The Halvarssons Gruven jacket and Laggan pants make a tailored all-season motorcycle suit

Swedish brand Halvarssons have been motorcycle kit since 1946, but the Gruven jacket and Laggan pants are my first experience of the brand. Together they make a laminated textile suit designed for all season touring and everyday use, that’s certified to CE AA standard and fitted with CE level 2 armour for shoulder, elbow, hip and knee.

Comfort

When first trying the Gruven jacket, it took me a couple of attempts to get the size right, but that was more down to the neatness of the cut, rather than any issue with Halvarssons sizing. I’d normally go for a UK42/Large (even though I’m a 40” chest) to allow for comfort room, however that came up too long in the arm and baggy all over, whereas the UK40/Medium felt made to measure.

The jacket can be snugged in around the waist with an elasticated belt at either side, and Velcro adjustable gussets allow extra movement at the hem. With minor tweaks made at these points it fits so well that I barely think about it.

Although it doesn’t have accordion panels or tailored vents to aid mobility, there’s enough stretch in the fabric to allow for a full range of movement, making the Gruven incredibly comfortable both on and off the bike.

As they’re literally cut from the same cloth, the Laggan pants have similar stretch, but they do incorporate accordion panels at the lower back and top of the knee for the extra flexibility required of trousers. Fit-wise my usual size of 34” was bob on, and Velcro straps at the waist allow for perfection.

The Laggan pants also have elasticated clip-on braces, which add a sensation of security and support, especially when the outfit is joined together with the full-length connector zip.

Both jacket and pants are lined with a fixed layer of fabric that uses Outlast, a space-age technology developed for NASA to help regulate body temperature. In essence this tech involves millions of microscopic natural wax capsules which capture, store and release heat by either liquefying or solidifying.

This change of state isn’t something that can be felt in the fabric, but in practice it works very well, maintaining an even keel of comfort to stop you getting too hot or cold. The Outlast layer is also thin and soft, meaning its comfortable against the skin or a base layer too. I’ve been wearing the Oxford Advanced base layers and found they work really well the Halvarssons kit.

There’s no additional thermal lining in the Lagan pants, but I can’t say that’s something I’ve thought they lack, even on sub-zero days. It’ll be interesting to see how they perform in the heat of summer though, and I’ll be updating this review in due course.

The Gruven, on the other hand, does have an extra layer, a removable lining with additional heat retaining properties. It’s relatively thin and lightweight, but filled with Innoborne insulation, a synthetic fibre which is moisture wicking and quick drying.

It’s claimed by the manufacturer to be more effective than wool at keeping you warm, and whilst I haven’t made a direct comparison, it seems to make a good case.

On the inner side is a silver finish to reflect body heat and this layer, along with the Outlast lining, has proved perfectly effective at maintaining my core temperature – even when it’s been icy out. When wearing a Keis B601RP heated vest, I found that I could turn it off for long periods in such conditions and still feel comfortable with just a base layer underneath.

I’ve worn other jackets that can feel restrictive with winter linings fitted, but that’s certainly not the case with the Gruven, which remains light and flexible.

Ventilation for the jacket is achieved via a small intake on each bicep, a pair of large Napoleon chest pockets and two vertical exhaust vents. It’s not possible to prop them open, so they’re only really slots, however the movement of air combined with the Outlast inner lining should help keep things cool when it’s hot.

You can certainly feel internal temperatures drop, however until I get a chance to test it in much warmer weather, the jury will be out on its absolute effectiveness.

The Laggan pants have a rearward facing vent on the side of each thigh, which presumably works with a venturi effect to extract warm air – again, we’ll need a rise in ambient temperatures to see how well it performs.

Practicality

Thermal liner aside (I’ll come to that), the Gruven jacket is as easy to take off as it is to put on. The Outlast lining doesn’t snag as mesh might, and all zips, poppers and clasps are high quality and easy to locate.

For stashing essential stuff there are two lower outer pockets with a Velcro closure and slanted top for ease of entry, the chest level Napoleon pockets which are more than big enough for a mobile phone each, and a rear pouch that I’ve been using to store the storm collar when not in use (more on that to come too).

Inside you’re limited to one zipped pocket on the lower left side, but it does have the capacity to swallow both a large phone and a wallet. The liner also has a baggy mesh pocket in this location.

Trousers get a pair of traditional pockets at the waist, which like those on the chest have waterproof zips. They also have grippy pads on the seat that have stopped me from sliding around on the saddle when it’s been wet.

And so to that removable thermal liner, which hangs off the outer shell by attachment points at the neck and lower sleeves, and zips up at the front. I don’t mind the principle of this system as separated layers are less prone to water ingress via wicking, however it’s often easy to miss an armhole when putting it on, and if you don’t notice straight away it can be a pain having to try again.

Where it annoys me to the point of abject frustration though, is in taking it off, especially if coming in tired from the cold and wet to a warm house. The problem is that the cuffs aren’t elasticated and only just big enough to fit over my hands, so that when I try to pull my arms out, they get stuck.

Yanking harder feels like it would break the attachment loops, or at the very least separate the poppers and turn the sleeves inside out, so I’m left trying to gradually work the cuffs off. It sounds like a minor point, but can be incredibly infuriating.

The other less than practical feature is the storm collar. It fixes to the jacket with three magnets, each about the size of a penny, and closes with Velcro strips.

Fail to do it up properly and it flies off before you can even think about selecting second gear. The third time I was forced to go back for it, it was nowhere to be found, and this part of the design for a jacket that otherwise seems so well thought out just doesn’t make sense to me.

Thankfully Halvarssons include a high-viz spare, so the Gruven’s still functional, but I now have to ride about with a bright yellow ring around my neck as a constant reminder of my carelessness. I can’t help feeling that someone at the company is aware of this issue, hence the inclusion of a second collar.

These vexing glitches aside, it is a practical suit in every other sense – easy to wear, with a good selection of waterproof pockets and zips that are accessible even in winter gloves.

It’s worth noting that the distributor has said that these issues have been acknowledged by the manufacturer and could well be rectified on future production runs.

Looks

I mentioned the neatness of the cut earlier, and both garments do have a finely tailored appearance. There’s no bulky thermal layer to blow you out like Bibendum in winter and compromise the fit in summer, meaning it just looks smart all year round.

Yes, it’s more sensible touring than glamorous adventure, but personally that’s what I look for in a day-in, day-out suit like this. Neat touches like embossed logos on the upper arms add to the high-end appeal.

Quality

Build quality of jacket and trousers is top notch and they’re both finished to a high standard. The main fabric construction, despite being flexible, feels durable enough to last for years and I’d have no qualms about putting my trust in it for the rigours of a year round commute or extended overseas tour.

Waterproofing has proved faultless so far, thanks to a DWR water repellent treatment on the outside and a laminated Dryway+ 2.0 membrane on the inside. As to how long the outer treatment lasts remains to be seen, but during the test period it has effectively prevented water droplets from building up on the fabric surface and overwhelming the one-way action of the laminated layer.

Internally there’s been no noticeable ‘boil-in the-bag’ condensation build up, even when I’ve run a heated vest at full power, so the breathable element of the membrane, in conjunction with the Outlast lining and wicking inner liner, is obviously doing its job. Outer sleeves have a waterproof zip and Velcro tab at the cuff with sufficient adjustment to go over most gloves.

The storm collar works well to protect the vulnerable neck area from rain and spray when fitted, but the ease at which it can be lost does make this a potential weak spot. Halvarssons do make an elasticated collar which may well solve the issue, available for £25.

All zips are water resistant, and have a rubber coated tag so that they’re easy to grip in gloves. Operation is smooth, they close securely and so far have kept any moisture out.

Unlike some jackets that have a storm flap to cover it, the main outer zip is exposed – even so, it hasn’t leaked, even when faced with driving rain head on. The only fly in the ointment in terms of quality is those tight cuffs on the thermal lining.

Protection

CE certification is to AA standard, with level 2 armour for shoulder, elbow, hip and knee – that’s about as good as it gets for practical textiles. The jacket is ‘Airbag Ready’ with the necessary expansion built in to cope with an inflation, and I have tried it with a Furygan/in&motion vest to check the fit in normal use.

Although the airbag vest fitted the jacket without issue, I find the wearing of them a bit restrictive and chose to utilise Halvarssons’ back and chest armour upgrades instead. The CE level 2 Melbyn back protector (£59.99) attaches to a large fabric strip between the outer and inner linings with large Velcro patches and can be snugged into place with the jacket’s waist straps. Although thick, it’s soft and pliable, and conforms comfortably down the spine.

The CE level 1 Furudal chest protector (£29.99) is formed as one piece and fits into a mesh holder that unfolds from a pocket on the right side of the jacket. It’s a tight squeeze to fit initially, but that only needs to be done the once.

Before zipping up the jacket, you slot it into a pocket on the opposite side which secures it in position across ribs and sternum. I really like this system, and it gives great peace of mind. The material has a similar consistency to the back protector, and neither affect mobility – in fact, you don’t even notice they’re there.

It’s always a challenge with textiles to ensure that armour stays where it should in an impact, but with both the Gruven and Laggan I’d be fairly confident that all protectors should remain in place, at least in a minor off. It’s worth noting that impact points are reinforced with a Hi-Art, a highly abrasion resistant material that the manufacturer claims is 500% stronger than standard textiles. That’s not something I’ve been able to test, but good to know.

Overall, I’d feel confident that the suit would offer a good level of protection if it came to it, and that the sturdy full length waist zip would keep both parts together in a slide. The only reason it’s not getting full marks here is that a back protector is extra.

Value

The whole suit as tested retails at £1,119.97, which includes the additional armour, and places the Gruven/Laggan combo at the entry point to high end kit. Given the quality of manufacture, approved level of protection and all-round climate control, it packs a hard punch and is a better performer than some higher ticket items.

At this price it’s never going to be a bargain buy, but pound for pound should provide long term value on your investment. A three year warranty does seems little stingy though, as many competitors in the price bracket offer five.

Other options to consider

Verdict

The Gruven jacket and Laggan trousers make a strong case for a hard wearing, practical suit that should give years of service. It excels at comfort, is waterproof and warm, and the smart, understand looks have a universal appeal.

Compared with similarly priced competition, it’s certainly worth considering – especially as the distributor has claimed that the issue of tight inner lining cuffs and a flighty magnetic storm collar claim are in hand.

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