The Rukka Hybrid-R Gore-Tex Pro is a premium short touring jacket and after several winter months, and 1100 miles, it's largely lived up to my high expectations. It’s equally at home on commutes, day rides and errands, though its tailored cut makes it feel less like an adventure piece and more like a dedicated road-touring jacket.
Fit & comfort
I normally wear a UK medium (40in chest), however a the size 38 Hybrid-R fit comfortably until I layered up, at which point it started to feel snug. That tells me the sizing is true to form. The tailored cut initially felt restrictive, however the stretch panels quickly proved their worth once I was riding. They allow the jacket to move beautifully with the body and keep the fit close without ever feeling tight.
On long shifts riding for Lincolnshire Emergency Blood Bikers (LEBBS), including 200-mile runs, the jacket stayed comfortable throughout. On and off the bike it feels surprisingly easy-going, helped by those flexible panels and the option to wear the thermal liner as a standalone jacket.
Cold & wet weather performance
With a laminated Gore-Tex Pro shell and a separate insulated liner, this jacket is built for bad weather - and my winter rides proved it. On one night-time ride I went out at 1.5°C, dropping to 0.5°C, on a 112-mile LEBBS round trip. Wearing a heated waistcoat that I left switched off, I stayed warm for the first half of my journey. Only on the ride home did I turn the heated layer on, and even then I was close to switching it back off again.
Photography: Jose Mas
Rain performance was also strong. I rode through heavy bursts and prolonged lighter showers and stayed dry throughout, with the laminate preventing water from soaking into the fabric. As a result, it dried extremely quickly once the rain stopped. And with Gore-Tex’s leak guarantee behind it, there’s extra peace of mind.
A neat bonus is the fold-out Gore-Tex storm collar hidden at the back of the neck - a detail that makes a big difference in cold, wet weather.
The thermal liner is a real bonus here: it’s warm, well-cut and also works nicely as a casual jacket when off the bike.
I was riding a BMW R1250RT with a gargantuan screen and fairing, heated seat and grips. Regardless, the temperatures were very low and the way the jacket coped with this and kept me warm was impressive.
Hot weather performance
I didn’t get true summer temperatures while testing, though I tested the vents at 15°C and the jacket’s 10 waterproof-zipped vents pushed more air through than I expected. Still, this is fundamentally a close-fitting laminated jacket; on a trip with sustained high heat, I’d want something with larger or more open vents. For typical UK summer spells, though, it should cope well enough - and the laminated waterproof shell means you will have no need to stop and add waterproof layers.
Protection
The Hybrid-R performs well on this aspect. It has a CE AA overall rating, Level 2 armour at shoulders, elbows and back and a CE Level 1 full-width chest protector, which can be upgraded to L2.
Photography: Jose Mas
The armour is large, well-shaped and barely noticeable in use - especially once riding and focused on the road. Given the coverage of the armour and the CE rating, I’ve got strong confidence in its crash protection, though I do think it’s odd that Rukka fit Level 1 armour at the chest in a jacket at this price point.
Pockets & practicality
Between the outer jacket and the thermal liner there are eight pockets, several of them internal and zip-secured. Rukka labels them water-resistant, not waterproof, which feels like some form of protection against customer claims rather than a description of how the pockets actually perform. None let any water in during my wet-weather rides, and the inner pockets sit inside the Gore-Tex shell anyway. That said, the tailored fit does make pockets feel a little bulky when loaded with items.
The separate thermal jacket adds two more zipped outer pockets and two long internal ones that are ideal for a phone.
Durability
After more than a thousand winter miles and some fairly unpleasant weather, the Hybrid-R looks and feels barely broken in. No issues with stitching, zips or laminate have surfaced, and I’d expect this jacket to have a long working life - typical of Rukka’s reputation. Once registered with the UK importer, the warranty on this jacket is extended from two years to six years.
Final thoughts
The Rukka Hybrid-R Gore-Tex Pro is a seriously capable touring jacket that excels in cold, wet and unpredictable conditions. It’s warm, properly waterproof, comfortable over long distances and packed with quality armour. The tailored cut won’t suit everyone - and some rivals match or beat its safety rating for less money - the overall execution is excellent, though.
For three-season touring and commuting, it’s a highly dependable choice. For sustained hot-weather trips, I’d prefer something with bigger vents and more airflow. However, as a premium, hard-wearing Gore-Tex Pro jacket built for real-world riding, it performs exactly as you’d hope.
