Bryn Davies and James Oxley put 9 Four-Season textile suits to the test to see which will keep you warm, dry and protected in the saddle this winter
After spending thousands of miles riding through everything Mother Nature can throw at man and machine, I’ve come to the conclusion there is no need to be cold or wet while riding a motorcycle, whatever the time of year.
If I do suffer from the elements, it’s because I’ve made the wrong gear choices (or I couldn’t afford the right choices). It’s taken me a few years to reach this conclusion but, after much trial and error, I’ve found the right combination of motorcycle clothing will keep me protected and comfortable in the saddle here in the UK no matter the weather.
Four-season jackets and trousers are designed to help you do just this. Now, when I refer to a four-season suit, I’m talking about a jacket and trousers combination that will perform in the fourth season – winter. Ideally, it will be waterproof, windproof, fit comfortably, and protect you if you have an accident. It should also be stylish and sold at a price that provides good value for money.
However, if, like me, you tend to wear the same jacket and trousers for most of the year, you should ideally be able to wear a four-season suit comfortably when the weather improves. This means it needs to have plenty of vents to allow cool air to flow around your body on those balmy summer rides.
Personally, I’ve never found a jacket and trousers combination that can perform at an optimal level in every season (although the REV’IT! suit in this test may prove the exception). For example, a heavy suit that helps keep you insulated, warm and dry in cold temperatures will likely struggle to be the lightweight, cool summer jacket you’re looking to tour the South of France in.
With this in mind, this group test focuses on the winter performance of the four-season suits we’ve tested while keeping one eye on how comfortable they would be to wear in the warmer months. The jackets and trousers we’ve tested break down into two groups – laminated suits and those that feature a three-layer system. There are pros and cons of each, but after riding in both, I’ve come to the conclusion that laminated gear is by far the best option for general mixed riding such as commuting, weekend blasts, and touring.
Laminated motorcycle clothing features a waterproof membrane, such as Gore-Tex, that is bonded to the inside of the textile material of your jacket, making it as waterproof and windproof as you can get. This is means you don’t need to faff around putting on separate waterproof layers under or over your jacket and trousers because you are already wearing one. Laminated suits are also usually sold with a removable thermal inner liner to help keep you warm.
A downside to laminated motorcycle gear is the fact it tends to allow less airflow to your body, which can result in you feeling hot when the ambient temperature rises. The simple way to solve this problem is to buy a jacket with plenty of vents to allow cool air to pass through, ideally with flaps that can be pinned back to help scoop in as much air as possible. Despite claims from manufacturers about the breathable properties of materials such as Gore-Tex, in real-world conditions, the benefits are limited on a motorcycle. Adequate venting is far more important in the heat.
Unfortunately, due to higher manufacturing costs, laminated jackets and trousers are usually more expensive than the alternative – suits that feature the three-layer system. A three-layer suit will come with an outer protective layer, a detachable waterproof mid-layer, and a detachable thermal inner layer, which together make up the three layers. This is the Swiss army knife approach to motorcycle clothing because you can add or remove a layer to suit the conditions. Perfect, right? Not quite.
There are two main limitations to this system. Firstly, the textile material of your outer motorcycle jacket will not be waterproof, instead, it will be the separate liner inside that keeps you dry. This means the outside of your jacket will soak up water when it rains and it won’t be long before it becomes saturated and ‘wets out’. This will make the jacket heavy and cold. Combine this with the wind chill of riding a bike at motorway speeds and you’ll soon feel like you’re sat in a fridge.
The second limitation of the three-layer system is related to venting. Your vents will be less effective because there is a waterproof and windproof layer under them, greatly reducing the amount of cooling air that passes through. You could simply remove the waterproof layer, but you’ll have to stop by the side of the road and put it back on again when time it rains. By the time you’ve done this, you’ll probably be wet anyway.
A much better solution is to buy a waterproof over jacket and keep it to hand in a pannier or map pouch. Whatever four-season suit you opt for, make sure it fits correctly by trying it on before you buy. In particular, make sure the jacket doesn’t ride up and expose your back when reaching for the handlebars (this is why you’ll see plenty of riders crouching on an imaginary bike in motorcycle clothing stores).
Also, ensure the trousers are the right length so that the knee armour sits over your knee when you’re on the bike. In terms of protection, your suit should be made from an abrasion-resistant material that is reinforced in high-impact areas. It should also come with CE-approved armour on the elbows, shoulders, and knees as a minimum. Back and chest protectors are also very welcome additions which aren’t seen enough, even in high-end gear.
When buying a four-season suit, look for zips that are water-resistant and feature a storm flap to stop rain seeping through. Also, look for waterproof pockets so you can keep essentials like a phone and wallet to hand. A pet hate of mine is pockets on a jacket that zip up sideways, rather than horizontally.
This makes it far too easy for your belongings to fall out if you forget to fasten the zip. I have a friend who did exactly this and he lost his house and garage keys on a motorway, resulting in expense and hassle at the end of a long day in the saddle. Another thing to keep in mind is even the best four-season suit will not keep you protected from bad weather on its own during winter.
You’ll also need a good pair of gloves and boots, and I’d highly recommend investing in some heated gear for longer rides. However, choose the right jacket and trousers and you’re well on the way to ensuring winter riding is a pleasure, not a chore. With this in mind, we’ve put nine four-season suits to the test from across the price range to discover which ones are worth spending your hard-earned cash on.
ARMR MOTO Tottori 3
Jacket – £159.99, Trousers – £179.99 – www.tri-motiv.com
If you’re shopping on a budget, you’ll have no doubt come across ARMR Moto before. The brand was created by British distribution company Tri-Motive, and the ARMR Moto website claims that the company brings together ‘quality, protection, comfort and style at the best possible price’. There’s certainly no denying that the Tottori 3 jacket, which is ARMR Moto’s submission to this four-season test, offers a very attractive price (£159.99), but does it offer performance in the saddle to make it a worthwhile purchase?
The Tottori 3 is the newest textile suit in ARMR’s range, being introduced for 2019, and it comes complete with CE-approved protectors in the elbows, shoulders, and on the back. Waterproofing is provided by a removable Reissa membrane, while you also get an ARMR Multi-Season Liner system to provide insulation. Having CE-approved armour in a jacket of this price is excellent, and it fits nicely and is well-placed. The thermal lining, however, is remarkably thin and offers little in the form of warmth.
With this in mind, you’ll want to ditch it and use a more substantial mid-layer for all but summer rides. When it comes to waterproofing, the removable liner does keep the wet stuff at bay, but the outer fabric wets out very fast, quickly becoming saturated with water and getting very cold in cooler weather. If you’re riding in fine weather though, the Tottori 3 performs well. Take out the liners and you’re left with a protective shell that features a substantial amount of ventilation, including two large vents on the forearms and two gaping chest vents that are similar to those found on the more expensive REV’IT! Poseidon 2 in this test.
Open them all up and a welcome, cooling flow of air is sucked in, being drawn through by two exhaust vents at the rear. In terms of comfort, the Tottori 3 performs well. The cut of it is perfect for the adventure motorcycling stance, the torso is long to offer more weather protection and to prevent riding up, and the neoprene-lined collar is delightfully soft against the neck.
The jacket is also well-specced for storage, with there being four external pockets on the front, a large map pouch on the rear, a zipped internal chest pocket, and a nicely sized internal phone pouch. The waist of the jacket is adjustable to provide a fine-tuned fit, and the main zip is protected by a substantial storm flap to prevent water ingress here.
Frustratingly, the cuffs are too tight to fit comfortably over most gloves. They just about squeezed over my summer-weight gloves, but even the thinnest of insulated winter gloves were a struggle. With this, it’s near-impossible to close the forearm zip completely, and the Velcro tab isn’t long enough to create a secure fit. There is however a frustrating flaw with the jacket that, for me, would rule it out for four-season riding.
There are two, large vents on the forearms that are very welcome in warm weather, but if it starts raining, they’re a weak spot for water to get in. The zips aren’t waterproof, and rain penetrated through them rather quickly. They are backed by the removable waterproof lining, but all this does is force water down your arms and into your gloves. This obviously isn’t ideal when it’s cold and wet.
ABR RATING – 6/10
Fit: 7
Ventilation: 8
Value for money: 6
Weather Protection: 5
Comfort: 6
Features: 7
Conclusion
All in all, the Tottori 3 is a budget jacket that performs well in some instances, but poorly in others. As a good-weather jacket, it’s fine. In fact, the ample ventilation, comfortable fit, and included CE armour make it good value for money. But for four-season use, there are a couple of flaws that mean you’d be in for a wet and cold ride in the winter.
RST Pro Series Adventure X
Jacket – £299.99, Trousers – £219.99 www.rst-moto.com
The RST Pro Series Adventure X suit is brand-new for 2020, taking over from the RST Pro Series Adventure III. The Adventure III was a fine piece of kit indeed, particularly at its price point, and it’s one of the most fully-featured textile suits I’ve come across. The Adventure X builds on that, adding a handful of improvements in an attempt to create the ultimate adventure suit.
The Jacket
When you take a close look at the Pro Series Adventure X jacket, the amount of features and attention to detail is remarkable. It feels like RST has taken a textile jacket wishlist and thrown it at the suit. Protection is well thought out, with CE level 2 armour inserts on the shoulders and elbows and also the back (a great inclusion for this price point), while you also get large external TPU shoulder protectors. Hard-wearing areas, like the elbows and shoulders, are reinforced to help fight back against abrasion if you’re unlucky enough to take a slide down the road.
Weatherproofing is provided by a removable insulated liner that’s also bonded with a SinAqua Pro membrane. I must admit, I’m not the biggest fan of this set-up. The thermal liner is warm enough for autumn and spring riding, but get to the depths of winter and you’ll want to swap it out for a jacket with better insulation. Do that, and you’ll lose the waterproof lining as well. While a laminated jacket is preferred for wet-weather riding, a three-layer set-up would work better here (as was offered with the Adventure III) than a combined thermal and waterproof lining.
It’s the only change from the old model to the new one that I can’t get my head around. Venting is exceptional. The large chest vents are well placed and suck in a lot of air. They can also be zipped away so there’s no flapping material. These vents are complemented by perforated panels on the upper chest, two vents on the shoulders, large zipped vents on the forearms, and two exhaust vents.
Other useful features include a water bladder pouch on the rear (with routing for a hose), a large pocket on the rear that can be detached and used as a bum bag, a delightfully soft and insulated removable collar, adjustment points on the arms and waist, two large handwarmer pockets, and an internal chest pocket.
ABR RATING – 8/10
Fit: 8
Ventilation: 9
Value for money: 9
Weather Protection: 5
Comfort: 8
Features: 9
The Trousers
The trousers of the Pro Series Adventure X (called jeans by RST) follow the same ethos as the jacket. They’re well-featured and designed for adventurous riding throughout the year. The ventilation is exceptional, thanks to four well placed and sized vents and perforated upper thighs, and the thermal lining is soft next to the skin. Take it out and the inner of the trousers is still a joy to wear.
In terms of pockets, you get two large cargo pouches on the thigh and two zippable hip pockets. CE level 2 armour is provided at the knees, and there are hip pouches should you want to add your own protection here. There’s plenty of adjustment in the waist belt, the ankle cuffs are large enough for adventure boots, and the knees have stretch panels for a better range of movement.
ABR RATING – 8/10
Fit: 7
Ventilation: 9
Value for money: 9
Weather Protection: 7
Comfort: 8
Features: 9
Conclusion
The RST Adventure X suit is, for this price, an exceptional piece of kit. It’s overloaded with features and each one has a genuine use. It’s comfortable to wear, looks great in black, and offers incredible value for money. It’ll excel when in good weather thanks to its ample ventilation, great fit, and added features. For mid-winter riding, it would need to be paired with a set of waterproof overalls, but do this and you’ve got a great piece of kit. For 2020, there’s also an airbag option for £499.99.
Oxford Hinterland
Jacket – £299.99, Trousers – 169.99 – www.oxfordproducts.com
British manufacturer Oxford has a habit of producing good motorcycle gear at extremely reasonable prices. It’s usually not the flashiest but I’ve always found it can be relied upon to do the job. This is why I’ve awarded Oxford products the ‘Best Budget Buy’ accolade on more than one occasion in ABR group tests.
Jacket
Oxford’s new for 2020 Hinterland jacket looks set to push Oxford’s reputation for value further by offering a laminated jacket for just £300. This is significantly cheaper than any of the other laminated jackets on test. Water and windproofing is covered by a Dry2Dry laminated membrane so the jacket won’t wet out when the heavens open. All the zips are either water-resistant or feature storm flaps to keep the rain out. Warmth is provided by a removable inner thermal layer, which is on the thin side and I’d be tempted to replace it with something warmer for colder rides.
In terms of protection, the Hinterland has CE-level 1 armour in the shoulders and elbows and is made from an abrasion-resistant nylon outer shell. Overall, it looks like a well put together jacket.
It may not have the premium feel of the likes of the REV’IT! Poseidon 2, but then it’s half the price. In terms of storage, the Hinterland features two side opening front pockets with waterproof zips, as well as a side opening map pouch at the rear. It also has three inside pockets and two more in the removable thermal liner.
The fit is a little shorter in the body than I would like to see in a touring jacket, but the Hinterland isn’t necessarily designed for that use. Despite this, it feels comfortable to wear, the sleeves didn’t ride up when I reached for the handlebars and the cuffs went over a pair of winter gloves easily. There are two large vents on the forearms and at the waist with water-resistant zips, as well as an exhaust vent at the rear. The vents are a decent size although the jacket wouldn’t be my first choice to take on a hot summer tour. However, the vents would be more than adequate for a dash across the city or Sunday ride.
ABR RATING – 7/10
Fit: 7
Ventilation: 6
Value for money: 7
Weather Protection: 7
Comfort: 7
Features: 6
Trousers
Oxford doesn’t have matching trousers for the Hinterland so they submitted their Continental Advanced trouser for this test. It isn’t laminated, but at £160, still represents good value for money. The Continental Advanced is made from abrasion-resistant nylon and features armour on the hips and knees. There is a removable thermal layer and a non-removable waterproof inner liner. The trousers feature an impressive four pockets – two on the hips sealed by water-resistant zips, and a further two cargo style pockets on the outer thigh.
The Continental Advanced also come with a set of removable braces to help improve fit which is a feature I would have liked to have seen on some of the more expensive trousers in this test. These are comfortable trousers to wear, aided by stretch panels on the knees and back to aid flexibility. For summer riding, there are two large vents under the cargo pockets which can be pinned pack to allow air through. However, their effectiveness is going to be curtailed by the fact there is a waterproof liner sat behind them.
ABR RATING – 7/10
Fit: 8
Ventilation: 6
Value for money: 7
Weather Protection: 7
Comfort: 7
Features: 7
Conclusion
If you have your heart set on a laminated jacket and you’re on a budget, the Oxford Hinterland will do the job, although as an adventure rider, I’d probably be looking at a three-layer jacket with more features for around the same price. The Continental Advanced trousers are a bit of a steal at the price, although the lack of direct venting may cause your temperature to rise in warmer temperatures.
KTM Adventure S
Jacket – £426.16, Trousers – £331.86 – www.ktm.com
My first thought when I unpacked the KTM Adventure S was ‘thank God it’s not bright orange’. On closer inspection, the Adventure S, which forms part of the Austrian manufacturer’s line of PowerWear clothing, proved to be a rather stylish piece of clothing that uses a combination of goatskin leather and textile material. And, at £760 for the jacket and trousers, it’s also reasonably priced.
Jacket
The KTM branding on the jacket is restricted to small logos on the shoulders, chest, and collar, with a larger reflective logo on the back which blends into the background by day. The result is I’ve been more than happy to wear it on the Ducati Multistrada I’ve been riding lately, as well as around town when I’m off the bike without feeling like a bit of plonker. The Adventure S is made from a combination of abrasion and tear-resistant nylon and leather. The use of leather on the elbows, arms, collar and shoulders is a stylish touch and also a good safety feature.
CE level 2 armour can be found in the shoulders and elbows, and there is a pocket for a back protector which, disappointingly, needs to be bought as an extra. Overall, the Adventure S feels like a quality item of motorcycle clothing with neat stitching and seams and good attention to detail. Little touches like the addition of rubber tabs to help you open the pockets while wearing gloves reveal plenty of thought has gone into designing the jacket. Inside is a removable thermal lining featuring two pockets.
The liner feels a little thinner than some of the others in this test, and I found myself using a good thermal base layer to ensure I stayed warm while riding on cold evenings. However, it does make for a rather stylish standalone jacket. There are two ample-sized pockets on the front of the jacket, along with a smaller one at the chest. However, there is no map pouch at the rear which may or may not be an issue for you.
There are two small vents on the front of the jacket and these are complemented by large vents on each sleeve and an innovative double zipping system at the front. Basically, there are two ways you can close the jacket. The first is for cold weather riding and seals out wind and rain, while the second features a vent running the full length of the jacket, allowing cooling air to reach your body. It’s a nice touch and makes me think the Adventure S could be a genuine contender as a year-round jacket.
ABR RATING – 8/10
Fit: 8
Ventilation: 8
Value for money: 8
Weather Protection: 9
Comfort: 8
Features: 7
Trousers
The Adventure S trousers offer more of the same. They’re made from the same mix of goatskin leather and nylon, with a leather position on the backside and inner calf, as well as on the hips. There is also CE-level 1 armour on the hips and level 2 on the knees. Comfort and warmth are aided by the presence of a removable thermal liner, with the fit of the trousers allowing for a good range of movement. That fit can be tailored at the waist with the use of a Velcro adjuster. Venting is a bit limited with only two small vents above the knee. I have to admit I’m not sure about having the words ‘ready to race’ written across my backside, but if you already ride a KTM, you may not mind.
ABR RATING – 8/10
Fit: 8
Ventilation: 6
Value for money: 8
Weather Protection: 8
Comfort: 8
Features: 7
Conclusion
Overall, the KTM Adventure S is a very well made, stylish and high performing jacket and trousers combination available at a reasonable price. If I was to ride in freezing temperatures regularly, I would replace the thermal mid-layer with something warmer. The innovative venting system also means it will perform all year round. If you’re looking for a touring suit and you ride KTM, it would make a good buy. And the relatively subtle branding could make it worth a serious look even if you don’t ride for team orange.
SPIDI Alpentrophy
Jacket – £454.99, Trousers – £322.99 – www.spidiuk.com
Take a look at the Spidi website and you’ll see the Alpentrophy jacket modestly described as ‘one of the best adventure touring motorcycle jackets in the world’. That’s a bold claim, but you’ve got to admire the companies confidence in its kit! With that said, I must admit, the Italian brand does have a reputation for manufacturing quality gear, so I was interested to see how the Alpentrophy fared.
The Jacket
The Alpentrophy jacket is a stylish piece of kit. The fit is decidedly Italian and is definitely on the small side, so be prepared to size up. With this in mind, the cut is quite short. As standard, the Alpentrophy jacket comes with CE level 2 armour on the shoulders and elbows, which feels substantial yet comfortable when worn. This is, as you would expect, removable. You also get provisions to add a back protector and there are attachment points for chest protectors. I might be stingy, but for a £450 jacket, I’d like a back protector included as standard.
Waterproofing is provided by a laminated H2Out membrane, and this does a good job of keeping the wet stuff out. You’ll also find a substantial two-way Velcro storm flap protecting the main zip. On the subject of the main zip, I found it to be a bit short, with there being a good three inches of space at the bottom of it. This allows the jacket to spread open at the bottom and will be a weak spot for water ingress. The thermal liner is great. With 150g of synthetic insulating fill, it offers a lot of warmth and is very comfortable to wear.
My only niggle is in the way it secures to the outer layer, via two poppers on either side of the main zip. These are too easy to un-pop, and a zip-in system would have been preferred. The fit of the jacket is nicely customisable, with the collar having a Velcro-adjustable collar, and you get adjustable waist straps and a pull-cord adjustable hem. The cuffs are adjustable as well, though they’re very slimline and it’s difficult to fit a pair of winter gloves under them.
Frustratingly, the zip also tends to snag a lot. In terms of storage, you get plenty, there being four outer pockets, a rear pocket, a waterproof chest pocket, while there’s also a large mesh pouch on the thermal liner. Ventilation is provided by two large chest vents and two exhaust vents. These aren’t as effective as those found on some of the other jackets on test, but they’re welcome when the temperatures start rising.
ABR RATING – 7/10
Fit: 7
Ventilation: 7
Value for money: 6
Weather Protection: 8
Comfort: 8
Features: 6
The Trousers
Like the jacket, the Alpentrophy trousers make use of a laminated H2Out membrane to provide waterproofing and this performs well. The fit, again, is on the small side so you’ll want to try these on before you buy them. All of my adventure touring boots were too chunky to fit under the ankle cuffs.
This is a big oversight on trousers that are specifically designed for touring. If you can get past the tight fit and the small ankle cuffs, the Alpentours are good. CE level 1 armour is provided on the hips and knees, the included thermal liner is comfortable and warm, and the stretch panels on the knees allow for a good range of movement. In terms of storage, the only pockets you get are two hip pockets which, although comfortable, don’t have any zip closures, so they’re unsecure, particularly while riding.
ABR RATING – 7/10
Fit: 6
Ventilation: 6
Value for money: 7
Weather Protection: 8
Comfort: 8
Features: 6
Conclusion
All in all, the Spidi Alpentrophy suit is a bit hit and miss. It’s comfortable, genuinely waterproof, and the components feel well made. The jacket and trouser combo looks good and they zip in together, but I can’t see myself wearing this throughout the winter with the wrist and ankle cuffs being too restrictive for touring boots and insulated gloves.
REV’IT Poseidon 2 GTX
Jacket -£679.99, Trousers – £499.99 – www.revitsport.com
REV’IT! has built a reputation for producing high-quality motorcycle clothing that looks and feels great. The Poseidon 2 GTX jacket and trousers are yet another example of this. It’s clear these are very well-made pieces of kit, with every stitch, seam and join finished neatly. However, this premium quality is reflected in the price, with the jacket and trousers setting you back almost £1,200 between them.
Jacket
The jacket is made from high-tenacity abrasion and tear-resistant nylon, which is reinforced in high-impact areas, such as the elbows, arms and shoulders, to provide extra tear and abrasion resistance. Armour comes in the form of REV’IT!’s flexible and comfortable SEEFLEX CE-level 2 inserts in the elbows and shoulders. There is also a pocket provided for a back protector but you’ll have to buy this as an extra. I’d like to see one included in a jacket at this price.
The Poseidon 2 GTX has been designed to be a lightweight, flexible, yet durable suit. It features a laminated three-layer and two-layer Gore-Tex membrane in different areas which is bonded to the material to make the suit waterproof. This means the jacket won’t get saturated with rain and become heavy and cold when wet. All the outer zips are water-resistant and feature a storm flap which prevents rain from seeping inside. The jacket also comes with a removable storm collar, fastened with a zip, which covers your neck.
A nice touch is the use of neoprene around the chin and neck to prevent chaffing The Poseidon 2 GTX is warm thanks to a removable insulating layer, so much so I’ve only been wearing a T-shirt underneath during my commute to work on chilly mornings here in the UK. But, as well as being warm and waterproof, there’s plenty to suggest the Poseidon 2 GTX will perform when the mercury rises, with ample venting on offer. This includes two large vents on the chest and thighs that allow direct ventilation to your body.
They can be unzipped and pinned to a neat-looking Fidlock fastener featuring a magnet, which is easy to use while wearing riding gloves. There are also two additional vents at the upper arm and exhausts on the back, which should all provide plenty of airflow on hot days. The Poseidon 2 GTX has a touring fit, so it’s long enough to cover my torso without riding up and exposing my back when I’m in the saddle and it’s flexible enough not to feel at all restrictive. Overall, it’s a comfortable jacket to wear.
ABR RATING – 9/10
Fit: 9
Ventilation: 8
Value for money: 8
Weather Protection: 9
Comfort: 9
Features: 8
Trousers
The Poseidon 2 GTX trousers feature the same excellent design and build quality of the jacket. Legs are kept warm and dry by a comfy, removable, insulated liner, along with the water and windproof properties of the two and three-layer Gore-Tex laminate. Protection comes in the form of CE-level 2 armour at the knees and level 1 at the hips. The trousers fit naturally around my waist and legs with little restriction of movement. Adjustments can be made by tightening or loosening straps on the legs and waist. There are two pockets at the hips featuring waterproof zips that are big enough to fit a wallet or phone. The trousers also have large direct vents that can be pinned back to provide cooling airflow in summer.
ABR RATING – 8/10
Fit: 8
Ventilation: 8
Value for money: 7
Weather Protection: 9
Comfort: 9
Features: 8
Conclusion
Overall, the Poseidon 2 GTX suit is a thoughtfully designed, well-made, comfortable and stylish piece of motorcycle clothing. It’s a premium piece of kit with a price to match, but for the money you will get a four-season suit you can genuinely wear all year round in style and comfort.
BMW StreetGuard Suit
Jacket – £699, Trousers – £535 – www.BMW-Motorrad.co.uk
As part of BMW’s 11-strong range of riding suits, the StreetGuard sits itself amongst the most expensive of the company’s offerings. With a combined price of £1,234, the StreetGuard is a significant investment but, having worn it in some terrible weather, it’s one you won’t be disappointed with if you ride in all seasons.
The Jacket
The StreetGuard jacket is a highly-specced piece of kit. The fit is just about perfect for adventure bike touring, with the torso offering a good amount of length to prevent riding up. Protection comes in the form of substantial CE Level 2 BMW NP2 protectors on the elbows and shoulders, while a level 2 back protector is also included. All of this armour is well-placed and is comfortable all day long. On the outside, areas that are more likely to scrape against the road are doublelined with ProtectionGuard material to provide abrasion resistance.
Weatherproofing is provided by a laminated BMW climate membrane and, in my testing, this did a great job of keeping the rain at bay. The main zip of the garment is protected by a very substantial double storm flap which is effective. The StreetGuard also comes with an excellent protective collar system that consists of two collars. One, called the storm collar, is removable and contains a superb hood that’ll stop rain from seeping in through the neck, while the other is luxuriously soft against the skin, with no-chafe points.
Inside, you get a removable thermal liner which is made of a Thinsulate fill to keep you warm. While my usual stance on manufacturer-provided thermal linings is to kick ‘em to the curb and replace them with a warmer offering, this one is of very good quality. It’s attractive enough to be worn by itself when you’re off the bike, and when worn with the jacket it offers exceptional comfort, particularly where the stretchy cuffs are concerned. While I rate the liner highly, it is not the warmest, so if you’re planning on riding regularly in the depth of winter, you might want to make sure you swap it out for something more substantial.
For storage, you get two delightfully lined handwarmer pockets (which are protected by water-resistant zips), two zipped internal chest pockets, and an internal pouch that’ll fit a phone. Ventilation is where the StreetGuard has its limitations. You get two large pit zips paired with exhaust vents, which are better than nothing, but if you’re going to be heading out on a baking summer’s day, you’ll get very warm.
ABR RATING – 9/10
Fit: 9
Ventilation: 7
Value for money: 8
Weather Protection: 9
Comfort: 9
Features: 8
The trousers
The StreetGuard trousers are amongst the best I’ve worn. They’re supremely comfortable and the included removable bib and adjustable bracers help provide an incredible level of weather protection. You’ll love the secure fit it provides. The bib can, of course, be removed when weather conditions allow, leaving you with standard riding trousers. Protection is provided by removable CE level 2 BMW NP2 protectors on the knees and hips and, like in the jacket, they’re all-day comfortable.
High-wear areas are also reinforced with ProtectionGuard. The thermal liner provides a good amount of warmth and great comfort, and you get two well-sized hip pockets which are closable with water-resistant zips. I would have liked more storage options here and the trousers could do with more venting options.
ABR RATING – 8/10
Fit: 9
Ventilation: 6
Value for money: 8
Weather Protection: 10
Comfort: 9
Features: 8
Conclusion
All in all, the BMW StreetGuard suit is a superb four-season riding suit. It performs excellently in bad weather, is comfortable to wear, and offers high levels of protection.
Ducati Strada C4
Jacket – £699, Trousers – £429 – www.ducati.com
Some riders like to wear the love of their particular choice of motorcycle brand literally on their sleeve, which is why plenty of manufacturers sell branded textile jackets and trousers as part of their product line. In Ducati’s case, the Italian manufacturer has teamed up with one of the world’s leading motorcycle clothing brands Dainese to produce the Strada C4 riding suit.
The Jacket
This all-weather jacket features relatively subtle Ducati branding on the front in the form of logos on the chest and right shoulder. These are complemented by a bolder use of the word Ducati written across the back of the jacket. It’s likely no coincidence that the colour scheme echoes the grey, black and red paint scheme on the Multistrada 950.
Putting the Strada C4 on for the first time felt a little like slipping on cosy pyjamas. It is extremely comfortable and feels soft and flexible in the saddle. However, the Strada C4 also features Duratex and Mugello fabrics, which have been reinforced in high-risk impact areas such as the shoulders, arms and knees. Further protection comes in the form of CE-Level 1 armour in the shoulders and elbows, although you’ll need to buy a back protector separately. It seems crazy to me that a jacket with a near £700 price tag doesn’t come with a back protector.
The Strada C4 uses a three-layer set-up that’s more often found on less expensive garments. In this system, you are kept dry by a removable Gore-Tex waterproof liner worn under the jacket. While this approach does keep you dry, the outer jacket and trousers soon become saturated with water and, combined with wind chill, make you feel cold quickly. As you would expect from a garment made by Dainese, the Strada C4 is made to a high standard, with neatly finished seams, stitches and joins. Zips on the pockets and vents are either water-resistant or feature storm flaps, and I especially liked the removable inner thermal liner, which features a PrimaLoft fill, and doubles as a casual jacket I’d be happy to wear off the bike.
When it comes to riding in warmer weather, the Strada C4 benefits from a Nanofeel lining with antibacterial properties to help keep you smelling sweet. There are vents at the chest and arms as well as exhausts at the back of the jacket. Take the waterproof lining out and you’ve got a light and airy jacket. There are two good-sized pockets on the front of the jacket, along with two pockets at the chest and an ample map pouch. The jacket is a good length around the waist and sleeves, covering my back when I’m sat in the saddle and my wrists when I reach for the handlebars.
ABR RATING – 7/10
Fit: 8
Ventilation: 7
Value for money: 6
Weather Protection: 7
Comfort: 8
Features: 7
The Trousers
The Strada C4 trousers are made from the same abrasion-resistant material as the jacket and have armour positioned at the hips and knees. Warmth is provided by a removable thermal lining and waterproofing comes in the form of a non-removable Gore-Tex drop liner. Again, this led to the outer material of the trousers and jacket getting saturated and cold when I rode in the rain, particularly in the crotch area. In the dry, the Strada C4 trousers proved just as comfortable as the jacket, feeling soft and flexible. The fit was comfortable and unrestrictive and there are also two pockets on the trousers which don’t have a zip.
ABR RATING – 7/10
Fit: 8
Ventilation: 6
Value for money: 7
Weather Protection: 7
Comfort: 8
Features: 6
Conclusion
Overall, the Strada C4 is a stylish and comfortable jacket and trousers combo that does a solid job. If it was a few hundred pounds cheaper, it would represent very good value for money, but at almost £700 for the jacket alone, the Strada C4’s premium price tag doesn’t match its performance or features.
Alpinestars Big Sur
Jacket – £899.99, trousers – £599.99 – www.alpinestars.co.uk
At £1,499 for the jacket and trousers combo, the Alpinestars Big Sur is the most expensive suit in this group test by quite some margin. Throw in the airbag technology that the jacket’s been built to support, and you’re up to a staggering £2,500. For this sort of money, you’d be right to expect perfection, and while the Big Sur does have a few niggles, it’s certainly a very good suit.
The Jacket
The Big Sur comes to Tech-Air Airbag system-ready, so it’s got all of the connection points, switches and LED lighting that’s needed to use the technology seamlessly. I tried the jacket without the Tech-Air, but having used the system in the past, I would recommend it if you can put up with the added weight and bulk that comes with it. That being said, the Big Sur is a big ‘ol bulky jacket by itself. Slip your arms into this and it feels like you’re suiting up in plate armour.
CE level 2 inserts on the shoulders and arms provide impact resistance while there are also TPU inserts on the shoulders and Armacor reinforcements on areas likely to see abrasion. The jacket itself feels stiff and rigid, adding to that protective feel, but this comes at a cost to comfort and wearability. The Big Sur jacket is so bulky that moving around becomes difficult, to the point where raising my arms and performing lifesaver checks was an effort.
The cut is also quite restrictive, particularly around the chest and shoulders, so if you’re broad you’ll find the Italian cut a bit off-putting. That said, after nearly 1,000 miles of riding, the suit has started to loosen up a bit, to the point where it’s becoming more comfortable with every ride. Waterproofing is provided by a laminated Gore-Tex Pro membrane that provides genuine all-over waterproofing. To keep you warm, you get a removable thermal liner that’s warm enough for most uses, though extended rides in the cold will need to be supplemented by an extra insulating layer.
In terms of storage, you get two huge handwarmer pockets, two zipped chest pockets and two nicely sized internal pouches. The two main pockets are marketed as waterproof, but take it from my soggy wallet that they’re not. You also get a large pocket on the rear. Ventilation comes in the form of two large chest vents that are coupled with rear exhaust vents. They’re not the most effective and in the summer this jacket will get very warm.
ABR RATING – 8/10
Fit: 6
Ventilation: 7
Value for money: 7
Weather Protection: 10
Comfort: 7
Features: 8
The Trousers
Like the Big Sur jacket, the trousers feel substantial and protective, but also quite restrictive in their fit. They do loosen up with wear and the accordion stretch inserts on the knees do go some way to combating the restrictive fit. They’re fully waterproof thanks to the Gore-Tex Pro membrane, and the removable insulated lining is plenty warm enough for cold weather riding.
Ventilation is decent, with the two large, zipped vents running across the top of the thigh to allow good air intake, and you get a good amount of storage from the hip pockets and the single cargo-style pocket on the left thigh. Protection comes from CE level 2 knee armour, though you’ll need to spend extra to get the hip inserts, which is a bit of a shame when the trousers cost £599.99. The trousers also come with useful bracers that’ll help pull them up to provide weather protection.
ABR RATING – 8/10
Fit: 7
Ventilation: 7
Value for money: 7
Weather Protection: 10
Comfort: 7
Features: 8
Conclusion
The Big Sur suit is an expensive piece of kit that provides exceptional weather protection. It’s the jacket and trousers that I wore on our Three Pubs Challenge, which saw us ride for 16 hours through almost nonstop rain. It was cold, wet, and it would have been pretty miserable if I was in a less-good suit.