Richa barely registered on my radar until now. The Belgian brand has been building motorcycle gear since the 1950s, but its entrance into the U.S. market has been a quiet one.
When the Toulon Mesh Jacket and Apache 2 Trousers arrived for testing, I approached them with equal parts curiosity and skepticism. The American market is crowded with established names like REV’IT!, Klim, and Alpinestars, so any newcomer has to earn attention through performance, not reputation.
After several months of real-world riding in everything from heavy July humidity to crisp fall mornings, these pieces did exactly that. Richa focuses on comfort, functionality, and riding versatility, and those qualities showed up consistently mile after mile. This kit is not about gimmicks. It is about gear that works when you need it most, especially when you are far from home and fully committed to the ride.
First Impressions
The moment I pulled the jacket and trousers, um, jeans from the box, the construction quality stood out. The Toulon Mesh Jacket is designed for warm weather, with large mesh panels across the chest, arms, and back. The Apache 2 Trousers feel more substantial. They use a heavier textile with stretch zones in key areas, a design meant to balance touring comfort with in-town mobility.
The jacket fits true to size (my size is 44 US / 54 EURO), though it may feel slightly slim for American riders. The story was a bit different with the Apache 2. I typically wear a 34-inch waist, but had to return them and go with a 36 inch. Once I went a size up, the fit felt natural across different bikes, which is important because comfort begins with proper fit. Gear that shifts or pinches can take your mind off the ride.
The Toulon Jacket is lightweight and airy, while the Apache Trousers feel solid and super safe, with a flexible fit. The overall build quality gives a strong first impression.
The Toulon Mesh Jacket: A Summer Specialist
Ventilation is the defining trait of hot-weather jackets, and the Toulon delivers. The mesh zones move air effectively, even in slow traffic. Riding in ninety-degree humidity, I felt constant airflow across my torso and arms. Many mesh jackets rely on higher speeds to cool the rider, but this one stays comfortable even when the ride slows down. This is by far not recommended for colder rides, although with a mid-layer on, I used it in the mid-50s without issue.
Richa wisely uses D30 protection in the shoulders and elbows. This remains soft until impacted, when it hardens and protects you. The armor is lightweight and barely noticeable. An optional back protector pocket is provided. The cut avoids flapping at highway speeds, and the waist, bicep, and cuff adjusters help fine-tune the fit. The jacket feels light and cool during summer rides.
The only clear limitation is weather protection. This is not a rain jacket. If you get caught in a storm, you will need an external rain layer. I carried a compact shell in the panniers for that reason.
The Apache 2 Trousers: Touring Comfort That Handles More
The Apache 2 Trousers present a different personality. While the Toulon focuses on summer conditions, the trousers feel more like a three-season piece. They are built from abrasion-resistant Cordura and cotton blend with a small stretch panel above the knee. This combination provides freedom of movement, whether leaning off my Ducati Streetfighter during an aggressive mountain ride or standing on the DesertX for a quick off-road rip.
But don’t think these are just for day rides. Comfort also stood out during longer touring days. There was no pinching at the knees and no hot spots at the seat. The trousers flex naturally, offering that rare adaptability, making them easy to wear for back-to-back 200-mile days.
They do run warm in peak summer heat. Temperatures above 85 degrees push them a bit out of their ideal range. In milder temperatures, they hit a sweet spot. D30 knee and hip armor arrives standard and is adjustable.
The trousers also lack waterproofing. Like the jacket, they require a separate rain layer in uncertain conditions.
Riding Scenarios: From Touring to Bike Nights
The most surprising trait of this setup was its versatility across different bikes. On the Multistrada V4 S, the jacket and trousers worked naturally on short tours and weekend loops. Airflow kept me cool on highway sections, and comfort carried through long stints in the saddle.
On the DesertX, the gear handled light adventure riding without issue. Gravel roads, farm lanes, and easy two-track felt comfortable. The jacket moved freely while standing, and the trousers flexed well without resistance. For serious off-road riding, I would still reach for dedicated ADV armor, but for mixed riding, this kit worked well.
The setup also felt at home when taking one of my classics out for some in-town fun. The Toulon Jacket has a subtle, clean look that works for bike nights, and the trousers handled mountain roads without complaint. This kind of versatility is rare. Many jackets and pants feel designed for a single category, but the Richa combination adapts smoothly to each scenario.
Final Verdict
Richa may be a newer name in the United States, but the Toulon Mesh Jacket and Apache 2 Trousers show the brand deserves serious attention. The jacket excels in summer heat and handles cooler mornings with a base layer. The trousers provide touring comfort with enough flexibility for light ADV use and casual cruiser rides.
Even with the waterproof limitations, the combination offers comfort, protection, and real versatility across riding styles.
The Toulon and Apache 2 earned a spot in my gear rotation. That says a lot for a brand I had not heard of before this year.
For additional information, visit Richa USA.
