Originally marketed only in Scandinavia, where it’s designed, Halvarssons are branching out into other European markets. Scandinavia, as everyone knows, has some extremely wide ranging weather conditions with hot, humid summers and the coldest winters in Europe. They’ve taken this to heart with a lot of their gear with some exceptionally capable garments that can adapt to several different conditions yet able to compete with the best in each arena. The UK’s weather is of course not as extreme, sitting somewhere in the middle, but the sheer changeability of our weather means this gear is ideal for the UK biker. Halvarssons, despite not being on many bikers’ wish lists, has been around for over 70 years and is used extensively by British, Swedish and Czech police forces, so it’s fair to say their reputation precedes them in some circles – police bikers truly need gear they can rely on in terms of both crash and weather protection.
If you’re looking for that do-it-all jacket, either because you know a trip might include wide variations in conditions or you simply don’t have space for different jackets for every week of the year then the Walkyr Laminate Waterproof jacket is arguably the only jacket you’ll need. Including both Outlast and Thinsulate tech for keeping you both cool and warm, multiple vents to let a breeze through and laminated Dryway+ waterproofing for the ultimate in keeping dry. What is laminated waterproofing you might ask; traditional waterproof membranes sit as a layer below the external protective layer because they’re usually quite fragile, however this means external layers get soaked through even though they keep you dry. This means after a downpour you have an extremely heavy (and soon to be smelly) piece of kit. If you’re on a long trip this is a real problem! Laminate waterproofing sits on the external layer of the gear prevent water from penetrating into the gear at all – sure it costs more than the traditional membranes, but the improvement is tangible. Other features of the Walkyr include CE level 2 armour in the shoulders, elbows and back, alongside Hi-Art reinforcement in key areas to keep you safe when sliding. Another really neat feature is its inclusion of a mini-hi-viz vest that zips onto it. A lot of bikers really don’t like wearing the tabards, but if the weather’s particularly grim this might be the perfect compromise for increasing visibility of yourself while not looking like a slightly lame police biker. The Walkyr is also available in a women’s fit under the name of Walkyria, so the fairer sex can get hold of this outstanding jacket too.
If you’re looking for a pair of trousers to complement this jacket perfectly then look no further than the Wish. Using the exact same tech as above (laminated Dryway+ waterproofing, Thinsulate, Outlast, level 2 armour, Hi-Art reinforcement and multiple vents) you really couldn’t ask for more from a pair of trousers. Of course they zip nicely to the Walkyr or Walkyria for a seriously capable two-piece all-weather textile suit, and again they’re available in a women’s fit.
Of course you do pay a premium for such capable kit (£499.99 for the jacket, £399.99 for the trousers) however Bike Stop is currently running a 10% off promotion on all gear at the moment, and Halvarssons deals are generally very hard to come by! The best argument for this kind of gear is comparing it to a leather race suit which commonly cost even more than these two put together – except you can use this all year, everywhere except the track.
To really get the full Halvarssons experience you’ll also need to check out their gloves; again these are geared towards being capable throughout the year. If you’re looking for that superb weather protection that excellent waterproofing that Dryway+ can offer then look no further than the aptly named Beast. Including the aforementioned Dryway+, an Outlast thermally regulating liner, goatskin and textile outer with effective reflective inserts, this is a glove ideally suited to a miserable British commute!
We also stock Halvarssons’ base layers – ideal for putting under any gear whatever the weather thanks to their Outlast tech keeping you cool or warm as required.
The Bike Stop shop in Stevenage has just reopened (with proper safety measures in place) and our online shop is still alive and well and taking orders (and calls Monday to Friday!) We’re even doing a 10% off promotion – just enter the code ‘TOGETHER’ at checkout. You can check out our full range on our website with free delivery for any order over £50 on the UK mainland, and delivery possible to almost anywhere else. Not only that but our ‘No Quibble’ returns policy allows for returns within a 365 day period – see our returns page for more details.
