REV’IT NEPTUNE GTX JACKET
my size: Euro 36. my measurements:
5’2”
37” Chest
32-34” Waist (depending on the season)
37” Hips
multi-season, waterproof, ventilated jacket
separate wearable GORE-TEX® inner jacket with Paclite® Technology
removable thermal, zip in liner
collar hook
connection zippers
prepared for Challenger cooling vest insert and hi viz vest connector
chest, sleeve, back vents
multiple pockets including napoleon, stash and external waterproof
CE level 2 Seeflex shoulder and elbow armor included
$569.99 MSRP
OVERVIEW
So I had the previous version of this suit, the Legacy. I really loved that suit, but was excited to see an update. I was hoping that Rev’it would give me a similar jacket that’s fully waterproof (permanently) but with direct ventilation. Since I had used that suit repeatedly in pouring rain, hot weather and everything in between I was excited to see a new update. This update is better in a lot of ways, but does leave me wanting a little more.
The Neptune is a full 3-4 season suit with lots of versatility to keep you comfortable through a wide variety of temperatures. Although I appreciate all the features it has to offer, I do wish Rev’it would make a true 2-Layer GORE-TEX® Performance Shell, or, eliminate the lining on the separate GORE-TEX® jacket (“GTJ”). This GTJ isn’t designed to be worn on the outside, but they did try to give it a simple design so you could wear it as a standalone jacket. I wish an external pocket (even not waterproof) would’ve been added to make this more useful, but I probably won’t be using it that way anyhow since I already have a casual NorthFace GORE-TEX® rain jacket that I adore when I’m not riding.
I am conflicted because I love so many things about this suit, and yet I don’t like how the GTJ is designed because the nylon lining inside drives me absolutely crazy! When it comes to waterproof gear, I’ve grown to love the fully waterproof shell like it’s competition, the Klim Altitude or Artemis women’s jackets. They don’t include thermal liners, but I would be okay with that.
I still think the Neptune offers ultimate versatility, since the outer jacket is extremely light it’ll be extremely comfortable in 90-100F weather. Without the liners, you have a great summer jacket. With the liners, you have a great Fall / Winter jacket. So many options!
The Neptune has a lot of adjustments including bicep, forearm, waist and hips. It also offers 6 pockets (3 internal, 3 external) if you like carrying everything on your body. (Just make sure you’re carrying things that you’d be comfortable crashing in :D) And notice the hidden zipper pulls on the front vent. How else are you supposed to find those things while you’re riding?
I really like the reflectives that are visible from the back, front and sides. I am addicted to black gear (just can’t help myself, it looks so much better on me) and the small red strips add the perfect pop of color for me. Maybe when I grow up I’ll gravitate towards silver / hi-viz colors. But until then, I just can’t do it.
Something that I’m not sure about is the rear flap. I’m 80% sure that it’s waterproof, but I’m not totally sure. A lot of jackets like this make the rear flaps waterproof since the liner is shorter than the actual jacket.
Something else you’ll find interesting is that the GTJ has connection zippers to the pants. That means if you have it in, you can zip the liners to the pants to make sure they don’t ride up on the inside.
As always, I’m a huge fan of the styling. I think it’s why they’ve been my favorite brand for such a long time. The clean lines, along with the true performance and functionality that I want and need when I’m riding long distance, or in multiple temperatures. I’m lucky that I have different outfits that I normally live in for pretty much each month of the year, so this suit really works for me as a traveling suit. If I’m going on a long riding trip (3-5 days), then I know that the Neptune will do everything I need it to.
Now if I could just grow a couple inches….
TEMPERATURE range and comfort
So I rode from Philly to Roanoke and when I left it was 50F and raining off and on the first day. I knew that the week was going to get much warmer and nicer so packing heated gear for 1 day was too annoying. I opted to use my Polartec Fleece Zip up instead of the thermal liner because it was much warmer, given the technical nature of the fabric. I also had on a very warm Triumph baselayer. As the week warmed up, I started to de-layer and only wore my baselayer along with the GTJ, even when the temperature range hit mid to high 70s/low 80s. Moving at speed, my comfort is very low with wind because I run so cold. When it got to low 80s, I then removed the GTJ and still had on my warm baselayer with all the vents open. For me, that was plenty of venting. I wasn’t doing very much stop and go, so I was happier suffering for a minute or two here and there given the majority of my riding was highway.
Now, being a small woman, for me, that is completely sensible and not too warm. I simply do not want ventilation unless it’s 80F and up. But if your internal thermometer runs warmer in general, then of course you will wear your lightest baselayer and then while you’re moving I still think you’ll find it to be plenty of venting.
While I was riding I definitely found the pulls easy to use. It got pretty toasty towards the end of my trip (high 80s when I got to Washington DC) as I was navigating downtown DC traffic. I went to visit a friend just a mile north of the White House, and I definitely started to get uncomfortable. But for me, that discomfort is much more preferable to the discomfort of being cold for 90% of my trip that week. Of course, if I were doing predominantly city riding I would have preferred a mesh jacket to be comfortable but having to do this short detour was totally fine for me. And that’s the idea behind multiseason jackets like this, because it has the flexibility to work for you in the moments you need it.
FIT
So my biggest challenge is how the fit has changed over the last ~5 years since the Legacy came out. Every time Rev’it releases a suit, they make minor adjustments to fit to ensure that more women can wear their suits. It’s another aspect of their design and engineering that I truly appreciate and respect.
My body has gotten slightly smaller over the past few years (thanks Fearless!) so when I don’t have my liners in, it’s so loose on me that I don’t feel comfortable.
It’s mostly in my arms but it’s also in my hips. I have absolutely no butt, so if I had say a 39-41” hip, I think it would fit much, much better. Guess I need to do way more squats. I like my gear very fitted and close to my body, because I have such a straight profile. So although I find it annoying, I know it’s extremely useful for the women out there that have beautiful bottoms and have trouble finding jackets to fit over them. The tail also runs long.
For me, I always have issues with shoulders because although I have a short frame, my shoulders are broader than most women with my bust and waist size. I usually need a larger top to accommodate my shoulders, and then the waist tends to be too big.
With this in 36 it’s perfect. I think that if your cup size is bigger, then you will probably still have an inch or two of space up front.
Generally speaking, jackets like these with removable liners means the outer jacket will be looser overall. So for me, that’s a problem because I also have a very flat bust at 37”.
I have a very short torso, so all my weight tends to gather at my belly. Right now I have a 34” measured belly. I think in this size, if you had more than that you might be uncomfortable with all the liners in. I don’t mind a snug fit, because I like my gear tighter than most do. In the Fall I was closer to a 31.5” waist (all that cold weather makes us get fatter, right?) and there was lots of extra space.
With all the liners in, I have to open the waist adjustments almost all the way (except the hips because, flat as a table).
But if you need more room in the hips and waist, you’ll be just fine. Given who Rev’it is, I don’t have any suggestions for improving the fitment.
The only changes I would want to see is the liner change, so it goes back to a waterproof shell and maybe a couple more vents so that it could compete directly with the options that Klim delivers for its adventure and touring female riders.
It’s been several years since I’ve taken a long, wet weather trip so once I’m able to do that I’ll update this with feedback on how the waterproof liner works on my next trip.
Overall, I would recommend this suit if you need something with a ton of versatility for a wide range of temperature. I think it’s truly ideal as a 3.5 season suit (with the exception of wearing it repeatedly in 90-100F weather).
