The Control Air H20 Jacket from REV’IT! is a sport/street jacket that is heavily ventilated and built to resemble the aesthetic of the sport/race Control Jacket from REV’IT!. Keep in mind this is not simply a ventilated or air version of the Control Jacket, it is it’s own jacket and only relates to the Control Jacket in terms of the graphics design, and not the overall look and style. This is different as normally with REV’IT! When you have a number of products in the same “family” they will be visually similar and will follow almost identical designs, not the case here. The Control Air H20 jacket is heavily ventilated with a sold 2/3rds of the front and the back of the jacket being constructed with PWR | Shell mesh, but the jacket is still adaptive as im sure you noticed the H2O in its name as it does feature a separately wearable hydrate 2L waterproof membrane.
Even though this jacket shares its name with the Control sport jacket it does not have a sport fit, rather it has a regular fit that is far more comfortable. And speaking of comfort, there is an adjustment strap at the waist, and adjustment tabs at the upper arms. Also a full mesh liner is included to further aid comfort and the collar has a soft edge which is always welcome. Convenience features include two slit pockets on the front, a waterproof inner pocket within the waterproof liner (a find that having a waterproof pocket is almost a must for longer rider just in case the weather changes) and The Control Air H2O jacket does come with jeans loops and a short connection zipper to make pairing to pants simple.
Lets talk protection, High Density Polyester 600D, PWR | Shell Mesh and Polyester Ripstop construction aid in achieving CE Level AA abrasion resistance and impact protection is covered by the included SEESMART CE-level 1 Elbow and Shoulder Protectors. There is also a pocket for the SEESOFT CE-level 2 back protector insert as well as TPU protection at the shoulders. Last but not least, there is laminated reflection on the back to help with nighttime visibility.
Overall I think that the Control Air H2O jacket from REV’IT! Follows what has been a very successful formula for REV’IT! in making great sport jackets as this one is no exception. Compared to for example the Airwave 4, another warm weather, mesh, AA rated jacket from REV’IT!, the Control Air H2O is a bit more stiff and tight as it is a sport style jacket rather than an adventure jacket, but don’t let that fool you, it is still very comfortable for a sport style jacket. I would argue, if you are familiar with other REV’IT! Jackets, that it is more inline with a sport jacket built like the Matador or Paralax rather than a full blow sport/race build like its name sharing counterpart the Control Jacket or even the Argon 2 Jacket. Overall it is a very comfortable jacket considering the TPU shoulders and sport build. Also, like the Airwave 4, I don’t believe the pictures do it justice as I do think it looks better in person and when tried on, though I will say that I am not a fan of the blue color way as the blue is more of a blurple rather than a blue. :: Damir 4/23/24