Endura’s MT500 Freezing Point Jacket is already a firm favourite here at Wideopenmag, so can the second generation keep the standard high?
Can a few updates to their MT500 Freezing Point Jacket keep Endura’s primaloft soft shell at the top of the pile? Pete has spent the last month or two finding out.
Photos by Pete Scullion.
Key features:
- Ripstop body panels
- PrimaLoft® GOLD insulation
- PFC-Free, non-toxic durable water repellent finish
- Stretch PrimaLoft® backed softshell fabric
- Silicone grip on shoulders
- Large underarm 2 way zipped vent
- Front pockets doubling as vents and hidden internal pocket
- Reflective trims on hood, cuff and rear tail
- 90 day Satisfaction Guarantee
- £159.99 RRP
- Endurasport.com
When the original Endura MT500 Freezing Point Jacket arrived at Wideopenmag Towers, it was rare that it was off my shoulders. Fit, like most of the Endura upper garments, was spot on in size small and the jacket offered decent level of protection from the elements without being overkill. I’d use it as my emergency layer on more rides than I can count, too.
On those cold, dry days, it was the perfect outer layer, keeping the cack off without getting soaked while keeping me warm. Arguably the only downside to the jacket was that the vents that double up as pockets only had zips from the top, meaning unless they were all the way open, they didn’t work as pockets.
Imagine my delight when the Freezing Point II Jacket arrives and the pocket vents have zips at both ends. Game-changer. Now I feel bad that the outgoing model gets less of a look in after being a faithful servant for many a mountain mission.
The jacket comes with PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation panels on the sleeves, front torso and hood. A stretch thermal softshell fabric with a new Primaloft® inner face on the back and lower sleeve is designed to allow full range of motion on the bike.
While it might not be the outright warmest primaloft going, you’d be hard-pushed to find a better mix of low weight, flexibility, water repellency in a jacket that looks this good.
What do we think?
It feels difficult to overstate how good this jacket is without it sounding like hyperbole, but the Endura MT500 Freezing Point II is a cracking winter jacket for either an emergency layer, an outer for cold, dry days, warmth under a hard shell or looking like a sexy beast while you pop to the shops.
We love:
- This jacket
Could do better:
- Not much