The Defender , sorry, EVEREST is the only jacket with it's membrane welded to the outer shell.
Water won't get inside the outer shell as with other jackets, where water will run down ON the loose membrane, often finding ways to make you wet. So, for wet conditions I think it's superior.

It's insulating capacity isn't much better than the average Goretex wind-/waterproof jackets.

IME keeping water outside the outer shell tend to be even more important for pants.

i almost got the defender gtx pants at the rev'it sample sale, but held off because they have superfabric at the knees.  i heard stories of superfabric scratching fairings and paint when they come into contact with the bike.  and looking at the placement of it (right on the knees), it looks like a pretty high chance of coming into contact with the painted areas of your bike.

Quote from: stopintime on October 24, 2011, 12:30:02 PM
The Defender is the only jacket with it's membrane welded to the outer shell.
Water won't get inside the outer shell as with other jackets, where water will run down ON the loose membrane, often finding ways to make you wet. So, for wet conditions I think it's superior.

It's insulating capacity isn't much better than the average Goretex wind-/waterproof jackets.

IME keeping water outside the outer shell tend to be even more important for pants.

thats the everest that has the armacore shell with built in liner, the defender has a goretex liner that is removeable.

Quote from: He Man on October 24, 2011, 08:52:44 PM
thats the everest that has the armacore shell with built in liner, the defender has a goretex liner that is removeable.

Sorry, it was the Everest I was talking about. My previous post edited.

Quote from: stopintime on October 25, 2011, 02:39:25 AM
Sorry, it was the Everest I was talking about. My previous post edited.

doh, same

Wow, just viewed the Everest video on Revzilla and it looks like it's da bizness! Maybe that's why it cost more than the FCRs that I'm saving for.

actually the everest will also serve you breakfast in bed and add 10hp. 

Okay, i took the defneder out in heavy snow/rain mix. my pants were DRENCHED in 33 degree weather.

my jacket shell was also wet. it wasnt soaked, but defintely getting there.

but i felt warm and dry and very comfortable. this goretex stuff is AMAZING!

Quote from: He Man on October 29, 2011, 12:44:28 PM
Okay, i took the defneder out in heavy snow/rain mix. my pants were DRENCHED in 33 degree weather.

my jacket shell was also wet. it wasnt soaked, but defintely getting there.

but i felt warm and dry and very comfortable. this goretex stuff is AMAZING!

damn you rode today?  i got about 3-5 inches of snow around me, but the city seemed ok, just wet.

yea on the highway it was mostly watery slushy, which was fine. but on the streets it was just snow.

i got stuck in this small ditch in front of my drive way. that shit was embarrassing since i couldn't get off the bike cause i had plastic bags tied to my feet to keep them dry. i actually had to break out my knife and cut them off cause i was also to oshort to reach them

I have the Rev'it Sand jacket in black/safari and the Sand pants in black.  I am very pleased with the quality and style.  There is a ton of adjustabilty and ventilation but during the dead of summer I am bit sceptical, especially the pants as the shell is real heavy duty.  In terms of warmth, I am not sure how cold you are willing to go but I am sure the low 40s are very doable......at least in my experiance.  I live in Kyiv, Ukraine but I don't ride when there is snow and ice on the ground for a variety of reason [bad drivers (drunk) with crappy cars (Lada 1500 are always trying to kill me), potholes under the snow, etc.].  For sizing reference I am 5'11" and 195-200 lbs and I got both in XL and they fit great.  Unless you are going to do a great deal of extreme riding in extreme conditions I think you will very satisfied with the Sand combo.

they do size up very large, i wear a L and im 5'6 150lbs.

I've been able to ride through my 1st winter with this jacket. TBH it hasn't been much of a cold winter this season but I had the chance to ride several times in sub 40 degree conditions for over an hour at highway speeds. The jacket held up well and I can't say enough good things about it. I still intend on trading up to the goretex Rev'it jacket in the future but my Sand jacket has been more than adequate for me this year.