Part of what makes riding adventure and dual-sport bikes so much fun is acting like a kid again, splashing through puddles, getting dirty, and having a total ball. My riding apparel of choice as a BMX bike-riding, ramp-jumping boy was Wrangler dungarees, their knees permanently discolored with grass stains and ground-in dirt.
I’m all grown-up now – physically if not emotionally – so the bikes have gotten bigger and more expensive, and the apparel has gotten more sophisticated. Like this Rev’It kit – the Component 2 H2O Jacket and Component H2O Pants, which are part of the brand’s Dirt Series. As the chemical formula for water in their name implies, this gear is waterproof thanks to a Hydratex membrane laminated inside the abrasion-resistant Cordura ripstop fabric that makes up the outer shell of the jacket and pants. Both garments have an “active fit” cut as well as PWR|Shell Ripstop stretch material in key locations to allow freedom of movement.
The jacket has an anorak design with a detachable hood, a neoprene collar, multiple vents, waterproof exterior pockets, and inner chest pockets. The pants also have vents and waterproof outer pockets, and their straight legs allow them to fit over bulky knee braces and off-road boots. Both garments come with removable CE Level 1 SeeSmart armor – at the shoulders, elbows, and back on the jacket and at the hips and knees on the pants. The pants have a removable insulated liner that’s like a pair of shorts, but the jacket has no liner.
I got my first test of the Rev’It gear on a cold, wet ride on Triumph’s Scrambler 1200s. Even with a fleece pullover and thermal base layers (I skipped the puffy shorts liner), the gear fit well – not too restrictive nor too bulky. For extra insurance, I removed the knee armor and instead wore Rev’It’s Scram knee protectors ($99.99).
On our first day, we rode through an absolute deluge made more unpleasant with temperatures in the upper 30s – another thousand feet of elevation and we would have been riding in snow. Thankfully, Rev’It’s waterproof claims held up. Day 2 was an off-road test over technical terrain that required a lot of exertion. The small vents brought in a modicum of fresh air on that cool winter day, but during off-road rides later in the season when it was warmer, I wished for larger, higher-flow vents. Therein lies the trade-off with waterproof riding gear – keeping water out often trumps ventilation. (Rev’It’s mesh Territory jacket, also part of the Dirt Series, is better suited for warm conditions.)
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Overall, I really like the Rev’It Component gear because it is high-quality, well-designed stuff. The fit is ideal for off-road riding, the gear is lightweight yet durable, and it has useful features, like rubberized zipper pulls that are easy to grasp with gloved fingers. I especially like the ratcheted adjustment strap on the pant’s waist that holds up to the pressure exerted by my Dad-bod paunch better than a button or snap.
The Rev’It Component 2 H2O jacket is available in three colors (Brown, Aubergine, and Black) in men’s sizes S-3XL for $499.99, and the Component H2O Pants are available in Black in men’s sizes S-4XL in short, standard, and long lengths for $469.99.
