REV'IT! ECLIPSE 2: REAL SUMMER HEAT FIT & AIRFLOW

The REV’IT! Eclipse 2 gets recommended so often that it’s easy to assume it’s perfect for everyone. It isn’t—but it’s a great buy if your expectations match how mesh really cools you.

REV’IT! Eclipse 2 is worth it if you want a neutral-fit, high-airflow summer jacket that you’ll actually wear. It’s a weaker pick if most of your riding is slow traffic in extreme heat or you want built-in all-weather capability.

TL;DR

REV’IT! Eclipse 2 is a mesh-heavy summer motorcycle jacket built to move a lot of air with CE-rated armor, and it’s priced at $199.99. It feels best once you’re moving, and the slim, neutral cut works across a lot of bikes—but you should plan on adding a back protector and you shouldn’t expect it to solve stop-and-go heat.

Who the Eclipse 2 is for (and who should skip it)

REV’IT! Eclipse 2 is for riders who want maximum airflow in a lightweight, mesh-forward jacket and are okay with the tradeoff that lots of mesh means less abrasion resistance than heavier textiles. It’s a strong match for warm-climate commuting and casual summer sport-touring, but it’s not a year-round solution.

Who I think will be happiest with it

If your main problem is “I’m overheating, so I stop wearing my jacket,” the Eclipse 2 makes a lot of sense. The mesh coverage on the front, back, and inner sleeves is the whole point, and it’s why this jacket gets recommended so often as one of the best summer motorcycle jackets for hot weather.

It’s also not just a sport-bike pick. In a cruiser-focused thread on r/motorcyclegear, the top comment endorses the Eclipse II as working great, being super breezy, and offering good protection—exactly the kind of cross-style vote of confidence that matters if you ride more upright.

Who should skip this (early, so you don’t waste time)

Skip the Eclipse 2 if you’re shopping for “one jacket to do it all.” It’s known for being limited to summer riding and not suitable for transitional seasons on its own.

Also skip it if you’re prioritizing maximum crash protection and want thicker textile panels everywhere. The Eclipse 2’s key tradeoff is that 600D polyester covers only high-impact zones while mesh dominates the front, back, and sleeves.

Finally, if you hate slim fits or you need a lot of sizing flexibility, this jacket can be frustrating. One verified buyer summed up the sizing reality well: “I had to get an XL since the L was too small… this is about 1 size smaller than normal.”

Pros and cons (the honest version)

Pros

• Exceptional airflow from mesh panels on front, back, and inner sleeves
• CE Class A certified (EN 17092-4:2020)
• Seesmart CE Level 1 armor included at shoulders and elbows
• Prepared for a Seesoft CE Level 2 back protector (Type RV)
• Useful everyday features: jeans loop, reflective logo on back, adjustment tabs
• Price is $199.99, which keeps it in the “affordable summer motorcycle jackets under $200” conversation

Cons / tradeoffs

• Mesh-heavy build means reduced abrasion resistance versus traditional textile jackets
• Back protector is optional and sold separately
• Slim fit can run small; some riders size up
• Not suitable for rain riding without waterproof layers underneath

My real-world heat take: traffic vs highway airflow expectations

REV’IT! Eclipse 2 works by dumping as much air as possible through large mesh zones, so it feels dramatically better once you’re moving than when you’re baking at a standstill. Expect it to shine above roughly 30 mph, and expect stop-and-go traffic to still feel hot because airflow is the limiting factor, not the jacket.

Here’s the expectation I wish more reviews would set: r/motorcyclegear regulars consistently describe full mesh as feeling like a T‑shirt above ~30mph. That’s the Eclipse 2’s superpower—when you’re actually getting wind through it.

What “breezy” means at different speeds

• City streets (moving, but interrupted): The jacket vents quickly when you roll on, then you feel heat build again at lights. Over time you learn to treat it like a “moving comfort” jacket, not a “standing comfort” jacket.
• Highway speeds: The mesh can feel almost too open in the sense that wind pressure is constant. REV’IT! includes a wind catcher behind the front zipper, which helps keep the zipper area from feeling like a direct blast.

The uncomfortable truth about extreme heat

Mesh doesn’t create cold air. It just stops the jacket from trapping heat. If your riding is mostly slow traffic in extreme heat, the Eclipse 2 won’t magically make that pleasant—it just keeps you from feeling like you’re wrapped in a non-breathing shell.

That’s why I think “best summer motorcycle jackets for hot weather” needs a speed qualifier. Eclipse 2 is best when you’re moving.

Fit and sizing: why the neutral cut is the whole point

REV’IT! Eclipse 2 fits with a slim, neutral cut that’s meant to work across different riding postures without feeling like a race jacket or a boxy touring shell. The upside is a clean fit on standards, sport-tourers, and cruisers; the downside is less forgiveness if you’re between sizes.

A lot of summer jackets get described as “neutral,” but the Eclipse 2’s neutral cut is what makes it easy to live with across bike types. On a standard or sport-touring bike, it doesn’t feel like it’s fighting your reach to the bars. On a cruiser, it doesn’t look or feel like a track-day piece.

My sizing reality check (and what I’d do)

The most useful sizing clue I’ve seen is from a verified buyer: “I had to get an XL since the L was too small. Normally I can wear a L or XL but this is about 1 size smaller than normal.” If you’re between sizes, I’d take that warning seriously.

Once you get the right size, the jacket can still feel form fitting without restricting movement. Another verified buyer put it plainly: “Fit is great, breathes very well and is well made.”

Adjustments that actually matter day to day

The Eclipse 2 has adjustment tabs at the waist, cuffs, and upper arms. In real use, those upper-arm tabs are the difference between armor staying where it should and armor rotating when you move around on the bike.

Owner-type detail that surprised me: the cuff V-flap is the kind of small feature you don’t think about until you’re doing glove-on, glove-off stops. After a few rides, you stop fiddling and it becomes a quick, repeatable motion.

If you want a broader framework for fit expectations across genders and cuts, I’d use women’s vs men’s motorcycle apparel fit: my checklist alongside the brand’s chart so you’re not guessing.

Protection and armor: what you’re getting at this price tier

REV’IT! Eclipse 2 gives you CE Class A certification with Seesmart CE Level 1 armor in the shoulders and elbows, and it’s prepared for a Seesoft CE Level 2 back protector (Type RV) that you buy separately. The protection story is “credible and breathable,” not “maximum coverage and thickness.”

This is where the Eclipse 2’s popularity can mislead people. It’s easy to read “good protection” and assume it’s comparable to heavier textile sport jackets. It isn’t, and it’s not trying to be.

The real tradeoff: airflow vs abrasion margin

The jacket’s own tradeoff is explicit: maximum summer ventilation via extensive mesh versus compromise on abrasion resistance. It uses polyester 600D in high-impact zones, while mesh dominates the front, back, and sleeves.

That doesn’t mean it’s unsafe—it means you should buy it for the right mission. If you want a deeper decision framework on this exact tradeoff, mesh vs. textile summer motorcycle jackets lays out the logic without pretending one is always “better.”

Back protection: plan for it

The Eclipse 2 is prepared for a Seesoft CE Level 2 back protector (Type RV), sold separately. In practice, that means most buyers end up doing the common upgrade path: jacket first, then back protection once they’ve confirmed sizing.

Daily ride details: adjustments, pockets, and comfort quirks

REV’IT! Eclipse 2 is comfortable for daily riding because it’s lightweight, has practical adjustment points, and includes four pockets (two inner, two front slit). The quirks are the same ones most mesh jackets have: wind can feel intense at speed, and the slim fit can feel less forgiving when you add layers.

Pockets and small usability wins

You get two inner pockets and two front slit pockets. That’s enough for the basics without turning the jacket into a cargo vest.

The jeans loop is one of those features you don’t appreciate until you’ve ridden a few hot days and realized you’re shifting around more at stops. It helps keep the jacket from creeping up your back when you’re moving between seated and standing positions.

Comfort quirks I noticed over time

• Wind management: The wind catcher behind the front zipper helps, but the jacket is still “open” by design. The first couple rides can feel like a lot of air pressure compared to a textile shell.
• Armor feel: Seesmart CE Level 1 armor is low-profile, which is great for comfort, but you’ll notice it most when you’re off the bike—like walking into a store—because the jacket is slim and keeps everything close to your body.

There’s also a laminated reflective logo on the back. It’s subtle enough that it doesn’t scream “hi-vis,” but it’s there.

How I’d layer it for surprise weather (without turning it into a sauna)

Layering under the REV’IT! Eclipse 2 works best when you keep it thin and removable, because the jacket’s slim fit and mesh-forward design don’t leave much room for bulky insulation. It can handle surprise temperature drops with smart layers, but it’s still a summer jacket and it’s not suitable for rain riding without waterproof layers underneath.

The mistake I see is trying to force a mesh jacket into being a three-season jacket by stuffing thick layers under it. With a slim fit, that quickly turns into tight shoulders, bunched elbows, and armor that doesn’t sit right.

My practical layering approach

• For a cooler morning that warms up: I’d use a thin layer I can remove and stash easily, because once the day heats up, the Eclipse 2’s whole value is airflow.
• For surprise rain: The jacket itself isn’t your rain solution. If you need a system approach, I’d follow a dedicated layering plan like motorcycle apparel by season: mesh, rain suit, layers rather than hoping the Eclipse 2 can “kind of” do it.

The tradeoff is simple: the more you layer, the more you blunt the mesh effect that you paid for.

Alternatives I’d consider depending on your riding style

Alternatives to the REV’IT! Eclipse 2 make sense if your priorities aren’t “maximum airflow first.” The two names that come up constantly in the same shopping conversations are the REV’IT! Tornado 3 Jacket and the Klim Induction Jacket, and both are worth considering if you want a different balance than the Eclipse 2’s mesh-heavy approach.

If you’re choosing based on riding style

If you’re trying to match a jacket to a specific bike and posture—touring vs sport vs cruiser—I’d start with best summer motorcycle jackets by riding style because it frames the decision around how you actually ride, not just what looks good in a product photo.

If you’re cross-shopping a direct rival

If the Eclipse 2 is on your shortlist because of price and ventilation, the cleanest head-to-head I’d use is REV’IT! Eclipse 2 vs REAX Alta 2 Mesh Jacket. Eclipse 2 wins decisively on summer ventilation and breathability through its mesh-forward design, but the decision hinges on whether that cooling is worth the reduced protection margin compared to more traditional textiles.

Mentioned alternatives (name-only)

• REV’IT! Tornado 3 Jacket
• Klim Induction Jacket

FAQ: back protectors, color choice, and buying online

REV’IT! Eclipse 2 questions usually come down to three things: whether it’s actually cool in traffic, whether it works outside sport bikes, and what upgrades you should budget for. The short version is that it cools best when moving, it works for cruiser riders too, and most people should plan for a back protector and a smart color choice.

Is the REV’IT! Eclipse 2 actually cool in stop-and-go traffic?

REV’IT! Eclipse 2 is not “cool” in stop-and-go traffic in the way people hope, because airflow is limited when you’re not moving. It does feel less stifling than less-ventilated jackets, but it really comes alive once you’re rolling and air can pass through the mesh.

Does the Eclipse 2 work for cruiser riders as well as sport/standard riders?

REV’IT! Eclipse 2 works for cruiser riders as well as sport/standard riders because the cut is neutral and the jacket isn’t styled like a race piece. In r/motorcyclegear cruiser discussions, riders specifically endorse the Eclipse II as super breezy and protective enough for summer, which matches how it wears on upright bikes.

What should I do about back protection with the Eclipse 2?

REV’IT! Eclipse 2 is prepared for a Seesoft CE Level 2 back protector (Type RV), but it’s sold separately. If you’re buying the jacket, I’d treat the back protector as part of the real budget and add it once you’ve confirmed your size so the fit stays correct.

Should I buy a light color for summer riding?

A light color is one of the easiest comfort upgrades you can make for summer riding, especially in direct sun. In r/motorcyclegear heat discussions, riders repeatedly emphasize that light-colored fabric is a noticeable comfort improvement, and it’s the kind of buying lever that matters as much as the jacket model.

Can I make the Eclipse 2 work for spring/fall with layering?

You can stretch the Eclipse 2 into spring/fall by layering underneath, but it works best with thin, removable layers because the jacket is slim fit. If you try to turn it into an all-season setup with bulky insulation, you’ll lose the airflow benefit and the fit can get cramped around the armor.

Where to buy summer motorcycle jackets online (including the Eclipse 2)

If you want the Eclipse 2 specifically, the most direct option is the official product page: REV’IT! Eclipse 2 Jacket. If you’re still comparing, I’d narrow your list by riding style and then choose based on fit and airflow expectations rather than chasing the “coolest jacket” promise.

Features to look for in a summer motorcycle jacket (using the Eclipse 2 as the template)

The features that matter most in summer motorcycle jackets are mesh placement (front/back/inner arms), a fit that keeps armor in place, and a realistic plan for back protection and weather layers. Eclipse 2 nails the airflow-first brief with extensive mesh and included shoulder/elbow armor, but it asks you to accept the mesh-versus-abrasion tradeoff.

Final verdict

REV’IT! Eclipse 2 is a smart buy if your priority is maximum airflow in a jacket you’ll actually wear all summer. It’s the wrong tool if you want one jacket for cold mornings, rain, and year-round riding.