Intro
It was a first for the BikeBrewers team. As a concerted effort four members tested a great variety of Rusty Stitches gear.
The manufacturer was keen to have riders test their apparel in all kinds of circumstances and asked us to give our honest and unadulterated opinion. They shipped us a broad selection of their gear and we had some fun with it all over Europe and the Middle East.
Pictures paint 1000 words and video does the rest. We decided to go Full Monty on this one with ‘both unboxing (Ron&Yvanka, Casper) and review videos (Ron: Jari V2 & Neill, Adnane: Cooper & Carl Thomas, Yvanka & Ron: Cliff, Joyce V2 & Claudia, Casper: Jari V2, Zack, Paolo). Don’t forget to check them out. We hope you will enjoy watching them as much as we had fun producing them.
International!
Yvanka took the Joyce jacket, Gloria V2 trousers, and Kathy gloves all the way to a Kawasaki press event in Italy. After some rides in his home country the Netherlands, Adnane shipped the Dorian and Cooper jackets, and the Johnny gloves to Dubai where he is currently residing.
Casper had scheduled a roadtrip from his home in Berlin all the way via Italy to Wheels and Waves in Biarritz, donning the Jari V2 jacket, the Zack gloves, and the Paolo shoes. Ron decided to take the Cliff suit to go storm chasing, ending up in torrential rains in Belgium and France. Fortunately he managed to find some sunny weather to enjoy the Jari V2 caferacer jacket later.
The Joyce V2 Women’s Jacket Review (Yvanka)
The jacket has a very flattering, lightly tailored fit. It has some very feminine yet tough looking stitching on the back. I received the black version with the pink patches on the shoulders and the yellow and blue stripes on the upper arm. In all honesty, I would never have picked that colour myself.
So it was quite a surprise when I opened the box (check our unboxing video). But it grew on me, the more I wore it. It has a girly ring to it. But that does not have to be a bad thing, of course. And it actually matched quite nicely with the titanium coloured Indian Chief Bobber I rode at that time. I also took the jacket with me on a trip to Italy, where I got invited by Kawasaki Italia to ride their complete motorcycle line-up. We rode for hours. And while you would think of sunshine and warmth, when you think of Italy, well… we were not that lucky. It rained, almost the entire time. Mostly drizzling rain, mixed with some heavier downpours every now and then.
And that might have been the biggest surprise about this whole Rusty Stitches outfit: it actually kept me dry! This is something I really did not expect. I guess the wind while riding was enough to keep it sufficiently dry to not leak through. And I did not get cold either. So, that was a huge plus for the Joyce V2 jacket.
Pros: Styling, fit, surprisingly weather proof
Cons:
(Photo by Patricia Sevilla Ciordia, http://pscfoto.net)
Jari V2 Men’s Jacket Review (Casper & Ron)
I (Casper) got ‘lucky’ enough to test the Jari V2 in all types of weather, heat, cold, sun and show. By now I have worn the jacket for over 5000 km, between 2C and 35C, and from sunshine to torrential downpours. The leather is soft and supple, and the fit is excellent (185cm, 70kg, size Medium). The jacket offers sufficient mobility on the bike and simultaneously creates a feeling of safety in case you inadvertently find yourself coming off the bike. It comes with elbow and shoulder protection and of course there is the internal pocket for a back protector.
It is big enough to fit even the thicker Forcefield armour. The ventilation on the chest and back are functional without compromising the styling. Similar to any unperforated leather jacket, avoid traffic jams in the peak of summer.
(Photo by Cäthe Pfläging)
When you find yourself in fresher weather or out late, pull the liner out of your bag! It packs small for easy stowage and zips in easily. And if you catch an unexpected rain shower, this jacket will hold up for a bit. In all, it is a true three season jacket!
(Photo by Vincent Burger)
What can I (Ron) add to my fellow BikeBrewer? Having led a motorcycle life for many decades I have been able to try out many different jackets in all sorts of styles, materials, fits etc. Rusty Stitches would not have been my first ‘go to’ brand for a street cred cafe racer jacket, until I received it and put it to the test.
Yes, it has everything Casper has claimed above, but also, the reactions I got from fellow riders while wearing it, gave me the confidence to state that Rusty Stitches have done a pretty good job.
Pros: Styling, fit, CE level 2 protection, three seasons.
Cons: Limited ventilation in the peak of summer.
Rusty Stitches Dorian Men’s Jacket Review (Adnane)
The Dorian jacket from Rusty Stitches is a blend of vintage style and modern functionality. The matte finish exudes a high-end feel, appealing to classic bikers with a contemporary fit. The 100% soft cow leather construction provides a luxurious touch, while the satin lining makes it exceptionally comfortable.
The CE-approved elbow and shoulder protectors, coupled with the universal back protector pocket, prioritize safety without compromising comfort. The adjustable features at the hips and wrists, along with the modern fit, enhance the overall riding experience. The jacket’s four pockets, both inside and outside, offer practical storage. The Snap Claws add a nice touch to the design.
Pros: Stylish matte finish, high-quality leather, comfortable satin lining, CE level 2 protection, adjustable fit.
Cons: Limited ventilation for warmer days.
(Photo by Vincent Burger)
Singing in the Rain in the Cliff suit (Ron)
It was an early summer morning. Very early actually.
I had to be way down in Belgium at 8AM that morning. A three-hour ride for which I had to be on the road way before commuters were having their breakfast cereals.
With over 40K+ motorcycle kilometres annually I am used to all kinds of weather and the forecasted rain looked perfect to test the Cliff pants and jacket. After all it is advertised as “The ultimate adventure jacket for a fair price.”
Humming the Cliff Richard song ‘Summer Rain’ I set out for my trip. After an hour the rain set in and it ended in a nightmare of torrential rain for the remainder of the trip. Water splashing down from the black clouds and washed left and right from spray coming from trucks ahead and while passing them.
The suit was brave and the membranes managed to keep me quite dry for an hour and a half. After that it just gave up and let it go. Honestly, there was no other way. Even suits twice the price will give you a similar experience.
So kudos to Rusty Stitches for being able to give more expensive brands a run for their money. It is a very good package for the price you pay.
(Photo by Vincent Burger)
Pros: Definitely water proof for ‘normal’ rainy circumstances. Very good membrane and both the jacket and pants have easily removable layers for warm weather. Good ventilation options
Cons: The waterproof membrane did not have elasticity at the wrists. Taking the jacket off resulted in tearing off the little loops with clips on the inside of the jacket sleeves to keep them in place. Those loops could also be a bit sturdier by the way.
(Photo by Vincent Burger)
Rusty Stitches Cooper Men’s Jacket Review (Adnane)
The Cooper jacket seamlessly combines retro aesthetics with contemporary safety features. Crafted from 100% Buffalo leather, it exudes a nostalgic charm. The removable thermal-padded polyester lining ensures versatility in varying weather conditions. CE Level 2 protectors for elbows and shoulders provide robust safety, and the option to upgrade with a D30 back protector enhances the jacket’s protective capabilities. The adjustable features at the waist and wrists contribute to a customized fit, while the seven pockets offer ample storage space, including a dedicated phone pocket.
Pros: Retro look, CE level 2 protection, versatile thermal liner, upgradeable back protector, adjustable fit.
Cons: Limited breathability in warmer weather.
Rusty Stitches Ruben Review (Casper)
This mesh jacket is an absolute dream and comes highly recommended when the quicksilver passes 25C! The ventilation is excellent, as expected, and the fit is adjustable at the hips and wrists due to the velcro straps. The upperarm width is adjustable with two press studs, the underarm width unfortunately is not. This results in a shift of the position of the elbow protectors.
Rusty Stitches Claudia Trousers Review (Yvanka)
The fit of the Claudia V2 pants is a bit difficult for me. I have a small waist, but slightly stronger legs. So they are a bit tight around my thighs, but fit really well around my waist. They look good and accentuate your female curves. Which is always nice.
We female riders may actually look like women on the bike, every now and then. Oh, and these pants are quite warm. A bit too warm maybe, for 30+ degrees ride outs in summertime. But very pleasant during normal European temperatures.
The only ‘bad’ thing I have to say about the whole outfit, is that the stitches of the Claudia V2 pants are a bit, well… ‘Rusty’? Maybe it is because the pants are a bit tight around my thighs. But the seams opened up, and the stitches broke. It is not that I have to squeeze myself in them, they are not that tight. Just slightly, which should not have been enough to wreck the stitches. This is really the only thing I can think of, in terms of future improvements.
Rusty Stitches Kathy Gloves Review (Yvanka)
My first impression: the material feels really, really good. The leather is of very high quality and even the gloves feel luxurious when you put them on (we think they are VERY sexy – other team members-).
The design of the Kathy gloves has a ‘less is more’ look to it, and it definitely is more. They literally fit like a glove, which can be really hard with a pair of motorcycle gloves. They also look tough and feminine while wearing them. I am extremely picky when it comes to gloves. They play such a big role in the connection with the handlebars and therefore your motorcycle. Luckily, Kathy gloves and I were a match straight away.
Rusty Stitches Johnny Gloves Review (Adnane)
The Johnny motorcycle gloves exemplify Rusty Stitches’ commitment to style and comfort. Made from soft leather, they are ideal for riders seeking a retro or classic look. The Velcro closure ensures a snug fit, and the leather double-layered palm adds durability. The stretch at the wrist enhances comfort during rides, making them suitable for summer. The outer seams provide extra comfort, and the unique colours add a touch of individuality to the overall outfit.
Pros: Stylish retro design, comfortable fit, adjustable wrist closure, durable double-layered palm.
Cons: Limited insulation for colder weather. Not water-proof
(Photo by Cäthe Pfläging)
Rusty Stitches Zack Gloves Review (Casper)
Comfortable straight out of the packaging! They look cool, tough, and classic, and the leather is supple. Plus, the fit is excellent. There is minimal room for improvement, from great to perfect, perhaps?
In terms of ventilation, I think that the perforations could be relocated to the sides of the fingers, rather than on the top and bottom. When you are gripping the handlebars, the air does flow in, but it cannot flow out, whereas perforations in between the fingers could improve airflow. In addition, the seams at the thumbs are exactly at the point of contact with the handlebars, which was a bit uncomfortable on the longer riding days. In short, excellent price quality ratio!
Pros: Design, fit, comfort
Cons: Stitching and limited ventilation
(Photo by Cäthe Pfläging)
Rusty Stitches Paolo Shoes Review (Casper)
Capable riding shoes that look good! Nice suede that does not require a break in period. I got the lighter coloured variant, which was rather quickly marked with the characteristic gear lever grease stain on the left shoe. They are rather thick, which makes them pretty warm in summer, great in spring and autumn, and hopefully rather safe in the event of a slide. Lastly, they are comfortable on and off the bike!
Overall conclusion
Rusty Stitches impresses with their jackets and gloves. The blend of style and safety, along with the thoughtful features like adjustable fits and quality materials, sets these items apart. Despite the daily 130km commute, the extended tours, and the abuse of rainy weather, the gear exhibits durability and reliability.
What is truly commendable is the affordable price point, making Rusty Stitches a standout choice for riders who prioritise both quality and budget. Whether you are partial to the vintage-inspired jackets or the classic gloves, Rusty Stitches delivers on style, safety, and value for money.
They are still a young brand, and we have been testing their gear since the beginning. We believe they are headed in the right direction. Keep an eye out for them if you want to look stylish for a comfortable price.
