Endura FS260-Pro Thermo bib shorts review

You’d expect a Scottish company to have an eye for cold weather gear and the Endura FS260-Pro Thermo bib shorts don’t disappoint.

The overlap between short top and jersey bottom can be a cold spot, but Endura has made the body of the Endura FS260-Pro Thermo bib shorts extra long so that it extends up to the rib cage at the front and to the mid-back at the rear. If you do get hot on your ride, this can lead to a bit of sweat build-up, though.

To make getting in and out – and comfort breaks – that much easier, there’s a front zip. It has a backing strip and a zip garage at the top so that you won’t feel it rubbing.

The bottom half of the Endura FS260-Pro Thermo bib shorts is made of a fleece-backed Thermoroubaix fabric, which gives plenty of warmth. It’s DWR treated to help repel rain and road spray. This copes well with the usual damp winter roads, but will wet out in a downpour.

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There are single layer leg grippers with unseamed lower edges. I found these a bit tight, although their sophisticated silicone pattern does keep them firmly in place.

The upper body and the straps are made of a lighter fabric with a waffle effect on its inside. This helps trap air and again adds a bit of extra insulation for cold conditions.

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The 600 series seat pad on the Endura FS260-Pro Thermo bib shorts provides good saddle protection and is comfortable when getting in the winter base miles. It’s next down from Endura’s top semi-custom 700 series pad.

The 600 series pad has plenty of depth under the sitbones and includes gel inserts to help distribute pressure. The pad has a pronounced structure with a central channel. There’s a perforated foam top layer under the antibacterial finished microfibre face fabric.

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Visibility is increased by a reflective rear Endura logo and reflective stripes on the outside edges of the leg grippers.

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Endura makes the Endura FS260-Pro Thermo bib shorts in sizes from S to XXL. They’re pretty size-accurate, although note that they come up closer than the company's top-rated Pro SL II summer shorts.

At £85, the Endura FS260-Pro Thermo bib shorts are good value for a technical piece with a quality insert too.