Review | Furygan Raptor Evo 3 Jacket/Drack riding pants/Styg20 gloves

One-piece leathers remain the ultimate in protection but can be impractical in off-bike situations and present as a bit ‘try hard’ anywhere beyond a race track. A zip-together combination like this from Furygan can still be sufficient for track days (subject to inspection by event organisers) and, in the case of this Raptor Evo 3 jacket and Drack pant combo, have been designed to the same exacting standards and levels of protection. While leaving you the flexibility to pair with riding jeans for more everyday excursions. With an eye to the costs of riding kit does this make it a winning combination of flexibility and protection? Or a compromise you shouldn’t be making in the name of convenience?

Redesigned with what Furygan describes as “a more committed cut” this latest evolution of the Raptor jacket has all the look and protection of the brand’s full leathers but greater versatility. The leather feels suitably thick and placed where you need it should the worst happen while stretch panels help comfort. D3O elbow and shoulder inserts are matched with hard plastic protection on the outside, the Raptor also having sleeves for a Level 2 back protector and D3O Ghost chest armour even if you have to order both separately. Quality feels as good as you’d hope at this price, the European sizing meaning even a Large/42 felt snug where your tester would usually opt for small or medium from other brands. Aesthetics are a personal thing but we liked the fact the Raptor has the look and protection of race leathers without going full Power Ranger onesie, the design and branding tasteful enough not to come across too wannabe off the bike.

Specifically recommended by Furygan as the zip-in addition to the Raptor jacket, the Drack riding pants are basically the lower half of some racing leathers, complete with a sporty cut and hefty knee-sliders already in place. Again, the leather feels satisfyingly thick and the armour reassuringly solid and in the right places. The fit of our size Small/40 was spot-on once we’d wriggled into them, though this was something of a struggle until we’d broken them in a bit. We also kept catching our foot on the internal pocket for the knee armour when sliding the legs on, which added to the struggle. Once on, though, the racy cut inspires confidence they’ll offer the maximum in protection and, zipped into the jacket, are effectively full track leathers in all but name. If possibly a bit TOO racy for Sunday rides along the lanes. Which is where the flexibility of swapping for riding jeans as the situation demands is the advantage of this combo.

There are gloves made to keep you warm. And there are gloves designed to offer the maximum protection for riders pushing it on road or track. These Styg20s are definitely the latter, and as used by Furygan’s supported racers. They look suitably ‘technical’ as well, the contrasting red and white of our test samples certainly eye-catching, especially with the visible yellow thread of the Kevlar reinforced abrasion patches on the thumbs and palms and vented carbon fibre knuckle protection. Hard armour on the wrist straps is another confidence-inspiring addition, the soft goat leather of the main glove body and thin palms giving you the connection you need through the grips when riding on the limit. Our size mediums were on the snug side and a wriggle to put on, though comfortable once in place with the sense they’ll loosen up nicely in time. A perfect match to the Raptor jacket, the quality again fully lives up to the expectations of the hefty price.

While a very expensive ensemble Furygan’s reputation and quality speaks for itself, and we appreciated the combination of race style protection with the flexibility to pair the jacket and gloves with more casual riding gear on the road. Or zip together with the Drack pants for track sessions. Fit is, of course, crucial for kit of this nature, and we’d say Furygan errs to the snug side in all its garments and gloves. So, try before you buy and be ready to size up from what you’d usually choose from other brands. We won’t judge, honest!