Together with colleagues, Product Manager Margaux Nycz sets off on a test ride in the Vosges mountains. She wants to try out the brand new Compañero Rambler PRO premium suit under real conditions. Fortunately, the weather plays along: At times it rains cats and gods.
The Vosges is one of the most beautiful motorbike regions in Europe. The barren mountains to the west of the Upper Rhine Graben offer winding roads that climb from the valleys up to 1,400 metres. With the Route des Crêtes, the mountainous region offers tourers an almost 80-kilometre-long ridge road that bears comparison with other famous panoramic routes.
Col de la Schlucht and Col de Bramont are passes whose names have an excellent reputation among connoisseurs, but the stretch between Le Markstein and Lac de Kruth-Wildenstein is also a delight for motorcyclists.
In the picturesque towns with their typical half-timbered architecture, a varied gastronomy with local specialities such as fish and meat pies, the famous tarte flambée, spaetzle or sauerkraut dishes awaits motorcyclists with a taste for pleasure. And you don't have to look far for a good sip in the wine-growing regions at the eastern foot of the Vosges Mountains.
However, all these ‘pull factors’ are offset by the impressive amount of up to 2,000 millilitres of precipitation that fall on the western slopes of the mountains over the course of a year. In addition, the summers are cool and the winters are exceptionally cold. And even in the middle of the year, there are only three to four days of sunshine per month.
IDEAL CONDITIONS FOR A PRACTICAL TEST
In other words, a rugged and rugged region that needs to be experienced intensively and puts motorbike equipment to the test. This is precisely why the Vosges are the perfect testing ground for Margaux Nycz and her test crew, who want to try out the new Touratech Compañero Rambler PRO textile suit under authentic conditions.
Margaux has been working at Touratech for three years. In product management, she is responsible for rider equipment - and therefore also for the brand new Compañero Rambler PRO. Touratech developed this all-season suit together with its partners from REV'IT! State-of-the-art textile materials such as the Gore-Tex Pro 3-layer laminate, patented technologies, a wealth of expertise from one and a half decades of experience in the development of motorcyclist equipment and the combined customer feedback on the award-winning predecessor model Rambler have gone into this premium suit. But as a passionate motorcyclist, Margaux naturally wants to know how ‘her’ product performs on the road.
Together with Anja and Benedict, two motorbike-enthusiastic colleagues, she sets off for the Vosges for an intensive practical test. As a native of Alsace who has had a view of the Grand Ballon from her childhood bedroom, she has a special connection to the picturesque region.
Fortunately, the weather plays along. However, not in the way that a group of motorbike tourists would have liked for their Vosges tour. For Margaux and her test team, however, the shower arrives just in time for departure. 12 degrees and heavy rain are the meteorological conditions as the beefy two-cylinder bikes take to the road one after the other.
WIND AND WATERPROOF THANKS TO GORE-TEX PRO 3-LAYER LAMINATE
Breathable and rainproof: the high-quality Gore-Tex Pro three-layer laminate.
The storm collar offers additional protection in cold, wet weather.
The raindrops roll off the three-layer laminate as the bikes make their way up the Col de Bramont; the water has no chance of penetrating the material, which is waterproof up to 28,000 millimetres. ‘The big advantage of a laminate suit compared to a garment with a waterproof insert is the fact that the water is already repelled at the outermost layer, so the textile does not absorb any moisture,’ explains Margaux afterwards. ‘As a result, the Compañero Rambler PRO is just as comfortable to wear after heavy rain as it is when it's completely dry.’ The laminate has another advantage: the membrane is laminated between the hard-wearing outer layer and a robust inner material, guaranteeing a long life for the suit.
Waterproof closure: the large air vents at the back.
Like her colleague Anja, Margaux naturally wears the women's version of the Rambler PRO. The enthusiastic motorbike rider was keen to be able to offer this premium suit in a cut that takes the anatomy of female riders into account.
PERFECT FIT: CUSTOMISED CUTS FOR MEN AND WOMEN
Both the men's and women's versions are characterised by a comfortable leisure fit. In addition, generously dimensioned stretch zones at the knees, waist and seat ensure flutter-free comfort even at high speeds. Width-adjustment straps allow individual customisation. Sophisticated details such as the zips on the jacket sleeves make it easier to put on and take off the jacket, while zips on the jacket’s side hem allow maximum freedom of movement when seated.
The equipment also includes a detachable kidney belt; a zip allows the jacket and trousers to be combined.
The jacket and trousers can be combined using the connecting zip.
Given the prevailing temperatures, the removable mid-layer for the jacket and trousers is particularly comfortable as it has an excellent insulating effect and at the same time supports the transport of moisture from the body to the outside. This middle layer is therefore an important part of the clothing system. ‘I always appeal to our customers to wear functional underwear at all times to ensure optimum breathability from the skin to the outer material,’ says Margaux. The product manager knows from experience: ‘The feel-good climate that is created when the clothing system is correctly constructed has convinced every sceptic!’
The inner jacket made of functional material can also be used separately.
ALL-SEASON SUIT WITH PATENTED VENTILATION TECHNOLOGIES
As the clouds clear and the sun regains its place in the sky, the mid-layer is quickly zipped out of the jacket and trousers. Rain mode has done its job for now, and the bikes can be ridden with increasing vigour on the drying road.
The ventilation openings have a magnet zip and are lined with mesh.
All the ventilation zips are still firmly closed, but the hour of the patented VCS AQUADEFENSE ventilation system soon arrives. ‘The VCS AQUADEFENSE from our development partner REV'IT! offers some revolutionary features for temperature regulation,’ says Margaux. ‘In high temperatures or during physical exertion off-road, the flap openings on the chest and thighs allow air to flow in through the three-dimensional BALLISTIC MESH fabric,’ explains the experienced adventure rider. At high speeds on this test ride, Margaux repeatedly checks whether the FIDLOCK magnetic fasteners work reliably. This technology prevents the airstream from pushing the ventilation flaps shut,’ confirms the product manager. ‘This means that the maximum ventilation cross-section is available even at high speeds.’
And the Compañero Rambler PRO has even more ventilation features. The VCS front ventilation on the jacket has a three-centimetre-wide BALLISTIC MESH opening, allowing air to flow in over the entire height of the upper body. The mesh panel can be closed watertight with a double zip when it gets cold or rainy. Additional waterproof closable vents on the upper and lower arms, on the back and on the front and back of the legs maximise the air flow in high temperatures.
AAA CERTIFICATION FOR MAXIMUM SAFETY
‘There's one aspect of the Compañero Rambler PRO that we didn't test on our test ride in the Vosges,’ Margaux reports with a grin. ‘That's its elaborate safety concept. In this area, we rely on the intensive testing procedures of our suppliers.’
Double aramid fabric panels in particularly exposed areas.
In fact, the Compañero Rambler PRO is one of the very few textile suits in the world to have the highest possible AAA certification. In the women's suit sector, it even has an absolutely unique selling point in this respect! In order to fulfil the high demands set by the current EN 17092:2020 standard, numerous parameters must be coordinated with each other. The required tear and abrasion resistance in the event of a fall is guaranteed by the ultra-robust Gore-Tex PRO three-layer laminate. ‘The innovative knit technology known as PWR Shield plays a decisive role here,’ explains Margaux. ‘This allows us to realise previously unattainable values.’ The robust material is reinforced with ARMACOR, a highly abrasion-resistant textile material based on KEVLAR, in areas that are potentially subject to particular stress in the event of a fall. ‘And don't forget the seams,’ adds the specialist. ‘We generally avoid unnecessary seams, and the ones we do make are particularly robust to withstand the high tensile forces in the event of a fall.’
PRODUCT MANAGER MARGAUX NYCZ ON THE COMPAÑERO RAMBLER PRO:
‘The Rambler PRO is a product that I worked on for almost three years and that probably carries part of my DNA. It was important to me to develop a dedicated women's version in addition to the men's model. And of course, I am very proud to be able to present the world's first women's textile suit with AAA certification with this high-end suit.’
The Compañero Rambler PRO's extensive protector equipment makes a key contribution to its outstanding protective effect. The back, shoulders, elbows, hips and knees are fitted with level 2 and level 1 protectors respectively, while large areas of highly reflective 3M SCOTCHLITE ensure passive safety.
‘That was a lot of theory at the end,’ says Margaux. ‘But this bundled technology is crucial for the functionality and the extraordinary protective effect of the Compañero Rambler PRO. But it is discreetly present in the background and ensures that our customers can enjoy a perfect ride. Onroad and offroad. And at any time of year!’
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL PRACTICAL TEST
After the extensive practical tests in early spring in rainy Portugal, the new Compañero Rambler PRO has once again proven its superior characteristics. And now it's time for some fun after the work is done. One of the cosy Alsatian inns is just the right place. The test team tuck into the specialities served with a big appetite. With a large slice of tarte flambée in her hand and a smile on her face, Margaux says: ‘This tastes like home!’.
TOURATECH COMPAÑERO RAMBLER PRO THE FACTS
The Touratech Compañero Rambler PRO is a comfortable and highly functional all-season textile suit made from GORE-TEX® Pro 3-layer laminate with the highest possible AAA certification.
Extensive adjustment options for individual customisation.
MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES
- GORE-TEX® Pro 3-layer laminate - GORE-TEX® Pro 3-layer laminate ARMACOR® with KEVLAR®
- PWR | Shell 500D Stretch
- TIZIP® and YKK® zips
- FIDLOCK® magnetic fasteners
- 3M™ Scotchlite™ reflective material in the shoulder and leg area
POCKETS
- 2 x outer jacket pockets (waterproof) with zip
- 1 x large pocket on the back of the jacket (waterproof) with zip
- 2 x inside jacket pockets with zip
- 1 x pocket in the kidney belt with zip
- 3 x pockets in the leisure jacket with zip
- 2 x pockets on the trousers with zip
PROTECTORS
- Shoulder: EN 1621-1:2012, Level 2 SEEFLEX
- Elbow: EN 1621-1:2012, Level 2 SEEFLEX, height-adjustable
- Back: EN 1621-2:2014, Level 2 SEESOFT AIR for more air circulation
- Knee: EN 1621-1:2012, Level 2 SEEFLEX, height-adjustable
- Hip: EN 1621-1:2012, Level 1 SEESMART
- Chest protection: EN 1621-3:2015, Level 1 SEESOFT (optionally available for men's jackets)
VENTILATION
- 1 x VCS main zip with 3 cm wide ventilation opening over the entire length
- 2 x VCS AQUADEFENSE ventilation flaps on the chest
- 2 x ventilation zips on the upper arm
- 2 x ventilation zips on the forearms
- 2 x ventilation zips on the back of the jacket
- 2 x VCS AQUADEFENSE ventilation flaps on the upper leg
- 2 x ventilation zips on the back of the trousers
The Touratech Compañero Rambler PRO is available in seven sizes for women from XS to 3XL and in seven sizes for men from S to 4XL. The price for the jacket is 1,399 euros, the trousers cost 899 euros.
The inner jacket made of functional material can also be used separately.
Extensive adjustment options for individual customisation.
The storm collar offers additional protection in cold, wet weather.
The jacket and trousers can be combined using the connecting zip.
The ventilation openings have a magnet zip and are lined with mesh.
Double aramid fabric panels in particularly exposed areas.
Waterproof closure: the large air vents at the back.
Breathable and rainproof: the high-quality Gore-Tex Pro three-layer laminate.
