Product test: high-end textile suits

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Product test: high-end textile suits
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Station wagons, jackets & pants

Product test: high-end textile suits

Product test: high-end textile suits
A comparison of five luxury-class textile suits

Up into the mountains and off to the south: In the MOTORRAD clothing test, the drivers had to endure a number of climatic extremes over 4500 kilometers between Stuttgart and Sicily. Five luxury-class textile suits had to show what they could actually stand up to.

Jorg Lohse

07/22/2010


Product test: high-end textile suits


Jahn

Defied sun and bad weather: the test crew on a long journey.


Product test: high-end textile suits

Lockout closure from Gore-Tex.

Test driver and MOTORRAD fleet manager Rainer Froberg sums it up: “When I get into an S-Class, I want to be able to close the door without any effort and with a full ‘plock’. Everything else is embarrassing!” The comparison was preceded by a lot of fiddling while trying to close the front of the Stadler Supervent Pro jacket, which cost almost 900 euros. Instead of a conventional zipper, the jacket comes with the so-called Lock-out closure from Gore-Tex equipped. Two rubber sealing lips are brought together with a pulling part in such a way that water and wind are permanently locked out. In contrast to conventional zippers, additional cover strips or labyrinth deposits are no longer necessary for weather protection. What sounds good in theory causes some trouble in the practice of the MOTORRAD test: The correct threading of the sealing lips becomes a nerve-wracking test of patience, a torn zipper causes additional frustration on the second day of the stage. The same goes for MOTORRAD top test driver Karsten Schwers, whose Armas Rukka jacket is also equipped with the Gore-Tex lock-out. It is not just the closing that causes problems. As the mileage increases, opening becomes a problem, until the Rukka jacket finally fails completely and the pulling part of the lock-out can no longer be moved. Gore development manager Colin Bell reveals in an interview how Gore-Tex intends to deal with this problem in the future.

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A comparison of five luxury-class textile suits

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The other suits prove that you can also glide through world history dry with conventional locking technology. In addition, the suits without lock-out technology were much better off in everyday use. Classic picture after a refueling or coffee break: while the drivers are in Dane, hero and IXS Sitting on the bandits ready for take-off, the pilots in Stadler and Rukka dress are still busy preparing for take-off.
In any case, none of the test drivers had to complain about a wet chest on the 4500-kilometer test lap. If it did get damp inside the suit, other weak points such as the poor overlap between jacket and pants were the problem (Dane, Held). In any case, constructive improvements should be made here. Just like with the partly poor protector equipment. In the luxury class of driver equipment – as with Dane and Stadler – the complete protector package including back and hip protection can be expected. As standard and not as an extra that is subject to a surcharge.


Product test: high-end textile suits


Jahn

Test winner: Dane Torreso Gore-Tex.

FIT AND COMFORT
Comfort is key with the Dane suit. Despite the casual cut, the station wagon remains reasonably in shape even on the brisk highway ride. The collar is comfortably padded and offers a comfortable transition to the helmet.  

SECURITY
Exemplary: shoulders, elbows, knees, hips and back are covered by CE protectors. The positioning fits, the fixation on the body is okay for a textile suit. Jacket and trousers can be linked with a circumferential zipper. The wide reflective stripes on the jacket and trousers are a real plus point for active safety. 

WEATHER PROTECTION
Despite the high-quality Gore-Tex equipment, there is a risk of water ingress in the event of heavy rain. The problem: The completely removable rain cover rolls up in the waistband area, moisture can penetrate at the overlap of the jacket and pants. First class: the large air inlets. 

EQUIPMENT AND PROCESSING
Top processed, many practical details from waterproof outer pockets to the magnetic closure on the collar. That fits. 

CONCLUSION
The excellently processed touring suit collects many plus points from the wearer. This also applies to the equipment. In summer it stays wonderfully airy thanks to the removable membrane lining. It is annoying that rain can seep into your pants.

MOTORCYCLE JUDGMENT: very good (85 out of 100 points)

Providers: Motoport, Tel. 04451/915200, www.motoport.de
Price: Jacket 599 euros,
Pants 399 euros, set 998 euros
Sizes: Jacket 48 to 58,
Trousers 48 to 60, long sizes 98 to 114 only available in black
To dye: Black, silver / gray / black


Product test: high-end textile suits


Jahn

Hero Rovato / Arese Gore-Tex.

FIT AND COMFORT
Except for the too wide-cut and also slightly scratchy collar, the Held-Kombi impresses with its comfortable fit – both when cruising on country roads as well as when
Fast-paced autobahn hunt. The range of sizes is so extensive that drivers can also take it with them “Problem figure” find what you are looking for.

SECURITY
Only the standard protection package with CE protectors on shoulders, elbows and knees is offered as standard. Positioning and fit are okay. The hips and back can optionally be retrofitted – here with a new three-part system from the neck to the tailbone. A circumferential zipper on the jacket and pants is available, the reflector performance is a bit weak.

WEATHER PROTECTION
After heavy rain, moisture penetrates the trousers, the front of the jacket is somewhat poorly insulated. Great: the ventilation on hot days.

EQUIPMENT AND PROCESSING
Fine and well thought out. Summer tourers get their money’s worth.


CONCLUSION
Solid touring suit that can score especially in summer. In heavy continuous rain and on cold days there is a risk of loss of comfort. Despite the extensive equipment, a back protector should also be included in this price range.

MOTORCYCLE JUDGMENT: good (78 out of 100 points)

Providers: hero,
Tel. 08321/66460, www.held.de
Price: Jacket 499 euros,
Pants 299 euros, set 798 euros
Sizes: Jacket S to 3XL (in black to 7XL), pants XS to 3XL (in black to 6XL), plus short and long sizes
To dye: Jacket in black,
Grey black; Pants in black, black / white


Product test: high-end textile suits


Jahn

IXS Kirov / Altay Gore-Tex.

FIT AND COMFORT
The suppleness of a textile suit with the comfortably firm fit of a leather suit: the Ixs package consisting of the Kirov jacket and Altay pants combines both worlds very well. Only on tight
cut, slightly pressing collar, there are minor losses in comfort to complain about.

SECURITY
Shoulders, hips and knees are equipped with CE protectors, the hips and back can be retrofitted – in this price range the protection should already be available as standard. Thanks to the narrow cut, the protectors fit exactly and do not slip. There are also pluses for the clearly visible reflectors and the all-round connection zipper.

WEATHER PROTECTION
Rain trips are put away dry by the Ixs-Kombi. However, it takes a lot of patience to tuck glove cuffs under the sleeves. At temperatures below ten degrees it quickly becomes cool for the wearer, and there are no ventilation options for hot days.

EQUIPMENT AND PROCESSING
Few, but practical details. The design is successful.


CONCLUSION
Leather or textile? Anyone looking for a solid combination of both worlds will be happy with the Ixs combination. A decent moisture protection is added to the firm fit. When it comes to protectors, you can add more.

MOTORCYCLE JUDGMENT: very good (80 out of 100 points)

Providers: Hostettler,
Tel. 07631/18040, www.ixs.de
Price: Jacket € 749.90, trousers € 539.90, set € 1,289.80
Sizes: S to 5XL, trousers in
Short and long sizes available
Colour: black


Product test: high-end textile suits


Jahn

RUKKA Armas Gore-Tex.

FIT AND COMFORT
Slip in and feel good – that’s the comfort balance of the Rukka suit. The stiff fabric doesn’t make you flutter even at a really brisk pace. Only the collar closure with the weak magnets is annoying and lowers the all-round feeling of wellbeing.

SECURITY
CE protectors on shoulders, elbows, knees and hips offer more protection than usual, but there is no CE-compliant insert for the back. Areas at risk of falling are reinforced with the extremely abrasion-resistant Superfabric fabric, and a circumferential zipper ensures that the jacket and trousers are firmly connected. The signal effect of the reflex prints is also successful.

WEATHER PROTECTION
No failures in the rain, good insulation against the cold: The Armas can really score in bad weather. On the other hand, there is a lack of proper ventilation on hot days.

EQUIPMENT AND PROCESSING
The lock-out system, designed as a waterproof zipper replacement, was annoying due to a complete failure after the test distance.


CONCLUSION
The suit for the bad weather fraction can shine with handsome workmanship, but annoying in details such as the awkward and difficult to handle fasteners on the collar (magnet) and the front of the jacket (lock-out from Gore-Tex).

MOTORRAD verdict: good (76 out of 100 points)

Providers: Rukka,
Tel. 040/5511055, www.rukka.de
Price: Jacket 949 euros,
Pants 699 euros, set 1648 euros
Sizes: 46 to 62
To dye: Jacket in gray, red, neon yellow and black; Pants in black


Product test: high-end textile suits


Jahn

STADLER Supervent Pro / Ace Pro.

FIT AND COMFORT
If the jacket and trousers are connected to each other via the all-round zip, the suit fits perfectly. Arm and leg lengths fit, and the non-slip fabric lies well against the body.

SECURITY
Here there is Stadler no nakedness: shoulders, elbows, knees, hips and back are enclosed by CE protectors. When positioning the knee protector, it is noticeable because it is too deeply seated. In terms of active safety, the Stadler can set real highlights with its extremely eye-catching reflectors.

WEATHER PROTECTION
The Stadler can even withstand extreme hail showers and continuous rain without water ingress. It also fits with the insulation on cold days, ventilation on hot days is okay.

EQUIPMENT AND PROCESSING
The increasingly difficult operability of the new lock-out fastener on the front of the jacket and air inlets caused particular annoyance. Otherwise, the workmanship is respectable.


CONCLUSION
Ultra-solid touring suit with excellent weather protection and attractive workmanship. Everyday annoyance is when putting on and taking off the new zipper replacement from Gore-Tex (“Lock-out”) built-in. That costs nerves and time.

MOTORRAD verdict: good (79 out of 100 points)

Interview with Gore


Product test: high-end textile suits

Lockout closure from Gore-Tex caused one or the other problem in the test.

Gore developer Colin Bell comments on the problems that occurred with the lock-out during the MOTORCYCLE test.

Both test jackets from Rukka and Stadler tore off the pulling part of the clasp. Is it a design flaw??

We also had to register too high a number of failures in the first series and therefore redesigned the zipper with a view to higher tensile strength. If you have a problem with your train part, you can easily have it exchanged for the new design at your dealer.

According to Gore, the lock-out should be self-lubricating. Nevertheless, it became increasingly difficult to open or close the closures during the test drives.

The polymer of the sealing lips is designed for minimal friction. With additional lubrication, the lock can of course be operated more easily – which would benefit many motorcyclists when using the system. We have also received this feedback. We can now offer the perfect solution for this: a silicone pen with which the lock-out can be easily and effortlessly lubricated within two minutes. This pen is now included with all suits with a lock-out closure, but can also be obtained directly from specialist retailers or from Gore.

When closing the lock-out system, care must be taken; if you make a mistake, you risk the lock opening again while you are driving. Zippers are much easier to use.

Of course, motorcyclists have to get used to the handling first. But we are sure – also based on our own experiences with the lock-out closure – that it will then be easier and more effective to protect yourself against rain with the lock-out system than with conventional zippers and cover strips.

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