Enduro Biking Essentials

Jam out to adrenaline-ridden tracks with our top picks for enduro-style riding.

The best gear and apparel for this discipline puts big air, high speeds, and proper protection into focus—without neglecting the ability to pedal uphill.

What We Look For In An Enduro Mountain Bike

Enduro bikes prioritize the downhill experience. We look for suspension, geometry, wheels, and tires that maximize performance and stability in high-gravity situations.

Suspension: Long-travel suspension will handle big hits and smooth out rough terrain. 150–170mm of travel in the front and rear is ideal.

Geometry: Aggressive bikes with slacker head tube angles and longer reaches are the key geo specs for enduro-style riding.

Wheels: More spokes = more wheel strength. Heavy-duty carbon, 32-hole (32h) wheels with wide internal rim widths spin-up durability for rowdy downhill miles. And speaking to durability, not only is carbon a tad stronger than alloy, but most manufactures have a great warranty if something might give during a big send.

Tires: Strong, puncture-resistant tire casings, tall braking knobs, and aggressive cornering knobs are key specs in the best enduro tires.

Bike deets run deep, and they can easily get your head spinning. Since the best bike for you will depend on your individual measurements and preferences, we recommend reading our Mountain Bike Buying Guide for the fine-tuned details.

Enduro Bikes

Rides that live for the same rush as you.

These long-travel, descent-centered bikes take advantage of every angle of engineering to optimize downhill travel without forfeiting the tools needed to get back up and keep lapping.

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What We Look For In Enduro Apparel

Enduro’s high-amplitude nature means we need gear that can stand up to it. We look for breathable, moisture-wicking apparel that cools us without restricting our range of motion on fast, technical descents.

Ample venting, a protection-friendly fit, and durability that handles higher crash potential is important, too. And of course, it needs to look as great as we feel.

Best Men’s Enduro Apparel

Backcountry Button-Up MTB Jersey & Enduro Pant

We appreciate a style-forward design that fits well into post-ride outings. This soft, fast-drying jersey feels equally at home on the trail as it does at the pub. Ride-specific features like a zippered back pocket and integrated sunglass wipe help bring this jersey into the limelight.

Our new Enduro Pant is lightweight, abrasion-resistant, and treated to shed whatever crud the trail throws at us. Integrated thigh and knee vents regulate our temp as the pace accelerates, and its tapered fit keeps our drivetrain clear while allowing plenty of room for padding. Plus, it’s been tested and refined by pros, so we feel confident it’ll hold up through seasons of thrashing.

Complete Your Kit

Bike-specific designs that breathe and move in all the ways you do.

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Best Women’s Enduro Apparel

Backcountry Button-Up MTB Jersey & Slickrock Pant

With its versatile style for high-speed rides and town adventures alike, our Button-Up MTB Jersey combines cooling performance with a cropped, unrestricted fit. Detailed with a UPF 30+ rating, an integrated lens cleaner, and stretchy, moisture-wicking fabric, it seamlessly complements our favorite trails.

Our Slickrock Pant was made with every trail condition in mind. We gave it DWR and UPF 50+ treatments to keep us moving through both stormy and cloudless skies. Zippered vents let the breeze in when the ride heats up, while recycled, four-way stretch fabric lets us rip forward without holding back. The zippered ankle opening makes knee pad adjusting easy, and an integrated belt and high-waist rise locks in a fidget-free fit.

Complete Your Kit

Inspired by the thrill. (Almost) as tough as you are.

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What We Look For In Enduro Helmets

For the right frame of mind, we look for full-face, snug-fitting coverage that keeps both our goggles and focus dialed. Comfort-forward features like ample venting, breathability, and weight consideration are also key for landing a crown that rules.

Best Enduro Bike Helmet

Fox Racing Proframe RS Helmet

The Proframe reigns supreme. It brings durable, full-face coverage without putting too much weight on our shoulders. Mips Integra protection within delivers gold-standard safety and locks the lid in place.

Over 20 vents ensure we stay cool and comfortable with ample airflow. Its magnetic Fidlock buckle is secure and glove-friendly, and the visor is adjustable and goggle compatible. Plus, style points bring this thing to the highest level.

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What We Look For In Enduro Shoes

Your choice of footwear creates the foundation of your body-to-bike connection. We prefer clipless shoes and pedals to stay fixed to our rig with the best pedaling efficiency. And a thoughtful blend of performance, protection, and comfort give rise the controlled, fast, and flowy experiences we seek.

Best Men’s Enduro Shoe

Shimano GE900 MTB Shoe

A comfort, performance, and protection shoo-in, we love the GE900 because it balances all our key features. We especially appreciate its midfoot SPD placement for optimal power and energy efficiency. Plus, it steps the game up with even more elevated details.

An integrated liner keeps trail residue out of our shoes while a strong toe cap protects against rock strikes. Its sole is flexible enough for controlled cornering, but a reinforced carbon fiber midsole delivers adequate stiffness to stay strong on the pedals. The BOA closure system delivers an effortless, snug, and secure fit, and stout sole tread aids in tricky hike-a-bike sections.

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Best Women’s Enduro Shoe

Fox Racing Union BOA Mountain Bike Shoe

Proper connection for every section of gnarliness we encounter, the Union slips on with two BOA dials and customizable arch fitting options for unrivaled comfort, with and an Ultratrac rubber outsole and a two-bolt cleat plate beneath.

Its low weight keeps us nimble while a breathable one-piece upper maintains cooling comfort. And the EVA midsole absorbs energy so pupil-dilating drops don’t land with too much shock to the system.

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What We Look For In Enduro Protection

High speeds come with higher consequences, so we add gear like knee and elbow pads to our kit list to keep us fully covered. Much of the protection question boils down to individual preference, but we recommend centering your decision-making around fit, breathability, and weight to guard yourself with the most comfort. Sleeve-style pads can easily be rolled down as we roll uphill, while burlier options add more assurance to the downward assault.

Best Enduro Protection

G-Form Terra RE ZRO Knee Guard

Added protection that doesn’t disrupt our fluidity, the RE ZRO Knee Guard inspires confidence to roll past our limits. Its pre-curved design feels natural and unrestricted, and its coverage is locked in by interior top-grippers. Durable, abrasion-resistant, and breathable, it delivers everything we look for to stay geared for fearless riding.

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