Joe Rocket’s waterproof, textile Ballistic jacket and pants have been staple items in the company’s apparel lineup for years, and both have been steadily improved over time. The Ballistic Revolution is the ninth generation of this jacket, and it continues to offer plenty of comfort, style and protection for a reasonable price ($199.99 in most sizes).
The three-quarter length outer shell is made of water-resistant, 600D RockTex with a waterproof, non-removable membrane and 840D ballistic nylon reinforcements on the shoulders, elbows and forearms. A button-secured storm flap that keeps water from creeping in covers the two-way main zipper, and the jacket has kept me dry on wet rides. FullFlex accordion panels behind the shoulders make it easy to stretch my arms in various riding positions, and CE-approved armor at the shoulders and elbows and a removable, dual-density spine pad offer impact protection I hope to never need (an optional CE-approved back protector is available).
On cold days, a zip-in, full-length Cynix insulated liner provides an extra layer of warmth. On warm days, a pair of 5-inch intake vents at the shoulders and a pair of 5-inch exhaust vents at the back, all of which can be closed with waterproof zippers, flow only a limited amount of air and the air doesn’t pass through the inner lining, providing minimal relief.
For keys, earplugs, snack bars, wallet and smartphone, there are five exterior pockets—two slash pockets on the chest with waterproof zippers, two cargo pockets with fold-over hook-and-loop flaps and a discreet rear storage pocket that’s a good place to stash extra cash or your passport. There are four interior pockets, but three of them are inside the insulated liner, so on warm days you can only count on one pocket inside the jacket. The cozy, fleece-lined collar secures with hook-and-loop, and the 10-point SureFit custom adjustment system lets you dial in the fit at the waist, torso, wrists and arms. An 8-inch zipper connects to Joe Rocket’s Ballistic 7.0 pants ($149.99-$169.99), and reflective piping adds 360-degree nighttime visibility.
Compared to the previous version of the Ballistic jacket, the Revolution offers the same level of weather and crash protection in a more stylish design with the added storage convenience of front cargo pockets (which replace the handwarmer pockets). But by replacing the previous version’s BigAir ventilation system—an 80-square-inch mesh panel built into the main zipper—with the two small shoulder vents, air flow has been greatly reduced, limiting the suitability of this jacket to cooler climates.
The Ballistic Revolution jacket is available in Red (men’s S-3XL), Black (men’s S-3XL) and Gray (men’s S-2XL) for $199.99-$214.99. For additional versatility, the Ballistic Adventure Touring jacket ($299.99) features a removable waterproof liner, zip-off lower sleeves and a pocket for a hydration bladder.
For more information, see your dealer or visit joerocket.com.
