Halvarssons kit is relatively new to Sportsbikeshop, but the Swedish brand has a long heritage of producing high-quality kit. I’ve used plenty of their gear in the past, so it’s been good to reacquaint myself with their range.
The Halvarssons Dalen jacket tops their textile range and is built around a laminated waterproof shell designed to suit all-season riders. I’ve covered around 1000 miles in it, often paired with the matching Dalen trousers, to see how it performs in real-world conditions.
Fit & comfort
The Dalen’s outer shell is made from a stretch polyester that is more flexible than most laminated jackets. The material feels supple and moves well on the bike, even when layered up.
Adjustment is excellent – elasticated belts at the waist and biceps provide around 20cm of range at the waist and 10cm at the arms, making it easy to fine-tune the fit. It’s also described as airbag-ready, meaning there’s enough give to accommodate an under-jacket airbag system without sizing up.
The collar uses a simple Velcro closure with a soft insert for comfort around the throat, though there’s no way to hold it open on hot days. At the cuffs, Velcro and a two-way zip provide enough room for most winter gloves, though my bulkiest heated pair were too chunky to fit inside.
Overall, it’s one of the more comfortable laminated jackets I’ve worn, thanks to the stretch and adjustability.
Cold & wet weather performance
Waterproofing comes from Halvarssons’ Dryway 20/20 laminated membrane and on rides in light or moderate rain, the jacket stayed dry inside.
However, on a long, grim three-hour ride in persistent rain, I did end up wet at the cuffs, collar and waist – areas without full sealing. That’s not unusual, though I've had better outcomes from other jackets available for similar money.
The bigger disappointment was how long it took to dry afterwards. Laminated kit is usually quicker to shed water than drop-liner designs, but the Dalen absorbed a lot and stayed damp for longer than I'd expected.
Warmth is handled well. The removable thermal gilet and Outlast liner combine effectively, keeping me comfortable at around 10°C with only a base layer underneath.
Hot weather performance
The laminated construction helps with ventilation - when the chest, sleeve and back vents are open the waterproof membrane isn’t blocking airflow.
Photography: Helen Meeds
The chest and back vents are especially large and include straps to hold them open, creating a strong flow of air. In warmer conditions, I found this system worked very well and helped make the Dalen more versatile than some laminated rivals.
Protection
The Dalen’s outer is reinforced in key impact zones with Halvarssons’ Hi-Art abrasion-resistant fabric, contributing to a CE AA protection rating.
Impact armour is included at the shoulders and elbows, both Level 2 Type B, offering larger coverage areas. The markings also show proven performance in both hot and cold conditions. The armour is mounted directly to Velcro inside the shell, allowing easy adjustment.
A Level 2 back protector is available separately for around £60, and there are pockets for two-piece chest armour inserts. Strangely, Halvarssons’ own is one-piece, but Rukka’s two-piece D3O inserts fit well so I would consider those a better option.
Reflective details on the upper arms, lower back and left hip add to night-time visibility.
Pockets and practicality
There’s a good range of storage options. Two large waist pockets sit up front, one with a smaller zipped pocket on top for cards and earplugs. A large rear pocket swallows the thermal liner.
Photography: Helen Meeds
The only waterproof external pocket is the Napoleon pocket behind the main storm flap – exactly where you’d want it for easy phone or wallet access without unzipping everything.
Inside, there’s just one pocket in the Outlast liner, which becomes tricky to access when the thermal liner is fitted - you need to zip the thermal down to get to the pocket.
Durability
Build quality feels typically Scandinavian – solid stitching, quality zips and durable materials throughout. After several hundred miles the jacket still looks fresh, and the armour and adjusters remain secure.
One of the tabs on a pocket zip has come away. I'm confident that would be sorted under warranty, but I didn't want to return the jacket for such a trivial matter.
Final thoughts
The Halvarssons Dalen jacket combines flexibility, comfort and solid protection with all-season capability. Its venting and fit are excellent, and comfort levels are high for laminated gear.
However, its wet-weather performance doesn’t quite match premium Gore-Tex alternatives, particularly when it comes to drying time.
If you’re after a versatile, high-quality laminated jacket for mixed conditions, with very good ventilation for summer riding, the Dalen is a strong choice – just don’t expect miracles in the ropiest of weather.