RuO2 particles were co-deposited with Ni onto smooth or rough Ni supports from Ni baths of different compositions, expediently named Watts, Chloride and Thiosulfate baths. Electrodeposits were characterised by means of cyclic voltammetry, X-ray diffraction, SEM and EDX. The electrocatalytic activity of the layers for H-2 evolution from alkaline solutions was determined by quasi-stationary polarisation curves. Activity increases with RuO2 in the Ni deposit up to a limiting value. Sulphur is co-deposited from thiosulfate baths, and its presence clashes with the effect of RuO2. Co-deposition from Watts baths proved the most effective. Stability tests showed that Ni + RuO2 co-deposits are stable under condition of constant as well as intermittent electrolysis. However, in the latter case stability turned out to depend on the content of RuO2 in the layer.