Viaterra Munro riding jacket and pants review

One of the more common concerns with choosing a riding jacket and pants is the fit. In my case, while my arms, chest and legs are the size of an average male, my well-fed tummy isn’t so. On the other hand, someone as tall (but skinny) as 6-foot-plus Rishaad finds it hard to find pants with inseams of the right size. Enter the Viaterra Munro textile suit.

The Munro is Viaterra’s line of jackets and pants that are tailor-made for each customer. The process, understandably, is long drawn and it takes up to three weeks to get the final product. However, the steps involved are simple.

It begins with connecting with a representative from Viaterra over a video call. Using a measuring tape and some help from a friend/relative, one needs to tell them the size of your chest, arms, wrist etc. It’s the same story with the pants as well. After the first step is done, Viaterra sends across a sample jacket and pants for you to try. They are roughly the same size as measured, with the scope to fine-tune the fit wherever required. The final colour of the Munro suit, including the mesh panels and trims, is decided at this stage, and you’d be surprised by the number of colour combos one can play with. A week later, I received my custom-made Munro suit at my doorstep and my first impressions were rather impressive.

Everything from the quality of the stitching to colours, and more importantly the fit, it was all as I’d expected it to be. There are adjustment straps around the arms and the calves that help you attain an even more precise fit. More importantly, the large SAS-TEC Level 2 armour sat perfectly, especially around critical areas, such as the shoulders, elbows and knees. This, along with the fact that the suit is made of 100 percent Cordura shell, enhances the safety it offers.

All said, the best part about having a tailor-made riding suit is felt when you are on the bike. Ranging from Supersports to street bikes and ADVs, the suit felt like a second skin. I never had any feeling of the weight of the armour around my arms or shoulders, such is the precision of the fit. It’s been well over six months since I’ve been wearing the Munro suit on an almost daily basis, and given the thousands of kilometres I’ve logged on motorcycles in that period, the wear and tear has been bare minimum. Only the grip patch – glued on the inside of the knee to make it easier to hold on to the tank – is worn out. Also, the stitching on one of the three velcro closures that go over the zipper on the pants has come undone. And, that’s all!

Barring these signs of wear, my Munro suit is almost as good as new. Even the colour fade, after multiple washes, has been negligible. That said, one niggle I’ve got is with the lack of pockets in the pants, which some might find to be quite an inconvenience. However, from a safety standpoint, the space for pockets has been taken by a pair of large hip armours and it’s a tradeoff I don’t mind. Overall, I’m mighty impressed with the Viaterra Munro suit. It has the construction, quality and fit to match some of the riding apparel from international brands. In fact, the price of the Munro suit includes Level 2 armour all around and that’s a big plus, considering most big brands charge extra for back and chest protection. Speaking of price, the jacket costs Rs 18,000 while the pants cost Rs 14,000. At Rs 32,000, it may seem like a lot of money to pay for a mesh jacket and pants, but given the customisability, functionality and the quality levels, I think it is a good investment.

Where: www.viaterragear.com
Price: Rs 32,000