Rev’It Sand 4 H2O Jacket Review: Justify the Upgrade from V3?

As a long-time fan of Rev’It gear, I was eager to test out their updated Sand jacket to see how it performs in real-world riding.

**The Sand jacket has always been popular with ADV riders for a good reason – it packs functionality into a mid-range price point.

In this REV’IT! Sand 4 H2O Jacket review, I will look at how Rev’It enhanced the already capable Sand 3 jacket to create the next-generation Sand 4. But, the main question I will answer will be: Is this the best adventure motorcycle jacket for you? Let’s find out!

A Familiar Jacket With Key Upgrades

My initial impressions of the Rev’It Sand 4 H2O motorcycle jacket were relief that they didn’t mess too much with an already proven formula. The basic styling and features stay true to the outgoing Sand 3. So, what exactly has changed?

Right off the bat, the most noticeable difference is the venting. Rev’It overhauled nearly all the vents with a simple but clever snap-back system to really open up the airflow. Trust me; the vents make a huge difference in directing air through the jacket on hot rides.

They also upgraded the shell fabric to full polyester ripstop**, which should increase durability without adding weight.

Rev’It took the opportunity to add some extra reflective bits for visibility and asymmetric design flair. Otherwise, it’s the same versatile Sand jacket adventure riders have loved for years.

Oh, and the best part? The price stays unchanged at around $500. Considering the upgrades, that makes the Rev’It Sand 4 an even better value proposition.

Sizing and Fit

Finding the right size motorcycle jacket is crucial for safety and comfort. The Rev’It size charts provide a starting point, but here’s how the Sand 4 fits me for reference:

I’m 5’10” with a 44″ chest and 36″ waist. In most motorcycle jackets, I wear a size large, occasionally slimming down to a medium for a tighter sports fit. For the Sand 4, the large was ideal in both the jacket and pants – no need to size up or down.

The jacket has a roomy but not overly baggy cut that accommodates layers underneath. The pants are similar with a comfortable, relaxed fit.

One thing to note is the liner and shell jacket use different sizes, so don’t assume they are matching sizes. Refer to the respective charts for each component.

So, to recap:

• I’m a typical large size in the Sand 4 jacket and pants
• The jacket offers a loose fit for layering armor and clothes
• Separate sizing applies for the shell, liner, and pants

Available sizes span from XS all the way up to 4XL to accommodate most body types. If you fall outside that range, Rev’It does offer custom sizing as well.

Quick Tip

If in doubt, consult Rev’It’s convenient sizing chart calculator to dial in your perfect size.

Jacket Construction and Features

Now that we’ve covered sizing and upgrades let’s dive deeper into the jacket construction.

The Sand 4 shell uses hard-wearing polyester ripstop fabric, which should withstand real-world riding abuse better than the old blended material. Abrasion resistance clearly matters more than outright waterproofing for an ADV jacket, but more on that later.

Rev’It kept the basic features like storage pockets and stretch panels in the same reliable configuration. They even added a handy hang loop, making storage easier when not riding.

Other subtle changes like the snap-down collar demonstrate Rev’It’s attention to detail in addressing user feedback.

Speaking of feedback, the brand still hasn’t added stretch panels around the back of the shoulders to improve mobility. That remains on my wishlist for a future revision.

Overall, the little tweaks add up to solid evolutionary changes rather than a drastic redesign.

Notable Features:

• Ripstop polyester shell fabric
• Removable Hydratex waterproof liner
• Removable full-sleeve thermal liner
• Micro-fleece collar lining
• Adjustable bicep, wrist, and waist
• Zippered shoulder air intake vents
• Two large chest vents with a open function
• Two rear exhaust vents
• Eight storage pockets
• Reflective trim on sleeves and back

I’ll cover some of these components in more detail next.

Ventilation When You Need It

One area where the Sand 3 fell a bit short was venting airflow to keep cool in warmer weather. Without question, this is the single biggest improvement in the Sand 4 revision.

Nearly every vent got an upgrade, with most now featuring snap-backs to forcefully billow open. The two large chest vents probably make the biggest difference. Before, these vents relied solely on forward momentum to funnel air through the front intake.

Now, these vents lock in the open position. Combining that with the full-length mid-zipper intake makes for exceptional airflow directly to the rider’s core – a notoriously difficult area to cool.

Out back, the flap-style exhaust vents at least have enlarged openings, but I wish they featured snap-back functionality, too.

When summer hits, and thermometers start creeping up, you’ll definitely appreciate the extra cooling on highway patrol or navigating wooded trails.

Waterproof and Insulation Liners – Best of Both Worlds

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