Our REV’IT! Dominator 3 GTX Jacket review strips away manufacturer claims to reveal what six months of real-world testing actually prove about this premium adventure tourer.
I’ve logged countless miles through British weather, European tours, and daily commutes wearing this three-layer Gore-Tex jacket.
In my experience, the gap between promised performance and actual delivery separates exceptional gear from expensive disappointments.
The motorcycle apparel market bombards riders with technical specifications and bold promises. I’ve evaluated hundreds of different jackets, pants, and protective gear over the last ten years.
This extensive testing background helps me spot genuine innovation versus repackaged mediocrity. The REV’IT! Dominator 3 GTX Jacket sits at a premium price point that demands scrutiny.
Does this jacket justify its cost through superior weather protection, comfort, and versatility, or does it simply ride the wave of brand reputation?
Redefining Protection Standards
Both the jacket and pants of the Dominator 3 GTX now meet the CE “AA” certification, confirming an enhanced level of abrasion and impact protection suitable for high-speed touring.
REV’IT! achieved this by integrating advanced safety seams and multiple reinforcement zones that resist tearing during crashes. Each piece houses proprietary Seeflex armor rated to CE Level 2 at the back, elbows, shoulders, and knees, with CE Level 1 protectors positioned at the hips.
The armor employs a molecular compound that remains flexible under normal use yet hardens instantly on impact. A honeycomb design promotes internal airflow to prevent heat buildup. Asymmetric shaping ensures each pad conforms anatomically to the rider’s joints.
Notably, the new knee protectors are shorter yet equally strong, solving interference issues with tall off-road boots while maintaining full certification performance.
Shell Construction and Fabric Engineering
The Dominator 3 GTX features a three-layer Gore-Tex Pro laminate that directly bonds waterproof and breathable membranes to a durable nylon exterior.
This approach eliminates water absorption and drying lag, ensuring long-term resistance to weather saturation. REV’IT! replaced the previous 600D nylon shell with lighter 400D material, decreasing weight and improving flexibility without significantly compromising abrasion resistance.
High-impact regions—such as shoulders, elbows, shins, and knees—use 500D stretch nylon panels for mobility and protection. A laser-applied Armacor grid, integrating Kevlar and Cordura fibers, reinforces these areas further. This pattern improves elasticity and airflow over the older ceramic-bead coating, which tended to add stiffness and weight.
Collectively, the material upgrades allow the Dominator 3 to feel less encumbering while maintaining elite durability ratings under demanding riding conditions.
Ventilation and Climate Management
Temperature regulation plays a decisive role in the Dominator 3 GTX’s redesign. The jacket now incorporates ten ventilation points strategically placed across the torso, arms, and back.
Enlarged VCS Aquadefence vents on the chest operate via zippered magnetic panels that snap open or closed for precise control, even while wearing gloves. Newly contoured forearm vents create a ram-air effect at higher speeds, channeling air directly along the rider’s arms.
The pants offer four vents—two large Aquadefence intakes on the thighs and extended exhaust ports at the rear of each leg. Together, these refinements improve total airflow volume and directional efficiency, extending the upper thermal comfort range into the high 80°F range.
Despite these openings, the laminated Gore-Tex structure preserves complete waterproofing, ensuring riders remain dry even in sustained rainfall or river crossings.
Ergonomics, Fit, and Adjustability
Ergonomic adaptability distinguishes the Dominator 3 from conventional touring suits. REV’IT! redesigned strap mechanisms at the waist, calves, and forearms, introducing pull-tab releases that function as quick-adjust systems during rides. This design simplifies tension control with one hand—especially useful during rest stops or terrain transitions.
The overall cut remains generous but better contoured, aided by elasticized panels at the shoulders and knees that stretch naturally with movement. Internal 3D mesh lining enhances moisture wicking and airflow while maintaining a smooth, low-friction interface against base layers.
The suit’s structural flexibility means armor stays securely positioned without feeling restrictive. However, users report that waist tension straps can gradually loosen over long rides, a minor issue within an otherwise highly refined ergonomic package that feels integrated rather than external.
Storage Capacity and Utility Features
The Dominator 3 GTX adopts a utilitarian approach to storage with numerous pockets strategically arranged for accessibility. The jacket offers six exterior compartments, two internal pockets, a hidden zipper pouch in the detachable kidney belt, and an ID pocket along the left forearm.
A rear “rabbit pouch” expands to accommodate gloves or rain covers. Two handwarmer pockets are fleece-lined and now angled diagonally for easier access. The pants mirror this practicality with two main pockets and newly added cargo sections for tools or maps.
Each zipper and closure is waterproof-rated to maintain integrity in prolonged exposure to moisture. Beyond storage, both garments include waist cinches, cuff adjusters, and extended-leg Velcro flaps that accommodate a range of boot types—from enduro to street touring—ensuring secure closure regardless of equipment.
Weather Adaptation and Thermal Accessories
REV’IT! equips the Dominator 3 GTX with modular accessories to manage thermal variation during extended travel. A detachable bib and suspenders system stabilizes the pants while adding insulation across the chest and abdomen in colder climates. Additional components include stretch cuffs and a Velcro-fastened storm collar, both removable for warmer conditions.
Together, these attachments form an adaptable barrier against wind intrusion and convective heat loss, enabling riders to adjust insulation levels without bulky mid-layers. The redesigned collar now uses a snap-back holder instead of the older hook-and-loop fastener.
While some riders prefer the simplicity of the previous mechanism, the new design offers cleaner operation and integrates smoothly with neck braces. Overall, these refinements emphasize configurability—allowing the suit to perform reliably across temperature extremes encountered in transcontinental expeditions.
Field Testing and Comfort Evaluation
Thousands of test miles in mixed terrain confirmed the Dominator 3’s improved balance between protection and mobility. Compared to its predecessor, the suit feels substantially lighter and less rigid, particularly around joints.
The stretch inserts around the shoulders and knees prevent tension when standing on footpegs or leaning into turns. Internal Aero Cool 3D mesh creates a pleasant tactile surface while wicking perspiration away efficiently.
The velvet-lined collar provides a soft seal around the neck, complemented by a neoprene lip that enhances waterproofing. However, extended off-road use revealed one drawback: the knee lining fabric feels rougher than before, occasionally causing mild chafing after several consecutive riding days.
Despite that, most testers reported superior long-ride comfort and a reduced sensation of fatigue associated with heavy outerwear.
Heat and Cold Performance in Real Conditions
During testing, the Dominator 3 GTX demonstrated distinct advantages in warm climates due to its lighter materials and reengineered ventilation network.
Whereas the older Dominator 2 GTX reached discomfort around 80°F, the new suit remains functional well into the upper 80s. The improved airflow, combined with the moisture-evaporative properties of Gore-Tex, produces effective cooling during slow or technical riding.
Conversely, the reduction in fabric density slightly diminishes cold-weather insulation. The comfort threshold now begins to drop in the high 50s°F, requiring a mid-layer or installation of the storm collar and bib in those conditions.
Nevertheless, the suit’s ability to repel water and maintain internal dryness remains exceptional, verified during multiple hours of heavy rain in the Sierra region with zero moisture penetration and consistent body temperature retention.
Crash Durability and Safety Outcomes
Real-world crash data underscores the Dominator 3’s protective design. During one incident involving a 35 mph collision and slide on asphalt, the suit absorbed the impact effectively, leaving the rider with only minor soreness and superficial abrasions to the outer fabric.
No panels tore or delaminated, confirming both the material resilience and the structural reliability of the safety seams. The proprietary armor dispersed kinetic energy efficiently, preventing localized bruising.
These results align with laboratory CE testing and validate REV’IT!’s claim that the 400D shell—despite its lighter weight—meets or exceeds previous abrasion standards.
Riders reported that post-crash inspection revealed only light scuffing on the pant leg, emphasizing that the new balance of flexibility and defense does not compromise real-world performance under sudden impact stress.
User Suitability and Intended Applications
The Dominator 3 GTX is engineered for riders who expect to live in their gear for days or weeks at a time, often across unpredictable climates.
Its ideal users are adventure motorcyclists undertaking long-distance expeditions or year-round commuters facing rain, cold, and variable terrain.
The combination of Gore-Tex Pro waterproofing, CE AA-rated safety, and superior ventilation supports extended endurance riding where gear failures could compromise safety or comfort.
While the suit’s premium price places it in the professional category, its durability and modular thermal components justify the investment for high-mileage enthusiasts.
For casual riders or those primarily operating in temperate conditions, lighter and less complex alternatives may be sufficient, but few match the Dominator’s consistency across such a broad operational envelope.
Final Assessment and Verdict
REV’IT!’s Dominator 3 GTX achieves a rare balance between protection, comfort, and climate adaptability. By reducing material stiffness and weight while maintaining elite safety certification, the company transformed a previously heavy-duty touring outfit into a versatile expedition system suitable for both asphalt and off-road travel.
The improved ventilation design notably expands warm-weather usability, while modular components like the bib and storm collar sustain cold-weather competence.
Minor shortcomings—such as the rougher knee lining and tendency for waist straps to loosen—do not diminish its overall performance.
For riders seeking one suit capable of handling global touring, the Dominator 3 GTX represents a refined synthesis of engineering precision and field-proven reliability.
Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses
Advantages
- Noticeably lighter and more flexible than prior versions.
- CE “AA” safety rating with Level 2 armor coverage.
- Superior waterproofing through 3-layer Gore-Tex Pro shell.
- Expanded ventilation for hot-weather riding.
- Modular thermal accessories for seasonal versatility.
- Enhanced ergonomics with adjustable strap quick releases.
- Knee pads integrate cleanly with tall boots.
Limitations
- Waist adjustment may loosen during extended rides.
- Knee lining fabric less soft than previous model.
- Slightly reduced insulation range in cold climates.
Available Options
- Jacket Colors: Black, Silver-Blue, Silver-Anthracite
- Pant Colors: Black, Silver-Black
- Sizes: Jacket (S–4XL), Pants (S–4XL, MD–2XL Short, MD–2XL Tall)