Yes, Gore-Tex is tempting as a money-no-object weather protection option, but does a much cheaper alternative still perform well? We found out
Getting wet on a motorcycle isn’t much fun, but advancements in garment tech mean that it can mean two-wheeled life in rainy conditions can be surprisingly tolerable. But just how much money do you need to spend to keep the damp out?
There’s something to be said for buying cheap outer layers to chuck over your existing jacket/trousers, but on the other end of the spectrum, those wanting an all-in-one solution might be tempted to splash out on Gore-Tex.
The Richa jacket we’re testing here, though, sits somewhere in the middle of those options. Rather than using Gore-Tex like the Atlantic GTX textiles we’ve also had on test, the Infinity Pro 2 uses something called Aquashell, intended to do a similar job, but for a substantially lower cost. In fact, the jacket here costs £349.99, drastically undercutting the £849.99 charged for the more bougie Gore equivalent.
From late autumn through winter and into spring I’ve clocked over a thousand miles wearing this jacket (along with Richa Colorado 2 Pro trousers, for which we’ll also have a review), to see if it’s a poor relation to Gore-Tex, or smart, value-oriented alternative.
Key features
- Aquashell Pro water-resistant outer layer
- CE Level 1 D3O shoulder, elbow and back protector armour
- Removable thermal liner
- Large back pocket
We tested a medium jacket which fitted well on my lanky frame (I’m normally a size small/40), although it’s tight around the neck, making it tricky to stretch the strap around to the popper. You can just use the velcro on its own, but it has a tendency to blow back open shortly into the ride.
That’s about our only comfort complaint, though. The Infinity Pro 2 slips on nicely and even after a few hours in the saddle, it doesn’t cause any soreness anywhere from chunky fabric joins and the like. Straps around the sides make it easy to adjust the jacket around your belly, depending on how much room you need in that area (we won’t judge).
The thermal liner is of a decent thickness and goes down to the end of the sleeves, so we’ve happily worn the jacket in low single-digit temperatures when combined with a good base layer. When the weather gets warmer (I took this jacket to Portugal for the launch of the Suzuki GSX-S1000 GX), removing the liner is easy, and there are four zipped ventilation sections - one on each arm and two on either side of the chest - that keep things nice and breezy.
As far as the Aquashell goes, we’ve been impressed. I’ve subjected it to around two hours of wet riding on two occasions - I was kept bone dry the first time, and the second time, and only dampness was around the collar, mostly from my snood soaking up rainwater and transferring it to the high collar of the baselayer I was wearing.
It scores well in terms of practicality, with two decent-sized front pockets secured by a combination of a popper and a velcro strip each, and a massive rear pocket. Although I haven’t ended up using the latter, I can see it coming in handy at some stage. The jacket itself has two internal pockets, while the liner has one larger internal pocket and an additional, smaller pouch designed to take a mobile phone.
After several months on test, the jacket has held up well, save for some light fraying at the end of the cuffs, presumably from contact with gloves.
Should you buy a Richa Infinity pro 2 jacket?
Perhaps it’s a sign of me getting old, or maybe it’s because of the comfort combined with the reassuring nature of the Aquashell liner, but the Intinify 2 has ended up being my go-to jacket in favour of sportier options in the cupboard.
I certainly haven’t been wishing I had the Gore-Tex equivalent at more than double the price. If you’re looking for something with more versatility than a summer jacket, whether that’s with the intention of going touring or perhaps some all-weather commuting, the Infinity Pro 2 is a great-value option.
