One-year review: Richa suit
RICHA ATLANTIC GORE-TEX £649.99 (jacket) £419.99 (trousers) www.richa.eu
THIS CAPABLE, WELL-BUILT suit is proof that Richa has the technology and design power to be competitive against anyone. The spec is impressive. You’ve got a two and three-layer laminated Gore-tex construction, a removable thermal liner, a clever venting system, loads of adjustment in the torso and arms and Ce-approved D30 armour.
Over the past 5000 miles and two years, I have used this suit in every type of condition and scenario, from 850-mile-a-day trips to Germany in mid-summer to sub-zero commuting in December and it has proved to be a proper four-season product. I’ve used it on nakeds, sportsbikes and large adventure bikes and its cut (the front of the jacket is shorter to that it doesn’t ruck) means it works on them all.
The venting is some of the best I’ve experienced on a textile jacket. The large chest vent panels are secured by magnets and allow a good flow of air, even on machines with tall screens and big fairings. However, the thermal lining is also good enough for all but the coldest winter days, though below 5°C you will be needing a mid-layer. The front pockets are a decent size and though I was sceptical of their usefulness because they’re secured by Velcro, they don’t leak at all. However, the Velcro is starting to lose its stick with age, meaning that though waterproofing hasn’t been compromised and I’ve never dropped anything, I fear wallet and phone are in danger of falling out. There are other niggles too. The zip on one of the cuffs has just started to pull away from its stitching. And while the Voyager comes with a back protector (CE Level-1 approved) it is a bit too short to give 100% confidence. The trousers are the same quality as the jacket: warm, comfortable and thanks to armour at the knees and hips, protective. They’re waterproof, too, having never leaked. They are secured to the jacket by a zip for no drafts but there is also the option of braces to hold them up: I use both.