Bike Perfect Verdict
This tank top makes a useful addition to your summer riding wardrobe for those really hot days, with its cool, soft mesh and neat features.
Pros
- +
Super-soft feel
- +
Very breathable mesh fabric
- +
High-cut neck
- +
Zipped valuables pocket
- +
Nice long length
- +
Comfortable arm holes
Cons
- -
Pretty pricey for a vest
- -
More color choice would be good
Why trust BikePerfect
This Women’s SingleTrack Tank Top is part of Scottish brand Endura's new spring/summer 2024 collection (like its Women’s SingleTrack Leggings) and is only shown as a female-specific version. There’s no reason why anyone couldn’t wear it though, as the fit is nice and relaxed and it’s cut straight rather than tailored at the waist. There aren't a whole load of sleeveless riding jerseys on the market – for a range of other women's MTB tops see our best MTB jerseys guide.
Design and specifications
This tank top is made from a lovely soft, lightweight mesh fabric (that’s 80 percent recycled), with even softer sections at the rear of the neck and the underside of the arm holes. The cut is loose and unrestrictive, with the back a few inches longer than the front to give a decent length. It has a high neckline and a small zipped valuables pocket above your right hip. As well as the wicking fabric, there are large perforations down the top of the back for even more airflow.
Performance
Endura has done a great job with this tank top, and it does everything it claims of it. The technical fabric is indeed very breathable and dries very quickly – if you’re wearing a pack and get a sweaty back, take your pack off at a snack stop and the material dries in no time. The sleeveless design aids ventilation no end too as you get air circulating through the arm holes – it makes a significant difference from wearing short sleeves, and has made me a convert (although on gnarly terrain I like the illusion of shoulder protection sleeves afford).
This top is also unbelievably comfortable, thanks to the softness of the fabric and its relaxed fit, with a nice airy feel. The softer neck and armhole sections are a nice touch too, and add to the ‘barely there’ feel. The zipped pocket is unobtrusive and useful if you’re riding pack-free, with a very long zip tag that’s easy to grab. Lastly, I think the cut is great – long enough to cover your back when descending, loose through the body and the high neckline is ideal for sun protection. My only criticism is that this yellow color is a bit seethrough, but the darker pink option should be less so.
Verdict
When this tank top was sent to me I didn't expect to like it as I prefer to have sleeves to protect my shoulders when riding, but it’s so comfortable, airy and well-designed that I’ve found myself wearing it all the time on warm days, and not just on the bike. It’s great for hiking or at the gym too, especially if you like a high neck to keep the sun off or reduce chest/cleavage exposure. I’m not mad keen on the color options, yellow or pinky-peach, but that's a personal choice, plus it is a fair chunk of cash for a fairly minimal piece of clothing. However, I highly recommend it for performance and fit if you don’t mind splashing out – or find it on sale.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
---|---|---|
Fit | Love the high neck and long body | ★★★★★ |
Performance | Beautifully airy and cool, dries fast | ★★★★★ |
Comfort | Very soft mesh fabric is super-comfy | ★★★★★ |
Value for money | No denying the RRP is quite high for a vest top | ★★★ |
Tech specs: Endura Women's SingleTrack Tank Top
- Price: $41.99 / £47.99
- Sizes: XS-XXL
- Colors: Sulphur, Pomegranate
- Materials: Polyester 90%, Elastane 10%
Shim first discovered MTBs when she moved to Bath in the mid-nineties and has been making up for lost time ever since. She started working on Mountain Biking UK nearly 20 years ago and also counts What Mountain Bike, Cycling Plus, Off-road.cc and Bikeradar among the bike-related magazines and websites she's written for. She loves exploring technical singletrack, has ridden England, Wales and Scotland C2Cs and gets out in the Quantocks and the Black Mountains as often as possible. Other regular riding destinations are the Lake and the Peak Districts, and an MTB holiday in India is her most memorable, partly for its uber-steep tech. The odd trip to the Forest of Dean and Bike Park Wales inspires her to get wheels off the ground, but that’s a work in progress, helped by coaching with Rach at Pro Ride and formerly Pedal Progression.