▪
Rev'it Factor Women's Motorcycle
Pants
▪ Rev'it Cami and Panta Winter Base Layer
▪ Rev'it Women's Fahrenheit Gloves
by Kim C. and Daphne for webBikeWorld.com
More: wBW
Reviews Home
| Owner Comments (Below)
Summary: Rev'it has an
extensive line of women's motorcycle clothing for all
seasons. The combination of the "Cami" top and "Panta"
bottom base layer; the "Factor" Ladies Trouser; the
women's version of the "Fahrenheit" gloves and the
"Jade" boots make a great year-round outfit suitable
for both cold and warm weather.
Rev'it has been making motorcycle
clothing since 1995 and we've reviewed many Rev'it items
on webBikeWorld, but all of them have been designed for
men. But Rev'it offers a huge line of clothing and
accessories, and they also have one of the largest selections
of women's motorcycle clothing in the world -- that is,
clothing that is specifically designed and sized for
women.
The goal of all motorcycle clothing
manufacturers should be to
design clothing that
looks good, is comfortable and keeps the motorcyclist
safe. We think that when it comes to
the gear we've been wearing, including the Ladies Factor Pants,
the base layer thermal wear, Fahrenheit gloves and the
Jade boots, Rev'it has done this while also living up to their reputation
for innovation and high quality.
We started this evaluation back in the
fall, starting with a lazy ride to nowhere
on a sunny fall day with the temperature in the mid to
low-60's. Now that we're deep into winter, that
weather seems like a dream, but nevertheless, 60 degrees can
still feel pretty
chilly!
Kim is comfortable in only a very limited
temperature range, so she was worried that she might get
cold during fall riding weather. Fortunately there was
nothing to be concerned about, because the gear works
well in a wide variety of temperatures. Daphne
took over once winter arrived, and continued the
evaluation until it became too cold to ride.
The Rev'it women's collection uses the
same "Engineered Skin" innovative fabric technology
used in the Rev'it men's line. This is Rev'it's unique approach that was developed to
improve the fit and safety performance of motorcycle
clothing.
One of the best things about Rev'it
women's clothing is that the garments are pre-shaped and
"designed to
for difficult conditions to provide both protection
and comfort", according to the company. Rev'it
also uses the same high-tech materials found in their
men's gear, such as Schoeller abrasion
protection, NanoSphere treatment for the fabric and a
new material called "SuperFabric",
an abrasion, cut and puncture resistant fabric that's
designed to remain flexible. It can even be made
flame-proof!
Rev'it Factor Women's Motorcycle
Pants
Both of us spent a lot of time over the past couple of
months wearing the Rev'it Factor pants. The Factor pants are
currently listed in the Rev'it
2007 Collection, but they should remain for some time,
because they are a solid design.
By the way, Rev'it makes a men's version
of the Factor pants also, and they appear similar to the
Rev'it Challenge pants we reviewed some time ago,
which are also still in the Rev'it catalog after all
these years (which means they must be pretty popular!).
The Factor pants have a slightly higher than normal waist,
which
provides good lower back coverage -- important in cold
weather. I paired the
pants with a short windproof lined textile jacket and
was quite comfortable riding in our beautiful
Mid-Atlantic fall weather.
Price is relative of course, but the
Factor pants list for $220.00 at the time of
publication, which isn't bad at all for a high-quality
pair of women's motorcycle trousers. So if funds are limited and you are looking
for that single great pair of versatile pants, this is a
excellent pant to consider.



Kim: As I slipped on the Factor pants, I was
quite surprised that the pre-shaped fit actually did fit
my body. At 5'4'' and 108 lbs, I typically wear a
women's size 2M pant.
In order to find my correct size
in the Rev'it line, I had to look at the sizing chart in
the Rev'it Catalog. You are also going to need your
handy-dandy tape measure (in centimeters). And by
the way, did I mention
this is a European company? If you find using the metric
system a challenge (as I do) prepare to have some fun...
Well, according to the chart, I am a European Size 34. I
was amazed: I am a size 34, and the pants actually fit!
Though I have to admit, it pains me to say "I am a size
34" - it sounds so much larger than saying "I am a size
2"!
The pants can be further adjusted to fit
your personal shape at both the waist and ankle. An
adjustable 4-inch elastic waistband is provided on both
the left and right hips and then this can be further
cinched with Velcro tabs that come out of a hidden
pocket and are attached with a D-ring.
There are also 4-inch draw straps at the ankles. Long 9-inch zippers at
the legs enable you to easily slip on the pants. This
area is also backed with the famous Rev'it "Hydralining"
wind- and water-proof membrane to
prevent water from getting in your boots. Due to the
adjustability features on the legs and ankles, these
pants should fit over most boots.
Two lined zippered pockets at the front
waist are adequate, though I would have preferred a more
generous pocket for all my "girlie stuff". The pockets
at 4-inches wide and about 8.5-inches deep will easily
accommodate a cell phone, iPod or small hairbrush. It is
unlikely that you will be able to put a wallet in these
pockets unless your wallet is on the smaller scale. A
very nice added touch is that when zippered the contents
of the pockets are protected with a waterproof strip.
It is those finer details that determine
whether we buy this product or that one when all other
things are equal. Rev'it has designed these pants with
some very nice details. For example, at the waist is a rubber patch
sewn on the pants. A woman's silhouette riding a
motorcycle (though you can not see the motorcycle) with
the words "Female Fit" is etched on the patch.
There are
accent/reflective stripes with the words "Rev'it
Engineered Skin" on both pant legs going at a diagonal
from the knee to mid thigh on the side of the leg. At
the bottom of the left pant leg is the stitched "Rev'it
Engineered Skin" logo in red and white. Finally, at the
bottom of each pant leg (right above the zippers that
allow you to easily pull on the pants) is a very subtle
wave design in a reflective fabric for added safety.
The fly is fully backed with the
Hydralining membrane to prevent water from coming in. A combination
zipper-snap-Velcro closure is provided to keep the pants
secure at the waist. The first layer of protection is
the zipper pull and then the fold-over Velcro/rubber
coated snap closure provides the second layer of
protection to keep the pants on your body in case of an
accident.
The Factor pants are made from abrasion
resistant materials with names such as Kodra and Dynax stretch in the outer shell for comfort offering perfect
thermal protection and climate control in all sorts of
conditions. A detachable thermal lining can be used when
it is colder and then the lining can be easily removed
during warmer weather. The pants have the Rev'it
Hydratex membrane for breathability that is
waterproof just in case you get caught in that
unexpected rain shower.
I was quite impressed with the removable
thermal lining in the Factor pants. The lining is very soft and keeps you
incredibly warm without feeling bulky.
The outer fabric
of the lining is a quilted 85% polyamide 15% polyester
blend and the inner fabric is 100% polyamide in a
charcoal grey color accented with black at the waist and
ankles. Removing the detachable thermal lining is very
easy -- all you need to do is unzip the lining from the
pants at the waist and then unsnap the two snap
hook-and-loop connector at leg cuffs. I was even
pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to attach the
liner back in to the outer shell.
Besides the reflective fabric on both
the sides and bottom of the pant legs, the pants feature
protective knee armor combined with hip padding for
protection. There is a fairly thick 5-inch wide by 9-inch long EVA padding at both hips. The protective KNOX
CE knee armor is high-quality stuff and typical of that found in
the best motorcycle pants.
OK, so here's the best part: the
Factor pants are available in an expanded range of
women's sizes (Euro) from 34-44 short; sizes 36-42
regular and 38-42 long. That's really wonderful
because not many women's -- or men's -- motorcycle
clothing is available in anywhere near that range of
lengths and sizes. So there should be one to fit
you as well as this fits me!
Rev'it Base Layer Thermal Wear -
Rev'it CAMI Top and PANTA Bottom
Kim: I love the Rev'it Engineered Skin thermal
wear! Not only have I worn the base layers for
motorcycle riding, I also wore it when hiking and
skiing. On every occasion, I cannot complain about
being cold.
I wore the CAMI lightweight thermal top
in a size small. I typically wear a women's size
small and the CAMI did not disappoint. Again
Rev'it has designed this product and pre-shaped it to
specifically fit the female body and it does. The
princess seams designed to contour the female body are
tight but comfortable.



The fabric is a 100% polyester quality
wicking material that enables the body to stay dry and
warm in a variety of temperatures. The fabric is
constructed from a tight knit material that according to
the manufacturer supports the body and reduces fatigue.
Not sure I can comment on the fatigue
issue; I felt great after hiking and riding, however
after skiing for 4 hours for the first time in 4 years I
was absolutely beat. Perhaps this is more
attributable to out out-of-shape I am due to lack of
exercise than to the product.
Paired with the Rev'it PANTA bottoms
also in a size small, I was warm from head to toe.
The pant features an elastic waist band and is made from
the same lightweight material as the top. The
garment is pre-shaped to fit a women's body.
Both pieces were very comfortable and
not at all like the itchy scratchy waffle weave material
you normally think of when you hear the words thermal
wear.
Rev'it Fahrenheit Gloves
Daphne: The Rev'it Fahrenheit gloves are
available in both men's (sizes S to XXL) and women's (S
to XL) versions. They look very similar to the
Rev'it Ultra gloves and the
Rev'it Ultra H2O gloves reviewed on webBikeWorld a
couple of years ago. I don't know how Rev'it's
naming system works, but it is possible that the
Fahrenheit gloves are the latest version of the "Ultra".
The ladies' version is cut specifically
for a female shape, as it says on the cuff. The
first thing I noticed about these gloves is the outer
leather -- it is sooo soft, like a very high end butter
soft goat leather jacket. That's because the
leather is a combination of very soft goat skin and the
"Pittards" treated leather. Goat is more expensive
than cow leather I'm told, and it's supposed to be more
resistant to abrasion if you fall.
The lining is fabric, and it's soft
also, feeling like a cross between silk and a very fine
fleece to me.



Many types of women's motorcycle gloves
are designed more for show than go, especially most cruiser-styled
gloves. Not these! The Fahrenheit gloves are
serious, only a step down from a full race glove, but they have real armor underneath the leather,
covering the first and second knuckles on the pinky and
third finger; the second knuckle only on the first and
second finger; and a big armor protector over the
knuckles on the back of the hand.
The side of the pinky finger and the
"heel" of the palm have injected silicone padding
underneath. The thumbs also have the injected
padding underneath the leather protecting the knuckles
there. Putting the armor and padding under the
leather eliminates the need for stitches and also gives
the gloves a nice smooth look.
The palm of the hand and the first two
fingertips and thumbs have a separate protective section
of leather or some type of material sewn on. It
has a rough surface to give better grip when riding.
Overall, I will say these are the best looking and most
protective gloves I own and they're the most comfy.
Maybe Rev'it eliminated the two versions
of the Ultra gloves to come up with a single glove that
is also waterproof. The Fahrenheit gloves have the
Rev'it Hydratex liner, but you would never know it --
the liner
is flexible enough that you don't get that stiff feel
like I've seen in some waterproof gloves.
I haven't tried the webBikeWorld water
test, where we hold the glove in a bucket of water for a
few hours, but it has been very rainy lately and I ride
a lot and got caught out in a couple of rainstorms and
my hands stayed nice and warm and dry.
The Fahrenheit gloves also have a nice
sized gauntlet with two separate adjusters, one is a
strap across the bottom of the wrist and the other is
the big adjuster flap for the gauntlet. Both of
these hold on with Velcro.
The gloves also have a nice gathered
articulated
leather section on the back of the wrist that looks good
and makes them more flexible.
The Rev'it Fahrenheit gloves are my favorites for cooler
weather. They are the best quality gloves I own by
far and I am so glad they are not like the other women's
gloves I've seen, which are much more of a fashion
statement than anything else. Serious motorcycling
is serious business, and these gloves are it. But
they look great and feel great too!
Rev'it Jade Women's Motorcycle Boots
Both: The Rev'it Jade boots are also serious
business! These are "real" motorcycle boots, and
again not like the phony style oriented boots that
usually pass for women's riding boots.
The Jade boots offer just as much
protection as any men's boot outside of a full racing
boot. And again, Rev'it has specifically designed
these for women -- they are women-only motorcycle boots
with just as much protection as the men's Rev'it touring
boots!
We'll let the photos do most of the
talking, because you can see the number of safety
features on these boots. What you can't see is the
formed inserts that are placed under the leather on the
shins, the heels, over the ankles and the toes for
protection. They even have a steel support under
the foot, which helps make the boots stronger but also
makes a good platform for placing the feet on the
footpegs.
The Rev'it Jade boots are waterproof;
they have the Hydratex membrane inside and behind the
zipper. And we also should mention that the
outside leather is real leather, and not the fake stuff.
The soles come up higher than normal on the bottom of
the boots for better protection, and the soles are thick
and protective.
You can see in the photos that these are
very high quality boots with all the right features.
We both really like the Jade boots and they fit perfect.
They are designed and built specifically to fit a
woman's foot. It's hard to find a women's specific
motorcycle touring boot that's a serious boot designed
with all the same features as the men's boots, and
Rev'it has done it here, good for them -- and us!





Conclusion
Rev'it makes excellent products. The Factor pants look
good and are both comfortable and warm. This is a very
versatile all season pant that will take from Spring and
Summer into the Fall and maybe even the winter if you
team up the pants with the comfortable Rev'it CAMI and
PANTA base thermal wear for even
more warmth and comfort.
The Fahrenheit gloves and Jade boots
have all of the same high quality features as the best
men's equivalents, and women deserve nothing less!
Thanks Rev'it for making these products for women!
| Product
Review: REV'IT! Women's Motorcycle Clothing |
|
|
Available
From: REV'IT!
Rev'it clothing is sold mostly through authorized dealers, but there are
some online sales - search around! |
Suggested
Retail Price: Factor Pants - $220.00. Fahrenheit Gloves
- $150.00. CAMI Base Layer Top and PANTA Base Layer Bottom - -
$49.99. |
| Colors: Black |
Made
in: Pants - Unknown. Gloves - China. Base Layer -
Laos. Boots - Unknown. |
|
Review Date: February 2008 |
Note: For informational use only. All material and
photographs are Copyright © webWorld International, LLC - 2000-2008. All
rights reserved. Read the
Terms and Conditions. See the webBikeWorld®
Site Info
page.
►Owner
Comments
Comments? Send them to
Comments are ordered from most recent to oldest.