Review | Richa Atomic 2 WP hoodie and Apache jeans

The right riding kit protects you from the weather and crashes, but can look a little too obviously ‘motorcyclist’ in those off-bike situations. Increasingly clever combinations of abrasion resistant fabrics and impact absorbing ‘soft’ armour have, meanwhile, created a new generation biking clothes that do the important stuff of protecting you in a crash but looking good when you’re off the bike as well. Which is where this hoodie and jeans combo from Belgian kit giant Richa comes in.

We’ve come a long way from when the choice was basically between racing leathers or adventure textiles, the Atomic 2 WP hoodie combining a slim, casual cut with the appearance of a typical softshell jacket and subtly integrated technical features. It’s so successful in this you find it hard to believe it’s achieved a AA rating for abrasion, which is the same as some leathers. The soft polyester/ripstop Nylon outer looks good and has the necessary reinforcement along seams and impact areas while a water-resistant lining and storm flap helps keep the weather out. There’s no insulation, though, so you’ll need to layer up if you’re riding in colder temperatures. The only giveaway it’s a riding jacket is the colour-coordinated plastic shoulder armour, the Level 1 protection in elbows, shoulders and the standard back protector all cunningly concealed. All are upgradeable to Level 2 D3O Ghost if you wish, the somewhat minimal standard spine protection probably one area you’ll want to improve with the cost-option Viper 2 slip-in, which you can have in Level 1 or Level 2 grades for another £50 or so.
While we’ll take Richa on trust the hoodie really can compete with more substantial feeling jackets with which it shares the same AA rating we’d still be hesitant about using it for fast road riding, even with the upgraded armour and obvious quality of its manufacture. But we can totally see the case as an about-town jacket for a scooter or lower-powered bike where you might want something that can pass for non-bike clothing in social or work situations. Size-wise the S we tried just about sufficed for your slim-built tester but Richa sizing is on the snug side so maybe go up one for a bit more space and option to add layers underneath. In the standard black sizes go up to 6XL, or 4XL in the grey/black or blue/black options.

Where some riding jeans can – convincingly – pass as casual wear the Apache have a slightly more technical look given the elasticated ankle hems and various cargo pockets on the sides of the legs. They still have a nicely slim fit, though, and the lined stretch cotton/Aramid fabric is soft and extremely comfortable on and off the bike.
Available in short and regular leg lengths, that gathered look means they can sit (and stay put) above casual boots or tuck comfortably within sportier road or enduro style alternatives as suits your tastes. Matching clothing to bike is always critical but we could see the Apache working with everything from modern classics to sporty nakeds and adventure bikes, depending on the jacket and footwear combos you use them with. They’re so comfortable you’ll quite possibly end up wearing them as much for casual as riding, too. In terms of protection the relatively low abrasion grade is mitigated by reinforced seams, extra ‘Aranium’ protection in impact areas (whatever that is) and Level 1 knee pads. Disappointingly you need to fork out another £25 or so for matching D3O hip armour but other than that they feel a suitably robust and versatile choice for dry-weather riding. The 30 we tried aligned with a Mr Average 32 leg/32 waist in conventional jeans, the Apache available in a selection of colours including black, grey, khaki and camo with the option of a dedicated ladies’ fit as well.

We’re impressed with the obvious quality of the Richa kit we’ve tried, and this hoodie and jeans combo is no exception. The brand’s sizing is definitely on the ‘south European’ side so order accordingly but both items were comfortable enough we’d wear them casually whether we were going out on the bike or not, the jeans especially. As for the hoodie the protection levels are impressive on paper but we’d probably still err to more traditional jackets for touring, motorways or faster roads. For a subtle about-town option it looks a great choice, though, with enough weather protection to keep the worst off if you get caught short in the rain and the option to upgrade the armour as required.