Rukka Mark Set in black

Now Rukka, as we all know, is a high-end maker of some of the most technically sophisticated motorcycle clothing that money can buy. But, when needs must, they can do sensible. And that’s what their Mark underwear set is. It doesn’t purport to be leading edge. It doesn’t contain Coolmax or Thinsulate, and it’s not made using the finest merino wool from beer-drinking sheep who graze on New Zealand’s most remote hill sides. It is a pretty basic, base-layer set at what is, for Rukka, an almost unbelievable price. It’s made with Polyester, so it will wick moisture away from the body. It doesn’t really have much going for it in terms of thermal qualities, but if the alternative is a cotton top then yes this will help you stay warmer on the bike. The issue here is that, in any technical, waterproof, motorcycle garment, you should not wear anything cotton as a base or mid-layer. Cotton doesn’t breathe. When you sweat, cotton gets wet, and this reduces breathability further. Wearing a relatively inexpensive, base layer set like this can make a big difference to your comfort on the bike. And honestly, at this price you cannot really go wrong.

Read our editorial; the importance of being properly layered.