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Just in case anyone was thinking of buying Rukka kit - it may have all the brand names like GoreTex etc. but don't expect much for the ludicrously expensive price you're paying!
I bought an Armas suit just over 3 years ago at a cost of well over £1500 and I have had a litany of problems with it since day one:
- After 9 days of ownership the Goretex lockout closure was split across the outside tracks, making the zip almost impossible to close. The entire zip was very stiff. Tranam replaced the jacket as it was effectively new.
- After about 2 years on the original trousers a split developed in the stitching down one leg and the zip split. This was argued about but eventually done under warranty. The trousers came back from Rukka with a burn-mark through the material near the repair, presumably by someone cack-handed whilst heat-sealing the seams. Rukka denied all knowledge of this; fortunately after much argument Tranam replaced the trousers.
- About 9 months ago the zips on both sleeves started to separate. Another warranty return. I reported the velcro flap on the neck but this was ignored.
- The jacket has just gone back again to have the velcro in the neck looked at, the Gore Lockout closure has split again in 2 places and the left hand bottom pocket zip has split at the bottom. The trouser knee has worn through just a year after getting a replacement garment. Tranam has send the pics off to Rukka and not only have they refused a warranty claim, but they are refusing to repair it at cost, saying that they only now do warranty repairs. Even if they did, they'd charge £210+VAT to replace one 6"x6" panel
Now, the garments have been completely waterproof, so the GoreTex works. However in addition to the numerous repairs, the suit suffers from a number of pretty major design flaws:
- Gore Lockout (now abandoned and not available on any Rukka garment) - whilst waterproof is prone to split and needs constant application of silicone lubricant
- There are no flaps behind the Gore Lockout so in very cold weather you freeze from the zip area. The internal outlast liner zips in the jacket rather than in the middle, so no help there!
- Neck velcro - too short to stay in place and has flapped around in the breeze since about 4-5 months of ownership
- Zips are on the underside of the sleeve where they're hard to reach with gloves on (I notice they've since moved the zip to the top of the sleeve)
- The material underneath the Superfabric on the knees is wafer thin - about the thickness of two sheets of A4. God help you skidding down the road on the knee!
- I've had plenty of different garments but never worn anything so uncomfortable - it's stiff and unyielding at the elbows and knees and has absolutely no useful venting of any kind. Sure, it's not a summer mesh suit but other kit I've owned has been both waterproof and breathable
So, in essence, once the warranty expires you're on your own. If you should find anything that they assess as wear and tear, they won't repair it, even if you pay. Built-in obsolescence in a £15 kettle is fair enough, but in a £750 pair of trousers?
As a comparison I have a Hein Gericke Tricky suit (total cost, £515) which I have had for about 9 years. GoreTex? Check. Superfabric? Check. Waterproof and Never leaked? Check. Any damage after sliding down the road twice? No? Check.
Having bought over £3K worth of their kit in the last 3 years, Rukka will not be getting another penny from me - they may look premium but they're made in China just like everyone else's garments and just as liable to fail. And whilst several repairs were done under warranty, you're stuffed if they don't deem it a warranty claim.
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The original Schwartz Wald Troll
Sounds much like other makers lack on empathy toward the purchaser.
I've had the zippers replaced on my Aerostich Roadcrafter pants twice. Latest zipper is the more water resistant style. That was $150 a pop.
The last time I washed my Darien jacket according to the instructions a lot of the seal seal strips fell off the garment.
Moral of the story is that these ATTGAT items are temporary so enjoy them while they last and don't expect too long a life.
It helped that I won the Aerostich suits at a rally and bought other 'Stich' gear on forums for a less than half price.
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I've been pleasantly surprised with Olympia's customer service. I've had to replace the main zipper pull a couple times on my AST2 jacket. And once, I tried to force my jacket into the pannier...and popped off a snap. I sent them an email and the new items were in the mail immediately. No charge, even though I mentioned I was willing to pay for whatever it cost.
I've been impressed with Olympia gear. It's well thought out by riders, so they know what works, and what doesn't. Ventilation is really good, even on their 3-season, almost 4-season, AST2 and Ranger (the successor). Vents go through the waterproof barrier to put cool air right to your skin. They are waterproof. The collar is comfortable, and keeps out cold drafts. I could go on and on, but the point is, that Olympia makes great gear. And the cost is reasonable...like $195 I think for the new Ranger jacket I just got.
Chris
Elnathan - 2014 BMW F800GT
IBA# 49894 True Rounder = 0-20's - Rounder -- to -- 100's+ Red Hot Rounder
John 14:6
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The original Schwartz Wald Troll
I have to state that my Hein Gericke Dakar leather suit was repaired in a very efficient manner at no cost to me. They replaced pants pockets and fly zippers and took care of a snap problem also. Too bad I outgrew the dang things but the older design didn't have the protective pads offered now.
Some companies just have a better customer service.
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Yes, it’s a shame that Hein Gericke disappeared in their original form. I’ve found their (pre-collapse and rebirth) gear t be reasonably priced and hardwearing.
With Rukka it seems they are trading on their former (and deserved) reputation for quality and customer service, whilst offering little of either for the significant price premium compared to other brands - e.g RevIt Dominator GTX having a similar spec and materials (e.g GoreTex ProShell) at just over half the price of the Rukka Nivala (Realer outside U.K.) - which, despite being more comfortable than the Armas, Armaxis or Armaxion jackets, appear to be made largely of cordura with some small patches of Armacor - hardly premium! I recently bought the Forsair jacket - nice mesh weave that keeps you cool, but no back protector provided - not even a cheap one, on a nearly £400 jacket.
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Originally Posted by
notacop
Sounds much like other makers lack on empathy toward the purchaser.
I've had the zippers replaced on my Aerostich Roadcrafter pants twice. Latest zipper is the more water resistant style. That was $150 a pop.
The last time I washed my Darien jacket according to the instructions a lot of the seal seal strips fell off the garment.
Moral of the story is that these ATTGAT items are temporary so enjoy them while they last and don't expect too long a life.
It helped that I won the Aerostich suits at a rally and bought other 'Stich' gear on forums for a less than half price.
I met my daughter yesterday for a Fourth of July celebration and she was wearing her one-piece Aerostitch suit that she bought 25 years ago. She has never had a single problem with it and it still looks good. I think it has been washed once. There were a lot of quality products made during the 1980's and '90's when cutting corners were not as necessary to sell your product as it is today.
Richard - Current bikes: 2016 BMW R1200RS, 2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Classic, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM 390 Duke, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.
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