Rukka - worth the premium?
Discussion
vonhosen said:
But then they offer you a 6 year warranty with it & I've never known any quibble over claims (even getting a brand new replacement for a colour faded (though otherwise fine) five year old+ suit).
Very true, but you also pay for that warranty in the price when new, Dainese are just releasing a jacket and pant combo like the nivala one for similar money and that has a five year warranty as well. Hand eye the dainese being nearly the same price as rukka.As long as people are happy paying fine by me, rukka is great gear, I just could warrant spending that dosh , my mate has a nivala suit and he loves it, he does commute every day into London from mid Surrey and does tree surgery all day so I guess he needs it far more than I do, I have a van for work!
Andybow said:
vonhosen said:
But then they offer you a 6 year warranty with it & I've never known any quibble over claims (even getting a brand new replacement for a colour faded (though otherwise fine) five year old+ suit).
Very true, but you also pay for that warranty in the price when new, Dainese are just releasing a jacket and pant combo like the nivala one for similar money and that has a five year warranty as well. That’s why the dainese being nearly the same price as rukka.As long as people are happy paying fine by me, rukka is great gear, I just could warrant spending that dosh , my mate has a nivala suit and he loves it, he does commute every day into London from mid Surrey and does tree surgery all day so I guess he needs it far more than I do, I have a van for work!
Another vote for Halvarssons gear, bought their Prime jacket and Prince trousers this year. Was replacing a Spidi suit that I had for a few years, but I find the Halvarssons stuff much warmer and a better fit for my size (tall and skinny).
As someone mentioned above, they only concern I have with the suit is on really warm days when it is probably a bit overkill. BUt in the cold and wet, its amazing and I have yet to get it to fail despite some really horrible weather.
As someone mentioned above, they only concern I have with the suit is on really warm days when it is probably a bit overkill. BUt in the cold and wet, its amazing and I have yet to get it to fail despite some really horrible weather.
I know what the OP means about trying stuff on, I tried both Rukka and a Klim, but went with the Klim stuff, because for me, it was a better fit. I also prefer the fact it’s pretty much unlined, so less bulky and the venting is to my mind, much better. It really is personal choice.
I’ve heard good stuff about Rukka and Klim, as well as Halvarssons and Held and Dane. In one of the recent magazines (Bike or Ride), there’s an article on new Oxford gear, which is claimed to be as good, but the jacket is about £250 from memory. The review was very positive, but it’s onviously new, so the longevity hasn’t been tested.
As others have said, Gore Tex Pro (the stuff bonded to the outer layer) is the route to choose, that way, the outer doesn’t get soaking wet and heavy.
I’ve heard good stuff about Rukka and Klim, as well as Halvarssons and Held and Dane. In one of the recent magazines (Bike or Ride), there’s an article on new Oxford gear, which is claimed to be as good, but the jacket is about £250 from memory. The review was very positive, but it’s onviously new, so the longevity hasn’t been tested.
As others have said, Gore Tex Pro (the stuff bonded to the outer layer) is the route to choose, that way, the outer doesn’t get soaking wet and heavy.
Remember that all Gore-Tex Pro clothing will be made in a Gore-Tex run facility, and often the same Gore-Tex run facility, regardless if it’s Rukka, Held, Klim etc.
Whether Rukka, or any of the other “premium” brands, are worth the money is down to the buyer but there are an awful lot of people who are happy to pay the money and will happily buy replacement kit when theirs finally wear out. Most of those people are not loaded and stupid.
I’m still using my Gore-Tex Pro Hein Gericke Master V suit that I bought in 2005. It was expensive at the time but has earned its money.
Whether Rukka, or any of the other “premium” brands, are worth the money is down to the buyer but there are an awful lot of people who are happy to pay the money and will happily buy replacement kit when theirs finally wear out. Most of those people are not loaded and stupid.
I’m still using my Gore-Tex Pro Hein Gericke Master V suit that I bought in 2005. It was expensive at the time but has earned its money.
I've had my Rukka suit for around 25 years and have covered many 10's of thousands of miles wearing it. Its not been perfect but, apart from a few new zips and studs, a collar relining and a replacement pocket, I have been very happy with it and its still going strong. No doubt in that time other good options have arrived on the scene but at the time Rukka was the undoubted No.1.If I had to buy again I would probably stick with this manufacturer but I am not expecting to need to soon.
I switched out my HG suit which lasted me a good 6 years and many miles with a Dane suit last year. Fitted far better than Rukka and Rev-It with a much better price.
Has less features than the Rukka and the HG suit but it’s been really good apart from on ribbon getting caught in the leg zips necessitating me cutting it off.
But I recently did 800 miles in the rain I’m Wales and I was totally dry.
Has less features than the Rukka and the HG suit but it’s been really good apart from on ribbon getting caught in the leg zips necessitating me cutting it off.
But I recently did 800 miles in the rain I’m Wales and I was totally dry.
I have a GoreTex Rukka jacket which I'm actually a little disappointed with.
On the plus side the zips have been great, its quite warm with the lining in and the neck collar attachment really does help keep water out.
On the negative side the ventilation is really badly thought out - whilst wearing it the zips ride up and effectively open themselves. It's also not proven to be entirely waterproof either. I've also found the fit arou d the arms is too loose for me, resulting in the sleeves flapping around. More lifts required obviously!
I suspect I'm soon going to regret not getting the goretex pro kit....
On the plus side the zips have been great, its quite warm with the lining in and the neck collar attachment really does help keep water out.
On the negative side the ventilation is really badly thought out - whilst wearing it the zips ride up and effectively open themselves. It's also not proven to be entirely waterproof either. I've also found the fit arou d the arms is too loose for me, resulting in the sleeves flapping around. More lifts required obviously!
I suspect I'm soon going to regret not getting the goretex pro kit....
I'm really wary of "waterproof" zips. It's why I ruled out a number of jackets.
Another one that motolegends.com is selling is Stadler - a German make that apparently is the dogs danglies. I haven't had a look personally but it's right at the Rukka end of the market but looks closer to one of the old Hein Gericke jackets.
Another one that motolegends.com is selling is Stadler - a German make that apparently is the dogs danglies. I haven't had a look personally but it's right at the Rukka end of the market but looks closer to one of the old Hein Gericke jackets.
I've looked at the Stadler. They're built like a brick outhouse with thick armour, heavyweight Goretex Pro/Cordura laminate and that pimply anti-abrasion stuff on the shoulders, elbows etc. Big vents front and back, so it might well be a suit you want wear all year round. I also think it has a 10 year warranty.
SS7
SS7
Considering the price of some Rukka jackets, why wouldn’t you get a Dainese D-Air Street or A-Stars Tech-Air Street jacket instead?
SteelerSE said:
I'm really wary of "waterproof" zips. It's why I ruled out a number of jackets.
Another one that motolegends.com is selling is Stadler - a German make that apparently is the dogs danglies. I haven't had a look personally but it's right at the Rukka end of the market but looks closer to one of the old Hein Gericke jackets.
I returned my Dane GoreTex Pro kit which is covered in vents as it leaked in one a tiny bit in super heavy rain. My wife said i was being over the top but given the jacket was 800 plus quid i thought it was justified.Another one that motolegends.com is selling is Stadler - a German make that apparently is the dogs danglies. I haven't had a look personally but it's right at the Rukka end of the market but looks closer to one of the old Hein Gericke jackets.
sportsbikeshop were very good and sent me replacement Dane gear while it was investigated. Turns out there was a fault with the zips.
supercommuter said:
I returned my Dane GoreTex Pro kit which is covered in vents as it leaked in one a tiny bit in super heavy rain. My wife said i was being over the top but given the jacket was 800 plus quid i thought it was justified.
sportsbikeshop were very good and sent me replacement Dane gear while it was investigated. Turns out there was a fault with the zips.
they were left open? sportsbikeshop were very good and sent me replacement Dane gear while it was investigated. Turns out there was a fault with the zips.
Nath911t said:
Try Klim. Better ventilation.
I've got 2 Rukka jackets and a pair of there trousers. I find there good for not too cold and good for not too hot.
This totally, one of my biggest issues is getting too hot in all my gear, I have the Klim Badlands jacket and trousers, really, really impressed and I ride all year round.I've got 2 Rukka jackets and a pair of there trousers. I find there good for not too cold and good for not too hot.
fergus said:
supercommuter said:
I returned my Dane GoreTex Pro kit which is covered in vents as it leaked in one a tiny bit in super heavy rain. My wife said i was being over the top but given the jacket was 800 plus quid i thought it was justified.
sportsbikeshop were very good and sent me replacement Dane gear while it was investigated. Turns out there was a fault with the zips.
they were left open? sportsbikeshop were very good and sent me replacement Dane gear while it was investigated. Turns out there was a fault with the zips.
SteelerSE said:
I'm really wary of "waterproof" zips. It's why I ruled out a number of jackets.
For their waterpoofness or strength? My HG Master V has waterproof zips that have proved to be completely waterproof, but I do sometimes wonder how strong they are compared to a conventional zip in a crash.Can't remember what make my wife's jacket is but it has double zips down the front (ie do up the inner zip, fold the flap across and then do up the second zip), that system seems to be way more waterproof than my old jacket with a zip and then popper flap.
RizzoTheRat said:
Can't remember what make my wife's jacket is but it has double zips down the front (ie do up the inner zip, fold the flap across and then do up the second zip), that system seems to be way more waterproof than my old jacket with a zip and then popper flap.
My RST jackets have that zip arrangement (Paragon 5 & Ventilator 5)Matt
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