Endura Stealth Jacket Review
by Mike O’Connell (Owner, Spark BRS)
We’ve been carrying the Endura line of cycling products now since August and I’ve had the chance to either try it all myself or ask our customers who’ve bought it what they think. So far the reviews are great. Endura specializes in waterproof outerwear but also make several products that are popular with commuters and other riders who get out in cold or foul weather.
Here’s what I think about one key piece, the Endura Stealth Jacket:
Stealth Jacket Review
The Stealth Jacket is a pricey piece. At $300 it won’t be hanging in the closet of every rider out there. But, for the cyclist who rides frequently year round it may be worth the hefty price tag. I own a bike shop and I like nice things so it should come as no surprise to most of you that I grabbed one of these.
This soft-shell jacket is fully waterproof and breathable and utilizes externally taped seams to completely keep out wind and water. I found this particular feature to add to the jacket’s “bling” factor. The feel of the jacket is smooth and snag free on the inside thanks to welded seams as opposed to stitched ones. As it is very form fitting, I found the lack of seams to really enhance how comfortable the stealth jacket is.
Like most quality running and cycling jackets, the Stealth has under-arm zips to give you on demand ventilation. What Endura did better than anyone else is they put two on each side so that you can open them even while wearing a backpack or hydration pack. There’s also a zippered pocket on the back which comes in handy as well as an interface to attach a clip-on flashing light. The pocket is an area that I feel could be improved upon. Most cycling jackets have two or three large pockets on the back that are accessible without zippers. These pockets are there since it is difficult to reach the pockets on the rear of a jersey while wearing a jacket. Having only one small pocket makes nutrition storage difficult and accessing the pocket via a seam-sealed zipper is no easy task. However, I am confident that my iPhone is safe an sound in that pocket regardless of the conditions. Perhaps the Endura designers felt that loose pockets like those on the Endura Convert Jacket would take away from how sleek this jacket is. Plus, to call a jacket completely waterproof implies that everything in the pockets would stay dry as well.
Overall the Stealth is an impressive and feature rich piece. With how technical it is I’d say that it’s worth every penny to someone who would get frequent use out of it. The ideal customers for this would be commuters, winter mountain bikers, and year round road cyclists. For those who’d love a more affordable piece that will still get the job done I’d recommend the Endura Convert Jacket. It’s a windproof/breathable soft-shell jacket with zip-off sleeves that stash easily into any of the three rear pockets. Price for the Convert Jacket is $160.
