Rev'it! Valve H2O Jacket Review
I haven't seen many reviews of this jacket, so I thought I would offer my experience.
The Rev'it! Valve H2O jacket went on sale some time ago, but was quite expensive. Eventually, it went clearance on ebay. Still expensive, but I thought it could replace a couple others in my closet, so I took the plunge.
This is an "all season" touring jacket. It comes with a liner that is pretty warm. I rode in 40 degree weather with just a t-shirt underneath and it was all good. It also has a removable neck gaiter, and there are vents on the chest and the back that open and close with a zip. This is the most relaxed fit jacket of my many Rev'it! race jackets. I didn't quite know how to feel about this when I first put it on. But on a recent trip, I realized that the fit plays a crucial role in this jacket being "all season".
I took a trip this weekend. 3 hours one way, on the highway, on a bike with no wind screen. It was 80 degrees out. I was worried that I would bake in this full leather jacket, but the chest vents circulated air very well, and air even traveled well through the sleeves. This is why the looser fit is good. It wasn't great being at stop lights, but when the weather got a little colder as night fell, I closed the chest vents while riding and the jacket immediately kept me warm.
Now, no gear is tested until it gets rained on. On my 3 hour trip home, I got caught in a storm. I have waterproof jackets. But none of them are as breathable as this thing. Over the course of this trip, I was cool in hot weather, warm in cool weather, and dry in the rain. I'm seriously considering taking this jacket on my summer road trip through the northern states.
My conclusion: I think that, at 600 dollars, this jacket is more than worth the price. It is probably worth the 1000 that it was originally listed at. If you have been considering this jacket, I would say that you should go ahead and buy it.