Rukka Shield-R Jacket Black

Material

The Rukka Jacket features a full Cordura outer shell with a Gore-Tex Pro-3 layer laminated onto the interior. Cordura is a popular material across the motorcycle gear spectrum thanks to its excellent balance of weight, strength, and abrasion resistance. The Gore-Tex Pro laminate is going to be 100% breathable, wind proof, and waterproof, and the 3-layer construction means that the waterproof membrane is protected from internal abrasion. This means that you’re already looking at a more durable jacket.

To bring you even more safety in the abrasion zones, you’re getting Armacor and Keprotec shoulder and elbow reinforcements. Armacor is a Kevlar-Cordura weave built to give you incredible heat and abrasion resistance. Keprotec is coming from the textile manufacturer Schoeller, and it was originally developed for racing thanks to its aramide yarns giving it extreme abrasion and tear resistance.

Safety

Besides top-quality construction, Rukka haven’t held back in the impact protector department either. This means that the jacket includes Rukka D3O Air XTR Shoulder and elbow protectors CE Level 2 certified. This is already great since you usually get level one in most jackets. What really shows that premium touch is the inclusion of EN 1621-1 2012 CE Level 1 D3O Chest protectors and a CE Level 2 D3O Air XTR all back protector.

So, you’re getting full coverage with the Shield-R, and the jacket itself has also been certified to Class AA, which means it does stand up well to abrasion, even though it is shy of that AAA rating.

Comfort

Once more, the Shield-R is a 4-season set, which means ventilation and waterproofing. Starting with the former, there are zippered vents along the chest, bicep, either side of the torso, in the sleeve, and in the back.

What Rukka have also done that’s really nice is they’ve worked in a lot of reflectivity to make sure that you stay visible out on the road. If the weather does take a turn for the worse though, you still have that Gore-Tex waterproof membrane that we mentioned but there are still a few interesting details worth mentioning.

The inner cuffs of the jacket are also made of Gore-Tex, so you don’t need to worry about water seeping through there. Second, you have an integrated Gore-Tex Stretch storm collar (ATS), which is also removable. It will come in handy for when it really pours or freezes, and the neoprene underneath will prevent chafing.

Lastly, you are getting an Outlast lining, which is a space age technology meant for NASA, that captures, stores, and re-emits heat to keep you at a constant temperature.

If you want to adjust the jacket to fit your form better, you are getting a set of Velcro straps in the sleeves and hem, with a set of zips in the sleeves as well. For a bit more adjustability, you’re also getting a set of snaps in the upper arm.

Thanks to stretch panels in the back of the shoulders you get plenty of stretch, and for added safety and waterproofing you can zip the jacket to the pants.

Lastly, you have a great set of storage options in the Shield-R. You’re getting a set of water-resistant zippered pockets along the front, with a larger rabbit pouch in back. Lastly, the jacket comes with an inner chest pocket for your extra valuables. So, once more, no complaints here since this really is a top-level piece of gear.

Rukka Shield-R Trousers

For the Shield-R Motorcycle Pants, we’re looking at that same Cordura and Gore-Tex build with Armacor and Keprotec on the knees and hips.

The pants are also CE AA Rated, and come with a set of heat and abrasion resistant leather panels in the knee and seat to give you improved durability. For safety they come with Rukka D3O Air XTR hip and knee armor, which has also been certified to CE Level 2. This is another mark of quality safety, since manufacturers will also often give you level 2 in the knees and level 1 in the hips.

Besides the waterproof Gore-Tex and Outlast liner, you are getting air vents in the front and back of the thighs for more effective air flow, which are right next to a set of water resistant zippered pockets, which is great to see since you don’t want their contents getting wet as you ride. In the seat, you also have Rukka’s AirCushion system, which helps keep reduce condensation thanks to an extra climate buffer.

Lastly, for adjustments, you’re getting a belt around the waist with a button closure, a set of suspenders, Velcro and zips in the legs for boots, and stretch panels in the crotch, knees, and back of the waist.