I was looking for a warmer cap to wear, to go along with what I already have. My main needs are to keep my head and ears warm, and try to keep good visibility.
I own a wool balaclava -- super warm, what I wear in the coldest weather, but it seems to block out a bit of peripheral vision, sometimes fogs up my glasses, and has no bill to block out the sun low on the horizon.
I also own a basic wool cap -- pretty warm, has a small bill, but doesn't cover my ears as well, so they get cold if I'm out for a while.
The Endura Pro SL Winter Cap -- I'd say about as warm as my other wool gear, but has much bigger "flaps" to cover my ears, has little reflective panels, and it has a bill big enough to block the sun. On the down side, it's a little louder, and seems to trap in sweat a little bit more (but I've only noticed this if I wear it jogging, not so much on a bike).
After having used this for a few weeks, I think the Endura is my favorite, if I pair it with a neck warmer. If it's absolutely brutally cold, and I have to ride, I'll grab the balaclava. But if I'm commuting, and need to look around a lot, I like the Endura much better.
These are really well made, plenty of pockets. I'm 5'10" around 170lbs and the medium fits great. The included liner is nice too, used them on rides of 2-3 hours and never think about them. I've been out in upper 40's to mid 50's and they are warm enough for me. Had one ride in misty rain and they did a pretty good job of staying dry. My only complaint is I wish they were 1-2 inches longer for better knee coverage. Going to try them with lycra knickers instead of the liner and see how they work in colder weather.
Have only had one real rainy commute day where I've used these so far, so two rides and 26 miles total so far. I've been injured so have been doing more remote work lately. I have some other Endura products and they've been amazing, especially for the price, and these feel like they'll be similar as far as the quality and durability. Their single walled but the seam taping looks really well done. Legs got a bit warm and sweaty but I've never had rain pants not so that. My only two complaints, which are minor, is that the bottom cuff area doesn't open up much so I can't have my shoes on to get the pants on or off. The second is that they're a little too roomy in the seat area for me, so they can sometimes snag a little on the saddle nose when I'm getting back on the saddle after a stop light. I know they have to design for a certain body type and I may be outside those parameters a bit (I'm somewhat muscular but slender), so can't ding them too much for that. Overall they feel pretty good, though, and would look for these again if they got damaged from a crash... or an unleashed dog attack, which happened to a different pair of pants not too long ago.
I got this jacket for a nine day ride across England. It drizzled or rained every single day so I used this jacket all the time and it kept me cry and comfortable. When it was nice and warm, I shook it out and rolled it up in the panniers and it was ready for the next day. It shed the rain and the mud and dirt like a freshly waxed car.
