High-mile test
With a reasonable price and an indestructible feel, there is a lot to like about this adventure suit
5000 miles in RST adventure textile suit
THE CLAIM
“This textile jacket is CE certified to level A and features a CE Level-2 back protector, shoulder and elbow armour. It’s made from a hard-wearing Ripstop material and features Ballistic on intense abrasion areas such as the shoulders and arms. Additionally, the X-raid features a fixed Sinaqua waterproof and breathable lining and a removable thermal lining alongside front and back vents. The jean also comes with CE
Level 2 knee armour.”
THE REALITY
Over the past 18 months, I’ve used this suit for commuting, trail riding and touring and it’s performed well, feeling indestructible and never really disappointed, although there have been times it has slightly annoyed.
Let’s talk about the good parts first. Few suits give as much confidence as this does, thanks to the really tough Cordura construction combined with the Ballistic material on the abrasion areas plus snugly-locating armour. Despite this
the jacket is still reasonably lightweight.
So far it has proved to be pretty waterproof. The Sinaqua membrane isn’t as breathable as Gore-tex but isn’t bad at all and is helped by keeping water at bay by the double-zip and press-stud opening. I haven’t had any problems with the pockets leaking either.
There are some things to be aware of though. Firstly, the suit doesn’t use Velcro for cuffs and collar fastenings and uses press-studs. This is good and bad: good as in 18 months later, they secure as well as they did when they were new; bad as in activating them can be really fiddly and only allows stepped adjustment. To be fair, RST claims to have modified the cuff design since my 2018-model jacket to make it easier. I’d also like the arms to be an inch longer, too — so try before you buy.
The trousers are excellent, feeling really tough; they zip all the way around the jacket and have the option of braces too. Just like the jacket, they have a sense of quality normally missing from kit at this price-point. Ventilation is better on the trousers than the jacket.
The wear and tear
Nothing has gone wrong, no busted zips or popped studs. The trousers show a small amount of wear through offroading and dirt rubbing, plus the elastic on the braces has started to wear, but that’s all there is so far.