I've become a Rukka wan-car

[Supermofo]

Never been much bothered by Rukka as they are well out of my price range of bike stuff and a bit much for my fair weather biking lifestyle. But, I've had a few things in my wish list at SBS and 2 of them I thought had gone in the SBS clearance and SBS emailed me Saturday morning with an extra 15% off code on all clearance items. So I go through the clearance list to check and see a Rukka Voyage R at £703...with the extra 15% that's £598. Which is still bloody salty IMO but RRP was originally £1099, although sounds like people rarely pay that. I write it off but then realise looking at the 2 other jackets that I still prefer the Oxford Stormland I've had my eye on for a while. That's £400 and not in a sale. Thought process says, if I'm considering £400 for an Oxford jacket, man maths makes an extra £200 for the Rukka appear not so bad (let's be honest it is that bad ) and if I focus on the £500 off rather than the £600 cost, it's a bargain right . So, fuck it I order it and it arrived yesterday. It's a Gore Tex Pro 3 layer laminate so it's a bit stiff but not too bad on, the high collar is the thing I'll most need to see if I can live with but trying it with my lid it's not bad. It's mental that at the price Rukka don't come with thermal liners, but I can get a few layers underneath without it feeling uncomfy. Compared to my current Oxford Mondial it feels a lot more substantial and the level 2 armour is massive, it's double AA rated as it doesn't have the stretch of the Navala jacket. I need to go to the garage and have a sit on the bike before I make my final mind up but despite it being way more jacket that I need, I figure if my Oxford Mondial has lasted 6 years (and still waterproof) then the Rukka will hopefully last longer whilst being more protective and better made...hopefully.

[Skub]

You'll be on a GS next,ya Rukka wanker.

[Rockburner]

I've got a Rukka (old one, about 10 years old now) that is the coldest jacket I've ever worn, even WITH the Rukka thermal insert.

But I have to say I don't like this trend of manufacturers squeezing ever more profit by reducing the functionality of products, while hiking prices.

[Supermofo]

You'll be on a GS next,ya Rukka wanker.

The horror

[Skub]

You'll be on a GS next,ya Rukka wanker.

The horror

Maybe get a free topbox too......

[Supermofo]

I've got a Rukka (old one, about 10 years old now) that is the coldest jacket I've ever worn, even WITH the Rukka thermal insert.

But I have to say I don't like this trend of manufacturers squeezing ever more profit by reducing the functionality of products, while hiking prices.

Yup even at this discount it's pretty mental, to think some people might have spent a grand on it without a liner!

[Supermofo]

You'll be on a GS next,ya Rukka wanker.

The horror

Maybe get a free topbox too......

I might be a pervert, but I'm not filthy (or old enough) for a GS

[Skub]

I might be a pervert, but I'm not filthy (or old enough) for a GS

Rukka wanker? Tick.

Topbox Wanker? Tick.

GS Wanker? Pending.

[Taff]

It's expensive but it works well. A few weeks back I was riding in torrential rain for over 2 hours and the only drop off water that got in was down the back of my neck, and the rukka thermal jacket and trousers work with some sort of magic heat generation.

They're really thin and feel a bit meh, but on a cold day they really are toasty warm.

I'm hoping that I'll retire before this kit is worn out so I won't have to replace it. Ever.

Edit - at least it's not a dryrobe.
Spotted in Bristol on Saturday -

[Supermofo]

It's expensive but it works well. A few weeks back I was riding in torrential rain for over 2 hours and the only drop off water that got in was down the back of my neck, and the rukka thermal jacket and trousers work with some sort of magic heat generation.

They're really thin and feel a bit meh, but on a cold day they really are toasty warm.

I'm hoping that I'll retire before this kit is worn out so I won't have to replace it. Ever.

That's good to hear. I'm hoping that whilst overkill for me it'll last me a long time so not be too bad on the cost front. My brother said the Rukka thermal he got works well and is thin, he has a Kalix 3. I'll have to see how well it fits underneath, hopefully ok. With no lining it fits well and I can get a few thin layers underneath but it's a more snug fit that my current Oxford. The Oxford however without the lining in fits a bit like I'm wearing my dads jacket so I'm thinking I'll stick with the Rukka in large. On Saturday they only had L for sale but as of this morning they are showing XL for 'Winter 25' delivery. I could wait and try an XL but then I worry things that fit really well like the sleeves etc become too long, so I suspect the L is fine. I did try it with my thickest jumper on underneath this morning and whilst a bit tight wasn't unduly uncomfortable and I rarely ride when really cold.

[Skub]

Heated gear dude. Never mind all that big jumper bollox.

[Dodgy69]

You can fold the collar over if its high and irritating, just use high collar in rain. The velcro tab can fold on itself.

[Taipan]

FWIW one of the worst suits i ever had was a Rukka! Very thin and cold in winter and generally worse all round than the cheap buffalo I replaced it with!

[Nordboy]

Funny how peoples view of things is so different. I had the Rukka Nivala full suit, with thermal liner which I never wear, chest armour etc.

Best suit I've ever worn, really comfy, warm, and despite being ridden on some horrendous weather, has never let me down. Was it expensive, bloody right it was, but worth every penny that I never spent

Not sure I would have bought one with my own money, but that says more about what a tight git I am rather than me thinking they're too expensive.

[Count Steer]

Funny how peoples view of things is so different. I had the Rukka Nivala full suit, with thermal liner which I never wear, chest armour etc.

Best suit I've ever worn, really comfy, warm, and despite being ridden on some horrendous weather, has never let me down. Was it expensive, bloody right it was, but worth every penny that I never spent

Not sure I would have bought one with my own money, but that says more about what a tight git I am rather than me thinking they're too expensive.

I felt the same about mine. Dunno what the version was but it had removable thermal inners. I had one of their 'phase change' inners that was supposed to generate warmth somehow too. Rode in some pretty torrential conditions - including from home to Le Mans when it rained most of the way...and wore it again, comfortably, next day because, being bonded Goretex it hadn't wetted out.

Worth every penny.

[Taff]

It absolutely is too expensive, there's no question there.

But, mine is about a year old and has been worn twice a day, 4 days a week for the commute and I think it's worth every penny.

Monday morning was heavy rain, I was as dry as a bone inside and by 11am the suit was dry, again on the way home the rain was biblical and the suit was dry before I went to bed. My old dainese suit would have taken 3 days to dry.

This morning was just about above zero degrees and I got to work toasty warm. The only problem I had was my visor misting between the visor and pinlock

I would deffo buy this suit again if I need to, but I'm hoping to retire before the suit is totally trashed.

[Spartacus]

I have only ever heard good things about Rukka gear from the horses mouth, i.e. people I know who have experience.

Only time I have heard bad stories funny enough, is in this thread. I'm sure they must be true stories too but I assume these must be the exception rather than the rule.

Nothing is ever perfect but it has to be said, their gear always looks top quality.

[Supermofo]

Be interesting how I find it in the cold...if I ever go out in the cold TBH the lowest temps I might see are probably going to be around 5C I guess on those cold clear spring/autumn days. I find my Oxford Mondial to be a pretty cold jacket compared to previous textiles especially my last Weise jacket, I wondered if this was because it's a laminate jacket and therefore to some extent you are losing a layer with the drop liner. Speaking to my brother he said he's found his Rukka Kalix 3 to be not particularly warm on its own but with the Rukka mid layer he's found it to be warmer than his old Oxford Hinterland and warm enough for the weathers we ride in. No idea if the tri-laminate of the Voyage R Vs the dual in the Kalix makes any difference to warmth, I doubt it. I'm not sure how much I could get under this large, I think a mid layer should be fine, but I'm a bit loth given my lack of winter riding to go for something that's going to be too big for me 90% of the time to cover the odd cold morning. As I said I tried it with a really thick borg lined hoodie underneath for fitting purposes, not that I'd ever use that underneath for riding, and I could feel the bulk but it wasn't overly tight so should be fine. Worse case maybe I look for a 2nd hand heated gilet, do they do them without wires?

Waterproofing wise, the only time I'm likely to see rain is when I go away for the weekend on a mini tour. And the last 3 years of going away has seen a fair amount of rain! With the Rukka I'm thinking this means I don't have to pack an overjacket in case!

[Rockburner]

Be interesting how I find it in the cold...if I ever go out in the cold TBH the lowest temps I might see are probably going to be around 5C I guess on those cold clear spring/autumn days. I find my Oxford Mondial to be a pretty cold jacket compared to previous textiles especially my last Weise jacket, I wondered if this was because it's a laminate jacket and therefore to some extent you are losing a layer with the drop liner. Speaking to my brother he said he's found his Rukka Kalix 3 to be not particularly warm on its own but with the Rukka mid layer he's found it to be warmer than his old Oxford Hinterland and warm enough for the weathers we ride in. No idea if the tri-laminate of the Voyage R Vs the dual in the Kalix makes any difference to warmth, I doubt it. I'm not sure how much I could get under this large, I think a mid layer should be fine, but I'm a bit loth given my lack of winter riding to go for something that's going to be too big for me 90% of the time to cover the odd cold morning. As I said I tried it with a really thick borg lined hoodie underneath for fitting purposes, not that I'd ever use that underneath for riding, and I could feel the bulk but it wasn't overly tight so should be fine. Worse case maybe I look for a 2nd hand heated gilet, do they do them without wires?

Waterproofing wise, the only time I'm likely to see rain is when I go away for the weekend on a mini tour. And the last 3 years of going away has seen a fair amount of rain! With the Rukka I'm thinking this means I don't have to pack an overjacket in case!

I had some Weiss jackets over the years - the liner in them was particularly good - I think it was because the jacket had a warmth line as well - so there were 2 padded liners in action.

Re heated gilet without wires - I assume you mean the "internal" wires? (ie resistance wire that generates the heat) - if so , then yes, there is someone using heated pads - but (pretty obviously) there are still wires within the jacket for connecting the pads to the power source - you can't do away with them!

[Supermofo]

Be interesting how I find it in the cold...if I ever go out in the cold TBH the lowest temps I might see are probably going to be around 5C I guess on those cold clear spring/autumn days. I find my Oxford Mondial to be a pretty cold jacket compared to previous textiles especially my last Weise jacket, I wondered if this was because it's a laminate jacket and therefore to some extent you are losing a layer with the drop liner. Speaking to my brother he said he's found his Rukka Kalix 3 to be not particularly warm on its own but with the Rukka mid layer he's found it to be warmer than his old Oxford Hinterland and warm enough for the weathers we ride in. No idea if the tri-laminate of the Voyage R Vs the dual in the Kalix makes any difference to warmth, I doubt it. I'm not sure how much I could get under this large, I think a mid layer should be fine, but I'm a bit loth given my lack of winter riding to go for something that's going to be too big for me 90% of the time to cover the odd cold morning. As I said I tried it with a really thick borg lined hoodie underneath for fitting purposes, not that I'd ever use that underneath for riding, and I could feel the bulk but it wasn't overly tight so should be fine. Worse case maybe I look for a 2nd hand heated gilet, do they do them without wires?

Waterproofing wise, the only time I'm likely to see rain is when I go away for the weekend on a mini tour. And the last 3 years of going away has seen a fair amount of rain! With the Rukka I'm thinking this means I don't have to pack an overjacket in case!

I had some Weiss jackets over the years - the liner in them was particularly good - I think it was because the jacket had a warmth line as well - so there were 2 padded liners in action.

Re heated gilet without wires - I assume you mean the "internal" wires? (ie resistance wire that generates the heat) - if so , then yes, there is someone using heated pads - but (pretty obviously) there are still wires within the jacket for connecting the pads to the power source - you can't do away with them!

Sorry should have been clearer, I meant not wired to the bike but rather use a battery like some of the gloves. Should just get off my arse and Google!! Although a wire from under the seat is probably not a big deal