Need to know:
- Multi-filament polyester mesh
- 3 secure rear pockets
- 2 velcro sealed front pockets
- Hydrophilic treatment to increase the breathability
- Elastane to create a high stretch that adapts to your body
- Heat seal label
- Flatlock seams
- Body mapped for a superior fit
- Handmade in Europe
Keys, wallet, phone.
As you’re no doubt are aware – the new-school enduro rule book demands that you should never carry anything in a bag that you can otherwise squirrel away in some hidden pouch or pocket. Or at the very least awkwardly masking tape to your frame.
Fashion aside, it does make a bit of sense. For shorter rides or uplifts you don’t really need much more than the basics and a bag can be a bit much to carry round – especially if you’ve already got a bottle on a cage on your frame. My local rides are usually only a couple of hours, rarely result in a puncture and don’t need food or special tools. My phone, keys, fiver for a pint and a small multi-tool constitute “the essentials” – way too little to drag a pack round but too much to stuff in the pockets of my shorts.
Simple solutions.
The Morvelo Ambush Covert MTB baselayer is the solution to your enduro dilema – allowing you to carry a ride’s worth of basic kit without needing a bag or to strap your assorted paraphernalia to your frame.
The base layer is a light-weight, close fitting under-layer with 5 pockets for storage (3 on the rear and two velcro-fastening pockets on the front). It’s light and snug-fitting enough that it fits under a normal jersey and is a tight enough fit that loaded pockets don’t sag or bounce around when full like they might on your old XC or roady jersey. It also, I reckon, looks great and the dazzle camouflage colours will keep it longer fresher way longer than your grotty white or grey base layers. Whilst it’s sold as a base layer the material is light-weight and breathable enough that it shouldn’t act like you’re wearing an extra layer, meaning you won’t boil by running it.
Can’t ride without it.
The back pockets are opened-topped allowing you to stick a pump or a bottle in. The front pockets are velcro fastened so you can keep your phone, some coins and some small don’t-loose items safe. I tend to pop spare contact lenses and the car key in these front pockets.
If you’re often nipping out for a quick ride and don’t like carrying a bag or enduro-ing everything to your frame I’d recommend giving the Ambush Covert MTB baselayer a shot. It’s not massively cheap at £45 but the quality feels very good, it fits well, the styling is nice and it offers bags of on-board storage. Top marks!
In fact – I’m going to stick my neck out and say that the Covert Baselayer is easily one of the most useful, practical and can’t-ride-without it products that we’ve tested this year. We’re rolling out our new ‘Can’t ride without it’ rating … and the Covert takes the title.
Buy the Morvelo Ambush MTB baselayer online here or direct from Morvelo here.