfer woven fabrics
- One zippered and one stash pocket
- Internal waist adjustment
- Deflect UV 50+
- 14 1⁄2” inseam-size medium
Reviewer Info: 5’9”, 150lbs, 32” waist. Typically wears a size Medium
Days Tested: 5
Location Tested: Whistler, BC
The Specialized Enduro Sport shorts are minimal, lightweight, and best suited for trail riding.
I have a 32” waist, and the size 32 fits true to size. The lightweight VaporRize fabric on the Enduro Sport shorts has a little bit of stretch, which makes the waist really comfortable. There is also an adjustment tab on the inside of the waist to help achieve a more precise fit.
The name of these shorts is also slightly confusing to me; in my mind an “enduro sport short” would be something you wear while riding enduro. However, these shorts aren’t long enough to wear with knee pads (or they’ll ride up way above your pads if you do), and the material doesn’t look like it would be able to withstand repeated abuse. Given their length and the lightweight material, they are better suited for standard trail rides that involve some pedaling.
The Enduro sport shorts look and feel a lot like a bathing suit. The shorts also have a mesh lining, a “modesty flap” on the velcro fly, and fabric that dries out really quickly. The shorts never felt too warm and were quite breathable. While they worked well on trail rides on warmer days, $72 seems a bit expensive for a short that is essentially a bathing suit.
The Enduro Sport shorts have pretty minimal features. The shorts are just a shell, and don’t include an integrated liner or chamois. There is one zippered pocket, and one “stash” pocket. Since I prefer not to wear a pack while riding, I like to have enough pocket space to stow my normal array of junk: sunglasses, keys, a multitool, small pump, tire levers, and patch kit. All of this fits in my Troy Lee Designs Moto shorts without a problem, but the main zippered pocket on the Enduro Sport shorts wasn’t large enough to carry all of my gear. Additionally, the “stash” pocket was too small to hold anything that I would ever take on a ride.
Bottom Line
The Specialized Enduro Sport has become my go-to pair of shorts for trail riding on warmer days, especially when those rides involve jumping in a river or lake.
Enduro Glove
Reviewer: Noah Bodman
Size Tested: Large
Color: Grey / Green
MSRP: $40
Features:
- LifeLine palm and pre-curved finger construction
- Full-wrap fingertips
- Airpreen knuckles
- Durable double layer on heel of palm
- Wiretap Touch screen compatible
- Silicone textured fingertips
- Microwipe Thumb
- Adjustable velcro cuff
Reviewer Info: 5’9”, 150lbs. Typically wears a size Large
Days Tested: 15
Locations Tested: Whistler, BC; Whitefish, MT; Fernie, BC
The Specialized Enduro is a simple, mid-weight glove that works really well for trail rides.
I generally wear a size Large in gloves, and the Enduro gloves fit true to size. I’ve worn a number of gloves that have fingers that are either too short or too long, but all of the fingers on Enduro are a normal length.
The Enduro gloves have a decidedly mid-weight construction; they’re not as light as something like the Dakine Ventilator glove, but they don’t feel as bulky or hot as something like my POC Index DH gloves.
The Enduro has a little bit of rubber armor on the knuckles for added protection. I’ve worn other gloves with this sort of rubber protection, and the rubber doesn’t usually stay attached well over time. After fifteen rides, the rubber on the Enduro has already started to peel away. I’m not sure how they will hold up in the long term, but the Enduro’s construction seems pretty comparable to other, similar gloves.
The Enduro doesn’t have any padding on the palm, which helped achieve a nice, accurate feel on the handlebar. I didn’t notice any weird seams or pressure points, and the articulated knuckles kept the fingers comfortable. The Enduro also has a really soft snot wipe area on the thumb, which I appreciated.
Bottom Line
The Specialized Enduro is a comfortable, mid-weight glove that has become my go-to option for day-to-day trail riding when it’s neither super hot nor super cold outside.
I’ve been using the SWAT Bibs for east coast enduros and rides where I don’t need so much water. I’ve had no issues with losing gear, but they fit me really snug (6′ and 180 pounds), so that may help with keeping gear in place.
I tend to stuff the pockets full, which helps stuff from bouncing around too much and its stayed in place really well through all sorts of techy and jumpy trails.
Key must be to fill the back pockets as much as possible.