Which is better for hot-weather riding?

The Rev'it Defender 3 GTX. Its VCS ventilation panels, arm vents, rear exhaust vents and front channel move air through, and you can remove both liners. The Stormline has no vents and a fixed thermal lining, so it gets hot fast.

Which has better protection out of the box?

The Stormline. It ships with CE Level 2 shoulder, elbow and back armor, all five pieces. The Rev'it includes SEEFLEX CE Level 2 shoulder and elbow armor but needs a separate SEESOFT back protector and chest protector.

Is the Rev'it worth stepping up to?

If you ride year-round or tour, yes. The removable 3-layer GORE-TEX liner, removable thermal liner and real ventilation give it a much wider usable range than the Stormline's fixed setup.

Which is more waterproof?

Both keep rain out, but differently. The Stormline uses a laminated membrane with taped seams fixed in the jacket. The Rev'it uses a removable 3-layer GORE-TEX liner, which is widely regarded for breathability and can be worn on its own.

The Rev'it's ripstop shell and GORE-TEX liner are built for multi-season touring and hold up to heavy use. The Stormline's softshell is comfortable but less abrasion-resistant, and its fixed lining can't be replaced or refreshed.

Can I wear either off the bike?

The Stormline's understated softshell look works casually. The Rev'it is bulkier as a jacket, but its GORE-TEX liner can be worn alone as a plain waterproof shell.

Stormline CE AA Waterproof Softshell Jacket vs Rev'it Defender 3 GTX Jacket

The Stormline is the better buy for riders who want full CE Level 2 protection out of the box, including a back protector, in a waterproof softshell for cold, wet commuting. The Rev'it Defender 3 GTX is the stronger choice for touring and four-season use: its 3-layer GORE-TEX liner is removable and can be worn alone, and its VCS ventilation panels make it far more usable in warm weather. The Stormline's fixed thermal lining and softshell build limit it to cool and cold rides, while the Rev'it's back protector is sold separately. Owners of GORE-TEX gear consistently rate its breathability and long-term waterproofing above laminated in-house membranes.

Choose the Stormline if you ride in cold, wet weather and want Class AA protection with all five CE Level 2 armor pieces included, with no extra back protector to buy.
Choose the Rev'it Defender 3 GTX if you tour across seasons, want removable GORE-TEX and thermal liners plus real ventilation, and don't mind adding a back protector.

Prices

Stormline CE AA Waterproof Softshell Jacket: $198.97 at Riparo (last seen Nov 10)
Rev'it Defender 3 GTX Jacket: $579.99 at Dirt2Street (last seen Nov 10)
Difference: the Stormline CE AA Waterproof Softshell Jacket is $381.02 cheaper than the Rev'it Defender 3 GTX Jacket at the latest prices (Nov 10)

	Stormline CE AA Waterproof Softshell Jacket	Rev'it Defender 3 GTX Jacket
Waterproofing	Laminated in-house membrane with taped seams, fixed in the jacket	Removable 3-layer GORE-TEX liner that can be worn alone as a rain jacket
Back protector	CE Level 2 back protector included	Prepared for a SEESOFT CE Level 2 back protector, sold separately
Thermal liner	Fixed thermal lining, not removable	Removable thermal liner
Ventilation	No ventilation panels; windproof softshell traps heat	Large VCS panels, arm vents, rear exhaust vents and a front ventilation channel
Armor level	CE Level 2 shoulder, elbow and back armor included	SEEFLEX CE Level 2 shoulder and elbow armor; chest and back prepared only
Weather range	Cool to cold, wet rides	Four-season touring, hot to cold
Build and closures	Softshell exterior, hook-and-loop cuffs, fixed hood	Ripstop shell, magnetic Fidlock closure, reflective calf details
Certification	EN 17092-3:2020 Class AA	EN 17092-3:2020 Class AA

Spec	Stormline CE AA Waterproof Softshell Jacket	Rev'it Defender 3 GTX Jacket
Outer shell	Windproof softshell exterior	ripstop material
CE certification	EN 17092-3:2020, Class AA	—
Shoulder armor	CE Level 2, EN 1621-1	—
Elbow armor	CE Level 2, EN 1621-1	—
Back protector	CE Level 2, EN 1621-2	—
Waterproofing	Laminated waterproof membrane	—
Seams	Taped seams	—
Thermal lining	Fixed thermal lining	—
Outer pockets	Two waterproof outer zippered pockets	—
Interior pockets	Two secure interior pockets	—
Cuffs	Adjustable hook-and-loop cuffs	—
Hood	Fixed hood with adjustable drawstring	—

Spec	Stormline CE AA Waterproof Softshell Jacket	Rev'it Defender 3 GTX Jacket
Waterproof liner	—	removable 3-layer GORE-TEX® waterproof liner
Thermal liner	—	removable thermal liner
Protection certification	—	Class AA certified according to standard EN 170…
Knee protectors	—	height-adjustable SEEFLEX CE-level 2 knee prote…
Hip protectors	—	SEESMART CE-Level 1 hip protectors
Ventilation	—	VCS\|Ventilation panels on the upper legs
Vent closure	—	magnetic Fidlock® closure
Waist pockets	—	two waterproof slit pockets at the waist
Leg pockets

Stormline CE AA Waterproof Softshell Jacket vs Rev'it Defender 3 GTX Jacket

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Stormline CE AA Waterproof Softshell Jacket vs Rev'it Defender 3 GTX Jacket

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Stormline CE AA Waterproof Softshell Jacket

Rev'it Defender 3 GTX Jacket

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Stormline CE AA Waterproof Softshell Jacket

Rev'it Defender 3 GTX Jacket

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Rev'it Defender 3 GTX Jacket

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Stormline CE AA Waterproof Softshell Jacket

Rev'it Defender 3 GTX Jacket

What separates them

Price history

Prices at every store

Stormline CE AA Waterproof Softshell Jacket

Rev'it Defender 3 GTX Jacket

Specs compared

What reviewers say

Rev'it Defender 3 GTX Jacket

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