Rusty Stitches Glenn & Frank tested

Rusty Stitches comes from the Netherlands and has made a name for itself within just a few years in the field of affordable motorcycle gear. Unlike many classic manufacturers, they don't focus on the target group for high-end racing gear or extreme adventure equipment, but on riders who want to combine a relaxed lifestyle with functional protective gear.

The motto "Ride Like A Monkey" sums up this philosophy pretty accurately. Riding a bike should be fun, uncomplicated, and match your personal style. Accordingly, the range of retro jackets, jeans, gloves, and clothing in scrambler and café racer style is extensive.

The decisive difference from many premium providers, however, lies in the price. Rusty Stitches usually sits well below the well-known premium brands. Of course, compromises have to be made in some areas. So the exciting question is: how big are these compromises really?

Especially with motorcycle gear, there are often worlds between the spec sheet and practice. A jacket can look excellent on paper and still be uncomfortable. A glove can have all the relevant certifications and still be annoying at the first fuel stop. That's why we put the Glenn jacket, the Frank gloves, and a PMJ Caferacer jeans to work where they also have to prove themselves in everyday life: on the bike, in the city, on short rides, and in midsummer temperatures.

Right out of the box, the Glenn jacket surprises in an extremely positive way despite its low RRP of 199.95 euros. It feels neither cheap nor like typical entry-level gear. Instead, numerous details immediately catch the eye that you wouldn't actually expect in this price range. The many cleanly executed seams give a high-quality impression, plus there are faux-leather trims on the edges and sleeves as well as perforated elements on the collar.

Visually too, Rusty Stitches hits the nerve of the target group, because the Glenn looks casual and understated at the same time. It doesn't scream motorcycle gear, but blends effortlessly into everyday life.

The Glenn belongs to those products that don't reveal their strengths immediately. At first glance it looks pleasantly plain – no aggressive designs, no conspicuous plastic parts, no futuristic shapes. Only on closer inspection does it become clear how much technology and development work actually went into the jacket.

The workmanship leaves an excellent impression; the multitude of high-quality seams in particular stands out. Added to that are cleanly integrated faux-leather trims on the sleeves and collar. The latter in particular should prevent fabric edges from fraying or looking unsightly in the long run.

The embroidery and emblems look high-quality and underline the jacket's retro character. At the same time, the design remains pleasantly understated. The Glenn doesn't want to stand out fashionably, but to age with style.

Many motorcycle jackets advertise ventilation openings that barely have a noticeable effect in practice. Fortunately, it's different with the Glenn: the generous air intakes at the front and sides work together with the outlets in the back to form an actually functioning system. Even at low speeds you clearly feel air flowing through the jacket while riding, carrying moisture away.

It's particularly positive that most of the ventilation openings can be operated while riding. You don't have to take the jacket off or stop. Only the large horizontal outlet in the back naturally remains out of reach.

The result is convincing: on hot days you actually get the feeling of active air circulation. The airflow is put to sensible use and moisture transport works noticeably better than with many classic textile jackets.

The large chest pockets offer enough space for everyday items. They are complemented by side zip pockets and several inner compartments. The waterproof inner pocket is particularly well done – wallet, documents, or vehicle papers are well looked after there.

The smartphone compartment is also well thought out. Its position prevents a heavy phone from pressing uncomfortably on the chest while riding. Even after longer rides, it remains practically unnoticed. Only particularly large devices reach their limits. A smartphone the size of an iPhone 17 Plus does fit in, but sticks out slightly and prevents the Velcro closure from closing completely.

The Glenn is certified to AA and comes standard with level 2 protectors at the shoulders and elbows. In addition, the jacket has a pocket prepared for a back protector. In our test jacket in size medium, a D3O Viper Air back protector in size medium fit in almost perfectly. Larger back protectors, however, probably won't find room. The pocket seems specifically designed for a particular format.

It's also positive to note that all mesh areas in the ventilation openings have been reinforced. This is meant to prevent the jacket from tearing at heavily stressed points in the event of a crash.

On the bike, the cleanly finished collar area stands out in particular. While cheap motorcycle jackets often stand out here with hard edges, chafing seams, or scratchy materials, the Glenn remains unobtrusive even on longer rides. There are also no pressure points from the protectors in the shoulder area, and the jacket doesn't restrict freedom of movement either when maneuvering or when reaching for the handlebar. Despite its extensive equipment, it never feels heavy or bulky and wears more like a rugged casual jacket than classic motorcycle protective gear.

The cut is neutral and offers sufficient freedom of movement. For our roughly 175-centimeter-tall NoPain, size medium fit almost perfectly – neither too tight nor excessively loose. Exactly the kind of fit that works both on the bike and for a stroll through town.

A special feature of the Glenn is the removable hoodie. The idea is appealing right away. Instead of a permanently integrated lining, you get a full-fledged hoodie that can also be worn separately. The cut, material, and comfort are convincing all around. In practice, however, a small weakness shows: to securely connect the hoodie to the jacket, a total of seven tabs or snap buttons have to be fastened. This works reliably and holds up permanently - but it's not quick.

Anyone who only removes or attaches the hoodie occasionally will have no problem with this. Anyone who wants to repeat the process several times a day will need a bit of patience. The easiest way to clip it in and out is actually while wearing the jacket.

The Glenn doesn't get away entirely without criticism, as the cuffs are comparatively tight. Even without the hoodie, slipping in isn't all that comfortable, and with the hoodie zipped in it gets even tighter. The zippers can be opened, but snap buttons also have to be operated. This is exactly where our test sample showed slight weaknesses. Closing the snap buttons while wearing the jacket doesn't always work precisely. The result is occasionally a somewhat undignified fumble. Honestly, you often prefer to squeeze your hands through the tight openings rather than deal with the buttons.

Apart from that, all zippers and fasteners leave a robust and durable impression.

Actually, the Rusty Stitches Logan jeans were planned for this performance check. Since the right size wasn't available at the time of testing, the importer provided us with a PMJ Caferacer jeans as an alternative.

Stylistically it fits perfectly with the character of the Glenn jacket and complements the outfit excellently.

Although the name "Slim Fit" doesn't exactly promise comfort, the test showed exactly the opposite. The pants sit tight against the body without ever feeling restrictive. Even in the area behind the knees, no noticeable creases form, which is a big advantage especially on longer rides. The stretch material does an excellent job. Freedom of movement is retained at all times, whether on the bike or walking.

What's particularly impressive is the combination of protection and comfort. The AAA certification is one of the highest protection classes on the market, yet the PMJ feels more like a high-quality casual jean than classic motorcycle gear. The knee protectors also deserve praise. They remain pleasantly unobtrusive and are practically not noticed while riding. The only point of criticism is the solution for the hip protectors. These are only secured with Velcro and therefore seem a bit less high-quality than the rest of the jeans' construction.

The included belt with a double-D buckle is a small surprise: it's intuitive to use, adjustment is continuously variable, and visually it fits perfectly with the café racer style of the pants.

The Frank gloves follow the same philosophy as the Glenn. Classic look, comfortable fit, and enough protection for everyday use. Visually they match the Glenn jacket like a glove, so to speak.

Visually, the Frank hits exactly the middle ground between classic and modern with its universal café racer and scrambler style. The subtle lettering on the index finger as well as several cleanly integrated emblems underline the high-quality impression. What's particularly pleasing is the flexibility: the gloves already feel comfortably broken in after a short time and give a good feel for throttle, clutch, and brake. The hard knuckle protection looks very solid at first glance, but doesn't feel unpleasant at all while riding. The Frank gloves remain surprisingly flexible and comfortable.

The touchscreen function on both index fingers is also well done and worked reliably in the test. Practical: the gloves can be put on and taken off without opening the zipper. Thanks to the adjustable width, they fit both over the sleeves of a hoodie and under tight leather jacket cuffs.