The word “sand” evokes visions of the desert, warm beaches, and perhaps racing across dunes in the Dakar Rally. All those locations have one thing in common: heat. So why does the Sand 3 suit come with separate waterproof and thermal liners and provisions for more add-ons? Easy. Versatility is the name of the game.

Having spent six days, every week, all summer long in the Sand 3 suit, I’ve gotten to know and appreciate its features. While the jacket and pants excel in low to medium temperatures, the gloves* take the cake in medium and hot weather.

The Sand 3 jacket in Large fits my 6'2" frame perfectly, roomy enough to bundle up in cold weather but snug enough to fit properly in the summer. All external pockets on the jacket are large enough to access while wearing gloves, but the various internal shell- and liner-mounted pockets are smaller to fit wallets or cell phones. For storing gloves or other thin, lightweight necessities, the rear pouch is perfect. While it’s a personal preference, my favorite characteristic of this jacket is the tasteful use of buttons where others might use Velcro. I have other jackets with Velcro so worn that the Velcro tore out and had to be replaced with buttons.

Asymmetrical, ergonomic SEEFLEX CE Level 2-rated pads in both garments are lightweight and fit perfectly—like they were actually designed for a human. The pants even come with hip pads installed, but if you want a back protector in the jacket you’ll have to order one separately. The knee, elbow, shoulder, hip, and optional back pads feature honeycomb-like molding for lighter weight and improved airflow. For added protection, there are even mounts to attach a neck brace and high-viz vest.

The Sand 3 pants have a pretty slim cut even by European standards. To get my waist snug, I wear Medium Tall pants, but that size is tight around my knees and quads with added liners. And, the next size up wouldn’t stay around my waist. That said, the pants are very wellexecuted, with a zipper opening for larger boots, big and accessible thigh pockets, and very functional vents. The liners attach intuitively and there is a zipper to connect the pants and jacket.

When air temperatures reach the mid-90s and the heat index is over 110°F, there’s no reason to wear the Hydratex 3L waterproof liners even if it’ll rain. You’ll marinate in sweat even though the rainwater won’t touch you. However, in cooler temperatures, the rain liners help to block wind and function as an additional thermal layer. A large storm flap on the liners and an adjustable collar ensure optimal comfort and protection from the elements. While summer isn’t the time to test thermal liners, they feel adequate for most cold-weather riding.

While I hope to never test the abrasion resistance, the PWR | Shell 500D and 600D fabric densities on the suit should keep you safe and comfortable. Further safety provisions include mounting points for a neck brace and an HV hi-viz vest, and comfort options include the Challenger cooling vest.

Zippers on each arm span almost the entire length from cuff to shoulder, with dual zips for fine tuning your ventilation or even to roll up the sleeves part way. Typically, the zipper is a weak point, but REV’IT! took the forearm adjustment strap across the zipper for added durability. The same is true for the back vents, where a strip of material spans each mesh opening. The mesh vents on your chest are connected to the side adjustment straps to pull them open, but on a full-fairing bike they don’t pull in as much air as on a dirt bike.

Many adventure riding suits look very technical and astronaut-like, but even non-motorcyclists commented on the neat looks of this gear. With serious versatility for almost any weather and riding style, the REV’IT! Sand 3 suit is one of the cleanest adventure riding set-ups available now. MSRP: Jacket: $499.99 | Pants: $359.99 | Gloves: $109.99 RevItSport.com

*To see a more detailed review of the gloves highlighting their dexterity, ventilation, and protection, check it out HERE.

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