Source: Cycle World
Rev’It retools the iconic Xena women’s fit racing suit for the new era of airbag systems. (Alexander Dunstan/)Rev’It is a premium motorcycle protective equipment brand from the Netherlands that has been producing top-quality garments since 1995. Its Xena series represents its pinnacle offering to lady riders who are serious about sport riding, and the Xena 4 women’s one-piece suit is the latest evolution in the series.The Rev’It Xena 4 suit meets CE EN 17092 and AAA protective standards with the option to add in an airbag system, and it carries an MSRP of $1,099.99.Rev’It Xena 4 Ladies One-Piece Suit DetailsWhen comparing the Xena 4 to the Xena 3 suit, the biggest change comes in the way of expanded stretch material zones. Rev’It has enlarged all of these stretch zones not only for mobility sake but to accommodate the possible deployment of an air system in the upper body of the suit. Rev’It specifies that either its own Avertum Tech-Air Airbag or an Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 airbag would work with the Xena 4 suit and it recommends riders order one size larger than normal if they intend on adding in an airbag system.Other noticeable changes include the neoprene collar, which is soft, flexible, and allows for more airflow. The knee puck fabric fastener zones are larger for more mounting options, and the inner knees have a rubber pad for better grip against the tank while riding. The aerodynamic hump hasn’t grown in size but it has been covered in the new artificial nubuck material and 3D mesh.Strike a pose; being able to fold up into a full tuck is a must for any suit, new or broken in. The Xena 4 passes the test. Rider dimensions are 5-foot-4 and 120 pounds wearing a size 36 Xena 4 suit. (Alexander Dunstan/)In general terms, the Xena 4 suit will fit and feel like most European-made leather suits out there. It is formfitting and utilizes both perforated and unperforated leather in high-impact zones, and Rev’It’s own proprietary PWR Shield stretch material in certain areas for flexibility. It has Betac Type A-L1 armor in the shoulders, elbows, and knees with an optional pocket for adding in a back protector. Rev’It also utilizes TPU sliders in the shoulders, elbows, and knees for a smoother slide in case of an accident.Rev’It Xena 4 Ladies One-Piece Suit Riding ImpressionsFitting a full leather suit to the female form is a challenging task. There are many variables that impact fit and it is why so many women riders will eventually opt for a custom fit suit over an off-the-rack suit. I’ve considered myself fairly lucky over the years as most of my favorite European manufacturers tend to build suits close to my body type—short, slender, and narrow. I recognize this is not ideal for many of my fellow female compatriots, and so I’m pleased to share that the Xena 4 does make some departures from that fit even if it is to my detriment.One can see the general roominess of the upper body stretch material in this photo in both the shoulder and the chest. This will be optimal in case of an airbag deployment, and it also means complete freedom of mobility in the upper body when getting aggressive in the corner of a racetrack. (Alexander Dunstan/)The princess cut of the Xena 4 bust allows for much more volume in the chest area. With my slender build and in a compression sports bra, this means I have a little bit of an embarrassing air gap in the chest of the Xena 4 suit. For curvier women riders I am sure this will be a welcome change from the usual leather suit that leaves no room at all for the bust. The rest of the upper body was perfectly comfortable straight out of the bag.I do wish that the sleeve cuffs were tighter in their circumference. The stretch material feels baggy and when I have to stuff the extra material into the cuff of the Xena 4 gloves it is a tedious endeavor and never ends up feeling comfortable. (Alexander Dunstan/)As far as fitting an air system into the Xena 4 suit, I cannot fit the smallest size Tech-Air 5 system and have similar issues with unisex systems like the Avertum. So for petite women riders like myself, the idea of adding in an air system is a nice one but not an actual reality we can enjoy. Even so, for those who can fit and wear one I would be concerned about the overall fit of the suit when they go one size up to accommodate that system. All of the limbs would be too big and the torso probably overstuffed.Seen here is the expansive fabric fastener attachment for the knee puck meeting the knee slider, and stretch accordion panel above the knee for mobility. (Alexander Dunstan/)For an all-black suit, I was surprised by how well the Xena 4 flowed air. I rode at a desert racetrack in 100-degree temperatures and did not find the Xena 4 to be excessively hot. Many times on my out lap I triple-checked the neck collar fabric fastener and zipper as the airflow through the stretch and neoprene materials felt so breezy I was sure I had left them wide open. I could also sense the lighter materials of the aerodynamic hump helping to promote this airflow, as I felt a cooling sensation between the shoulders at top speeds. Many women’s suits will neglect perforated leather altogether and so those added in panels also give the Xena 4 top marks in breathability.This photo helps illustrate all of the breathable materials in play in the Xena 4 suit, such as the 3D mesh textile, PWR Shield material, and perforated leather. (Alexander Dunstan/)Unfortunately—for this rider at least—the fit of the lower body in the Xena 4 suit was problematic. While the fit looked and felt great standing around, once I began lifting my leg to get into the saddle of my tall Yamaha R6 the lack of mobility became apparent. It took some awkward hopping and hobbling to stretch my leg to plunk into the seat. Out on track, the same taut feeling inhibited my knee-out riding position, making me feel tight and cramped. Each session ended with my glutes on fire from the exertion of fighting the restrictive materials in the hips and legs of the Xena 4 suit.Is this an issue that can be remedied as the suit breaks in from more wear, or is it a more serious flaw of the pattern? Comparing the cut of the Xena 4 pattern to my favorite old suit it is apparent there is a difference in how they approach the leather-to-stretch ratio in the thighs. For a person of my dimensions, I will have to say that there are better options out there for lower body mobility.I just couldn’t quite get comfortable in the Xena 4; I was constantly stretching and searching endlessly with that inside knee for touchdown. (Caliphotography/)Final ThoughtsAs some final thoughts, it is worth noting that the materials, construction, and details of the Rev’It Xena 4 are beyond reproach. It is a beautifully made suit with not one blemish or stray thread. The dual-density sliders look premium, the leather smells and feels amazing, and the overall design sensibilities of the Xena 4 suit are all top-notch. An off-the-rack suit will always have a few “off” measurements between body types, what was troublesome for me may not be the case for the next lady rider. My recommendation for all racing suits is to try it on first before buying, preferably in a showroom with a demo bike to sit on, and determine if an off-the-rack option can work for you individually. If the fit is right, the Rev’It Xena 4 Ladies is one of the most protective and breathable options out there for women riders.
Full Text:
Rev’It retools the iconic Xena women’s fit racing suit for the new era of airbag systems. (Alexander Dunstan/)
Rev’It is a premium motorcycle protective equipment brand from the Netherlands that has been producing top-quality garments since 1995. Its Xena series represents its pinnacle offering to lady riders who are serious about sport riding, and the Xena 4 women’s one-piece suit is the latest evolution in the series.
The Rev’It Xena 4 suit meets CE EN 17092 and AAA protective standards with the option to add in an airbag system, and it carries an MSRP of $1,099.99.
Rev’It Xena 4 Ladies One-Piece Suit Details
When comparing the Xena 4 to the Xena 3 suit, the biggest change comes in the way of expanded stretch material zones. Rev’It has enlarged all of these stretch zones not only for mobility sake but to accommodate the possible deployment of an air system in the upper body of the suit. Rev’It specifies that either its own Avertum Tech-Air Airbag or an Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 airbag would work with the Xena 4 suit and it recommends riders order one size larger than normal if they intend on adding in an airbag system.
Other noticeable changes include the neoprene collar, which is soft, flexible, and allows for more airflow. The knee puck fabric fastener zones are larger for more mounting options, and the inner knees have a rubber pad for better grip against the tank while riding. The aerodynamic hump hasn’t grown in size but it has been covered in the new artificial nubuck material and 3D mesh.
Strike a pose; being able to fold up into a full tuck is a must for any suit, new or broken in. The Xena 4 passes the test. Rider dimensions are 5-foot-4 and 120 pounds wearing a size 36 Xena 4 suit. (Alexander Dunstan/)
In general terms, the Xena 4 suit will fit and feel like most European-made leather suits out there. It is formfitting and utilizes both perforated and unperforated leather in high-impact zones, and Rev’It’s own proprietary PWR Shield stretch material in certain areas for flexibility. It has Betac Type A-L1 armor in the shoulders, elbows, and knees with an optional pocket for adding in a back protector. Rev’It also utilizes TPU sliders in the shoulders, elbows, and knees for a smoother slide in case of an accident.
Rev’It Xena 4 Ladies One-Piece Suit Riding Impressions
Fitting a full leather suit to the female form is a challenging task. There are many variables that impact fit and it is why so many women riders will eventually opt for a custom fit suit over an off-the-rack suit. I’ve considered myself fairly lucky over the years as most of my favorite European manufacturers tend to build suits close to my body type—short, slender, and narrow. I recognize this is not ideal for many of my fellow female compatriots, and so I’m pleased to share that the Xena 4 does make some departures from that fit even if it is to my detriment.
One can see the general roominess of the upper body stretch material in this photo in both the shoulder and the chest. This will be optimal in case of an airbag deployment, and it also means complete freedom of mobility in the upper body when getting aggressive in the corner of a racetrack. (Alexander Dunstan/)
The princess cut of the Xena 4 bust allows for much more volume in the chest area. With my slender build and in a compression sports bra, this means I have a little bit of an embarrassing air gap in the chest of the Xena 4 suit. For curvier women riders I am sure this will be a welcome change from the usual leather suit that leaves no room at all for the bust. The rest of the upper body was perfectly comfortable straight out of the bag.
I do wish that the sleeve cuffs were tighter in their circumference. The stretch material feels baggy and when I have to stuff the extra material into the cuff of the Xena 4 gloves it is a tedious endeavor and never ends up feeling comfortable. (Alexander Dunstan/)
As far as fitting an air system into the Xena 4 suit, I cannot fit the smallest size Tech-Air 5 system and have similar issues with unisex systems like the Avertum. So for petite women riders like myself, the idea of adding in an air system is a nice one but not an actual reality we can enjoy. Even so, for those who can fit and wear one I would be concerned about the overall fit of the suit when they go one size up to accommodate that system. All of the limbs would be too big and the torso probably overstuffed.
Seen here is the expansive fabric fastener attachment for the knee puck meeting the knee slider, and stretch accordion panel above the knee for mobility. (Alexander Dunstan/)
For an all-black suit, I was surprised by how well the Xena 4 flowed air. I rode at a desert racetrack in 100-degree temperatures and did not find the Xena 4 to be excessively hot. Many times on my out lap I triple-checked the neck collar fabric fastener and zipper as the airflow through the stretch and neoprene materials felt so breezy I was sure I had left them wide open. I could also sense the lighter materials of the aerodynamic hump helping to promote this airflow, as I felt a cooling sensation between the shoulders at top speeds. Many women’s suits will neglect perforated leather altogether and so those added in panels also give the Xena 4 top marks in breathability.
This photo helps illustrate all of the breathable materials in play in the Xena 4 suit, such as the 3D mesh textile, PWR Shield material, and perforated leather. (Alexander Dunstan/)
Unfortunately—for this rider at least—the fit of the lower body in the Xena 4 suit was problematic. While the fit looked and felt great standing around, once I began lifting my leg to get into the saddle of my tall Yamaha R6 the lack of mobility became apparent. It took some awkward hopping and hobbling to stretch my leg to plunk into the seat. Out on track, the same taut feeling inhibited my knee-out riding position, making me feel tight and cramped. Each session ended with my glutes on fire from the exertion of fighting the restrictive materials in the hips and legs of the Xena 4 suit.
Is this an issue that can be remedied as the suit breaks in from more wear, or is it a more serious flaw of the pattern? Comparing the cut of the Xena 4 pattern to my favorite old suit it is apparent there is a difference in how they approach the leather-to-stretch ratio in the thighs. For a person of my dimensions, I will have to say that there are better options out there for lower body mobility.
I just couldn’t quite get comfortable in the Xena 4; I was constantly stretching and searching endlessly with that inside knee for touchdown. (Caliphotography/)
Final Thoughts
As some final thoughts, it is worth noting that the materials, construction, and details of the Rev’It Xena 4 are beyond reproach. It is a beautifully made suit with not one blemish or stray thread. The dual-density sliders look premium, the leather smells and feels amazing, and the overall design sensibilities of the Xena 4 suit are all top-notch. An off-the-rack suit will always have a few “off” measurements between body types, what was troublesome for me may not be the case for the next lady rider. My recommendation for all racing suits is to try it on first before buying, preferably in a showroom with a demo bike to sit on, and determine if an off-the-rack option can work for you individually. If the fit is right, the Rev’It Xena 4 Ladies is one of the most protective and breathable options out there for women riders.
