The Complete All-Weather Off-Road Moto Riding Gear System: REV’IT! Dirt Series Review
The REV’IT! Dirt Series off-road collection is motorcycle gear worthy of your next adventure. This assembly has you covered head-to-toe in high-quality, stylish apparel.
The REV’IT! Dirt Series off-road collection caught my eye. Billed as offering the best off-road experience, the head-to-toe series is designed around the concept of modularity, allowing you to layer depending on terrain, weather, and conditions.
It includes the full gamut — gloves, boots, pants, armor, and jackets — easily mixed and matched for rain, heat, mud, and any off-road trouble you plan to get into.
Suffice it to say, the marketing pitch sold me hook, line, and sinker. I’ve long craved flexibility for my adventure riding kit, but never fully unlocked that concept by pairing pieces from different brands.
My go-to heuristic for testing any piece of gear is this: if I forget I’m wearing it, then it’s probably damn good. That applies to almost anything, but especially moto gear. The best apparel should fade into the background and let you focus on the trail in front of you, not the excess sweat on your back or the lack of dexterity in your fingers.
For my type of riding — mostly dirt roads and trails in Wyoming, Idaho, and Utah — I need gear that is comfortable, durable, breathable, and flexible, which is far from guaranteed.
REV’IT! Dirt Series Review
The Dirt Series is intended as lightweight yet protective CE-certified products, inspired by modern outdoor apparel (i.e. materials and designs from high-end raincoats, for example). In theory, this would provide comfort and much-improved usability, including fine details like better pockets, fitted hoods, smooth zippers, and a balance between safety and mobility.
The kit is built out in four steps, each with a few color options to fit your style, especially if you’re keen on natural colors and minimalistic design — because that’s the only option. Start by picking your protectors, then the right jacket and jersey, pants, and then gloves and boots, to keep your digits flexible, warm, and dry.
Time to Ride
REV’IT! sent me a full kit to test this summer. The riding kit included Proteus armor, Component H2O, Sierra jersey, Continent pants, Expedition H20 boots, and Caliber gloves. Needless to say, when the big box arrived at my door, it felt like Christmas.
For some context, the riding season near my home in Wyoming is short — sometimes just five months — so we try to get out as much as possible between early May and the end of September. I do a few larger trips each fall to the desert and nearby ranges with good moto access, but the vast majority of my time on the bike is no more than a tank of gas from my driveway.
My daily driver is a DRZ400, and I also did some of the gear testing on a KTM 450. Very few miles were on pavement and almost none on the highway — but that’s the point of this collection. To date, I’ve put 20-plus days on this kit, with at least a handful that were wet, muddy, and cold — perfect weather for proper testing.
REV’IT! Dirt Series Tested
Let’s dive into each piece. I’ll let you in on what stood out, and what I would change.
Proteus Underjacket
Designed to be worn under a jersey or jacket, the REV’IT! Proteus Underjacket ($239) is added protection for more gnarly and technical rides. It’s surprisingly comfortable, well-ventilated, and stretchy, thanks to a spandex mesh that moves with you and allows for airflow.
The Proteus is rated CE-level 2 for the armor on the shoulders, elbows, and back, and CE-level 1 for the chest. I was most impressed on warm days — 80 degrees and higher — with how cool I stayed. Articulation at the joints is better than most armor, both for comfort and dexterity.
Over the course of a riding season, I’ve had a few issues with wear in small areas, like the inside of the arms, making me wish REV’IT! had additional stitching to reinforce these areas, but that’s a small gripe in the grand scheme.
Component H2O
If I were to offer one piece of advice, just buy this jacket. Sure, it’s not cheap, but it’s versatile, waterproof, and durable — a must-have for any long-distance rider. The Component H2O ($519) keeps you dry on rainy rides and through heavy afternoon storms, without fail.
My review sample looks brand new after hundreds of miles of thick brush on tight trails. Outside of super warm days, it breathes well enough to be worn all the time. The fabric is akin to a hardshell rain jacket, meaning it’s flexible, stretchy, and reinforced in the shoulders and arms for abrasion.
The CE-level 1 protectors in the elbows and shoulders can be upgraded if desired. The hood can be removed, but don’t write it off immediately — I use it all the time when scouting trails or taking a break off the bike.
Sierra Jersey
A hybrid piece that pairs especially well with the Proteus Underjacket, the REV’IT! Sierra Jersey ($199) is made from CE-certified fabric, keeping it lightweight and breathable. The same mesh that is on REV’IT!’s asphalt-focused apparel adds significant abrasion resistance without reducing mobility — although I would still recommend some sort of armor for more difficult off-road riding.
The fit allows for armor underneath and a jacket on top, and the jersey comes with nice touches like thumb loops to prevent sleeves from sliding up, and a goggle wiper in the chest pocket. Best of all, it doesn’t try to be more than just a high-quality jersey.
Continent Pants
The REV’IT! Continent Pants ($369) are rugged, burly pants made from rip-stop material. They are designed to be used off road, but I could see them being useful for any style of riding. Built-in armor for knees and hips is certified CE-level 1.
Frankly, I think REV’IT! is selling these pants short by saying they are just splash-proof. They’ve kept my lower half dry during a full afternoon ride in rain and sleet.
For those really pushing the limits, knee braces integrate easily and additional knee protectors can be added. Built-in vents will keep you cool, and they come with enough pockets, without going overboard. I’m tall and lean, so they fit well, but for large riders, I would recommend sizing up because they definitely feel a little Euro.
Expedition H2O Boots
The REV’IT! Expedition H2O Boots ($615) are technically not part of the Dirt Series, but they should be. These boots are the end-all, be-all for enduro and long-distance touring.
After 1,000-plus miles, the only small issue I’ve had is some wear and tear on the shifter toe guard — but they remain waterproof. A Hydratex laminated shell helps reduce bulk, and the unique hinge system maintains a high level of protection while allowing wide freedom of movement to shift, brake, and walk around off the bike. The Vibram soles are durable and the BOA enclosure system allows the boots to come on and off easily, unlike every other pair of enduro boots out there.
Editor’s note: At the time of publishing, only sizes 40-43 were available. More sizes are expected after shipment in late winter to early spring.
Check Availability at RevZilla
Caliber Gloves
Last but not least, the REV’IT! Caliber Gloves ($109). Outside of a helmet, these are probably the most important piece of gear for riding, and in my opinion, the hardest to design well. A good pair of gloves needs to allow for movement while providing high-level protection. They often need to be water-resistant, without feeling like rubber dishwashing gloves.
The Calibers do all this. They fit snug (consider sizing up for large hands) and are CE-certified for abrasion resistance, while still being well-ventilated. The neoprene cuff — something I noticed later on — is great at keeping dirt and water out.
REV’IT! Dirt Series Passes the Test
As mentioned, the REV’IT! Dirt Series collection caught my eye and did not disappoint. This hard-wearing, modular gear feels comfortable on the ride and doubles as all-weather apparel in camp. With its sophisticated color swatches, the Dirt series is stylish enough to keep on during off-bike excursions, too. It may just be the holy grail for riding gear!
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