The Walkyr jacket and Wish pants combination is one of the new laminated riding suits introduced to the Halvarssons range in 2018. Iain Harper has been putting them to the test in mixed weather around France.
In the UK, Halvarssons is perhaps the best-known of the three motorcycle clothing brands designed in Sweden by Jofama (Lindstrands and Jofama being the other two), and it has long had a reputation for high-quality, mid-priced, layered gear. For the first time, this year Halvarssons has ventured into the laminated market with a number of new products. The Walkyr jacket and Wish pants combo is at the top of that range.
Having been very happily wearing the layered Lindstrands Qurizo jacket and Q pants on a daily basis for a year or so, I was interested to see how the equivalent laminated suit from Halvarssons would compare. My recent 11-day tour around France was the ideal opportunity to find out.
Specification
The Walkyr jacket and Wish pants are designed to be zipped together and share a number of important features. For a start, they’re both Teflon coated to repel rain and dirt, reinforced with HI-ART® – Jofama’s proprietary abrasion resistance material – and adjustable CE-approved armour in the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees.
Most importantly, they both have a water and windproof Dryway+® laminated membrane. Like Goretex, this allows moisture to escape from the inside while preventing water getting in from the outside.
As well as all that, and an abundance of effective reflectors in key areas, a removable liner made of Outlast® and Thinsulate® adds a layer that’s supposed to help regulate body temperature in both hot and cold conditions.
Like all jackets from Halvarssons (and Lindstrands and Jofama), the Walkyr doesn’t come with a back protector, but does have an ample pocket to hold one. The reason Jofama doesn’t include a back protector as standard (and sells one separately instead) is that an increasing number of riders are wearing body armour underneath their riding suits. In my case, I just swapped the back protector over from the one I’d been using with the Lindstrands Qurizo jacket.
The Walkyr has vents in the shoulders and an open yoke at the back to aid air circulation. The Wish pants have a vent in each leg. Sleeve and leg fit is adjustable with the same style of press fittings used on the Lindstrands products.
A specially designed hi-vis vest (or perhaps more accurately a bib) is supplied with the Walkyr jacket. It slips on over the jacket and once zipped up can be worn without the irritation of it flapping about. The Wish pants also feature a leather-reinforced seat and removable braces.
Test Performance
Based on the claimed benefits of the Dryway+® laminated membrane and the removable Outlast®/Thinsulate® liner, the Walkyr/Wish combo should keep you warm when it’s cold, cool when it’s warm, and dry when it’s wet. These were the main things I wanted to put to the test during 2,000 miles around France.
About a third of the 11 days of the trip were very sunny and warm (25-30 celsius), a third were dry but chilly (down to around 10-12 celsius), and a third were wet and cold (low of about 4 celsius).
The section of the ride between Toulouse and Bayonne was characterised by torrential, driving rain all day, so I can immediately confirm the waterproof qualities of the jacket and trousers. Neither leaked in the slightest, and both were relatively quick to dry once hung up in the sanctuary of a hotel room.
I was also impressed with how the suit kept me comfortably warm on the colder days. The windproof nature of the Dryway+® membrane, combined with Outlast®/Thinsulate® liner, certainly do the job. With appropriate base and mid layers, I’ve no doubt they’d perform well at modest sub-zero temperatures too.
With the Outlast®/Thinsulate® liner in place, I found the upper comfort limit was in the low twenties celsius. Beyond that things got sweaty very quickly, even with all the vents open. Riding was perfectly comfortable at higher temperatures with the liner removed, but the black colour and laminated design mean the Walkyr/Wish still gets very warm when you’re wandering around off the bike.
Sizing and Pricing
The Halvarssons Walkyr jacket is available in all black or the black and grey I’ve been wearing, in European sizes 46-66. At the time of writing it retails at £519.
Halvarssons Wish pants are available in European sizes 46-62, in three leg-length variations, and retail at £399.
So for a total of £918 you get a high-quality, thoughtfully-designed riding suit that’ll give reliable service year-round in a northern European type of climate.
A ladies’ version of the Wish pants is available with two leg-length variations, in European sizes 36-48, and the Walkyria jacket is the ladies’ equivalent to the Walkyr. That’s available in the same two colour options, in European sizes 36-50, and retails at £479.
Halvarssons Walkyr/Wish vs Lindstrands Qurizo/Q
To compare fit, I’m wearing the same size in the Walkyr/Wish as I was previously with the Qurizo/Q. There’s little difference in the fit of the trousers, but the Walkyr jacket is noticeably much more snug – especially around the shoulders. That doesn’t make it uncomfortable, but it’s certainly less relaxed.
The Qurizo/Q pockets are a tad more easily accessible (and perhaps larger) than the Walkyr/Wish, and the really useful thigh pocket that features on the Q pants is conspicuous by its absence on the Wish.
Based on my experience with both suits, it seems the Qurizo/Q’s layering system enables it to remain comfortable over a much broader temperature range. On the flip-side, the Walkyr/Wish is undoubtedly more effective at keeping out prolonged, heavy rain – including its pockets.
I’ve been thoroughly impressed with the Halvarssons Walkyr/Wish suit, have no hesitation in recommending it, and will continue riding in it for a while yet, but if you forced me to choose I’d probably still favour the Lindstrands Qurizo/Q.
For more information about clothing from the Jofama, Halvarssons and Lindstrands brands, visit the Jofama website.
Test and review by Iain Harper.