The MT500 collection from Endura is their top-end MTB apparel range. The collection covers everything from helmets to clothing, protection/armor, and even shoes. Purpose made for high performance mountain biking, the products are trail-friendly with DH levels of durability.
With sponsored athletes and ambassadors including riders like Dan and Gee Atherton, the collection has been proven at the top levels of the sport. I’ve been running a full kit that includes the Burner Pants and Jersey, gloves, and helmet, and have been thoroughly impressed with the fit, comfort, durability, as well as the asthetics. In this write up, I’ll focus on my experience with the Burner Pants and long sleeve jersey.
MT500 Burner Pants Features
- Pants of choice for Dan and Gee Atherton
- Slim fit, maintains Knee-pad-friendly fit
- 4-way stretch fabric
- Clickfast system is compatible with matching undershorts
- MSRP: $170
There are two side vertical-oriented zipper pockets that keep items secure. I carry my phone in the right pocket and don’t have issues with the size. Like most performance-oriented MTB pants or shorts, there is no rear pocket.
The waist is secured with a belt, and it is one of my favorite closure systems. Easy to get on and off, there are no snaps to pop free, and its simple to adjust. There are also hook-and-loop straps for additional adjustment/fitment options.
Endura uses a system on the inner waistband that lets you affix their Clickfast-compatible liner shorts to the pants, allowing you to wear the pants and liners separately but also ride like they’re one integrated product. They’re sold separately; for this review, the sample pants didn’t include the undershorts, and although I didn’t test them together, I’ve used them in the past. My undershorts have long since worn out, but I did wear them often. The chamois pad is fairly light and worked well for mountain bike rides.
On the trail
I’ve really enjoyed everything about these pants, and they’ve been a favorite at the bike park, shuttle runs, trail riding, and eMTB rides. The MT500 Burner Pant takes its inspiration from the race kits developed for the Athertons, and has a slim form-fitting silhouette that doesn’t feel restrictive (thanks to the stretch in the fabric) even with knee pads worn underneath.
I even race-tested the kit, lining up at a Northwest Cup DH race in the kit; the pants made me feel fast. Or at least look fast, standing around in the parking lot or waiting my turn to drop into the race course. (It’s too bad my times aren’t reflecting that these days) The color of the pants I’m wearing is called … wait for it – Blue Steel.
Not only is it a great name (assuming you get the reference), but the different hues of blue should be helpful in disguising wear and fade as these pants age. Based on how well they fit and the durability of the fabric, I’m planning to wear these pants until they fall apart at the seams.
Fit & Sizing
I’m 5’10”, 184 lbs with a 31″ inseam. I’ve been wearing size medium, and the fit feels true to size. I’ve reviewed and still have other Endura shorts, and I previously wore a size small. (I weighed 165lbs at the time.) According to the size chart, the Medium is the equivalent of a 32″ waist, which seems accurate for the most part. I find I wear a 32″ or 33″ pant depending on the brand and fit.
Overall, the MT500 Burner Pants are a great option for a high-performance MTB pant. Although there are less expensive options, at $170 MSRP, the price is inline with other premium high-performance MTB pants, and after a season or regular use, I’m convinced it’s money well spent.
MT500 Long Sleeve Jersey Features
- Loose, Relaxed Fit, compatible With Elbow And Body Protection
- Wicking Main Body Fabric
- Silicone Shoulder Print For Backpack Strap Grip
- Standard Slim, Not Baggy, Flap Free Fit Accommodates Slim Line Padding
- Laser Cut Perforation For Ventilation
- Zipped Sleeve Lift Pass Pocket
- MSRP: $100
- Size tested: medium
The all-black jersey isn’t the most photogenic, but pairing it with the blue pants helps! I’m a fan of the understated branding; it’s there, but I don’t feel like a billboard.
For a basic item like a jersey, Endura managed to include a lot of details in the package. From the laser-cut vents in the armpit area for airflow, to the weave of the fabric in the main body, it all comes together to create a comfortable, performance-oriented garment for riding. For backpack wearers (as well as chest armor), the shoulders feature a more durable stretch fabric that adds abrasion resistance in the high-wear area, and there are silicon shoulder grip details to help keep a backpack in place.
I’ve found the fabric wicks well, especially with a breeze available. In fact, my only complaint is that I’d love a version of this jersey in a 3/4 sleeve option for warm summer days.
Sizing and fit
I’m wearing a size medium jersey, and it fits me well. In the past, I’ve worn and reviewed previous iterations of the MT500 L/S jerseys, but in a size small. My health and fitness focus has shifted in the last few years to strength and longevity over XC endurance, so I’ve been logging a lot more time in the gym in the last two years. Since the previous review, I’ve gained almost 20lbs. No longer a size small, the medium is a better match to my current 41.5″ chest.
The small MT500 Jerseys still fit me and are usable, but the fit is more inline with the form-fitting road or XC collection. The medium feels just right, though if I wanted to fit pads underneath, I might be better with the size large. As I wear a roost guard with a D30 chest and spine protector for DH over the jersey, it’s my preferred size.