Halvarssons Gruven jacket review

The Halvarssons Gruven is a mid-length, two-layer laminated jacket. It is a longer version of the company’s Naren jacket, but could also be seen as a laminated version of Halvarssons’ long-standing, but no longer available, Wien jacket.
The jacket is light in weight, and offers little by way of bulk. In this, it is aided by the incorporation of the company’s latest, super-flexible, Level 2 armour. But what makes the jacket so comfortable to wear is the stretch that is built into the jacket’s outer fabric, in the way that it is on the Rukka Nivala.
Waterproofing comes courtesy of the company’s dependable Dryway Plus membrane; and of course as this is laminated to the inner side of the outer fabric this is a jacket that will never wet out. The L2 armour comes fitted as standard in the elbows and shoulders. There’s a pocket for a back protector, although we would recommend our own D3O protector with Velcro rather than the one produced by Halvarssons. The jacket will also take a chest protector. The jacket rates AA under EN 17092.
The Gruven incorporates all of the kind of detailing that you would expect in a jacket at this end of the market. There’s a removable, thermal inner jacket that has been designed to wear also off the bike as what is known as a destination jacket. And so it doesn’t zip into the jacket. Insulation comes by means of some kind of hollow-form fibre. The jacket is also aluminium lined to reflect heat back into the body. It also has elasticated panels up the flanks, and down the sleeves that should ensure that it is comfortable to wear both on and off the bike. You get two magnetically-attached neck collars. There’s an elasticated belt at the waist. You get two external pockets with flaps. An internal pocket. Zips and a Velcro flap at the ends of the sleeves. A zip to attach the jacket to a pant. And so on. Technically, the matching pant would be the Laggan.
The jacket is well furnished with vents, but it is here that we have a small issue with the Gruven. There are vents on the chest, in the sleeves and in the back. But in addition to the removable thermal liner, the jacket has a fixed Outlast liner. Now Outlast is a brilliant temperature regulator, but our issue with it is that it will stop the jacket venting as well as as it might. It probably means that this is not the jacket you’d wear in the very hottest of conditions.
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[@FREE_PUREBLOOD333]

💥Get your groove on with the Gruven💥... Thankyou, I'm here all week. 😁

[@jjnewman65]

Another superb offering from our friends at Halvarssons. However one should look at their excellent Lysvik at less than half the price of this. You can layer up or not according to the weather conditions with a down jacket and/or a Scott waterproof all for less than the price of the Gruven.

[@bartonSkett]

Been looking at a solution like you suggest Jamie. Is this something that you do? I hear a lot of good things said about the Scott jacket. Is it really that good? Is it not a pain to have to stop and layer up/down? Thanks!

[@jjnewman65]

@@bartonSkett The Scott waterproof is a must have. Not only does it keep you dry it’s another layer on a cold day. Buy the high vis colour way to help make you be seen.

[@emromw]

This looks like a good offering, but I don’t see why I would choose this over the Revit Trench. Speaking of, I think you guys should take a close look at the Trench.

[@DartDumfries-gp2us]

Chris. What would be your thoughts on the Wish pant with this jacket as opposed to the intended Laggan?

[@Speedytrip]

Thanks for the review! I'm 6'1'" 195lbs, 43" chest, with long arms, and can't find anything that fits me well, either I have to go one size up and torso is too large, or torso fits perfect and sleeves are too short. Would you say Halvarssons have a good fit on us tall/somewhat slim guys? Or maybe you could recommend other brands you know would probably fit? Thanks!

[@dukesublime4178]

B,e,a,utiful.

[@stepheneldridge6998]

Hi Chris, nice jacket 👌, one question re laminate jackets...is it still worth on those long wet rides using a Scott or similar over the top...or is it just not necessary once you get a laminate jacket...? Cheers Steve

[@Motolegends]

In theory, you don’t need one, but donning a Scott over the top can still improve comfort; and for two reasons. First, the additional waterproof will insulate more heat and provide an extra barrier against the wind chill effect. Secondly, if you ride for four hours in heavy rain, a laminate jacket will still get wet. It won’t wet out, but it will get wet. Put a waterproof over the top, however, and when you get to your lunch stop or hotel, your jacket will be bone dry. And that’s just better on a number of levels. CP

[@brie6966]

Chris Is it actually necessary to modify a D30 F8 size (F8 is how the back protector is marked) by attaching velcro? Halvarssons Gruven, Mora, possibly Naren Jacket have a hidden pouch that will take a back protector in a similar way to how Halvarssons Lysvik has a pouch that takes a D30 F8 but also has velcro patches as well right in the back accessed behind another zip to fit halvarssons own back protector? Maybe Halvarssons intended actual use is for the pouch is "secure" or "secret" compartment for important documents etc? Obviously height adjustment is afforded by sewing velcro to D30 F8 tho.

[@bartonSkett]

Great video thanks. I think you quote the wrong price for the Kalix 2? It’s £649.99?

[@Motolegends]

Actually, the price has officially gone up to £680, but it always takes a bit of time to get retailers to tow the line. When they need to buy stock form the importer at the new price is when they tend to put their prices up. So expect the new price to come into effect very soon. CP

[@plt4415]

No,,,no,,,, never bother to open the zipper and show inside and around etc... just talk.

[@Motolegends]

To tell the truth, I am not in the least bit interested in how a jacket looks on the inside. I’m interested in what a particular jacket does, who it’s aimed at, what kind or riding it’s for, how it works, what’s good about it., and what isn’t. People who show the insides of jackets in their reviews do so because they have nothing of interest to say. What next? Helmet interiors? Glove linings? What a boot looks like from the inside? If that’s the kind of inconsequential detail you’re looking for, then you need to find another reviewer, because it holds no appeal for me. CC

[@os6219]

You being a bit picky?

[@emromw]

@@Motolegends It’s nice to see the lining, pocket arrangements, zippers etc. I think it wouldn’t hurt to show it