Harley-Davidson Passage Kit Review: Ready for Any Adventure

If you’re looking for a four-season kit that can handle it all, consider the Passage jacket and pants for your next ride.

harley davidson passage adventure jacket pants

By Hayley Helms

Published October 25, 2022

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Updated October 25, 2022

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Depending on your region in the United States, riding season is either about to begin or is nearing its close — October ushers in cooler temperatures, the beginnings of ice and snow, and in the deserts, nearly-perfect conditions. If you’re into adventure riding and are determined to ride through winter without a break, you’ll need a kit that can withstand weather and abuse.

Enter: Harley Davidson’s Passage Adventure Jacket and Pants. Created in partnership with European apparel specialist Rev’it, the Passage set was developed for adventure touring — but we’ve found it works in almost any riding scenario.

Designed for four-season riding, the Passage Jacket and Pants are well-equipped to handle heat, cold, extreme environments and hours on the road. Customization opportunities run wild on this kit — from generous venting to removable body armor — and although this kit won’t be for everyone (more on that later), it is a solid bet for most riders looking for protection on-road and off. After testing for a few months this year, here’s what we think.

What’s Great About the Passage Adventure Jacket and Pants

harley davidson passage adventure jacket — Eight vents on the Passage Adventure Jacket offer plenty of breathability and temperature control.

Both pants and jacket feature robust venting and protection

You can think of this set as your “suit of armor” while riding, but instead of a clanking, heavy, metal suit with no breathability, this protective duo features a combined ten vents, 11 pockets, a handful of adjustment straps on the arms and legs and heavy-duty body armor and materials.

We’ll start with the venting: Harley Davidson built this set to protect against spills and crashes that can occur both on-road and off, but as anyone who’s worn a full kit before knows, without venting, things get uncomfortable…quickly. With that in mind, the VCS Aquadefence ventilation system, which enhances airflow in warm-weather riding, was built into the jacket and pants.

You may be thinking, “That sounds great for summertime, but what about come winter? Do I want all that airflow when the snow starts to fall?” Don’t worry — Harley thought of that as well. Along with the ability to close all those vents, the brand also worked in the wind-proof Schoeller C-Change membrane, which retains rider heat when the temps drop.

The two-way Flexisnap collar allowed our tester to adjust the collar’s fit to his neck in warmer weather and accommodate layering in the cooler months. The theme of adjustability is carried out throughout the jacket and pants — our tester could cinch down the arms, calves and collar independently, depending on what he was wearing underneath. The ability to achieve a custom fit and temperature range (without the custom price tag) made this an easy investment for year-round riding.

On the exterior of both the jacket and the pants, 100 percent polyester 450D and ripstop shell material protect from abrasion and wear and tear. It’s not soft to the touch, but it’s certainly not uncomfortable. If you’re concerned about rain, don’t be. The jacket lining is coated with a breathable Hydratex 3L membrane, and a Schoeller C-Change membrane was placed in key stretch points for extra protection. Upon first wearing the jacket and pants, our tester was struck by how comfortable they both felt, even with the heavy-duty materials and hardware. The YKK zippers are bulky enough to be used even with gloves on, and the abrasion and tear-resistant materials instilled confidence that was hard to ignore.

harley davidson passage adventure pant — The REV’IT! Seeflex CE Level 2 protectors at the hips and knees of the Passage Adventure Pant offer protection in case of a crash.

Fit and Mobility

As our tester described, the Passage Adventure Jacket and Pant have “curves in all of the right places.” They are fitted and protective and come with Rev’it body armor: the Seeflex CE Level 2 protector is integrated at the shoulders and elbows, two key areas that need extra padding in the event of a crash.

More often than not, body armor can inhibit movement and leave riders feeling stiff and inflexible. Rev’it’s detachable shoulder and elbow pads keep mobility high while maintaining protection. For extra protection, there’s space to add in the optional Rev’it Seesoft CE Level 2 back protector insert, should you desire it.

What’s Not Ideal About Harley’s Adventure Riding Kit

It’s a slimmer fit than anticipated

Our tester has a slim build, so the fit didn’t bother him as much — but for the average-sized rider, if you’re looking for a roomy kit made for layering during the fall and winter, you’ll want to consider sizing up. Many of the reviews on Harley Davidson’s website alluded to the unexpected slim fit of the kit, which is not explicitly mentioned anywhere in the product description.

From our experience, the fit was roomy, if not just right: our tester is 5’11” and 150 pounds, and a large in both jacket and pants fit him to a tee. If you like the fitted look and feel, stick with your standard size. If roomier is more your style, sizing up is a safe bet (plus, with all of the fasteners and adjustment points on the set, you can always cinch down where needed).

It’s so heavy, it’s almost too warm for the summer months

There’s no getting around it: H-D’s Passage Adventure Jacket and Pants are heavy and hot, especially if you already run warm. When you’re at a standstill, the set feels very warm — this is fine in frigid winter months and welcome during riding, but in the late spring and throughout summer, it can feel claustrophobic as soon as you kill the engine.

Our tester rode in this kit from June until late October, and after months of riding, found that this set is great for long touring rides or full days on and off the bike. But for casual trips down the street for BBQ or hanging with friends, it was too much (unless he brought a change of clothes, which is a pain in and of itself). If you’re planning on riding frequently or for long stretches at a time — or if you don’t mind a little discomfort in the name of safety — this kit will be fine. But if you already have issues with temperature regulation, you may need to consider investing in a second, lighter-weight set during the summer months.

Harley-Davidson Passage Adventure Jacket and Pants: The Verdict

Harley Davidson took the best of Rev’it’s protection technology and infused it with its undeniable aesthetic to deliver a year-round riding kit that looks and performs at the top of its class. Like any durable riding gear worth its salt, the Passage Adventure Jacket and Pants are heavy and a little uncomfortable while you’re getting used to them, but once you acclimate to the feeling of body armor and tough-as-nails materials, you’ll be all-in on this kit. Those that run bigger should consider sizing up, and those that run warm should consider a lighter summer jacket to complement this set, but if neither of those applies, we say: go for it.