REV’IT! Tracer Air 2 Overshirt Palms-On Overview

I’ve lengthy admired REV’IT!’s potential to mix a excessive diploma of technical specification with fashionable model – clear, slim traces and a glance that works simply as effectively off the bike because it does on. That potential shines by means of within the newest iteration (model 2.0) of the corporate’s Tracer Air 2 Overshirt.

I just lately reviewed REV’IT!’s Element Jacket, the top of their DIRT Sequence of modular off-road gear that additionally interprets effectively to city settings, and was thrilled to have a chance to check a fairly totally different providing – the Tracer Air 2 Overshirt. I needed to see if the corporate’s popularity for constructing gear that’s as useful as it’s fashionable crossed over into the overshirt class, a phase of the market that has expanded significantly over the previous few years. I used to be additionally curious as as to whether REV’IT!’s popularity for sturdiness, expertise and match was evident within the Tracer Air 2.

REV’IT! Tracer Air 2 Overshirt Consolation & Match

The overshirt or using shirt has develop into an particularly in style merchandise of motorbike clothes and it’s simple to see why. When temperatures rise throughout Spring and Summer season a full-on armored motorbike jacket is simply too scorching. Enter the overshirt. It presents a lot better safety than a t-shirt – the go-to possibility for too many riders in scorching climate – in addition to a mode that doesn’t scream “motorbike”.

The very first thing I seen after taking the Tracer Air 2 out of its bundle was how good it feels to the contact. No stiffness or clumpiness right here; it has what my dad used to name “hand really feel” when assessing a go well with or leather-based jacket. It additionally feels concurrently mild and powerful. Chalk that as much as the PWR I Shell Mesh and cordura ripstop that makes up the outer shell materials.

There’s a beautiful really feel and drape to the Tracer Air 2 – it oozes consolation and dare I say, an unmistakable model

PWR Yarn is a 100% nylon thread with a singular inside bond construction that gives glorious sturdiness, excessive tensile and breaking energy, and superb abrasion resistance. The energy comes from its distinctive construction – a 3-wired yarn with an additional 4th wire spun into it. This 4th wire is heated to bond with the opposite 3 threads, so it should theoretically by no means unravel or break up open, particularly on the seams.

On the Tracer Air 2, the PWR I Shell is knitted in an open construction to make sure that air flows on to the physique. This maximizes breathability and suppleness, in addition to enhancing consolation in addition to security. Good.

It might be promoting copy, nevertheless it rings true – the Tracer Air 2 just isn’t your standard using overshirt

Placing the Tracer Air 2 on, I used to be instantly struck by how comfy it’s; worn over a t-shirt, the liner feels nice in opposition to the pores and skin and doesn’t impede airflow an excessive amount of (a criticism, for some, of the primary technology of this overshirt).

The Tracer Air 2 may be very simple to reside with – tremendous comfy, feels good in opposition to the physique and strikes with you

The lightness of the overshirt additionally stands out; this appears like a style garment that you can simply put on all day – it doesn’t really feel like a motorbike jacket. And that, in the end, is the purpose. That is stealth protecting gear. I usually put on a dimension medium in REV’IT! and that holds true right here – it matches true to dimension, albeit with a slight nod to a slimmer profile.

REV’IT! Tracer Air 2 Overshirt Building

Earlier than I dive into the development and construct high quality of the Tracer 2 Air, it’s vital to place the overshirt into context. This isn’t supposed to compete with a completely kitted out motorbike jacket. Additional, it’s not the garment you need to attain for in case you are heading out for an all-day (or longer) trip that features lengthy stretches at freeway pace.

With the mesh development, you shouldn’t select this if rain is within the forecast. As an alternative, consider the Tracer Air 2 as a really particular software that you just use for sure sorts of using and nothing extra. A morning “latte run”, for example. Or a summer season afternoon trip to your favorite burger joint. Shorter rides at decrease speeds in heat to scorching temperatures. Given my expertise with the Tracer Air 2, in case you use it for these (or comparable) functions, I feel you’ll find it irresistible and my feedback on development will make sense.

In lots of respects, solely an organization like REV’IT! might assemble one thing just like the Tracer Air 2. The corporate already has a stable line-up of non-ventilated overshirts (the employee overshirt, the Tracer Using Shirt, and even the Bison 2 H2O shirt), in addition to some nice choices for mesh jackets (the Eclipse is a good worth possibility, and the Cayenne Professional is maybe one of the best ventilated ADV jacket you can additionally put on to the workplace).

So, it ought to come as no shock that the Tracer Air 2 combines minimal, even traditional model traces with very effectively thought-out motorbike particular design. A button up entrance placket conceals a full entrance zipper, and the 2 backside buttons are hid to stop scratches to your tank. Buttons on the collar preserve it from flapping within the wind whereas at pace.

Notice how the underside 2 buttons are hid beneath the placket to keep away from scratches to the tank as you progress and get into place on the bike

A considerate contact – snapdown buttons that preserve the collar from flapping in opposition to your helmet!

One of many quickest methods to inform if a motorbike garment is well-constructed is to take a look at the stitching, particularly on the seams. The stitching is what permits the abrasion resistance we’d like within the occasion of a spill. Right here, REV’IT!’s historical past in ADV and sport touring involves the fore. REV’IT! makes use of triple needle stitching and security seams on the Tracer Air 2 in all areas at elevated threat of affect.

Security seams have a visual in addition to an invisible seam. This development retains the fabric of the outer shell collectively, even when the seen seam is torn. And talking of tears, the PWR Defend cloth used within the Tracer Air 2 has distinctive lower, tear and abrasion resistance ranges.

Ergonomic Options:

• Match: REV’IT!’s metropolis match, slim profile
• Adjustability: Adjustment tabs on the waist and cuffs
• Air flow: Absolutely perforated outer shell
• Options: Denims loop, quick connection zipper, triple needle stitching
• Pockets: 1 interior pocket, 2 exterior stash pockets

REV’IT! Tracer Air 2 Overshirt Safety

Retaining in thoughts that an overshirt just isn’t competing with a jacket, per se, the safety scheme on the Tracer Air 2 is nice, however not nice. There’s a double layer of PWR I Defend cloth on the elbows and shoulders, and the shirt ships with CE degree 1 Seesmart armor at those self same affect factors. There’s a pocket for an non-compulsory Seesoft CE Degree 2 RV again protector (offered individually):

• Kind RV / Measurement 04 matches SM-MD
• Kind RV / Measurement 05 matches LG-2XL
• Kind RV / Measurement 06 matches 3XL

There’s a double layer of PWR I Defend cloth throughout the shoulders of the Tracer Air 2

There are 2 laminated strips on the arms of the shirt that present enhanced visibility for night time using or in dim mild situations, and a small reflective strip on the rear collar that serves the identical goal. Kudos to REV’IT! for welding these panels to the material – this eliminates stitching seams, making the overshirt just a bit bit stronger and safer.

My solely nitpick right here is that the strips are fairly small. That is, I’m positive, in keeping with the stealth method to the shirt as a complete, however I’d prefer to see these strips slightly greater to essentially capitalize on nighttime visibility.

The lamination strips are welded to the shirt – now, if solely they have been just a bit greater.

So, whereas I would quibble about no again protector, it’s more and more uncommon for producers to incorporate that as commonplace. Equally, the extent 1 protectors on the elbows and shoulders are fairly primary, however oh so comfy. And possibly that’s the important thing level; for the methods through which I might use this overshirt, the safety scheme is suitable.

The Tracer Air 2  is licensed to the EN 17092 Normal and has achieved an A ranking. For extra particulars about certification click on right here.

REV’IT! Tracer Air 2 Performance – On the Bike

On the bike, the Tracer Air 2 works very well – inside some particular parameters. It strikes with my physique, by no means binds me or hinders me in any method once I’m moving into place. And boy does it breathe! I are likely to run slightly colder than most, however I nonetheless really feel the warmth on a scorching day and I can attest to the power of the Tracer Air 2 to chill you down. In actual fact, I shortly took to packing a windproof layer with me, particularly if I used to be going to be out later within the day or at night time – the air flow works that effectively.

There’s a easy two-button adjustment on the cuffs with a really small gusset and it really works with my 5 Sport Metropolis gloves (my most popular possibility for summer season using), however a zipper could be even higher and permit for extra glove choices.

The Tracer Air 2 has each a brief attachment zipper for connecting the overshirt to a pair of REV’IT! pants, in addition to two belt loops that can be utilized to maintain pants from using up. Whereas it is a nod to the motorcycle-specific nature of the overshirt, I by no means used both possibility and I don’t see the vast majority of patrons doing so both.

A brief connection zipper lets you join the Tracer Air 2 to an identical set of REV’IT! pants, or you can use the REV’IT! Safeway 2 Belt to attach the shirt to any pair of pants

Two belt loops are additionally a part of the Tracer Air 2 bundle

There are two patch pockets on the entrance of the shirt and a single zippered inside pocket – once more a concession to the “shirt not jacket” nature of the Tracer Air 2. Nonetheless, given the small dimension of those pockets (my iPhone SE isn’t that huge nevertheless it wouldn’t slot in any of them), storage choices are decidedly restricted. Not a giant deal for me however others might disagree.

The entrance patch pockets, which shut with a snap, are fairly small. Helpful for tucking your bank card or driver’s licence, however too small for something greater

The one inside pocket is equally small – suppose billfold, bank card or driver’s licence and possibly a small cellphone

Now, with respect to the “particular parameters” I discussed above, I used the Tracer Air 2 as a warm-to-hot climate possibility on quick, inner-city rides – rides the place I wasn’t on the bike too lengthy and was not often exceeding 30-40 mph.

For longer rides exterior of town the place my pace was within the 60-70 mph vary I took the liner out of my REV’IT! Trench GTX and opened up the huge entrance vents. Two totally different instruments for 2 totally different sorts of using.

For the city rider, the Tracer Air 2 is an superior scorching climate possibility. It prices $110 greater than REV’IT!’s personal Eclipse jacket, however I feel the refinements justify the associated fee premium. And it flows significantly extra air than different in style overshirts from Belstaff (the Temple and Mansion), John Doe (XTM Moto Shirt), Merlin (Chigwell and Shenstone), or Resurgence (Extremely Using Shirt). It also needs to be famous that there’s fairly a variety in value for these competing overshirts.

The Belstaff choices, not stunning, are the priciest at $395 and $450, respectively and neither comes near the REV’IT! on airflow. I’ve heard good issues concerning the John Doe moto shirt, and at $250 it’s value aggressive with the Tracer Air 2, however once more, I don’t see it being as mild, trendy, and breathable.

The Merlin choices are available in at $279 and $299 however they’re each heavier, “full” mesh jackets. I’ve added Resurgence to this listing and whereas it’s an important overshirt, it’s promoting characteristic is a CE triple A security ranking extra so than airflow.

The Tracer Air 2 can also be, to my eye, way more trendy than armored base layers with air flow (suppose Knox Urbane Professional MKII, REV’IT! Proteus).

REV’IT! Tracer Air 2 Performance – Off the Bike

Until I’m using all day, I usually discover myself eradicating my jacket once I take a break or attain a vacation spot – typically switching into one thing extra comfy if I’m strolling round or hanging out with pals. Maybe one of the best factor that may be mentioned of the Tracer Air 2 is that it eliminates the necessity for such wardrobe modifications.

No must pack a second jacket for these occasions whenever you’re off the bike; the Tracer Air 2 transitions seamlessly right into a style garment you’ll need to put on

This overshirt genuinely appears and appears like “common” style ware. In actual fact, relying on the colour you go for, you may end up on the receiving finish of feedback like “sick jacket, dude”. I examined the darkish camo gray and even my teenage stepkids thought it seemed cool.

The sunshine weight and the lower of the shirt make it very simple to reside with off the bike. I discovered myself reaching for the Tracer Air 2 even once I wasn’t using – the extraordinarily slimline SeeSmart armor helps significantly on this regard; I might have eliminated it if I wasn’t planning to trip, however I didn’t even discover it so there was no want.

The Tracer Air 2 has a slim silhouette even with the armor in

Closing Ideas

A ventilated overshirt just isn’t going to be your first piece of motorbike gear, so it’s a must to undertake a “proper software for the fitting job” mindset in eager about the necessity to add one to your package. As famous above, it fills a distinct segment, particularly in scorching climate when an everyday jacket, even a ventilated one, is simply too heavy and/or too scorching.

For my cash, the Tracer Air 2 is one thing distinctive; not like common (or much less effectively ventilated) overshirts, it actually does movement a ton of air. And it does this with out trying overtly technical. Kudos to REV’IT! on this regard; they’ve crafted one thing that’s purpose-built to work underneath a really particular set of circumstances. For me, these circumstances could be Spring/Summer season using when the temperature climbs above 70 levels Fahrenheit and I’m staying comparatively near dwelling.

The shortage of storage and extra strong safety imply this gained’t be a viable long-distance using possibility. For brief commutes or fast runs to the espresso store in scorching climate, although, it might’t be beat.

Professionals

• Stealth look – genuinely lifecycle targeted
• Aesthetics is a private factor, however I feel the Tracer Air 2 is cool-looking
• Very comfy, on or off the bike
• Construct high quality is excellent
• Distinctive air flow

Cons

• Solely CE Degree 1 Armor in elbows and shoulders
• No again protector

Specs

• Producer: REV’IT!
• Value: $299.99 (when examined)
• Made in: Vietnam
• Colours: Black, Brown, Camo Darkish Gray
• Sizes: S-3XL
• Overview Interval: Could 1 – June 16

Necessary Hyperlinks / The place to Purchase