REV'IT! Defender Pro GTX Jacket

We tried a size Medium and an XL on our Fit Check mannequins Huey and Dewey. Those are sizes they usually wear in an “American” cut jacket. This jacket from REV’IT! fits well enough and it looks sharp, but there is very minimal room left. Many brands from Europe exhibit a fit like this, such as Alpinestars. If you look at REV’IT!’s published size chart (below), you’ll see their estimate of chest size is at least a full size smaller than what you’d find in equivalent US designed clothing.

We measured each jacket and tried them on and we’ve concluded that the fit is just about one-half size smaller than what you would find in ordinary US men’s clothing. The amount the jackets are undersized is not as severe as REV’IT!’s size chart would have you believe. For most people, this means you’ll be able to buy the size you normally wear if you want a snug, European style fit. If you want a looser American fit, or if you are between sizes, choose one size larger.

Below is the REV’IT!-published chest size for each jacket’s alpha size along with our estimate of max chest and max waist/belly. This particular style is not a “sport” oriented style so there is not a lot of taper from chest to waist, and with a style like this you can effectively tailor the fit of the waist with the side waist adjusters, which makes the jacket look great and fit great, so don’t worry if your waist/belly is smaller than the max. We only list this for those that have a belly so they can know what minimum size they’d have to choose to fit the belly.

Need help measuring? Get it here

The Defender Pro GTX jacket and pants from REVIT are a heavy duty touring or adventure outfit that is built for the widest range of temps. Full armor is included with the jacket including CE level 2 armor in the shoulders and elbows AND the CE 2 back pad is included also.

The shell of the Defender Pro GTX is a mix of heavy duty textile materials. Other jackets in this price range are made of a textile fabric with Gore-Tex bonded to the material to achieve waterproofing capability. Those are excellent products, but this jacket offers the heavy duty textile shell with the Gore-Tex liner that zips inside and is removable. What’s the difference? Well, standard textile materials without the bonded Gore-Tex are more flexible, lighter and will allow some degree of breathability as compared to fabrics with a bonded, permanent GoreTex liner. So if you want a rugged jacket like this that will move you into summer months, then this setup with the removable Gore-Tex liner will work better.

And not only is the basic shell more breathable, but REVIT has incorporated two large vents into the upper chest area. Its not just a zippered vent, but its a whole panel that opens and folds back to expose are pretty large area on front to grab the passing air. Those panels stay closed with Velcro so all you have to do to deploy the venting is grab the edge of the flap and yank it open. And then secure the corner of the flap to the snap that is built in. You could do it easily without looking. Lower down on the chest is another pair of zippered vents and then even the arms are fully vented too. There is a HUGE zip vent starting just above the wrist that extends up to the bicep. And then in back, across the shoulder area is one large zip exhaust vent.

The overall look of this jacket is typical of high-end adventure or touring jackets and would work with a variety of pants but are specifically make to match the Defender Pro GTX pants (see the link below) The jacket has both a short rear and long zipper at the waist to make them compatible with REVIT pants. The pants have a similar feature set so the climate compatibility will be similar.

REVIT has built in a LOT of clever adjustability into this jacket. There are several straps at the arms and at the sides of the torso so you can get a goof fit. Those straps are secured to the jacket with sliding buckles so, not only can you snug them down or open them up, you can also adjust the height of the straps too. There is even a sliding snap at the neck so you can adjust the collar.

And there is lots of storage here too. Most longer jacket styles like this will have a good selection of pockets. This one has four in front and one great big fanny pouch in back. That fanny pouch even has a zip all around it so you can expand its volume… kind of like with luggage. Inside, there is one zippered breast pocket.

CE level 2 armor is used in the shoulders, elbows and back. When I try this jacket on, it feels bulletproof!. With the heavy textiles and then the level 2 armor, it really gives confidence. Most other jackets in the REVIT line don’t come standard with the back protector, but this one does, so there is nothing else to buy or upgrade.

Large reflective panels are incorporated into the graphic design to give you some visibility at night. REVIT’s Defender jacket was one of the first in the Adventure arena and this one is the successor to their early designs. :: Paul, 10-18-18

REVIT says: For years the Defender jacket has been the number one choice for adventure riders around the world. The Defender Pro GTX will continue that legacy. The 2 layer GORE-TEX® construction consists of highly technical materials is lightweight, waterproof and extremely abrasion resistant. The SEEFLEX™ CE-level 2 approved protectors at the shoulders and elbows, plus an abrasion resistant outer shell; all help keep the rider safe. And riders can further upgrade the jacket as it is prepared for an Adventure neck brace.