Rukka Kalix 3 jacket grey

In essence, the Rukka Kalix 3 suit has been produced to give the UK Police an AA-rated suit that they can actually afford. That is its rationale and raison d'etre. The simplest explanation would be to state that the Kalix 3 is Rukka's least expensive, laminated, Gore-Tex outfit. It cannot be denied that it offers a lot for the money. It's AA-rated. It costs less than Rukka's Gore-Tex, drop-liner suit. And less than their laminated non Gore-Tex suit. For some, that makes the Kalix a bit of a slam dunk.

 

The jacket's outer shell is re-enforced with extra layers of 1500 denier Cordura on the shoulders and elbows. (It is this, by the way, that allows the jacket to achieve its AA rating).

 

The collar is lined with Neoprene. There are volume adjusters on the biceps. You get Velcro flaps at the hem. There's a full-length zip that allows the jacket to be attached to the pant. On the outside of the jacket there are two water-resistant, zip pockets.

 

The membrane is a Gore-Tex, two-layer, laminated one that ensures there won't be any wetting out.

 

There's Rukka's own, huge, level 2 armour in the shoulders and the elbows.

 

You get vents in the shoulders, up the flanks, and in the back

 

And that's it. There's nothing wrong with this set-up, but you might want to know what you don't get that you do get with some Rukka jackets.

 

Well, there's no thermal liner. There's no storm collar concealed in the collar. There are no zips at the ends of the sleeves, and you don't get GTX cuffs. There's no stretch in the outer fabric. Nor is there any concertina banding to aid comfort. 

 

There is a pocket for a back protector, but it's not included. Same goes for a chest protector. That's probably about £500 or more of added features. So one might suggest that the Kalix jacket is not a bargain or under-priced, or anything like that. Rather it's a case of Rukka being able to bring the price down by removing some of the bits that can make a jacket nicer to live with.