The Rev’It Trucker Ladies Jacket immediately caught my eye, as I’ve been a fan of traditional denim jackets since I started wearing them as a teenager. The relaxed boxy cut is comfortable, fits over everything, and has been a mainstay in my closet. I wouldn’t have thought the design would lend itself to riding jacket duty, so I was interested to see how Rev’It had adapted the universally popular form.
I kind of like that, at first glance, the Trucker Ladies jacket doesn’t look like a motorcycle jacket. Sure, a classic motorcycle jacket is usually the coolest thing in your closet, but one doesn’t always want to broadcast our status. Matched with riding jeans and motorcycle shoes that look like high-top sneakers, I can fly just under the radar once I’ve arrived at my destination—as long as I’ve ditched my helmet, and no one pats me on the back.
Starting with traditional trucker styling, Rev’It slimmed the lines of the Trucker a bit so that, when the jacket is zipped, it lays against the body. While it’s not a snug fit, it is close enough that it won’t take on air and flap around at speed. The Rev’It Trucker’s overall look is minimalistic, though the unexpected Mandarin collar—a departure from the traditional trucker shirt collar styling—adds a subtle touch of sophistication. Rev’It wisely retained the pointed collar on the men’s version of the jacket.
With just the two traditional chest flap pockets on the jacket’s exterior, and no hand pockets adding bulk to the waist, the impression is clean and low-key. You’ll need to prioritize what’s important and be flexible with your limited options. Those flap pockets on the chest, for instance, are barely wide enough to slide in my case-ensconced iPhone SE (about 2 5/8-inch wide); forget about snapping the pocket shut. I can, however, slide in my Wojo wallet with a credit card, driver’s license, and a couple of bills. That leaves the other chest pocket for my keys.
So where does my phone go? It’s stored in the large interior patch pocket, which oddly opens to the side and has a simple snap closure. It is not the most secure pocket—a zipper or even a Velcro strip would be better. However, it seems to work, as I still have my iPhone.
For a textile jacket, the Rev’It Trucker has a satisfying weight to it. The outer chassis is a 13.5-oz stretch denim with interwoven polyester fibers that provide lightweight warmth while still being breathable. Our mid-Spring weather has not been delivering its usual warmer temps, so my commute to work in the morning has been running in the low-to-mid-50s. I’ve been comfortable with a thin old base layer and a similarly worn-out long-sleeve t-shirt under the Trucker. With the front zipped and snapped from waist to collar, I’m aware of the chilly windblast while on the freeway, but I’m not cold.
The wide-gauge SAS metal zipper has a pleasingly smooth action, and the Rev’It-engraved press buttons snap confidently. With the zipper zipped and the snaps snapped, I feel properly secure in the Trucker, despite its nonchalant appearance.
The smooth inner liner has abrasion-resistant properties, and a large, ventilated pocket for an optional back protector—the standard Rev’It Trucker Ladies jacket has no back protection. CE Level 1 shoulder and elbow protectors are standard in the Trucker jacket and are removable. With all protectors installed, including a CE Level 2 back protector, the jacket is comfortable, and feels protective without inhibiting my movement while riding.
The jacket rates a Class AA rating for impact and abrasion—not the highest level, but certainly adequate for the more casual riding that Trucker is targeted toward once back protection is addressed. For after-hours riding, there is a small reflective Rev’It logo patch on the upper back, which supplies some welcome night visibility to the black jacket.
The Rev’It Trucker jacket has two options for ensuring modesty at your rear, or just an added level of safety for higher-speed riding—an eight-inch zipper to connect the jacket to pants, and elastic tab loops on each side to snap over your belt. Adjustability on the jacket is limited to snap tabs at the waist, but the denim is a bit too stiff to lay well when tightened up.
I look forward to seeing how the Trucker jacket ages with wear and machine washing (cold water/line-dry). Will the Cordura stretch denim soften and fade like my favorite old cotton denim jackets? Time will tell. For now, I am enjoying the Rev’It Trucker Ladies Jacket on my weekday commuting, as well as the more-relaxed weekend wanderings around town.
Rev’It Trucker Ladies Jacket Fast Facts
- Sizes: XS – XL
- Colors: Black
- Armor: Shoulder and elbows, CE Level 1 (CE back protection optional)
- Certification: EN 17092-3:2020 Class AA
Rev’It Trucker Ladies Jacket Price: $300 MSRP
