Rukka Lady Nivala jacket in black / silver

The Rukka Lady Nivala jacket is the replacement for the previous top spec’d jacket the Suki Pro. The original Suki Pro was a terrific suit; it was probably the most comfortable Gore-Tex Pro-Shell ladies laminate outfit ever. And perhaps because of this it proved to be one of Rukka’s most popular ever. This new updated borrows the idea of the separate Down jacket from the mens Nivala so improving the suits ability to deal with cold weather. 

The Lady Nivala jacket is constructed using a 3-Layer Gore-Tex Pro-Shell laminated fabric. Waterproofing simply doesn’t get better than this. The main zip is an Aquaseal zip; and as a further barrier to water ingress you also get a storm flap. Neoprene lines the jacket’s collar, and this serves two purposes. It aids comfort at the neck, but also serves to catch any rain trying to enter the jacket. Finally, the jacket features GTX cuffs that stop any water getting up the sleeves and into the gloves.

Like the Suki Pro, the Lady Nivala uses a stretch fabric, making it extremely comfortable to wear both on and off the bike. Importantly for ladies this also means that the fit around the bust and waist is improved. The jacket is able to shape around you in the way that most laminate jackets just  cannot. 

Highly abrasion-resistant Armacor features at the elbows and shoulders for added strength. The armour in the elbows and shoulders is Level 1, D30 (LP1). An XTR Level 1 back protector is included. Elbows, shoulders and back can all be upgraded to Level 2.  A Level 1 chest protector can be added as an optional extra which is unusual in a ladies jacket.

Venting is also in pretty plentiful supply, with vents on the shoulders and arms, across the back and up the flanks.

Like the mens Nivala jacket the Lady Nivala comes equipped with a 90% duck down/10% duck feather inner jacket. This doesn’t clip into the outer jacket, and can be worn as a standalone jacket off the bike. This side of something powered by the bike’s battery, a down jacket is the warmest thing you can wear on the bike. The jacket can be folded into a small pouch when it’s not in use. The ladies Down is also nicely shaped so fits the body well.

There’s an integrated neck collar that serves to both reduce the effects of wind chill and to catch the rain as it rolls off the helmet and tries to enter the collar of the jacket. You get two front, hand-warmer pockets. It would be best to consider these pockets as water-resistant rather than waterproof. There are two properly waterproof pockets inside the jacket.

In Europe, Rukka’s jackets are only warranted for two years, so if you order this jacket from a European seller that is the only warranty you will get. Only if you buy the jacket from a UK seller will you enjoy the full six-year warranty.

The jacket that comes with a zip that will allow it to be zipped into any Rukka, or Halvarssons, pant. The jacket is available in continental sizes EU 36 (UK size 8) up to EU 46 (UK size 18).