A Lightweight Wind Cheater
Rev’It pursues new fabrics and clothing technologies like many of us seek the next challenging backroad or stunning campsite. Their Storm WB (for wind barrier) jacket is no exception. Rev’It combines Hydratex WindBarrier fabric for water-resistance, moisture wicking, and breathability, with Exkin Air insulation panels for warmth. Though designed as a mid-layer thermal jacket for colder weather riding, the Storm WB’s light weight and small packed size also make it a good choice for an auxiliary garment on any ride.
The three-layer Hydratex WindBarrier is a stretchy, laminated fabric with a water-resistant coating. The feel is soft and the fit is snug, the latter due its stretch component. Thumb loops aid in guiding the Storm through jacket sleeves. Thin, lightweight Exkin Air panels, claimed to have one of the highest warmth indexes available, cover the chest and back to maintain core warmth. The Exkin’s properties also include warm when wet and quick to dry. Note that some websites mistakenly promote the Storm WB as waterproof; it is not.
I wore the Storm while riding my favorite local SoCal roads in mild weather until colder temperatures arrived for a better test. I never felt sweaty in it while exerting, even in the heat of the day. It truly breathes, a key to keeping a rider warm, and it is comfortable enough for extended wearing. Cold weather came on strong on a Mojave Desert ride last fall. I spent nearly a week wearing (and sometimes sleeping in) the Storm while exploring areas around the Mojave Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park. The jacket kept me warmer on the bike than any other layer that thin ever has and easily accepted another layer on top when the mercury dropped. I’ve also worn the Storm WB for bicycle rides and dog walking on cool days, noting its wind protection especially when on the bike.
Using it in varying conditions expanded my perception of the Storm WB’s performance envelope from a cold-weather mid-layer to a light jacket for milder conditions. As a pocket lover, I had to accept a garment with only one pocket—a phone-sized compartment on the chest. As someone who counts ounces when packing, the 13-ounce size medium I tested is good news. And as a lazy person, I wish it wasn’t hand-wash only, but that’s how I discovered it holds a lot of water when soaked. The Storm WB is sewn to last, with serged seams nearly everywhere, and a YKK coil zipper. It looks pretty sharp, too.
$210 | revitsport.com
Photography by James Norris and Steve Luick
