[Closed] Low quality Endura clothing

Nope, hoodies are superb.

Only problem I've had was a 2nd hand pair of shorts I bought off here. After repairing they're still going strong 11 years later

I've had a pair Singletrack shorts that the stitching came free, gloves that the rubber logos on the back of the hand has come off and now just bought the Singletrack trousers and the two press studs on the waist bands have come off !!

Good job I own my own outdoor equipment manufacture/repair company, I have repaired both the shorts and trousers as they fit like a glove and I dont want to mess around sending them back and losing use if them for a long period of time.

I have loads of their kit and nothing has fallen apart, despite many years use in some cases.

Sounds like I've just had some bad luck, I will no doubt continue buying their stuff

Convert jacket, tape fell off seams and zips failed. 3/4 longs, pad disintegrated. Humvee shorts, stitching failed, zips failed. Two pairs of liner shorts have separated from the pads. So no, you've not been that unlucky in my experiences. Oh, yeah forgot the different items that have just been weirdly sized. My knee warmers seem to have been made for a giraffe.

I’ve found their gloves either last a long time or disintegrate within a few rides. So I avoid those - 100% gloves last much better and my new Royal Racing Storm gloves seem good too.

Endura baggy shorts have lates me years so far - one pair has the stitching just beginning to go where the saddle rubs against them but I’ve had a lot of wear out of them.

FS260 bibs also doing ok and their budget jacket I’ve got has lasted well too.

I wonder if their quality control is a bit hit and miss on certain products - I’m never going to buy any of their gloves again but will continue to buy their shorts.

Endura gloves seem to last me about 2-3 years.

I have jerseys that are going strong after more than 6 years.

Shorts seem to eventually wear out on the arse but no worse than any other brand.

I also have some of the MT500 kit that I'm ekeing out as it's fab but they no longer make it.

The Baa Baa merino socks are superb for most of the year and my first choice when bikepacking.

Generally, Endura are one of my go-to brands, along with Polaris at the cheaper end and Gore at the higher end.

I've never known another brand to have such a range of quality across their products. Still much more 'hit' than 'miss' with me though. And as with others, sizing is inconsistent.

Merino base layers, Spray baggy shorts, jerseys, original Hummvee shorts (not the current ones) - superb.

Gloves - utter guff.

I have Endura kit that either lasts forever or starts to crumble within a few rides. It seems very hit and miss at times.

I have also had a grumble at their really poor design on some items I have - new winter bib longs with a seam for different foam in the chamois right at the front, chafing some rather tender areas. Zips with unfinished ends that a melted off - I have hand sewn them down to stop them rubbing.

Mrs_oab had two pairs of their inner shorts that fitted well and lasted well (until the Gel in the pads starts going all lumpy). She bought a third set of same model from same shop - and found the sizing totally different!

I am rather torn over them - some of the kit I have had such as Singletrack or Humvee shorts, an old thicker jersey are just superb and have lasted huge time. Other bits just feel ill-thought through, and when combined with hit and miss quality or sizing, do I buy again?

i have an Endura onesie (singletrack suit), Had it four about 18 months and the main zip was getting really stiff/almost impossible to undo. On closer inspection some of the teeth appears to be damaged.

I emailed endura asking if they can repair it (i was happy to pay for it). They told me to return it to CRC. A few emails back and forth, returned it to CRC and a few days later a brand new one arrived.

Was pretty pleased with the outcome!

What items do you have that are falling apart and when did you buy them? As there is a pretty good chance they will replace them.

I suggest giving them an email and see what they say.

Mostly positive with Endura. Had some Humvee shorts that lasted years until they failed in the arse area, just through wear and tear though so no complaints.

My MT500 waterproof shorts didn't last as long and holes appeared after around 2 years use but I did wear them a lot through some horrendous conditions. I did expect them to last longer though.

Their gloves would last around 1 year then disintegrate. 100% gloves are far superior in every way.

Their customer service / repair service is good though, so if you do have issues I'd defo recommend contacting them. I did when I first had some waterproof shorts, first ride in them I came off my bike and tore a small-ish hole in them. Sent them back for repair and they did it for free.

Always had quality kit from them, but then only buy their more 'top end' stuff.

You don't actually say though how old or how well/badly you treat your gear.

Both of my sets of Humvess came apart at the stitching on the front panel within months of buying them. It's the only Endura clothing I own and It'll likely stay that way.

another on the variable quality/design control process at Endura.

All the stuff I had from the 'Equipe' road range from some years back is the best quality/design kit I've ever had - the gloves have lasted particularly well and really sensible design for a cool weather glove like a long cuff so no gap between jersey and glove.

The MTR stuff was great quality too, but the MTR shorts and a rough patch in the back (that gripped the outers) and ridiculously tight elastic on the legs. But for every brilliantly fitting, long lasting, great value garment theres been something else with a rough seam that made it unusable.

I have an Endura winter jacket where the seam has come away on both cuffs. It happened after not much use. By the time I noticed it the warranty had probably already expired. The jacket is still usable but the loose cuffs are irritating.

I have been an Endura user for many years and to be fair most of their products lasted well.

Their prices are reasonably fair too even so I find I can only really warrant buying in the sales.

Some other MTB clothing like Fox pricing is totally ridiculous. The cost of some manufacturers shorts is the same as a formal suit! On our cafe stops we often see the road guys going out in full Rafa? Kit that costs £££s and often all in black too 😳

I particularly like Endura Humvee shorts and MT 500 and “burner” products. I recently bought their MT500 burner long trousers which work well on winter trails. It’s a shame they don’t do their MT500 tights anymore.

I've had two pairs of winter gloves and some overshoes from Endura that didn't even last a season. Haven't bought anything from them since.

EDIT: Tell a lie - just realised I do have an Endura softshell that I bought from Evans' pre-takeover clearance sale for £11. Not worn it yet, I'm waiting for my current Gore one to expire first but that seems to be lasting forever.

Sounds like I’ve just had some bad luck, I will no doubt continue buying their stuff

Historically I've had terrible 'luck' with Endura along with poor customer service. I thimk they have - or had - a historical, cultural problem with manufacturing standards / design / quality control, that people treat charitably because they are a UK brand with mountain bike heritage. I have no idea if they've improved since being bought by Pentland Group - the company behind Berghaus and others - because I'm reluctant to buy Endura again.

were they uk made, and now not? i had some shorts which seemed to last for years, the most recent pair dont seem anything like as well made

I've had a mixed experience. MTR shell jacket shed its taped seams after 2/3 washes, button came off a pair of Singletrack shorts early on and just this weekend my MT500 shorts have shed their taped seams, although they are quite old.

I like their stuff mostly and it fits pretty well. I have an MT500 softshell that is going strong after about 8 years.

I dont buy Endura stuff anymore. Every single thing I used fell to bits, usually by premature stitching failure.

The final straw was wearing my MT500 shorts seat through in just over a year. The repair that I paid half the price of the shorts for was an iron on piece of plastic that came off in a month.

Fit is funny too. It seems to be built for 7ft tall spiders.

Probably 10 years since the last stuff I had. Some decent other options around now.

Iv'e like Endura Humvee shorts 2 pair but the Humvee inner shorts (4 pair ) all seem to be different length's

It's the elastic tape measure they use to make their items with. I have large and medium shorts and trousers. Its a lottery ordering new, end up buying one of each and returning the one that doesn't fit.

90% of my kit is Endura as it fits me well, doesn't have big logos and is reasonably priced. Cant say I've had any quality issues.

bruneep
Full Member

It’s the elastic tape measure they use to make their items with. I have large and medium shorts and trousers. Its a lottery ordering new, end up buying one of each and returning the one that doesn’t fit.

In the last 12 months of so I've bought 3 "tops" from them; gilet, riding t-shirt and a baselayer. Gilet is great fit, t-shirt is baggier than expected, nearly had to be cut out of the baselayer as I was genuinely worried I was stuck in it. All labelled as the same size, their own info suggested I should've even been in a smaller baselayer!

The shorts and gloves are eight months old and the trousers less than a month !!

Are these items made for the world of MTB which is by nature rough ?, I do a fair amount of 'gravity riding' through close singletrack so a lot of contact with foliage.

I have had the items repaired and modified by the company in run to prevent further issues. The stitching has been reinforced and the waist band closure on the shorts and trousers have been replaced with a velcro closure system

Another one who has mixed luck here. I've got a pair of Thermastat bib-longs that must be 15+ years old - just about worn through the crotch now, but they're still just about decent. I've yet to see a viable replacement - unpadded, waterproof shins, double thickness knees & arse.

There's a bunch of other stuff I've bought that's needed stitching repairs after a pretty short time, but functions OK after that. Fit is all over the place (every pair of (small) baggy shorts I tried fell off me if I breathed in) and I basically only buy their gear if its a)discounted, b)in an actual bricks'n'mortar shop where I can try on the exact item I'll be purchasing to avoid sizing issues. I've just got a Pro SL softshell jacket 50% off through this route, which seems lovely on the first couple of wears.

I do look at a lot of their gear and think "ooh that looks nice/well designed/well featured", but I just can't justify the costs for the potential risk of having something that's a lottery as to whether it lasts. The last time I tried on an MT500 waterproof jacket, it was spot on, but its an RRP of £230 and there's no way I'd be prepared to crash an MTB in it, and if I got less than a decade out of it I'd be disappointed - real world most "waterproofs" only work as such for a couple of rides, are tolerably leaky for about 2 years then only fit for trail building/bikewashing duties. Add in the possibility of it randomly disintegrating somehow, and "no thanks"...!

I had a really nice Endura waterproof with the world's flimsiest zip. They replaced it without a quibble but the new jacket (a new design) has exactly the same problem. And the taping is already starting to go on one of the seams.

I used to be the kit bod for a club and also a racing team. We had variable quality and customer service but we gave up after one particular occasion - an order of 35 items was three months late due to 'being held up in QC'.
When it all finally arrived I opened the box and then sent 20+ of the items back to be remade. Men's chamois in women's shorts, panels not sewn in the correct places, incorrect bibs on shorts, it just went on.
So the 'QC' argument was total rubbish. I got it all fixed but I didn't use them again nor will I ever do.

 because I’m reluctant to buy Endura again.

I've some "legacy" bits and pieces - leg warmers, a pair of padded undershorts and Singletrack waterproof that sits at the bottom of my pack as an emergency shell, (probably the reason it's lasted) and once they're done I won't have any more of their kit and I'm unlikely to change that. Last straw for me was a pair of their waterproof shorts that split at the seams after 2 years. Just too much of a gamble

Variable experiences here too- gloves with stitching failing, seam tapes on shorts come away, but other things seem to last very well.
That said, I like the fit especially of the gloves so will make use of the returns policy and put up with having to exchange stuff that fails..

I've never liked their kit, its not cheap, but not mega expensive, but I find the fit more akin to the cheaper end of the market, and the quality just below avg.

So I either buy more expensive stuff from quality brands, or go for cheaper stuff that is just as nearly good.

I've found endura gloves disintegrate a lot quicker than others, and their zips break more quickly too. Don't know if I've just been unlucky.

Agree with much of the above. I have two tops that I bought circa 1999 and they are still going strong although had have the zips replaced after about 10 years. More recently I bought some MT500 trousers which are great but the click inner shorts seemed to disintegrate almost straight away.
So when they are good they are very good but when they are bad they are rubbish.

As above, the fit is a bit weird and they somehow manage to keep their prices higher than the (often better) competition.

So I only have a (heavily discounted) MTR emergency shell and a Baabaa base layer, both of which are very good TBF.

Got a few things that are all lasting well.

Shorts, gloves, insulated gillet, Jersey. All been used a lot and seem fine. Gloves have the most wear but expected that.

Must be lucky with the gloves. I’ve three (different style) pairs and zero issues.
Baa baa stuff really nice but other jerseys never fit and very variable in sizing. Same issue with recent shirts which were returned but have older shorts that are still going great. Have also had the separating pad but after four/five years which for the price is acceptable to me for the use they got.

Unable to use any of the full leg length range as they are just way too long for me. Must be a market for short leg cycling bibs or troos.

For context most of the Endura kit I had was about 15 years ago. I emailed them then about the issues I had and got a very unsatisfactory response. The liner shorts were a more recent purchase, I'd hoped things might have improved. For comparison I have two pairs of Dakine shorts that are well over ten years old and still going strong as is some Ground Effect stuff of a similar vintage, so I don't wreck everything I own.

I had some gloves that have lasted 2 rides.

A pair of bib shorts and tights are from 1997 and 1999. They are still limping on and should last at least one more winter before being replaced.

A lot of my old Endura stuff has lasted really well and its been through all conditions, but one or two recent items have fallen apart. I have some new stuff to test and a new jacket on order, so I will see how good it is.

The Endura stuff just fits well and works well too, I feel it can sometimes be a bit hit and miss, but overall its good and its pretty much all I buy these days.

I just dont find their sizing consistent throughout the range.

90% of my kit is Endura as it fits me well, doesn’t have big logos and is reasonably priced.

Same here, although I only ever buy in the sale.

My first pair of MT500 Spray shorts had the tape come off at 11 months old, replaced by Tredz, other than that I’ve had no issues but I have avoided the gloves because of what I’ve seen about them online.

Have had a pair of older Singletrack shorts for the last 8 years and have done well over 6k miles in all conditions, whilst the liner needed changing, the shorts themselves are still brilliant. Got given a pair of the latest Forest Green Singletrack 2 shorts last Christmas, did about 2.5k last year in them, again they have been brilliant regardless of how much abuse and washes they have! I'm surprised you've had so many issues, especially with the shorts, they seem very durable to me.

I’ve had a pair of MT500 shorts that have lasted 8 years and a huge amount of abuse and use! Also had the trousers for a while and more recently, Singletrack trousers, all have been superb and better than more expensive stuff. Clearly a bit hit n miss from some responses but they will remain my go to 🙂

I'm another with only positive experiences with literally dozens of items of Endura kit; oldest are probably the Humvee 3/4s that are at least 15 years old and still refuse to die. Old winter tights, newer shorts and liners; an MT500 wind shirt from at least 10 years ago. Everything has been bomber, with perhaps the exception being merino socks not lasting as long as On-one thickies.
I used to be able to kill kit off remarkably quickly but in recent years have taken better care of it and find that very few things of any brand really disappoint. I'm still riding and running several times a week in all weathers.
Generally speaking, it's rare that I've none of their gear on when riding.
The only thing that has been poor in my mind is the performance of an FS-260 lightweight waterproof rain jacket from 6 or 7 years ago; it's waterproof alright, but breathes as well as a plastic sack, so I always get cold when I wear it in anything other than warm rain. On the other hand I've an ancient, slightly heavier E-vent PTFE(ouch!) MTB jacket that breathes fantastically well, the inner face is always dry, even after a tough ride.

Utter junk. Ive got 3 pairs of their shorts and all 3 have shrunk over Christmas.

Based in Livingston but most if not all of their gear is manufactured in China

Not sure if it’s just Endura I think generally QC on many brands has gone to pot . I’ve been trying to get some waterproof trousers that are actual up to the job . Just sent a pair of Madison’ back after about a month , over £100 not good enough .
I thought what’s next MT500 ? They are at least £150 , then I read a recent test on them on Bike Radar 2 1/2 out of 5 , zips leaked wetted through after about an hour . BR contacted Endura their response? They said they’ve made their manufacturing process more environmentally friendly which may have reduced the effectiveness of the product !!! They added customers can return them if there’s a problem ? Nah I’ll give them a miss thanks not worth the risk .I contacted them for their take on the review didn’t want to comment 🙄 Yet I’ve got a pair of Singletrack trousers that are at least 10 years old still going strong , bombproof!
I’ve also resurrected an old pair of Altura waterproof trousers with Nikwax , they aren’t flimsy like the latest versions nice and long in the leg and just as up to the job after a sloppy Quantocks ride today .
7 Mesh Thunderpants £275 !!!!! 😳😳😳😳😳😳are they any better ? 🤔

Shorts have been tip top, gloves don't last long. I bought some trousers yesterday. Think varies depending on the product

Seems as though they have changed their manufacturing and QC process over the years and its had a negative effect, other outdoor companies are the same Alpkit clothing has taken a nose dive over the last few years as some of it is made in China, I know the Pulsar jacket looks amazing for riding in but is not waterproof at all.

Everything that I have had from Endura has fallen apart due to premature failing of the seam stitching. As others have said, there are better options out there imo, so I no longer buy from them.

Pair of trousers and shorts both had seams fall apart in short order. Don’t buy from them any more.

Mt500 shorts lasted about 5 years before needing stitching up with seams gone but still ok. Older shorts from them, guess Singletrack, quite heavy duty have lasted way longer. So yep guess older kit may have been better.

You'll find plenty of threads that slate and also love Endura clothing.

Over the years I've bought a fair few items of Endura clothing and the quality and fit has always been all over the place. They are generally a lot cheaper than the equivalent Gore or Giro etc.

My recommendation on cycling clothing is buy top quality stuff in the sales from places like Gore, Rapha, Giro, Stolen Goat, 7mesh etc.
Or buy better value brands like DHB and Galibier.
Or buy Altura or Polaris for commuting type clothing.

So in the spirit of internet confirmation bias, my experiences were less than stellar.

eVent waterproof three quarters - taped seams went within a few months followed by the face fabric delaminating at the buhoochie. Rode them after that held together with Gorilla Tape.

Thermal bibs - my missus bought three pairs in a row as the first two were not stitched properly. One on the leg seam and one on the bib where there was an inch long hole in the fabric between the outer and the chamois.

Waterproof gloves which leaked through the seams within about 5 mins of heavy rain. When you took them off, the inner fabric pulled out.

Normal riding gloves - fell apart at the seams and the tips within a couple of months of riding.

Three quarter roubaix style bibs where the chamois separated and came away at the stitching after less than a year of light use.

Overshoes - zips broke on all of them despite very little use.

Riding shorts - main zip burst in a few months of riding. Liner chamois compressed down to the point of discomfort within a matter of months.

Windproof jacket with thermal back - washing it saw the back fabric go baggy to the point of it looking like it was being worn by a metal coat hanger.

Merino socks - big wear holes within a couple of months of light wear.

Strangely, I don’t buy any of their stuff anymore. Would I ride them as test kit? Absolutely as brands can and do improve as well as lose their way so as with all tests, you can only go with the experiences you have at the time.

Cheers

Sanny

Seems as though they have changed their manufacturing and QC process over the years and its had a negative effect, other outdoor companies are the same Alpkit clothing has taken a nose dive over the last few years as some of it is made in China,

The whole 'it's rubbish because it's made in China' thing is pants. Some of the best technical brands in the world manufacture in China with no issues, Arc'teryx for example. Pretty much every Gore-Tex jacket in the world is made in China or elsewhere in the far east. I don't know if Alpkit has an issue with reliability, none of the Alpkit stuff I've used in the past five years has failed, but if it does, it will be down to a combination of the individual factory, the design and the quality control process, not because 'some of it is made in China'.

Fwiw, one of the reasons not much top-level technical clothing is made in the UK, apart from cost, is that factories here simply don't have the high tech machinery and technology available to brands in China and elsewhere.

I am waiting for Endura to respond to my warranty query about stitching coming undone on my MT500 trousers (the MT500 shorts that seem to have a very similar construction are fine). It looks as though the stitch material has just worn through - the seams / material are fine. A weird way for it to fail! I keep badgering them, but they haven't replied usefully except to say "We're looking into it." It's been 2 months so far - Disappointing to say the least.

It's a shame because the fit / feel is higher quality than most other stuff I've used over the years.

Weren't they getting a kicking over QC on here 10 years ago?

The garments I've had in recent years have been better than back then TBH.

Weren’t they getting a kicking over QC on here 10 years ago?

Yes, they were. It must be longer than that since I emailed them asking about the mid-layer thermal that I bought (heavily reduced) that was tiny. The reply was that it was a mid-layer compression jersey thing, which makes no sense at all. It then came apart at the seams, because it didn't seem to be designed to be stretched..

I stopped buying their stuff a long time ago because of all sorts of issues, but in recent years I've ended up with a few things:

- 2 pairs of winter gloves, which have the word 'waterproof' printed on them. This is purely decorative, as they are not. They are warm, though, until waterlogged.

- various pairs of shorts, where the liner and the outer seem to be assembled of different sized garments for different sized people. The outers get a lot of hard use and are going strong.

- riding trousers, which are doing a decent job. The previous pair split at the crotch, mid-ride but they had a reasonably hard life.

I like the socks. Not many seams to fail, or sizing to cock up. 😀