REV’IT Sand 3 jacket review – Summer

I was riding through Italy amid scorching 38°C temperatures on an overheating Triumph Bonneville when I realised I had chosen wisely in buying the REV’IT Sand 3 motorcycle jacket.

Each of its ample vents covering my forearms, chest and back were fully open, channelling desperately needed air around my body. The collar fastening was also pinned back on its helpfully placed hook to allow air to flow down into the jacket past my throat.

I won’t lie, I felt bloody hot, but the jacket did a good job of keeping me comfortable enough without the need to stop to cool down. The same can’t be said for my poor Triumph.

In contrast, just 24 hours earlier the REV’IT Sand 3 had kept me warm and dry during a thunderstorm of biblical proportions that hurled rain, wind and debris at me and my little Bonnie as we rode through Tuscany.

Despite the violence of the storm and the drenching it gave me, I was bone dry inside the jacket due to its removable waterproof layer and excellent cuff fastenings that stopped water being forced up my sleeves.

These two extremes of weather encompass the joy of wearing a four-season jacket. It’s a jack(et) of all trades, which is designed to keep you warm and dry in winter, cool in summer and somewhere in between during the shoulder months.

In summer, the REV’IT Sand 3 achieves this through ample venting. The fact that you can take the waterproof layer out is also important in enabling the jacket to keep you cool when the weather is warm. I’ve owned cheaper jackets with waterproofing sown into the shell. They were good at keeping me dry but as soon as the temperatures rose, the waterproofing didn’t allow them to breathe and it got sticky hot inside.

Another element of the jacket that gets top marks is the armour. The flexibility and light weight of REV’IT’s own SeeFlex CE level 2 armour is a fantastic in the fact you don’t particularly notice it is there. Unfortunately, a back protector isn’t provided which I think is remiss in any motorcycle jacket, let alone one that retails for around £400. I bought the REV’IT SeeSoft CE level 2 back protector which costs around £30. Thankfully I haven’t had the opportunity to test it in anger.

There are a few nice extra features including fixings for a neck brace and action camera, as well as the option to zip in REV’IT’s Challenger Cooling Vest.

My journey during a scorching Italian August pushed the summer element of the REV’IT Sand 3’s four-season marketing claim to is limit. Only once did I give in, strap the jacket down and ride in a T-shirt to stop myself melting. I’m not proud at riding with no protection, but believe me when I say it needed to be done.

However, I don’t blame the jacket at all for this. Any four-season jacket is going to be a compromise because it is trying to be all things in all weathers. A light-weight summer shell will keep you cooler in the heat, just as a dedicated winter jacket will keep you warmer when temperatures plunge.

The joy of the REV’IT Sand 3 is that it is designed to perform to a high standard in all conditions and this is exactly what I need when riding long distances over multiple days and weeks.

I tested the jacket throughout the UK and in Europe this summer and it passed with flying colours. As soon as the temperatures plummet, I’ll get some miles under my tyres and review its cold weather capabilities. If  the summer performance is anything to go by, I should be riding in comfort this winter.

Snapshot review of the REV’IT Sand 3 motorcycle jacket

Likes

• Plentiful airflow when vents are open: I particularly like the long zips which are easy to use with gloves while riding.
• Looks cool, especially in the sand colour: The REV’IT Sand 3 doubled as a casual jacket when I rode the bike to meet friends in town. A non-biker even asked where they could buy one.
• Comfy fit: The jacket has a natural fit and feels comfortable sat down and stood up on the bike. I often forget I’m wearing a motorcycle jacket when walking around.
• Protection: The armour is CE Level 2 rated but I wish it came with a back protector as standard.
• Storage: Deep front pockets and a large map pouch provide ample storage space. A pocket inside kept my phone dry when it rains.

Dislikes

• The collar fastening popper can be fiddly to secure when on the move. Apart from that the jacket is proving a winner.