Rukka Blockrace leather jacket in black

Rukka, let's face it, is not really a leather jacket kind of brand. Their forté is highly waterproof, technical clothing, designed for wearing in the coldest and wettest of conditions. They have done leather in the past, but it hasn't always worked. Their retro jacket of a few years ago, the Markham, worked well enough. But their all-singing and all-dancing, laminated Coriace jacket never really did it for us. 

 

Now the Blockrace is a classic café-racer style jacket, and we like it a lot. We think it's the nicest Rukka leather jacket we've ever seen.

 

Rukka hasn't attempted to do anything fancy with the jacket. There's no membrane. There's no removable, thermal liner. It really is a back-to-basics, black leather jacket. But if that's what you're after, then the Blockrace is a mighty fine example of the genre.

 

The starting point with any leather jacket, of course, is the leather itself. Well, here the leather is goatskin. Now we always like goatskin, because it is thinner and lighter than cowhide, but stronger. But the goat leather on the Rukka jacket is nothing like the goat leather on a Halvarssons' jacket. Here the leather has a very sumptuous feel, with a smooth finish to the surface. It reminds us of the leather we seen on some of Belstaff's black, leather jackets.

 

The starting point, therefore, is a comfortable jacket. The leather is incredible supple, but accordion stretch bands above the elbows, and some kind of stretch leather panelling in the shoulders add to the perception that this is going to be a particularly nice jacket to live with.

 

What is also going to help in this regard is the Level 1, D3O Ghost armour that comes as standard in the elbows and shoulders. There's a pocket for a back protector, but given the way in which armour affixes to Rukka jackets, the only option if you want a comfortable solution, is the Ghost L1 protector. 

 

The jacket is A rated for abrasion resistance, by the way, which surprised us for a leather jacket. And this can only be down to the stretch leather in the shoulders. Rukka, we feel, has probably taken the view that they don't care too much about the CE rating. They know that the leather chassis means that this is going to be a protective piece; and so they can probably accept a lower CE rating if the benefit is added comfort for the wearer. We're kind of guessing a bit here; we have to admit!

 

In terms of detailing, you get two, external zip pockets, and two, internal Napoleon pockets. The collar is lined with Neoprene for comfort against the neck. There are zips at the ends of the sleeves, but there's just a single popper adjuster. The waist is very slightly lowered at the back, and you get a poppered flap to enable the jacket to be cinched in a little, if required.

 

The jacket is mesh lined for a bit more breathability. There's a full-length connecting zip that will allow you to connect the jacket to a Rukka pant which, frankly, sounds unlikely. The zip will also work on any Halvarssons pant, and they do a jean with a built in zip; it's called the Rogen jean. But for most people the best option will be to use Halvarssons' Waist Zip, which will allow you connect the jacket to any jean, or indeed any trouser, with belt loops. Just one thing: the Waist Zip, these days, is exclusive to Motolegends! But if this is too much faff, the Blockrace also has three heavy-duty, elasticated loops that will allow you to affix the jacket to your normal belt.

 

The zips are all black plastic, but the runners are metal, and that means that they can be tightened if the main zip ever starts to split open. That's good news all round. The bottom of the zip is protected by a neat garage to remove the possibility of scratching the tank.

 

There's only one thing we don't like about the jacket, but it may just be us. On the left sleeve there's a patch of Velcro that allows you to attach some kind of badge to the jacket. It spoils the jacket's smooth lines, and we have to ask who actually puts a Velcro badge on their jacket? I stopped being excited about badges after I got kicked out of the cubs! Perhaps badges are a big thing in Finland. But to make matters worse, the leather Rukka badge that the jacket comes with is not big enough, and leaves a Velcro border all around it. We just think it looks a bit naff!

 

Anyway, this gripe aside, we think the Blockrace is terrific. But not many UK dealers agreed with us. Not a single one went for it, which normally means that they are frightened by the price. And that may be the case, because it costs £649.99. That's not cheap, but nor do we think it's excessive given that it's a Rukka.

 

Bottom line, though? If you like this jacket, you'll have to get it from us. Sorry!