In the peak of summer I took on this ventilated and mesh Rev’It Torque jacket, hoping it would prevent me from arriving at my destination uncomfortably sweaty.
My first ride in it was a trip home from work in the middle of a heatwave, and at 29°C I couldn’t feel much of a cooling benefit. I could, however, feel air flowing through the mesh panels, which was pleasant and stopped me from getting too stuffy.
In temperatures of around 25°C, which are more common, the jacket gives a cooling flow of air that helps with comfort. The exception is the back area, where fitting an optional back protector and wearing a rucksack combined to block the airflow and make my back sticky.
If you’re looking for testament of the amount of air that comes through, I found the contents of the chest pocket would get incredibly cold.
Most people with an iPhone will tell you their phones don’t like getting cold and it makes the batteries drain very quickly. Often I’d find my phone with significantly less battery after a ride than when I set off. It isn’t what I wanted, but it shows the air was getting through.
The use of a jacket like this was a bit limited as when the weather got more chilly towards September, I needed to wear a hoodie underneath when riding back from friends’ houses at night. I found there was room to fit it underneath, but the jacket was also slim enough to allow a hoodie to go over the top of it.
I wore the jacket coupled with denim riding jeans and a pair of bike boots, which made sure I looked casual and cool – very important to a 17-year-old like me – but that I was dressed for the slide as well as the ride.
The 600-denier outer feels substantial enough to take a bit of a slide, but obviously the comfort is a trade-off for the protection of leather. Around town this jacket is a good choice for comfort it provides, but I personally wouldn’t want to wear it for long motorway slogs or a trip up to the twisties.
It comes with a removable liner that’s not only waterproof, but it also keeps the wind from blowing directly over the skin, so I stay a bit warmer.
When removed the liner packs down small enough to be tucked into the bottom of a bag, or even under the seat of some bikes, ensuring it’s always handy when needed.
The liner clips inside the jacket and has a separate zip to seal internally. Britain’s ‘summer’ always delivers the inevitable downpour and when I was caught in a couple the lining did its job perfectly, making sure I stayed dry from the rain while still being breathable so I didn’t get sticky from sweat.
I found the liner’s loops and poppers a bit fiddly to get clipped into the jacket, especially the ones in the sleeves as I had to make sure they weren’t twisted. I eventually got the knack and discovered the best method was to put the liner on first and then put the jacket on over it (top tip!).
Adjusters on the cuffs, biceps and waist make it easy to get a snug fit and reduce the material flapping about and billowing as you’re riding along, which we all know can be incredibly annoying.
Having worn this through last summer, for me a highly vented jacket is almost a necessity when it gets very hot. The Rev’It Torque is a brilliant choice for someone who wants a good-looking, casual mesh jacket for nipping about town.