ALL KITTED OUT One Industries & 661 Enduro Gear
Our UK editor and regular Enduro racer, Jim Buchanan puts their full Enduro kit to the test.
Look at any mag nowadays and you seem to have one of the Athertons plastered all over it sporting the One Industries and 661 combination. Since they signed up to use this kit, not surprisingly, it’s popularity has grown, it now seems as commonplace at MTB events as it was originally just in the MX world. They sent me the full kit to use and abuse, which I have been doing for the past month, getting out there at least twice a week in the sun and the wet mucky stuff, to be honest, I was impressed!
661 EVO Soft Shell Knee Pads
The first thing I noticed with these compared to my Fox pads, was how much comfier they were out in the trail all day, with no bottom pad to cut into my leg. I had literally had these 10 minutes and had a pretty big off on rocks, and the clever D30 (goes from soft to hard on impact) pad saved my knee and has gone onto ever since, they wash well, look well with the grey and have never fell down my leg whilst riding.
£79.99
661 Sub Gear LS Soft Armour Top
Out of all the gear I was sent, this was by far, the most impressive. It fits snug, being a tight lycra top, and comes fitted with shoulder, chest and elbow D30 soft pads. It’s quite tight and takes a bit of getting on and off and a bit of getting used to, but once you’ve got used to the tight feeling of lycra up top, the confidence it gives you is brilliant. I’ve come from the old school of DH and heavy, bulky and hot feeling Dainese tops which are stifling, but you literally forget you are wearing one of these. With the top being black I thought it would be an issue on a hot day, but for some weird reason it seems to keep you cool. I have had a few hard tumbles already wearing this, with no signs of wear and tear, plus more importantly I’m still intact!
£59.99
One Industries Intel Noise Short
These are the comfiest of shorts I have tried to date, they come with the (standard nowadays) separate lycra internal padded short, and are brilliantly fitted for long days in the saddle. The price must reflect the quality, although I wouldn’t advise choosing the white (other colours available) as the UK weather isn’t exactly white clothing friendly, although the cool water splash design does hide the muck a bit. They come with secure fit, duel waist adjusters, zip pockets and zip vents to keep the Crown Jewels nice and airy! Plus they come with a nifty fitted micro fibre wipe that comes out of the pocket, handy!
£89.99
One Industries Interval Noise Jersey
Very comfy T-shirt styled riding top with great odour and moister retarding qualities, it also comes with a fitted micro fibre wipe.
£29.99
One Industries Vapor Gloves
These are so thin and light-weight that you hardly know you’ve got them on. they are are made with a cuffless stretched top, the palm and fingers are silicone printed, perforated single layer clarino, so they have great grip, but keep your hands cool.
£25.00
One Industries
Atmosphere Wind Breaker Jacket
This is described as weatherproof with water resistant material, but I have used it in the pouring rain and it’s pretty good at keeping out the wet stuff, without the heat and sweat created by a thicker waterproof jacket. It has optional zip ventilation with large back vents and arm pit vents, it has a special protective phone storage pocket with interior pocket and port and internal waist adjusters.
£64.99
Words: Jim Buchanan Photos: Doc Ward (http://www.doc-photography.com/)