Value: £29.99 / $44.99 / €34.99 Materials: Polyester / Recycled Polyester Sizes: XS-XXL Colors: White Weight: 70 grams – small
The common-or-garden biking base layer is a bit of biking equipment that’s typically missed. They not often obtain a lot fanfare or characteristic in shiny press photographs, however they’re at all times there for us, quietly doing a strong job and preserving us snug on the bike.
The Endura Translite II short-sleeved base layer matches the invoice completely as one in all these unsung heroes. It’s a easy, white, short-sleeved biking base layer. It is a well-made and well-executed design that is fairly priced. It additionally options in our finest biking base layers consumers information.
Within the UK, the Translite II retails at £29.99 and is comprised of a Polyester combine. A complete of 38% is a recycled polyester positive gauge mesh. The remaining is common Polyester.
There’s one color choice, white. It’s accessible in short-sleeved or sleeveless choices in an excellent vary of sizes. There’s additionally a barely costlier windproof Translite choice within the vary if you’re enthusiastic about a bit extra safety.
A couple of extra seams characteristic on the rear, one thing that extra premium base layers attempt to get rid of (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski)
Design and aesthetics
I do know this isn’t a overview for a brand new groupset or set of fancy carbon wheels. It’s for a short-sleeved, white base layer. Nevertheless, we’re within the enterprise of reviewing biking equipment right here on the Cyclingnews tech workforce and recognize that discovering a overview for a product you’re contemplating shopping for will be thrilling and helpful. With that in thoughts, you are going to get a correct job right here.
And so, to the Translite II. Designed by Endura in Scotland, and manufactured in China. The Polyester mesh it is constructed from could be very positive, nearly translucent. Endura says that is to help breathability.
The model additionally claims to have included forward-facing, cycling-specific sleeves, to accommodate the place we assume when sitting on a motorbike, although I am unable to say I seen something notably totally different about them.
There’s one other bike-specific nod concerning the panelling, there is a barely dropped again and flatlock seams that are neat and unobtrusive. There are extra seams right here than on some extra premium base layers, this is likely one of the areas your further spend goes on if you take a look at the highest finish of what is available on the market.
There’s a silvery gray Endura brand and model title on the chest, and a small rubber label bearing the Endura ‘E’ brand on the hem. The inner labels are pretty massive and will be discovered on the hem and neck, although you’ll be able to at all times neatly lower these out in case you choose – they haven’t induced me any points although.
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While a bit massive, the neck label hasn’t induced me any points (Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski )
Ditto for the label on the hem, lower them out in case you aren’t eager(Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski )
The flatlock seams are neat and have not induced any irritation(Picture credit score: Tom Wieckowski )
Efficiency
A lot of base layers are polyester or polyester blends, nothing new there. However the Translite II’s make-up could be very gentle and really snug. The positive, gentle mesh appears to appear to deliver loads of consolation in its design and the bottom layer definitely doesn’t lose out within the consolation stakes to costlier choices. It’s truly most likely one of many comfiest base layers I’ve pulled on.
I’m about 65kg and examined a dimension small and sizing is in keeping with different manufacturers, so you’ll be able to belief the Endura dimension chart. The bottom layer is fitted, however definitely isn’t tremendous tight and has a great deal of stretch. To present you an concept, it’s nearer to a extra fitted t-shirt really feel than an excellent tight, cycling-specific garment.
It sits properly beneath biking jerseys typically. If you happen to’re carrying a tight-fitting or aero street jersey I’d recommend going for the sleeveless choice, this may get rid of the possibility of the marginally looser arms using up beneath your tight jersey sleeves, particularly if they’re elbow size. This appears to be like a bit unpleasant and will be annoying. With that stated, having tried it with a tighter-fitting jersey and arm heaters on just a few events, the sleeves did not notably get in the best way for me.
For extra normal use with a variety of jerseys together with looser becoming ones or for layering, go for the quick sleeve choice. Though it’s cycling-specific, the match is such which you can additionally put on it off the bike. I’ve discovered it snug for operating, and even lounging round the home.
It is saved me snug and dry on a variety of rides, I’ve discovered it to get ever so barely sweaty when the temperature is into the mid-twenties and above, however that is fairly subjective. The equipment you’re carrying, situations and the way arduous you are using will all have an effect on this.
Verdict
The Translite II gives robust efficiency for the value and doesn’t actually have any main weaknesses. Mine has worn and washed nicely. It’s picked up a mark on the chest that appears proof against washing, however this doesn’t hassle me within the slightest. The labels could irritate you, they haven’t me, but when they do, simply neatly snip them out.
For the cash, this base layer gives nice consolation and efficiency in plenty of totally different situations and can work nicely with a variety of biking equipment and using types. What’s to not like?
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Design and Aesthetics
Neat design, flat lock seams are snug, the labels could get in the best way for some, however will be eliminated
7/10
Worth
Good worth and cheaper than plenty of different equally performing base layers
8/10
Match
A dimension small matches properly with none surprises, not tremendous tight and with an excellent quantity of stretch
