MO Tested: REV’IT! Levante 2 H20 Women’s Jacket Review
Tried and true multi-season riding jacket
I prefer to test my gear in a slightly unconventional way: Order it last minute, open the box the day before I depart, and try it on once before immediately leaving on a multi-week cross country roadtrip. Luckily for me, the sizing was accurate, and the jacket choice was impeccable.
REV’IT! Levante 2 H20 Women’s Jacket
Form fitting and flattering multi-season textile and mesh riding jacket, with included rain liner that can be worn under or over jacket shell as needed. Adjustability, storage and comfort are attributes that push it above the rest of similar offerings.
Editor's score: 90%
Aesthetics | 10/10 | Protection | 8/10 | Comfort | 10/10 |
Value | 8/10 | Weight | 9/10 | Innovation | 8/10 |
Quality | 10/10 | Options | 7/10 | Weather | 10/10 |
Desirability | 10/10 |
Highs
- Fit was comfortable and allowed full range of motion
- Great for a large range of temperatures
- Tons of pockets!
Sighs
- Front pockets seem to trap some heat in very hot weather
- High-ish price point
- Color options are limited (though the red is stunning!)
It’s incredibly daunting to try and pick a single item of protective gear to wear across multiple weather zones, over many weeks, with the promise of both very wet and very hot weather. The options out there may tout being “three-season” when they actually mean “three-california-season” which are normal, slightly damp, and slightly hot. The REV'IT! Women’s Levante H2O however, was immediately put to the test on my annual cross-country ride, hitting extremes within the first few days of setting off.
My route was a roundabout way from Southern California, down through Phoenix, Galveston, New Orleans, Atlanta, Asheville, and finally landing in Brooklyn in time to attend a weekend campout with my girlfriends in the Catskills. Yes, that weekend in the woods was worth nearly 4k miles and seven days on the road. While I’ve done similar trips on my Moto Guzzi V7, I always struggled with my riding gear – starting the trip riding through desert temps, reaching the chilly late-spring Blue Ridge Mtns, and battling my way back through midwest storms is a moto gear puzzle that some choose to avoid entirely. I’ve even mailed different gear to stops along the trip, in case I needed something more substantial!
Enter the Levante- My first impression was of a sleek, soft, and well fitting jacket, long enough to reach my hips, and adjustable to take in some room on the arms and waist if needed. The textile and mesh shell was flexible and form fitting, with plenty of room for motion both on and off the bike. Included Seeflex CE-level 2 armor at the shoulder and elbows wasn’t bulky and felt lightweight compared to previous ADV styled jackets I’ve owned. Optional spine and chest protectors can be added if desired. A removable hydratex rain liner can be used underneath the jacket shell, or over the top of everything in the case of a sudden rainstorm.
You’ll find plenty of pockets both inside and outside the jacket which are handy for things like cash for tolls, a credit card for gas stops, or to stash spare earplugs. The large back pocket was key for holding my gloves and neck buff when I headed into a diner for breakfast, opting not to leave anything loose on the bike while traveling through unfamiliar areas.
Within the first 500 miles of the trip, the removable liner proved to be indispensable. With a rubberized coating on one side, the reversible jacket was excellent at blocking wind and cold temps early in the morning. It was stretchy and flexible enough to not impede any movement, easily sliding on over the jacket and the waterproof zipper did its job keeping the wet weather out when I encountered a storm heading through southern Texas. The coldest temperature that I felt comfortable in this combination, with the inclusion of a lightweight sweatshirt underneath, was right around the mid 50s in the rain. Perfect temperature without the liner was anywhere between low 70s and high 80s, with the hottest part of the trip clocking in at 101° where it was just enough to get through the desert and to the coast without roasting. In most places, that’s fairly inclusive of an early spring to late fall riding season.
Getting caught in a flash storm in Utah saw the temps go from 95 to 65 with hail and rain, and right back to 95 about 25 minutes later. I was pleasantly surprised at how protected I felt with rain pelting me sideways. Though there’s not much you can do in the middle of nowhere, the jacket was right back to dry in short order.
Some of my favorite details on this jacket:
- The snap at the top of the main zipper can snap open or be adjusted to leave more room while closed. While this is a slightly insignificant detail, it adds to the comfort of the jacket for those who get a little claustrophobic at the zipper/neck buff/helmet closure junction.
- Zipper/snap and velcro closure at the cuffs means more adjustability, better airflow to the arms, or even catching your sweatshirt cuff to pull it into place, all things you hadn’t realized you needed until they were there!
- No break-in needed – The jacket felt very comfortable on day 1 and by the end of my trip it somehow felt even better. While it was a bit snug with a long sleeve shirt and a thin sweatshirt underneath, it didn’t feel bulky at all. Riders who want some extra room for layers may consider sizing up one size, otherwise the jacket is true to size chart.
- Colors offered are the usual off-white and black, but the addition of the maroon is a very attractive option and, incidentally, hides both sweat and bugs very well!
I also had the chance to utilize this jacket while riding off-road, stopping through Sturgis and the Revzilla Get On! ADV Fest on my way home. The jacket looked right at home paired with dirtbike pants and boots, kept me arguably more protected than if I just had my usual elbow pads on, and was lightweight enough to keep me cool while struggling around a dirt track on an ADV bike. If you’re a rider looking to get into dual-sport riding, but don’t want to have to choose between on-road protection and off-road versatility, this is absolutely the jacket for you!
Is it worth the price? At $390 it is certainly not cheap, but compared to other Adventure styled jackets starting at the $650-and-up range: the variability of temperatures and seasons, the comfort factor, plus the high level of protection included, this is a jacket you can reach for throughout the whole riding season- whether you’re in the desert, the midwest or the northeast and beyond.
FAQ
How much does a motorcycle protective jacket cost?
While there are jackets available for under $200 that provide some level of protection, these tend to be constructed from basic materials with limited armor. For a leather motorcycle jacket, prices typically start at around $400. However, additional features like venting and quilted liners can increase the overall cost. It's important to ensure that the armor in the elbows, shoulders, and back is CE approved to guarantee its protective effectiveness.
What’s the best material for motorcycle jackets?
Traditionally, leather has been the preferred material for protective motorcycle attire, nearly always seen on professional racers. Nevertheless, in the last decade, textiles have made significant strides in terms of protection and durability. In certain instances, they can also be more budget-friendly. This shift towards textiles is expected to continue in the future.
Should a motorcycle jacket be tight?
While it's essential to avoid excess material, whether leather or textile, flapping in the wind while riding at high speeds, your jacket shouldn't be overly tight to the point where it restricts your movement when operating the motorcycle. This is why top-tier motorcycle gear often combines leather with stretchy textiles, allowing for a form-fitting fit that doesn't overly constrict your movement.
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Cait is a motorcycle enthusiast first and foremost, often spending weeks at a time crisscrossing the country on her Moto Guzzi V7. She got her start in the industry running a women’s moto gear market that travelled the country, and has been able to see the women’s moto community grow from the inside out over the last 10 years. She is typically found on pavement but has been eagerly diving outside her riding comfort zone for the sake of a good story, previously riding her TW200 through two Biltwell 100 races and one very well intentioned LAB2V. While not glued to her motorcycle, Cait lives a secret life as a hairdresser and quilter.
More by Cait Maher
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