Rukka Nivala 3.0 trousers in black
(RUK2143)
£1099.99
Finance available with Omni Capital Retail Finance from £ per month
More Info
Alternative Views
Rukka Nivala 3.0 trousers in black
x
If any UK retailer is selling anything at a price that is lower than ours, we will beat that price by a full 10%.For terms and conditions, click here.
(RUK2143)
£1099.99
Finance available with Omni Capital Retail Finance from £ per month
More Info
Rukka Nivala 3.0 trousers in black Product Information
•The Nivala 3 suit comes about as a result of Gore introducing new, more environmentally-friendly fabrics and membranes.
Being such a significant name in the outdoor pursuits arena, Gore is keen to be seen as a brand that cares about the environment. Which is why they are determined to get ahead of the curve when it comes to the use of what are known as 'forever chemicals'. Now Teflon is just such a chemical. It has historically been used in all waterproof membranes, but Gore has developed new membranes that are just as waterproof as the old ones, but that don’t incorporate Teflon.
A new set of outer fabrics and materials, however, means that a garment has to be re-tested under EN 17092; and so Rukka decided to take this opportunity to make a few changes to the Nivala.
EN17092 and the real meaning of protection - the elephant in the room?
The Nivala has always been A-rated for abrasion resistance under EN17092. If the new Nivala had been delivered with an AA rating, but with no trade-off in terms of comfort, it would have become be easier to sell. But Rukka clearly came to the view that they could not deliver the level of comfort one associates with the Nivala if they reinforced the outer shell in the places necessary to pass at the AA level. And let's be clear; it is the Nivala's comfort that makes it such a great suit.
What needs to be appreciated is that EN17092 is not a safety standard; rather it’s a simple test of a fabric’s abrasion and tear resistance. That’s all it is.
The abrasion resistance of a fabric is not unimportant, but far more important in terms of protecting a rider is the armour that’s fitted into a jacket or pant. It’s when we hit something and come to an abrupt halt that we break bones and suffer internal injuries. Sliding down the road, by contrast, does not tend to have such serious implications, especially given that, on modern roads, the likelihood is that you won’t slide very far.
Well, the Nivala may only be rated A for abrasion resistance, but it comes with probably the most impressive armour of any motorcycle pant on the market. The first thing to say is that it all meets the higher Level 2 standard. And that’s important because Level 2 armour absorbs twice as much energy as level 1 armour. But the other thing to say about the Nivala’s armour is that it’s absolutely huge.
First, and self evidently, the larger the surface area of the armour the greater are the chances that when you collide with something that object will impact the armour rather than an unprotected part of the body.
But there's a second part to this story. And it’s that the higher the rating of the armour, and the larger it is, the more it will add to a garment’s abrasion resistance.
(Despite the crucial importance of armour in protecting riders in both these ways, EN17092 has almost nothing to say about the role it plays).
In summary, the only pants currently available in the UK that might be considered notionally more protective than the Nivala are probably Rukka's, AA-rated pants. You will get the same, huge, Level 2 armour as the Nivala, but with an outer chassis that is technically more abrasion resistant.
But the Nivala pant, we have to tell you, is still a lot more comfortable than all Rukka’s other pants.
The Nivala pants outer chassis is what is known as 3-layer. A stretchy, outer fabric. Then a membrane that is laminated to the outer fabric. Then a protective lining. Gore's 3-layer, Pro-shell construction constitutes Gore's premier membrane. It's their most waterproof. It's their most robust. And it’s their most breathable
We have already discussed the new Teflon-free membrane, but suffice it to say that you still get Gore’s lifetime warranty on waterproofing. And this is the most solid and dependable warranty in the motorcycle, clothing world. If you think a Gore-Tex product leaks, Gore will have it tested. If the independent Gore-approved laboratory says it does, Gore will send you a replacement. It’s that simple.
There are a few, detail changes between the 2 and the 3, although in truth probably not as many as there were between th old jacket and the new one.
The armour is exactly the same as in the 2; so the industry's largest, Level 2 D3O in the hips and the knees. As is, of course, the CE rating.
As with the jacket, there's a new abrasion-resistant fabric that replaces the Armacor. On the pants this is on the knees and hips.
On the Nivala 2 pant there were incoming, but not outgoing, vents on the thighs. Well the 3 features both. As on the 2, you get two, zipped pockets.
For insulation, the Nivala pant is supplied with a DownRide-R, inner, down liner. And in this the Nivala is unique. They are also brilliantly effective. They mean that you'll still have warm legs in the coldest of conditions. But if you don't want them we'll buy them back, saving you £150 on the retail price.
Like all Rukka trousers the Nivalas come with an Antiglide insert in the rear to prevent sliding about on the seat. You also get Rukka's AirCushion system that adds breathability in that area. Up the legs you get a panel of leather that offers better grip on the bike's tank.
The Nivala pants come with braces as well as the company's sturdy and robust waist adjusters. Just about every brand of touring and commuter trouser will offer some kind of adjuter at the waist, but Rukka just does it better. There's also a connecting zip.
At the bottom of the leg you get long zips and Velcro flaps to allow the pants to be worn over just about any touring and commuting boot, and probably over most adventure boots. Large, off-road boots might present a problem, but then again you're unlikely to be wearing a pant like this over a boot like that.
Long a trademark of Rukka is the three leg lengths the pants come in. And this is essential to a retailer like us if you want a trouser that is going to fit just about everybody. There's a correct length for a motorcycle pant, and if a brand only offers one leg length, then it will only work properly on about 50% of riders.
The other factor that is affected by the length of the leg is the positioning of the armour. If the leg length is too short or too long, the armour will be too high or two low. But Rukka's been doing this for a while. They know how things should be; and that's why in nearly all of the waist sizes, they offer three leg lengths. (The three Italian brands, by contrast, still tend to offer just one)!
The Nivala pants go from 28" waist up to a 48' waist, so there are very few people who cannot be accommodated. But, like Rukka, we've been doing this a while too, so if you want to get it right come and see us in Guildford. Another reason you should is that probably the only people who will hold all 21 SKUs in stock.
In summary, most people who buy these pants will be doing so to go with a Nivala jacket, although of course these pants will zip into any Rukka jacket; or for that matter into any Halvarssons jacket.
At £1100, the Nivala pants are not cheap, but the person who needs a pair of Nivalas will usually be doing big miles throughout the year, and in the most extreme of conditions. And if this is you, you will come to appreciate their comfort, the level of protection they offer, specifically in terms of the armour, waterproofing guaranteed for life, a five/six year warranty on the pants themselves, the warmth conferred by their down liners and, of course, Rukka's unmatched build quality.
Take all that in to account, and £1100 starts to sound quite reasonable.
Specification
- Made from Gore-Tex 3-layer Pro Shell fabric with built-in stretch
- Guaranteed by Gore to be waterproof for life
- Reinforcements on hips and knees for added abrasion resistance
- Huge, bespoke, Level 2 D3O protectors in hips and knees
- A-rated under EN17092 for abrasion resistance
- Waist adjustment system at waist
- Supplied with Rukka Defence braces
- Two, zipped, water-resistant pockets
- Incoming and exhaust vents on thighs
- Reflective highlighting for extra nighttime visibility
- Supplied with DownRide-R duck-down thermal pants. Worn separately
- Full-length zip for connecting to Rukka jacket
- AirCushion system in seat for added breathability
- Antiglide material in seat to prevent sliding
- Leather up inside of legs for better purchase on tank
- Zips and Velcro flaps at ends of legs to allow tall boots to be accommodated
- Available in sizes 46 (28" waist) up to 66 (48" waist)
- 3 x leg lengths:
- Regular, EU 46 (UK 28" waist) up to EU 66 (UK 48" waist)
- Short (-7cms), EU 46 (28" waist) up to EU 66 (UK 48" waist)
- Long (+7cms), EU 46 (28" waist) up to EU 62 (UK 44" waist)
Warranty
Rukka trousers have a five year warranty, extendable to six years if registered within 28 days
Product Reviews
Leave us your review
Finance Options
Deposit Amount: £
Monthly Payments: £
Loan Amount: £
Payment Term: months
Total Amount Payable: £
