1. style and fashion
2. clothing
3. jackets

KIT ON TEST
Packed with
features
The Torben is a new jacket from Dane, a new name in the
UK. And it could be the best jacket you’ve never heard of
DANE TORBEN JACKET
£599 www.daneclothing.uk
DANE IS A name new to the UK market.
They hail from Scandanaivia, and their
range of textile men’s and women’s
clothing stands out because they work
closely with Gore-Tex, a company that
only works with select partners. This
keeps quality up, but normally makes
their products notoriously expensive.
However this jacket, the Torben, retails
at £599 – several hundred pounds less
than Rukka’s equivalent jacket, the
Cosmic. The Torben’s outer is Gore-Tex
Cordura 300, while extra-protection
areas such as the shoulders and elbows
have Armacor, a Kevlar-reinforced
material. Scotchlite provide reflective
striping and the outer material is
impregnated with a polymer to prevent
water and dirt getting in.
Main waterproof details are taken
care of by a three-layer Gore-Tex Pro
membrane that has, so far, kept me
totally dry in some really awful
conditions. I thankfully haven’t tested
the armour, but CE-approved shoulder
and elbow protectors are joined by a
substantial Level 2 back protector.
The Torben isn’t too heavy, even with
the thermal lining fitted. It’s classed as
a summer jacket, but I’ve been happy to
wear this through my winter commute
without any heated garments
underneath – a testament to the
quality. There is a nifty removeable
padded neck liner, which you can wash,
or if you prefer to use a thick scarf you
can take it out so you don’t throttle
yourself. The double-zip arrangement
at the front is simple to use with gloves
on, and the collar is adjustable but still a
little tight with multiple layers.
So it’s great in winter – how will it be
when the sun comes out? Only time
will tell, but there are two large vents at
the front, and it feels very light with the
lining removed. The signs are good.
The jacket’s cut is nice and adjustable,
quality feels top-end. Overall, I am very
impressed. The rest of the range is
equally well thought-out, with keen
pricing, so is well worth a look if you’re
replacing your all-year-round kit. MH
Removable collar helps
fit and ease of cleaning
Vents flow air but
are still waterproof
when closed
Collar holds together
with magnets
34 |
MAY 2015
MONTHLY UPDATES ON KIT BEING USED BY THE RiDE TEAM
Colin Overland
Simon Weir
Matt Hull
Adrian Stear
Lee Skellett
Caroline Barrett
colin.overland@
ride.co.uk
simon.weir@
ride.co.uk
matt.hull@
ride.co.uk
adrian.stear@
bauermedia.co.uk
lee.skellett@
bauermedia.co.uk
caroline.barrett2@
ride.co.uk
Expandable size is perfect for daily
use, rather than loaded-up holidays
Gore-Tex
Outer layer is constructed
from Cordura, with Kevlarreinforced Armacor panels
on shoulders and elbows.
GIVI EA104 RUCKSACK
£48.95 www.givi.co.uk
BIKE RUCKSACKS NEED a couple of
important features, in my book. Most
important is broad shoulder straps, with
waist and chest belts to spread the load.
They need to be waterproof, or have a
properly waterproof cover that won’t blow
off. They need to have enough padding to
be comfortable. Ideally the size should be
adjustable and if they’re a bit aerodynamic,
so much the better.
This compact Givi rucksack is very much
a daytrip or commuting bag – big enough
to carry the essentials, but not so big you
can overload it. It ticks all of my boxes: it fits
well and is nicely adjustable, expanding
from its thin basic size to a handy 22-litre
capacity. Inside there’s a padded laptop
section and some pockets. It isn’t
waterproof, but the integral raincover pulls
down from the top, so it stays on the bag
when riding, rather than filling with air and
taking off. It also has a helmet carrier built
into it – an elasticated panel squeezes over
the helmet and clips it onto the rucksack. A
properly bike-focused bag. Very good. SW
HALVARSSONS
WRAP JEANS
£109 www.jofama.se
Double cuff
Sleeves feature a waterproof
double cuff to give a perfect
seal around gloves.
Double zip
Sounds like a pain, but two zips
and a flap over the top are easy
to use and keep even the worst
winter weather out.
SOLIDLY MADE JEANS with a comfortable
Kevlar liner – some I’ve worn have itchy
liners. There’s soft padding over the knees
and hips, but really they should be worn
with the £22-extra armour fitted. I’m a tall
bloke with a 36in inside leg, so they are a
whisker short for me – though they’re far
better than most standard-leg jeans, which
fly at half mast. Still, I have subsequently let
the hems down for a good-fitting, if more
grungy look. Even with my long legs, it’s
easy to get the armour in the right place.
Like all Kevlar jeans, they are quite warm.
The pockets are good, they’re comfortable
on the bike and they come in blue or this
black colour. I like them. SW
MAY 2015
| 35