Rebelhorn are relatively new to UK shelves, but the Polish brand has been around since 2009. All of their products come with a five-year warranty if registered, and I wanted to give the brand a go to see how they stack up.
I was on the lookout for a classic black leather biker jacket – the sort of jacket that goes perfectly with a pair of riding jeans on any bike – and the Hunter II looked to fit the bill. What’s more, it boasts CE Level 2 shoulder, elbow, and back armour for £199.95 – making it a potential bargain.
5.0 Price: £199.95 www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk
5.0 Practicality 5.0 Looks 5.0 Protection 4.0 Quality 5.0 Value 5.0 Overall 5.0 Construction Cow leather and cotton CE Certification AA Armour Level 2 elbow, shoulder and back Type Classic leather jacket Two ventilation channels on the chest for rider's comfort Short connecting zip for use with trousers Additional straps to connect to trousers Four external pockets complete with zip closure Two internal pockets How comfortable is the Hunter II? The Hunter II is made from a lovely cowhide leather with a cotton lining, which makes for a soft and comfortable garment. It feels thin and not at all bulky, allowing you to move freely and forget that you’re wearing a protective motorcycle jacket.
The fit is true to size and flattering, tailored just enough to give a great shape, with hip adjusters for those with a wider derriere like myself. There are two zipped chest vents which allow air into the jacket in warmer weather too, which they do well – giving it more practicality across multiple seasons.
The Level 2 CE armour at the elbow, shoulder and back is really supple and low profile so you don’t feel restricted at all when riding, and it doesn’t really bother you when off the bike either.
I’ve worn this jacket for colder rides and warmer rides, and thanks to its vents, it keeps me cool enough up until the higher 20s. It’s also warm enough with an underlayer down to higher single figures. The pockets are zipped and capable of holding the essentials like earplugs and keys when off the bike, too.
It doesn’t have a removable thermal liner, but as long as you don’t go for a really snug fit, you can get a decent set of thermals underneath to keep you warm. The cotton lining means it is breathable, preventing that horrible sweaty feeling.
I really like the classic look. It’s almost retro in its style, but it’s sort of timeless at the same time. I went for the black option, but there is the choice of brown also. Personally, I like the old-school ‘rock chick’ sort of look that a black leather jacket and jeans give you.
Little touches like the black-coloured zips, rather than silver, and the quilted section across the lower back really finish off the jacket nicely and make it look quality and more expensive than it is.
In fact, I like the look of this jacket so much that I’ve also started taking the armour out so that I can wear it as casual clothing off the bike too.
The Hunter II has a CE certification of AA which is adequate, but AAA would always be preferable. At this price point AAA would be exceptional, but I’m not disappointed with the lower certification. The lightness and softness of the Hunter II make up for the slightly lower level of protection offered.
It’s ideal for rides to the pub or a bike meet, and if I wanted to go for a really spirited ride, I’d opt for a sports jacket with AAA certification.
The Level 2 full suite of armour is more than you would expect in a…