New gear

[richardbd]

There is no such thing when it comes to laminates in my view. They all leak. Even when you spend over £1000 for a jacket.
Say that out loud.
Spending over a £1000 on a jacket

Over waterproof’s are 100%.
Yes, you have to stop and put them on but they work.

Its only taken me 40 years to realise that I’m right back where I first started when it comes to staying dry on a bike!

On the other hand...

I've had two Rukka laminate suits, two Klim suits and now have a Stadler outfit.

All have done at least 10,000 miles and all have been 100% waterproof. The trouble with laminates is that they make you sweat in hot weather, not that they can't keep the rain out...

 

[glenn2926]

On the other hand...

I've had two Rukka laminate suits, two Klim suits and now have a Stadler outfit.

All have done at least 10,000 miles and all have been 100% waterproof. The trouble with laminates is that they make you sweat in hot weather, not that they can't keep the rain out...

Well sweating is very rarely a problem in this country. It wasn’t much of a problem in Norway, or Scotland, Ireland, Germany or even the French Alps. Rain however, that was a problem. I’ll settle for waterproof over being warm any day. I’ve spent far too many trips being cold and wet.

 

[richardbd]

Well sweating is very rarely a problem in this country. It wasn’t much of a problem in Norway, or Scotland, Ireland, Germany or even the French Alps. Rain however, that was a problem. I’ll settle for waterproof over being warm any day. I’ve spent far too many trips being cold and wet.

Well sweating is very rarely a problem in this country. It wasn’t much of a problem in Norway, or Scotland, Ireland, Germany or even the French Alps. Rain however, that was a problem. I’ll settle for waterproof over being warm any day. I’ve spent far too many trips being cold and wet.

Give me warm and wet over cold and dry any day.

Laminate has its place but it sure ain't a panacea. I really like my Stadler suit for UK road riding for two (maybe two and a half) seasons. The rest of the time, it's definitely not the best...

 

[JonnyBravo]

Honest question -

two Rukka laminate suits, two Klim suits and now have a Stadler outfit.

Over how long and for how much ?

 

[richardbd]

Honest question -

two Rukka laminate suits, two Klim suits and now have a Stadler outfit.

Over how long and for how much ?

Honest answer...

First Rukka, probably seven or eight years. Replaced the jacket after five or six with a (second hand) different style because I preferred the fit. Trashed the entire suit in an off on the North Circular and replaced it with the Stadler,

Rode a Klim Traverse through Alaska, Iceland, Sweden and Africa and a Badlands 13,000 miles from London to Beijing.

I have never had a laminated suit let me down in the rain. I have learned that they are not the right kit in variable conditions, especially if it's going to get hot...

 

[glenn2926]

Give me warm and wet over cold and dry any day.

Laminate has its place but it sure ain't a panacea. I really like my Stadler suit for UK road riding for two (maybe two and a half) seasons. The rest of the time, it's definitely not the best...

The two maybe three warm dry days we get I tend to use my mesh gear. Rest of my riding is cold, windy, wet weather. I usually take my mesh gear to the Alps on the summer trips. This year I used my laminate gear and glad I did.

 

[JonnyBravo]

Honest answer...

First Rukka, probably seven or eight years. Replaced the jacket after five or six with a (second hand) different style because I preferred the fit. Trashed the entire suit in an off on the North Circular and replaced it with the Stadler,

Rode a Klim Traverse through Alaska, Iceland, Sweden and Africa and a Badlands 13,000 miles from London to Beijing.

I have never had a laminated suit let me down in the rain. I have learned that they are not the right kit in variable conditions, especially if it's going to get hot...

If it’s hot - which for me is pretty much everywhere from spring to autumn outside of the UK, it’s something with comfort, airflow and then just waterproof up with another layer where needed in my view.

Anyway- I was interested to know how much as that’s 5 laminated suites you mentioned over a few/several years.

More importantly though - did you do the London to Beijing trip as per the tv series?
Regardless - Epic and good effort !

 

[richardbd]

More importantly though - did you do the London to Beijing trip as per the tv series?
Regardless - Epic and good effort !

Yep - GlobeBusters Ace-to-Ace expedition. Just not the same year as the TV series and we didn't have to brave the Irkeshtam Pass in the snow!

Still the trip of a lifetime...

 

[GS TRV]

Don't waste money on expensive suits. Buy a half decent one and pair it with Scott waterproofs. This is the conclusion I have come to after 40 odd fucking years of searching for the holy grail of bike clothing.

That’s like something from the 80s and still can never understand why Motolegends keep harping on about it. Total faff to stop every time it rains and no need to when there’s plenty of laminate options around today.

 

[Bardley]

Summer/ Winter UK riding in UK can vary so much. I use Klim Carlsbad and Kodiak outfits all year in all weathers incl. the freezing last year.,
The Carlsbad is the lighter of the two, and is good for summer heat ventilation.
Using a reasonable copy of the Maverick Down jacket is an excellent layer for insulation, and along with base layer and Keis plugin, it's super warm for the minus temps too.
I realise there's some good brands out there, but the Klim brand has been excellent for my needs for everyday work.
My '23 plate GS had 25k on it when it was stolen in June...all ridden in Klim.
The warranty is also worth a mention...and I've used it with no problem when there was an issue with the Kodiak trousers.
Louise at Klim Adventure Gear in NI is worth having a chat with for good prices.


Sent from my SM-G781B using Tapatalk

 

[stever1]

Love my Rukka gear, but won’t buy another. Cheaper gear is getting better all the time. My pal who runs intogear in Hull sells laminated gear by Leatt, much cheaper than so called quality gear but half the price.
I talked to a guy who’s got a set and he loves it. He went to Norway and it rained every day but stayed dry.

 

[richardbd]

That’s like something from the 80s and still can never understand why Motolegends keep harping on about it. Total faff to stop every time it rains and no need to when there’s plenty of laminate options around today.

I agree with the faff but on a long, multi-climate trip a non-membrane (laminate or otherwise) plus a rain suit is still by far the best solution. Rising a laminated suit for weeks on end in high and humid temperatures is not a pleasant experience. DAMHIK...

 

[richardbd]

Love my Rukka gear, but won’t buy another. Cheaper gear is getting better all the time. My pal who runs intogear in Hull sells laminated gear by Leatt, much cheaper than so called quality gear but half the price.
I talked to a guy who’s got a set and he loves it. He went to Norway and it rained every day but stayed dry.

It's true that cheaper gear is getting better. The question is how much better. The Chap in the Cap has an interest video on how laminated jackets are made, showing the nature and extent of seam-taping in a high-end jacket and a budget jacket, both cut apart and turned inside out for the purpose. It's quite revealing.

Like everything else, you pays your money...

 

[beemerboy9]

drop by FC Moto near Aachen. Adds about 50 miles to the most direct route
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fzqZUNmJqo5QuXHU8

Bought loads of stuff from them mail order pre Brexit. Rukka clothing, Daytona boots. They have a lot of end of line stuff.

Be cautious with FC-Moto - they don't have much in the way of sizing and variety in the shop in my experience. It is basically a mail-order enterprise.

There are folk queuing at the counter but they are collecting stuff that they have ordered on-line.

So check before you go....

The best buy I've had from FC-Moto is a pair of non-waterproof Daytona Road Star boots for use during the summer as my feet get hot. Plenty of Daytona dubbin keeps them showerproof, but I pack a pair of waterproof socks just in case.

 

[stever1]

It's true that cheaper gear is getting better. The question is how much better. The Chap in the Cap has an interest video on how laminated jackets are made, showing the nature and extent of seam-taping in a high-end jacket and a budget jacket, both cut apart and turned inside out for the purpose. It's quite revealing.

Like everything else, you pays your money...

He has a commercial bias, they sell the expensive stuff.
Your right though, you have to be careful, personally I’d think if a cheaper jacket works/lasts half as long as a Rukka at three times the price then it’s a win.

 

[Arsey]

Love my Rukka gear, but won’t buy another. Cheaper gear is getting better all the time. My pal who runs intogear in Hull sells laminated gear by Leatt, much cheaper than so called quality gear but half the price.
I talked to a guy who’s got a set and he loves it. He went to Norway and it rained every day but stayed dry.

Agreed.
Sold my Rukka Nivala 2 piece and bought Oxford Hinterland for 1/6 the price .
Put a hole in the pants on hot exhaust so bought Bering 2 piece Goretex laminated suit in Motolegends Sunday sale . Cost me under £600 but more comfortable than the Rukka and a better design so 100% waterproof

 

[Wapping]

There is no such thing when it comes to laminates in my view. They all leak.

Mine doesn’t.

Carry on.

 

[HGS]

Mine doesn’t.

Carry on.

Nor mine

 

[GSian]

Mine doesn’t.

Carry on.

Nor mine

Neither does mine.

 

[Arsey]

Neither does mine.

Nor mine