Finding the right safety gear for riding is hard. On the one hand, you have gear that keeps you safe but makes you look like a traffic cone. On the other hand, you have stuff that maybe looks better but offers you protection on par with a pair of cargo shorts & flip-flops.
What’s great about the Rev’it Trench GTX is that it manages to strike a balance between the two while offering adaptability across riding seasons. Doing both of those things well (looking sharp & working well across most of the year) is why we named this our top pick in our guide to the best motorcycle jackets.
That said, the Rev’it Trench GTX isn’t without its drawbacks. Before you pull the trigger on this essential piece of riding gear, it’s worth considering in a bit more detail what this does & does not do well.
What's Good About the Rev'it Trench Motorcycle Jacket
It’s versatile
When it comes to dealing with the elements, the jacket features a laminated Gore-Tex exterior on top of its 400D nylon shell for repelling water, a venting system at the chest & across the gussets by the shoulder for keeping air moving while on the road, & a removable liner for warmth during the colder seasons.
As far as safety is concerned, the jacket does a good job with its CE-2 rated elbow & shoulder protection (a slot is available for a back protector element to be added, though one is not included), and its slide-rated nylon shell and hooks along the hem of the jacket & arm for making sure the jacket doesn’t ride-up during a slide.
The real question of whether or not this is the right jacket for you comes down to two things; whether you like the fit, and how hot it is where you live.
It fits well (at least, for me)
I’m 5’10,” and about 180 pounds, and the medium for this jacket fits well for my size. It was snug around the chest and shoulders but didn’t feel tight. The fit is more athletic rather than boxy but can be taken in even further around the waist due to some straps along the back and in the forearms thanks to a couple of straps & the velcro enclosures at the arm holes. If you are larger along the chest and stomach, you may want to consider that before purchasing.
As far as the fit felt while out on the road and in the saddle, this jacket felt fine. I could easily extend my arms to the handlebars and felt reassured that my lower back was covered thanks to the extended lower back hem.
It's very protective
I was lucky not to test this jacket's full protective abilities while riding in Brooklyn & Manhattan. Suffice it to say, the Trench GTX would’ve helped had I needed it. Coming with CE-2 armor on the shoulders and elbows and the 400D shell, the jacket is ready for solid protection out of the box. Cinches along the forearms and zippers along the hem for connecting to riding pants will keep it from getting pulled up during a slide. Additional slots for back & chest protectors allow for upgrading the protection.
It works for a wide range kinds of temperatures...
Along the front, the jacket features two panels that can be zipped open revealing a mesh front. That mesh front is designed to let air in and moisture out, ideal for riding in warm but wet weather. Along the back, there are also two zippered vents near the shoulders that allow air to pass through the jacket from the front all the way through the back. These four vents, combined with the breathable Gore-Tex make for a solid option.
While tooling around the city in this jacket during the summer, I could definitely feel the front & back vents keeping me cooler. The optional zippered venting, combined with the removable insulation in the jacket make it so when the temperature does drop and the weather starts getting a bit wetter, you don’t need to swap out jackets.
What's Not Ideal About the Rev'it Trench GTX
...but it's not quite suited for summer
Despite the ability to pull out the interior lining & the notable venting along the front & back of the jacket, this is not an ideal year-round jacket. For those living in warmer climates, I see this as really being more of a 3-season jacket ideal for the spring & fall and winter.
While the venting available on this jacket is helpful while riding around the city in the summer, it’s not quite enough to really make it solid for summer riding. A simple add like some vents on the forearms could make a big difference here.
The Rev'It Trench GTX Motorcycle Jacket: The Verdict
If you live anywhere in the world where temperatures go above 80º F and humidity above 70% is common during the summer, think twice about purchasing this as a year-round jacket. If you only need a three-season one, however, or if you live somewhere a bit more cool, the Trench GTX from Rev’It is a damn good choice. It has a great look, a solid fit, well-thought-out venting, and versatility for matching the season and the weather — all for a great price point.
