Not only has our Rosie been hammering the ladies Flare kit, but Pete has been running some Extra Small Stage kit through the test mill this summer too.
There’s plenty of great kit about these days but for Pete, it’s all about getting the size right. Not the largest of folk, Pete’s ears picked up when Flare Clothing mentioned they were introducing an Extra Small size to the Stage Enduro line.
After a summer’s worth of big mountains, long days and being left smelly in the car, here’s what Pete made of the Flare Stage Enduro Jersey and Shorts.
Stage Enduro Jersey – £50.00 RRP
Photo by Chris Hutchens.The first thing you notice about the Stage Enduro Jersey is the weight, or lack thereof. Despite the 3/4 length sleeves, this jersey is impressively light and covers the ground between a good British summer top, where the weather can change in an instant and those foreign summer outings where you need something airy for the heat but something that keeps the worst of the sun off you.
Fit for me is crucial. Being 5′ 3″ and sub-60kg, most small sizes often double up as sails on me. The XSmall Stage Jersey fits perfectly, something which other kit in the same size has failed to do. My only issue with the jersey really is that being XSmall, the neck is a little tight for my massive head, but then you can’t have it all really, I am just an odd-shaped human being.
Regardless of whether it’s at home or away, a jersey really should be forgettable in as much as you shouldn’t even notice it’s there if it’s good, that’s what the Stage jersey did. All until I came to take it off with tired arms and couldn’t get it over my head.
Roost DH Shorts – £80.00 RRP.
Photo by Chris Hutchens.The DH shorts Flare offer are, unsurprisingly, heavier duty than the Stage Enduro short but this doesn’t mean they’re hefty. Well-matched with the Stage jersey, with the logo matching nicely with the colours of the one I tested above.
Again, fit of the 28 size was what it said on the tin and I didn’t have to wind up the fasteners to stop me flashing my back end at the world. Pockets aren’t cavernous, but then why would a downhill short need to be? Enough space for phone in one pocket and keys in the other.
The 500D Cordura is used in this short to keep it robust and it does take the scuffs well. My only complaint is that the V-cut knee stitching tore on its first fairly minor interface with the ground. Some heftier stitching in the crucial areas would make this short a winner.
