Vanucci VXR-1 Rain Jacket/VXR-7 Rain Trousers Review

While you can buy textile motorcycle clothing with fancy laminated layers like Gore-Tex and lesser-known alternatives like Aquashell, you can’t beat an old-school rain suit on the soggiest of rides. Some are quite basic, but the Vanucci VXR-1 rain jacket and VXR-7 rain trousers are a bit fancier. 

I’ve had both on test for a few months, worn over a riding jeans and a textile jacket both to keep the water out and to provide an additional warming layer on cold, dry rides.

VXR-1 key features

• Connector zip
• Sypatex three-layer laminate (jacket)
• Wind-protection cuffs
• Adjustable collar

VXR-7 key features

• Connector zip
• Flexura construction
• Extra-long zipper
• Anti-slip material

The big difference between the VXR-1 and VXR-7 (names which have me in mind of torque-steering fast Vauxhalls of the 2000s) and cheaper waterproof overalls is the materials. Rather than something simple akin to what you’d get on a cheap rain mac, the jackets are made from ‘Sympatex’, a three-layer laminate that Vanucci retailer Louis Moto describes as a “temperature-regulating material”. The trousers meanwhile are made from Flexura, which is a blend of 80 per cent polyamide and 20 per cent elastine with a “waterproof and breathable” PU membrane. 

Sure enough, both have a bit of heft and thickness to them and yet, they haven’t made me unduly toasty once I’ve stopped riding and I’m out of the cold wind blast. Having two pieces that zip together adds flexibility - I’ve found myself wearing both together or just the trousers or jacket individually.

I haven’t had a chance to test the two garments in truly horrible weather, but on a near-two-hour ride in constant spray and moderate drizzle, my textile jacket and jeans under the VXR-1/7 were kept bone dry. This review will be updated should I get to test both in torrential conditions, but so far, the kit works as advertised.

I tested both in size medium, which was about right for my slim, tall build, although the top is a slightly tight fit over my size small Richa Infinity Pro 2 jacket. Movement isn’t impeded, and the grippy surface on the bum area of the trousers works well.

Both pieces of clothing have held up well to a reasonable amount of use, and aren’t showing any premature signs of wear.

Should you buy Vanucci VXR-1/VXR-7 waterproof layers?

While I’ve been impressed so far with both sets of clothing, it’s worth noting that neither is cheap at their RRP, which for the trousers is £90.69 and the jacket is a chunky £115.44. Both can be bought from the site of German retailer Louis Moto, which does ship to the UK (costing £8.25 or free for orders over £199, and rarely taking more than a few days), and also offers to pay any customs fees that might arise.

The site’s prices fluctuate, so if you’re interested in either, it’s worth keeping an eye on prices. At the time of writing, the trousers were discounted heavily at £54.42, while the jacket was down to £82.45. Much more reasonable on both fronts, but that still looks expensive compared to a basic set of waterproofs from a UK-based brand like Spada or Oxford, which will set you back more like £50 for both. 

If you’ve already shelled out a decent sum on some nice textiles, a cheaper set of waterproofs might well be a better option. Should you like the idea of the fancier, more breathable Vanucci options, we recommend waiting for a good discount.