Rukka Marco or Armadillo

[Hannu]

Just been out this morning trying both these on, The Marco appeared to be the the most comfortable but the Armadillo looks to offer more protection from the elements.

Anyone out there have any first hand experience of either ?

 

[Neil W]

I've had a Marco jacket for the past two years and I'm more than happy with it.
Have worn it in some really crap weather and it has so far been totally waterproof and it is very warm with the liner fitted. I especially like the fit of the neck and cuffs which are totally weatherproof.
The only real criticsm is that when the temp gets up to the mid twenties plus it can be a tad warm. The only solution is to undo the to button and leave the zip slightly open or to leave the second inner zip undone.
Other than that it is cracking bit of kit.
Remember if you buy one to factor in the cost of the Rukka back protector as they are not suppplied with the jacket and other makes will not fit the pocket.

 

[coded2112]

Hannu just to gave a balanced report i have had an Armadillo suit now for a month or two, worn every day through the exceptionally wet November we have just had and never leaked at all. I considered the Marco, but was convinced by the sales man that the benefit of the Armadillo over the Marco is that it repels more water so will dry much more quickly. As i commute with it and do not have a drying room or radiator to put it on quick dry was important. And it does dry quickly, no complaints from me.

 

[travelman]

I've just ordered Rukka kit. I've spent alot of time researching it too. The Marco is discontinued so beware. I know one of the main Rukka dealers in UK is still selling it at top price. They will tell you that the replacement which is called the Athos is not due out till april but thats not true, I have just bought the Athos from bikerland in Germany. In the UK they're clearing old Marco stock but keeping the price up.

You've gotta try the different jackets on for yourself, the cuts are slightly different and the sizings also. I found the Marco a slightly tighter fit but for me more comfortable than the Armadillo. The Armadillo was stiffer and for me that little bit more uncomfortable than the Marco. It caught me around the neck more. I know its made from the xcr material so is bonded and is in itself water repellant. However the Marco and the Athos are also waterproof and are guaranteed as that for 5 years. So that guarantee is enough for me. Also the Marco still dries out quickly even though its a drop liner. They don't get that waterlogged apparently. The Marco is apparently warmer than the Armadillo. So I wonder is the 200 pound price difference between them really worth it?

Also the Marco's I tried on all had back armour in them, in fact all the rukka jackets come with back armour as far as I know.......all the ones I tried on had them in.

I was going to just buy the armadillo off the net without really trying it on but the best piece of advice I got make sure you try it on before buying. I'm so glad I did. So my advice to you is try on carefully.

Because the Marco is being discontinued you should be getting it cheaper, at least 100 pounds cheaper I would say, so if you like the Marco wait a little until the prices drop. Also check out the new Athos on the Rukka website, its lovely.

 

[Hannu]

I've just ordered Rukka kit. I've spent alot of time researching it too. The Marco is discontinued so beware. I know one of the main Rukka dealers in UK is still selling it at top price. They will tell you that the replacement which is called the Athos is not due out till april but thats not true, I have just bought the Athos from bikerland in Germany. In the UK they're clearing old Marco stock but keeping the price up.

You've gotta try the different jackets on for yourself, the cuts are slightly different and the sizings also. I found the Marco a slightly tighter fit but for me more comfortable than the Armadillo. The Armadillo was stiffer and for me that little bit more uncomfortable than the Marco. It caught me around the neck more. I know its made from the xcr material so is bonded and is in itself water repellant. However the Marco and the Athos are also waterproof and are guaranteed as that for 5 years. So that guarantee is enough for me. Also the Marco still dries out quickly even though its a drop liner. They don't get that waterlogged apparently. The Marco is apparently warmer than the Armadillo. So I wonder is the 200 pound price difference between them really worth it?

Also the Marco's I tried on all had back armour in them, in fact all the rukka jackets come with back armour as far as I know.......all the ones I tried on had them in.

I was going to just buy the armadillo off the net without really trying it on but the best piece of advice I got make sure you try it on before buying. I'm so glad I did. So my advice to you is try on carefully.

Because the Marco is being discontinued you should be getting it cheaper, at least 100 pounds cheaper I would say, so if you like the Marco wait a little until the prices drop. Also check out the new Athos on the Rukka website, its lovely.

Hmm Thanks for adding another jacket into the equation

I see what you are saying though, Apparently the Armadillo has a coating on that keeps you cooler in the summer !. I have tried all the jackets on and would agree that the marco is a tad more comfy than the armadillo but you the armadillo offers more protection. Tried the HG master on and thats very stiff and very un-comfy.

I know bikerland is cheap but would rather buy UK just in case owt goes wrong. Just had a bad experience with a bike that I bought miles from home.

Whats the Athos like ? cant find a UK dealer that stocks it yet !.

Plus Touratech are offering vat free deals at the moment which makes a big difference, so looking to buy before the new year.

 

[squid]

I was offered the Marco and Unit trousers for £500 inc delivery from Germany.

In the end though I've gone for the HG Master V (you can get 30% off by playing the gift voucher game and asking for 10% discount too)

 

[travelman]

I've also checked the guarantee situation from a number of angles. The Rukka guarantee is valid whatever country you're in. Its a worldwide guarantee. I have heard that the UK Rukka people get upset with people who buy in Germany then present in UK for warranty issues - why wouldnt they if you think about it - you're being ripped off for Rukka in UK. The UK Rukka wholesalers can't refuse the warranty, I know of one guy who they did refuse and he wrote to Rukka in Finland and who promptly put it right with the UK people.

Also there are a number of guys here on this forum who bought in Germany over the internet and their warranty issues were sorted no problem (do a forum search), just send it back to the dealer and they will look after the rest. There have been no problems that I have heard of. The only grumbles were the quibbles from the UK wholesaler who has to cave in under pressure anyway. But you cant blame them their business is people buying in UK where the prices are high - a Marco jacket + unit trousers here in infinity is circa £800. I can get the same kit, including delivery, on the internet for 500 Euros (ex vat if you have a vat number). Thats £450 sterling. Thats 50% price difference, and the German retailer can still make a profit on that......work that out. Maybe with the VAT off on the Touratech deal it would be the same price in UK also - I don't know.

Now having said all this, maybe I'll be eating humble pie as I myself have just bought the new Athos kit off the German site - Bikerland. So lets see how the warranty works if I need it - I have been assured though that its a Europe-wide warranty.

 

[argee]

Hi,
Ive been commuting and touring/genereal riding for a couple of years, done around 60k miles in various Heine Gericke suits until a couple of months ago when I treated myself to a Rukka Armax suit on a friends recommendation. I got it from London Road Inc., and I have to say it is absolutely awesome, comfortable warm/cool as required, practical and water/draft proof. Because it is laminated it drys incredibly quickly, and I am utterly sold.

I am rather hard on kit, and if it's got a flaw or weakness I always seem to find it, but I will not be without Rukka's top end kit from now on.

Got their gloves too FWIW, ditto does exactly what it says on the tin.

Recommended.

www.londonroadinc.com

 

[IainMac]

I ended up going for an armax over the armadillo even though I was tempted the wonga saving the armadillo would have given me. The armax was a better fit for me and less hassle taking on and of with only the single front zip (armadillo has 2 from memory) . I still got some discount of the armax as that is I believe end of line (replaced by armas? with the new gortex "zip") .
As I wanted something to last a long time and I decided fit/ease of use was very important , if kit has little annoying foibles over time these can get on your wick if you ride regularly.
I have pair of alpinestar SMX waterproof boots but I find they are a faff to put on take off so they never get used and I end up wearing the AS Vectors instead(shame they arent waterproof) .... guess I should ebay them.
prior to going for rukka I was an HG toerag man but the whilst the liner kept me dry i got sick of the soggy outer shell and the tight cuffs as I like my jacket to go over the glove .

 

[Hannu]

I've also checked the guarantee situation from a number of angles. The Rukka guarantee is valid whatever country you're in. Its a worldwide guarantee. I have heard that the UK Rukka people get upset with people who buy in Germany then present in UK for warranty issues - why wouldnt they if you think about it - you're being ripped off for Rukka in UK. The UK Rukka wholesalers can't refuse the warranty, I know of one guy who they did refuse and he wrote to Rukka in Finland and who promptly put it right with the UK people.

Also there are a number of guys here on this forum who bought in Germany over the internet and their warranty issues were sorted no problem (do a forum search), just send it back to the dealer and they will look after the rest. There have been no problems that I have heard of. The only grumbles were the quibbles from the UK wholesaler who has to cave in under pressure anyway. But you cant blame them their business is people buying in UK where the prices are high - a Marco jacket + unit trousers here in infinity is circa £800. I can get the same kit, including delivery, on the internet for 500 Euros (ex vat if you have a vat number). Thats £450 sterling. Thats 50% price difference, and the German retailer can still make a profit on that......work that out. Maybe with the VAT off on the Touratech deal it would be the same price in UK also - I don't know.

Now having said all this, maybe I'll be eating humble pie as I myself have just bought the new Athos kit off the German site - Bikerland. So lets see how the warranty works if I need it - I have been assured though that its a Europe-wide warranty.

Do you have to pay tax on it when it comes from Germany ?

 

[travelman]

From what I've been told no......lets see though. Others on this forum have bought from germany and they havent been hit for tax. So lets see, I hope not. if I am hit for tax then the savings are'nt as good, still would be 200 cheaper than UK shops though.....My new kit is due soon, I'd say this week or next. So fingers crossed.

 

[tanneman]

I've been reading a few posts about Rukka and in particular the Marcos jacket and Unit trousers. Very good reviews and as my luck would have it a set were on sale on fleabay. Total cost £385 incl. P&P. Not to bad I think. Credit card is knackered thou after a few purchases. Good forum. Keep it up.

 

[GDS968]

Don't be put off by buying from Bikerland in Germany, my Armadillo trouser are just in the process of going back for warranty work without issue. Their a good company to deal with IMOA.

 

[spm0912]

We are issued Rukka for work, TBH the Marco can get worn out quite quickly, frayed cuffs and hems, it also wets out badly when the outer waterproofing is worn. The trilaminate jackets although stiffer are much better all round and definitely worth spending the extra dosh on.