Last year I reviewed the Richa Airstorm WP Jacket and Softshell Mesh Pants and liked them. So when I saw that Richa was introducing the new Brutus GTX jacket and pants, I reached out to Richa to see if I could do a review. They immediately agreed and also sent a pair of Atlantic GTX gloves. This combo makes for an ideal setup for spring riding.
The Brutus GTX are adventure/touring motorcycle pants for around $480 USD. In addition, they have Gore-Tex waterproofing, excellent ventilation, D3O CE Level 1 knee protection, and offer excellent comfort.
I tested the pants on two different bikes. The first was a touring/cruiser (Yamaha Stratoliner), and the second was a standard/naked (Kawasaki ZRX) bike.
I received everything in April, which is ideal for testing a jacket and pants combo that includes waterproofing features. Therefore, I was able to get plenty of opportunities to test the Brutus GTX pants in combination with the Richa Brutus GTX jacket.
About Richa
Richa dates back to 1952, when RICHA’s founder Charles Rigaux released his first pair of leather motorcycle gloves. He put quality above all else, which has remained Richa’s priority.
Richa grew, creating high-quality leather motorcycle jackets, pants, and accessories with high-tech coatings and advanced D3O® protection. Since 2011, Richa gloves have been Gore-Tex certified, and they also received a GORE-TEX® license for their motorcycle clothing in 2015.
Richa is now a well-respected motorcycle apparel brand sold in over 40 countries worldwide. They offer a full range of products for any budget, embodying Richa’s motto: ‘Feel safe, feel good.’
I would like to thank Stijn and the folks at Richa for providing the opportunity to review the Richa Brutus GTX Pants.
Richa Brutus GTX Pant Features
The Richa Brutus GTX Pants come with several features that offer protection from both inclement weather and abrasion. The most notable are listed below.
Features
- Removable Gore-Tex paclite® plus 2layer liner
- Ventilation panels with zipper and magnet closure
- Controllable ventilation in key areas
- Stretch panels for optimal fitting
- Adjustment straps at the waist and legs
- D3O® L1 protection at knees
- Cordura 600D oxford fabric
For a complete list of features, check out the Richa Brutus GTX Pants on the company’s website.
Richa Brutus GTX Pant First Impressions
I was looking forward to receiving the waterproof Richa Brutus GTX Pants (and Brutus GTX Jacket) for day-long trips in cool and often wet spring weather.
The first thing I noticed was the solid construction. The Richa pants appeared to be well built. I liked the subtle black styling and subtle branding.
Richa Brutus GTX Pant Construction
Outer Shell
Cordura 600D Oxford fabric is used in all areas of these pants, with additional material added on the knees and inner thighs. This construction allows for an abrasion-resistant pair of pants.
Interior
Nylon mesh lines the interior of these pants throughout for increased airflow and comfort.
Waistband
The waistband features a velcro adjustment on both sides. The closure is zippered, covered by a flap held in place by a snap and metal hook. Behind the zipper is an additional layer of backing material. All this adds to comfort and weather protection.
Pockets
There are two front zippered slash pockets. They are not large and are hidden behind the jacket. I find it an excellent place for small things like earplugs.
Hi-Viz
Hi-visibility is more a feature of jackets than pants—check out this list of hi-vis motorcycle jackets for some examples—so any reflective elements are a bonus.
There is a reflective band that wraps around the outer knee across the bottom of the knee. Additionally, a band parallels the bottom leg zipper. The reflective bands are subtle in the daylight but very reflective in the dark from many angles.
Branding
Branding is subtle, which I like. The Richa name appears in the reflective strips below each knee. Additionally, the Richa ‘R’ logo is displayed at the back of the waist and on the right thigh. Gore-Tex and D3O branding is also shown.
Zippers
The main fly zipper has an additional rain/wind flap. All pockets are zippered.
There are two-way zippers at the bottom of each leg with mesh backing. Two zippers (either short or 360 degrees) connect the Brutus GTX Pants to a compatible jacket.
All the zippers operated smoothly.
Colorways
The Richa Brutus GTX Pants are only available in black or light grey.
Waterproof Inner Liner
The Richa Brutus GTX pants use a zippered Gore-tex PacLite waterproof inner liner. The liner attaches at the top with a single zipper around the waist. The liner also fastens at the bottom of the legs with zippers.
Richa Brutus GTX Pant Overall Build Quality
Sizing
The Richa Brutus GTX pants come in 9 sizes (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL, 6XL) and three inseam lengths (30, 32, 34). Please see the Richa size charts for details on sizing and conversion.
At the time of the order, I was 6’3” tall, and I typically wore 38W x 34L jeans. Richa pant sizes use hip measurements (for me, 44.5”). This measurement put me in a 2XL on their sizing chart. However, I typically have a problem with standard leg length once seated on my bike, so I ordered the long version.
Comfort
I found the pants very comfortable with or without the Gore-Tex liner.
Accordion panels at the knees and waist back help with flexibility and comfort. There are also stretch panels behind the knees, reducing bulk and adding comfort. The availability of different lengths is a big plus for tall or short riders.
The Brutus jacket includes a thermal liner, but the pants do not. I naturally run on the warm side, so this did not impact me. On cooler days, I wear a full-length base or mid-layer.
Adjustability
The Richa Brutus GTX Pants allowed for fitment in several ways:
- Adjustable velcro at the waist
- Zippers at the hem
- Adjustable velcro at the hem
- Three-position knee armor
These straps and adjustments allow you to fine-tune the fit for comfort. In addition, the hem adjustment opens wide enough to slide over motorcycle boots with velcro to tighten around the ankles.
Richa Brutus GTX Pant Functionality
Waterproofing
The Richa Brutus GTX uses a Gore-Tex Paclite 2L plus zip-in liner. Paclite Plus uses a two-layer unlined construction. The Gore-Tex layer is laminated to a resistant outer layer for durability. An abrasion-resistant treatment to the inner surface makes them thin, light, and highly packable—while also being waterproof, windproof, and breathable.
I try to rain-test anything branded as a pair of waterproof motorcycle pants if possible. So, with a rain forecast in the area during my review, I headed out for a 40 km ride.
The Richa Brutus GTX combo worked great. In steady rain with intermittent heavy rain, I stayed completely dry. The outer shell also did an excellent job of shedding water.
I would conclude that the Richa Brutus GTX combo will keep you dry when touring.
Breathability
The Brutus GTX Pants contain ventilation panels on the thighs and lower legs.
I used the Brutus GTX Pants in varied weather conditions, from 5 C (40 F) to 28 C (82 F). At no time did I feel uncomfortable. Unfortunately, I performed this review in the spring, which prevented testing in hot and humid conditions. But I can confidently say that the pants flow air very well.
Overall I thought the ventilation on the Richa Brutus GTX Pants was excellent.
Richa Brutus GTX Pants Protection
The Brutus GTX Pants offer several layers of protection:
- D3O CE Level 1 protection in the knees
- Hip pockets for added armor (armor not included)
Protection is one area that the Brutus GTX Pants are lacking. I have tested pants less expensive that use the higher CE Level 2 armor.
However, you can add hip protection and upgrade the knee protection.
EN17092-4:2020 specifies general requirements for CE certification. The standard includes (but is not limited to) impaction abrasion resistance, tear strength, seam strength, and dimensional stability. The Brutus GTX pants have a single A rating. I was surprised the pants don’t have an AA rating, given the solid construction.
- Classification AAA: The highest level
- Classification AA: More suited to touring gear
- Classification A: Deemed suitable for urban riding
- Classification B is similar to A, but impact protectors are not required
- Classification C covers garments such as the under-suits that have impact protection for off-road riding
The armor used in these pants is:
- Knee Certified (EN 1621-1:2012; K TYPE A; Protection level: 1)
EN1621-1 is a certification standard for shoulders, elbows, and knees.
Protector styles are as follows: S = Shoulder, E = Elbow, K = Knee, and FB = Full Back. Type A has smaller dimensions, and Protection Level 1 provides less protection than Level 2.
Richa Brutus GTX Pants Care Instructions
The best way to keep the pants looking good is to wipe them down with a damp cloth. If the pants get very dirty, remove the armor, hand wash them, and hang them to dry. If you get caught in the rain, let them drip dry instead.
Here are the attached instructions for these pants. Unfortunately, it is often the case, mostly a list of what not to do.
The cleaning instructions for the Gore-Tex liner are more specific.
For details, please visit Richa Washing Instructions and Gore-Tex Care Instructions.
Warranty
Every piece of RICHA motorcycle gear has a 2-year warranty: jackets, pants, jeans, gloves, rain clothing, functional underwear, boots, and shoes. In addition, RICHA products produced with the GORE-TEX membrane (e.g., waterproofing and breathability) are subject to the GORE-TEX “Guaranteed to keep you dry” warranty.
For details, please visit Richa Warranty.
Final Thoughts on the Richa Brutus GTX Pants
When I reviewed the Richa Softshell WP Mesh pants last year, I stated that I no longer had an excuse for not being ATGATT. That statement still holds. They are lightweight with the convenience of jeans, which I really appreciated.
The Brutus GTX pants, on the other hand, are more touring/adventure focused. If I am out for a short errand, I will still reach for the Softshell WP Mesh pants. But if I am heading out for an all-day ride or a trip, I will be reaching for the Brutus GTX pants. They may be a bit heavier and bulkier, but the added protection of the Cordura 600D fabric and the Gore-Tex liner adds a level of confidence on a longer journey.
I have one main negative with these pants. That is about the single A rating and their lack of CE level 2 armor protection. However, updated armor is available at an added cost, so this can be solved (you just have to pay more money).
The Gore-Tex Paclite liner does not have the cachet of the latest Gore-Tex Pro laminated technology, but I assume it helps reduce costs. The Brutus GTX is Richa’s entry-level Gore-Tex pant. Unfortunately, nothing with Gore-Tex branding is truly entry-level.
Overall, though, I still think this product offers good value—given its sturdy construction and Gore-Tex waterproofing.
Specs
- Manufacturer: Richa
- Price: (When Tested) $480 USD
- Made In: Bangladesh
- Colors: Black, Grey
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL; Short, Standard, Long
- Review Period: April to June 2022
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