Just about every motorcycle jacket brand out there makes something similar to the Zircon jacket by Rev’It — the classic design of four pockets design, a belt around the middle and basic, if not archaic, snaps and clasps. Almost all of them come sans Velcro, without any exciting features, and little in the of way liners or insulation. During a ride through Monte Carlo, I met up with a friend who was wearing a wonderfully weathered Zircon of his own — beaten on by harsh sun rays, torturous weather, covered in dust and bugs. He told me the jacket had initially been black. However, it appeared a dark grey after his month-long motorcycle ride across Morocco. It was clear the Rev’It Jacket could stand up to the test of time, but I had to test it for myself.
The Good: The Zircon is Rev’It’s top-of-the-line British-inspired touring coat. Wax-coated polyester creates a water-repellent outer shell while contrasting polyester Oxford reinforces critical impact zones like elbows and shoulders. The jacket is simple, to say the least: four pockets on the front, each of which fasten shut with trusty button-snaps; an elastic drawcord around the bottom of the coat helps to tailor the look; a belt at the waist and a similar closure around the storm collar.
Beneath the storm flap there’s an inner breast pocket with an orange zipper that makes a perfect place for your wallet, documents, et al. The storm flap is secured by a series of button-snaps, covering a robust zipper which only runs from the collar down three-quarters of the jacket, allowing the jacket to sit more comfortably across your lap while riding. There’s an insulated, waterproof thermal liner effective enough to actually get too warm at times. There are also hand-warmer pockets behind the bottom two front flap pockets. CE-rated Knox Lite protection comes standard: elbow and shoulder armor inserts and an optional back-protector slot.
Who’s It For: Any motorcyclist who appreciates classic kit and the stylings of yesteryear. It’s a basic, belt-waisted jacket with a British origin; a silhouette made most famous by Steve McQueen. The Zircon provides the old-world look and brings modern-day protection into the fold.
Watch Out For: The Zircon, like most vintage-styled touring jackets, takes more effort and patience to wear daily. The belt around the waist is an old-fashioned notch-and-buckle setup, which isn’t easy to fasten with gloved hands. There’s a similar belt closure atop the storm collar, which is also frustrating to close when it’s cold or if you’re in a hurry. The inner thermal liner, while being wonderfully warm and GORE-TEX protected, means that when it’s raining full tilt, you might stay dry, but the outer shell of the coat gets soaked. The result is a core kept clear of the elements, but a jacket needing an entire day to dry.