The manufacturer's description says the Rev'it Sand 5 H2O trousers are for multi-season, multi-purpose adventures, blending ventilation, a removable thermal liner and a waterproof liner that can also be worn as over-trousers. I took them to Ladakh, India, for 16 days of challenging riding in heat, dust and altitude. Alongside tackling mountain passes and rough roads, they doubled as everyday gear for exploring off the bike.
Fit & comfort
On first sight the legs looked too wide, but once on the bike I stopped noticing. The waist and hips were an excellent fit, and a size medium matched what I usually wear. I opted for the short leg version, though they ran a touch longer than other short-legged trousers I've tried.
On the bike, the trousers were very comfortable, even during long days spent standing on the pegs wrestling bikes through rocky terrain.
Photography: Jose Mas
Off the bike — whether exploring monasteries or collapsing into a roadside café chair — they remained easy to wear. Their lightweight nature became a real strength in Ladakh’s thin air and searing heat, where conserving energy mattered.
The velcro fasteners at the bottom of the legs sealed securely over even my chunkier motocross boots, which was another plus.
Cold and wet weather protection
The removable waterproof liner doubles as over-trousers. I didn’t need them in Ladakh’s dry conditions, but their thickness and quality suggest strong wet-weather performance. Wearing them as over-trousers also keeps the main fabric dry, avoiding that soggy outer layer some other trousers suffer from.
A removable thermal liner is also included. I didn’t need it on this hot-weather trip, but it looks well-made and substantial enough to provide real warmth on colder rides.
Breathability & ventilation
Ventilation is handled by two large zipped panels on the thighs. These fold neatly into a pocket or can be partly secured open with a press stud. In Ladakh, the system worked well up to the high twenties. Above 30°C, no kit can work miracles, but the lightweight fabric helped keep me more comfortable than heavier gear could have. That made a huge difference at altitudes of up to 5800 metres, where even simple exertion left me short of breath.
Protection
The Sand 5 trousers carry an AA safety rating in CE, with Level 2 knee armour and Level 1 hip armour as standard. The armour is comfortable and unobtrusive, though despite choosing the short-leg version and adjusting the knee armour to its highest position, it still sat slightly low when I was standing on the pegs. The trousers’ light weight had initially made me question their protective ability, but a tumble in deep sand proved otherwise — they shrugged it off with no damage, and I walked away with only a dent to my pride.
Pockets
Two hip pockets provide basic storage. The right has a zip closure, the left a single press stud. They’re a little small, and I’d prefer both to be zipped for extra confidence.
Durability
Despite the dust, rocks and inevitable scrapes of adventure riding, the trousers still look fresh after 1200 miles. There’s no visible wear, even after a spill in some sand, and I’m confident a wash will return them to near-new condition. The build quality and robust liners suggest they’ll stand up well to long-term use.
Conclusion
I wasn’t immediately convinced by the Sand 5 H2O trousers. The loose legs and featherweight feel made me doubt their protective ability. But the more I wore them, the more I appreciated them. Their light weight, effective ventilation and clever multi-layer system made them an excellent companion in tough conditions. They’re comfortable on and off the bike, practical with their over-trouser waterproofs, and they’ve already proved their resilience.
A couple of tweaks — such as better knee armour positioning for shorter riders and twin zipped pockets — would make them even better. But as it stands, these trousers are a versatile, trustworthy option for adventure riding.
Rev'it Sand 5 H2O Textile Trousers
