Toby, any chance you can give an update on the Klim Koiak following a year of use as I am very tempted to go for the jacket following a lot of research
Ive a Klim Badlands. Im riding in the cold of NZ winter and the humid heat of Vietnam. My experience over the years taught me I can add layers but I cant get cooler. Badlands with wet cottern Tee, full open vents and im comfortable in 36-40c. Love this coat.
Klim (pronounced : "climb" ) is an American company based in the state of Idaho. However they source and manufacture all over the world. Thanks for this excellent (as usual) review.
Good review, I bought one, absolutely love it but Im selling it because of the collar that I cant adjust tight enough to keep the cold air and water out (it was the whole purpose of the jacket, but I still have to bring along rain gear to stay dry because of the collar). As for being cold this is really a shell meant to be worn with layers in cold weather (klim have many layers available even if it would be nice to include one for the price). Let us know what you think once you hit a proper rain storm. I was also a Rukka customer before. My Rukka was softer, more comfortable, warmer, the downside is that it didnt look nearly as good as the Klim and it was too hot on +30c. This Klim is amazing on hot dry days, thats where it really shines its almost like wearing a mesh jacket when all vents are open, unless your stuck in traffic you will never overheat even at 40c.
Love the klim too. Fits much better but rukka was softer. Agree that for the price it would be great to have an inner layer included but I like the neck opening, although bigger than I was used to through a couple of real heavy rain storms (in cornwall) I was being be dry and nothing got in the neck for me. (Might just be luck for me). Can’t wait to try it in Spain later this year in the heat as that was why I bought it primarily ;)
Your videos are very informative but also very entertaining. I especially like the lag time between when the older guy makes a joke and then the younger guy finally catches on....it's very obvious when the light bulb goes on! LOL. Great work. I can't believe you don't have a lot more subscribers!
Hey Alex, thanks so much for the kind words it really means a lot, we really love making videos and enjoy having fun and glad it comes through on the camera :) Ride safe
Good review. I just bought the same jacket today and initially wanted the Badlands...but when I put it on it was just too long for my shape. The Euro fit of the Kodiak was much better for me and now that I have accepted that fact, I;m very happy with the purchase. One thing I didn't like about the BMW Rallye suite was all the multiple layers. The Kodiak is effectively and highly technical shell of Gortex Pro with loads of venting options and pockets as you illustrated. I think it will serve me well. Our local Aussie seller (AdventureMoto) had a Boxing Day sale and everything was 20% off so that really helped my decision to commit which brought it down to the same price at the Rally suit Jacket. I defiantly prefer the single layer concept. So thumbs up for your review and I certainly second your comments on the quality and feel of this product. Recommended.
Hey Chris, thanks so much for the kind words. This suit is amazing and like you i was looking at the Badlands, but on seeing this it suited me more. not only the fitting but also the features it has and great for warm weather riding too :)
very nice review. I personally went for the Badlands. Just one precision: the pocket you thought is for the mobile is actually for the GPS, but it is still a bit small for the BMW Navigator VI or even V. Enjoy the jacket. Regards, Paul
I've got Rukka Cosmic kit myself which has been brilliant for 3 seasons use and chose to get one of their Airman mesh suits with the gortex liner for the hot weather......and have worn it once LOL. Toby, how do you clean your Klim jacket then being a textile/leather mix. Can you just wash it in the machine with the usual nikwax cleaner the same as you would a full textile one?
Hey mate. Rukka is amazing too. Nice cho very for the mesh too :) Yeah it’s washable with the usual nikwax in the machine (without the d30 of course). Hehhe
It's a lot of money but in line with Rukka I guess. The main thing is you do enough miles to justify the cost. Well done lads...good video. Would be good to get an update during the summer and see how you got on.
Hey mate, thanks for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed the vid and yeah worth it with the miles we are doing and will definately do a follow up after a few miles during the summer. Just wish the price was a bit cheaper but hey, needs must. Hahha ride safe buddy
Hey guys, excellent review! I ride the States, live in the northeast and do a lot of touring along the Blue Ridge/Great Smoky Mountains where climate change amidst elevation changes can be quite unpredictable. I also do not like the fit of layered jackets with multiple zip out linings. I find them to be too stiff and binding. A soft comfortable fleece beneath an exceptional shell with proper protection is the way to go so I have found your review extremely helpful in making my final decision to purchase the Klim Kodiak, thank you! I do have one question for which you may be able to help. There are no Klim dealers to be found in my area which would allow me to try on the jacket prior to purchase. I am 6'3", 190lbs with an athletic build. My concern is the sleeve length of the jacket. The Klim website is confusing with measuring instructions. The instructions for measuring/fitment are in direct conflict with the measuring illustration (it says to measure from the back of the neck in the middle of the spine, yet the illustration shows that one should measure from the top of the shoulder near the side of the neck). A European size 54 seems to be the proper chest/waist fit but the sleeve length is 32.5 which seems to me to be much on the shorter side. Do you find your jacket to fit similar to other jackets in your size, or do the sleeves seem to be shorter? ...thanks for any advice/help you can provide and again, great review guys!!! ...Rickey
hey buddy, thanks for the kind words.. The Kodiak is a great jacket and my go to bit of kit to wear. I was able to try it on before i bought it which i know deosnt help you at all, but in terms of the sleeves, they are just the right length and nothing seems to be out of proportion at all. The best way i can describe the jackets fit is, a more shaped fit (larger at the shoulders and tapering to the stomach), whereas the badlands style is more straight down. The kodiac is more of a fitted feel. But the sleeves are just right as i said and dont seem too short or too long... sorry cant help much more, but its so difficult to get the right fit from looking on a screen... good luck buddy :)
Toby, I'd be interested to know what size you chose and what your measurements are. The sizing for the Kodiak is European but most of the other Klim jackets (Badlands, etc.) are "bucketed" (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, etc). I was in the RevZilla showroom (Philadelphia) yesterday trying on various Jackets from Klim, Rukka, Rev-IT, etc. Originally I was considering the Rukka Realer. But as luck would have it, those are completely sold out (globally, until Jan 2019, I think they said). That might be for the best because here in the Northeast US, we really need a little more venting to achieve 3 season cool/cold, and a lot more venting for 4 season. Anyway, I tried on the Badlands. It is a much heavier beast, and it feels like tank armor (in a good way). That would definitely be the right choice for hard core adventuring, say for a mix of on and off road in seriously adverse or unpredictable weather. It's overkill for commuting or light sport-touring. It is more flexible with layering than the Kodiak because of the roomier cut. So for a trip to Alaska, with a bit of camping involved, it would definitely be on my short list. They only had a too-small Kodiak (size 52) in the showroom. I couldn't even get it closed, but I could tell that it would be very sleek and comfortable, properly sized. The sales lady suggested I would probably need a size 56 to be able to fit a thermal layer of some kind. It only runs up to a size 58, which equates to the low end of XL, I believe. If you plan on wearing multiple layers underneath, and/or you normally fit snug in a large, I think that would be a safer choice. The Kodiak is probably the best choice for the majority of the riding I do (commuting and hotel touring with my wife on an FJR), and it has the advantage of looking very nice off the bike as well as on (as you can tell from the video). BTW: I'm 6'1", 195 lbs, 42-43" chest, 36-38" waist (in jeans). Hope that helps anyone trying to get an idea on sizing.
Hi Ben, thanks for the question. i am 40 inch chest and 32 inch waist so i found that the kodiak was just the right fit in medium. there is only a medium label in mine but on looking at the sizing i think it is about a 52UK. the Kodiak is a much better fit than the badlands jacket as it has a very European fit rather than a straight down fit. It is also a little lighter than the Badlands jacket. I find even with the fitting of the Kodiak that i can fit a fleece underneath if i need to in the winter months here in the UK. Hope this helps Toby
Hey Toby. Love the reviews. After months deciding between a new Rukka or Klim piece of kit to replace my old (and fantastic) Hein Gerricke, I jumped at the Kodiak back in Jan, mainly after rewatching this vid over and over! Love it. One question for you though, do you find the shoulders stick up a bit too much in the riding position and can block you when you are turning your head, checking for traffic in your blind spot? Never had it on any jacket before. Otherwise, love it but it is becoming a right pain. Thanks!
hey buddy, great choice! not had a problem with the shoulder sticking up too far although when wearing the helite vest it looks like they are quite high, but not had an issue with it restricting my head at all... Its still going well after last years touring in hot and cold weather and in all the rain in Cornwall the last few months it has kept me bone dry still. quality kit indeed :)
@@RiderCamTV Good to hear! Yeah, loving it otherwise. Klim were back to me within a couple of hours and said they were more than happy to take a look to see what the problem is. Top marks for customer service so far👍
Hey John, thanks for the kind words. Lighter gear is always good especially on a bike as we can get bogged down so much with heavy gear that makes everything so much more effort and could be counter productive too. The tech has come a long way with the Klim although heavy ish, the armour is so light but the impact resistance of the material and construction is far above some heavier alternatives.. i think black is more popular because not everyone likes bright or gash colours, where some riders have gear that matches their bikes, and with black anything fits with it :)
Sooo...what made you ditch the Richa Touareg so quickly? Really interested, because I've had the Richa for more than three years now and constantly find myself looking at Gore Tex Jackets. Is it really worth it?
Hi guys, great jacket but, how many pockets? I would just end up losing stuff; or just plain forget where i put something. As you say though, if it is fit for purpose and, is ideal for the hotter countries that you ride in a lot, it’s worth the money to be cool and protected. Off the vlog topic; how are those Metzeler 01’s holding up; getting good mileage? Keep up the good work and safe riding.
Hey Keith. Thanks for the kind words. Glad your enjoying the vids. It’s got loads of pockets and most I don’t use but always handy to have. Hahha. The metzeler 01’s are performing admirably, Definately a keeper for our bikes we think. Good mileage and still going strong ;)
hey buddy. Yep still using the Klim. Fab jacket and if i took a picture now it would still look brand new. Nothing has failed so far and still not got wet, and i have been in loads of rain in the UK and have been bone dry. Great bit of kit still :) Hope that helps
Chris, the bloke in the bunnet from motolegends.com would agree with your pronunciation of Klim Lol That's a great jacket! I have a nivala and I was disappointed the zips aren't ykk. They've not let any water in yet, but, they're not the easiest to use, and the feeling of a ykk is like the clunk of first gear. You can feel it engaged.
Hi Both, Great and very nice jacket you have. I do have the Badlands suit and this is also a great outfit. I have used the BMW Rally suit for the last 4 to 5 years, this was also a great outfit and still is. But what is good about Klim is being a pro shell the outer stays dry, which is an advantage over the BMW outfit especially in the uk! Also for travelling in Europe Klim have incorporated lots of vents to help keep you cool when the sun is out!!. Regards To you both, Dave. (ps. Check my last video out on the Denali Camsmart!! well for a laugh).
Hey Dave. It’s an awesome jacket and agree totally about the others. With it staying dry from the pro she’ll makes such a different especially for weight :) Nice vid you got there mate Ride safe :)
Nice review. That is a nice jacket. It's a noisy thing isn't it! Unfortunately I can't find one in my size. Finding one that offers a 50" chest can be a pain. To be honest, there is no way I'm gonna pay that for a jacket anyway. That is just me though. I say that, but 9 years ago I did go for an Aerostich Transit 2 Suit which was well in this range or more. I still have it and do not ride long range in anything else. So you do get what you pay for. But in this case I just don't see this as something I would spend that much on.
I’d be fascinated to know how your lovely Klim compares in an accident to my RST Adventure which is a third of the price but I’m really impressed with as a four season jacket. How much of the cost is materials/R&D/marketing...... Although I’m not suggesting we have a ‘crash off’!
Hahha. Glad you put that at the end mate. Don’t fancy a crash off. Hahha. But it would be interesting to see (obvs not suggesting a crash off either) 😬
Brother i wanted to purchase the kodaik pants, my height is 5.7and half foot and my waiste is 39 can you please help me out , as to what size would be perfect for me .?
its a difficult one as the sizes are a bit odd. Best bet is to visit a dealer to check or of course order the size you think and then send them back to get replaced if needed... sorry couldn't be more help
I know what you mean. It’s hard to find something that fits well. Glad I came across klim as love the fit (for the first time in my life) I got something that fits well. Eek!
Love your videos lads,good banter and craic,just wondering have you looked at the Rukka Nivala suit...Laminate suit,but stretchy,hence more comfy I'm told.Time to upgrade from my Street Guard,and the 6 year warranty makes it appealing.
Nice review! Toby, I noticed the jacket is size 52. Can you please give your size and weight if you're OK with that, perhaps in the video description? That would be absolutely fantastic! Thanks!
Haha. If you shop around you can get some awesome deals! Don’t pay the ticket price ever. There is always room for negotiation ;) As we are on the bike most of the time in all weathers it’s a ‘tool of the trade’ for us so is good to get gear that’s gonna last. I too wish it was cheaper. Eek!
Lifetime warranty is worth a lot of that price plus if you ever have an off on tarmac wearing it then return the whole suit to Klim along with a Police report detailing road/weather details etc then Klim replace the complete suit free of charge so that they can use your crashed one for future research to make improvements.
Yeah I was speaking to the guy from Klim at the bike show, (NOT a UK dealer/importer but form the factory), and he gave me the info on the warranty so suit is lifetime and the crash warranty is something like 5 or 7 years I can't remember which it was. It one of the things that put the klim gear to the top of my list over BMW plus I never want another suit with multiple zip in/out liners they are so much of a pain in the arse on tour, just need to save up the pennies now :)
Bonjour Bonsoir bon Ben suite de messages que j'avais laissés sur le site dans m'a contacté pour me dire comme quoi la marque KLIM allait être à Dafy moto Avignon nord Je suis descendu directement hop on a pu essayer une tenue elle était en noir mais j'ai réussi à l'apprendre en bleu la Kodiak avec la veste pantalon plus l'airbag de la même marque franchement ça m'est revenu exactement en totalité avec une cartouche supplémentaire à 3059€ Dafy moto ma offert directement la dorsale numéro 2 pour mettre dans l'airbag je suis remonté directement sur Nancy le 23 dans la nuit toujours en moto j'ai roulé toute la nuit j'ai pris la flotte le froid surtout dépassait Lyon arrivée directement sur Dijon euh ça caillait quand même un peu j'ai dû mettre ma doublure qui était avec la tenue nickel chrome franchement très bien protégé du froid et de la pluie franchement rien à redire là-dessus elle est airbag franchement pas de souci même si c'est électronique il y a aucun problème personnellement quoi je suis satisfait de l'achat que j'ai fait vu qu'en plus elle me garantit à vie voilà et j'espère prendre aussi directement avignon nord les chaussures adaptées parce que les fonds aussi pour la moto plus rajouter une paire de gants hiver de la même marque même si là actuellement je suis près de Saint-Tropez que je mets 3 h de route pour aller jusqu'à dafy moto nord Et je remercie encore la personne qui a fait rentrer la marque américaine ou canadienne en France franchement c'est du bon matos
