Valheru Rides!

This is a ‘Texspeed – Brando’ jacket. I picked it up on a desperate need basis in November as my old red jacket I had purchased for my CBT in the tail end of 2020 seemed to be letting water in and with the linings in was a bad combination or sweaty, yet not keeping the warm in.

What did it cost?

It was listed on various sites/eBay for just under £100, being previously described as “a tight bastard” by a Yorkshireman, I was fairly sceptical about a leather jacket being any good at around that price and wasn’t willing to take an initial gamble.

A few weeks later eBay announced it was on sale for quite a bit less, in combo with a couple of discount codes & a voucher from nectar points and it cost me practically nothing. At this point I was well prepared to be warm for less.

Initial thoughts

When I got it the leather was heavy and stiff as a post, to the point where I was worried I would be able to move my arms properly while riding. It took a few walks to the shops and back before it really started loosening up.

The stitching at the bottom of the pockets is pretty poor quality, but acceptable for the price and easily repairable.

The zips though, these things are great! No stiffness, no catching on the seems, no crappy teeth.

After a season of riding.

I wore the jacket until the weather at last pulled it’s finger out and decided to begin getting warm. It kept out all but the very worst of the wind and crap weather, even while commuting in sub zero temperatures. While it only stated it was ‘water resistant’, I was caught out several times by random spells of rain and at no point did I get wet. It lasted through sleet flurries, strong gusts of wind and being splashed by trucks. I can’t speak for sustained showers as I normally threw my Oxford rain cover on top.

It was great for reducing the wind buffeting while cruising too, even on the M1! Frankly I wish they had a matching set of trousers as it would of stopped my legs getting cold while coming through Nidderdale!

Will I wear it for the next winter season? Yes, absolutely 10/10. As mentioned the only thing as a detraction of the jacket is the stitching in the pockets.