Anyone with a Klim Badlands?

[Mr_Gone]

I am finally in a place in my life where I have both the time and money to tour quite a lot, and the money to buy some top-end equipment. And since I currently believe "Buy the Best You Can Afford," I have been looking at some somewhat rather pricey jackets, specifically the Klim Badlands Pro, which is $900 jacket.

Does anyone own/wear this jacket, and if so would you be willing to share your thoughts / feelings / impressions / suggestions / experiences on the jacket? Before I drop just short of a grand on a jacket, I'd like to hear the consensus opinion.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I don't mind spending money. I am opposed to wasting it.

My second choice is the Klim Latitude. Feel free to chime in on that, also.

[black hills]

been looking at it myself, let me know what you think if you get one

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I have the Klim Latitude, but I'm not sure if I'm qualified to really say much about it yet. I haven't worn it that often since I got it, so I haven't reached the "second skin" stage of ownership. However, here are some random thoughts:

- Excellent waterproofness. Just be sure to close all of the vents  
- Seems "stiff". This may change as I wear it more often, but right now I feel a little awkward in it (but only when walking around; on the bike it feels fine)
- It is noisy. Again, off the bike only, but when I walk out of the office EVERYONE can here me swish-swish my way down the aisle
- Nice pockets. I'm not entirely keen on the two inside front pockets, but everything else seems good.
- I have the black model, Dan has the grey. They both look good and the KLIM logo is tastefully applied
- I haven't worn it in warm weather, so I can't say how well it vents. From the placement of them, it would appear that it would be effective
- Personal issue that the neck velcro flap is not long enough to go around the turtle fur and connect to the other side (easy fix; I just hate having to "fix" something new)
- Also pet peeve that the jacket/pants zipper is one of those weenie 8" things that doesn't do much. The pant side zipper also seems incredibly difficult to access. I'll be installing a 3/4 circumference zipper this month.


I bought mine from Touratech in Seattle and they were very good about working with me on sizing, etc. I'm not sorry I bought it    If you have specific questions/concerns, ask away!  

[Kneescrubber]

I've never heard of that brand before. What makes them worth that much money?

[Mrs. DantesDame]

The Latitude is "only" $560.  

It has a lot features that I like, the most important being that the outer layer is waterproof. That means no additional rain gear to carry around, and when it does start to rain, the rest of the jacket isn't absorbing all of the water even though the inner layer is keeping me dry.

Here's the webpage for their stuff  

[R Doug]

The Badlands is overkill IMHO unless you're going to be doing a long ride around the world in some technical places.  

I recently acquired a new jacket as I lost some weight and my Aerostich jacket was way too big for me.  The Latitude 840 Jacket was high on my list as my experience with Klim's offroad gear has been most excellent.  My Thor and other offroad pants would quickly show signs of wear and my Klim stuff held up very well even with all my getoffs in the dirt.

I ultimately decided on the RevIt Defender GTX jacket based on its versatility and ultimate sizing as it fit me the best out of the two.  The advantage of the Klim Latitude was it has a waterproof shell, which, similar to my 'Stitch Darien, means I would never have to pull over and put on rain gear when it started to rain.  That said, this was also the disadvantage of the Latitude for me as it would be warmer than the Defender in summer temps.  

So, the jacket I chose gets high marks for 4 season versatility with EXCELLENT venting.  But, when the rain starts to get heavy, I need to zip in the Gortex innerliner to keep my body dry.  Both are great jackets.  It comes down to what features are most important to you.  

[Mr_Gone]

I have the Klim Latitude, but I'm not sure if I'm qualified to really say much about it yet. I haven't worn it that often since I got it, so I haven't reached the "second skin" stage of ownership. However, here are some random thoughts:

- Excellent waterproofness. Just be sure to close all of the vents  
- Seems "stiff". This may change as I wear it more often, but right now I feel a little awkward in it (but only when walking around; on the bike it feels fine)
- It is noisy. Again, off the bike only, but when I walk out of the office EVERYONE can here me swish-swish my way down the aisle
- Nice pockets. I'm not entirely keen on the two inside front pockets, but everything else seems good.
- I have the black model, Dan has the grey. They both look good and the KLIM logo is tastefully applied
- I haven't worn it in warm weather, so I can't say how well it vents. From the placement of them, it would appear that it would be effective
- Personal issue that the neck velcro flap is not long enough to go around the turtle fur and connect to the other side (easy fix; I just hate having to "fix" something new)
- Also pet peeve that the jacket/pants zipper is one of those weenie 8" things that doesn't do much. The pant side zipper also seems incredibly difficult to access. I'll be installing a 3/4 circumference zipper this month.


I bought mine from Touratech in Seattle and they were very good about working with me on sizing, etc. I'm not sorry I bought it    If you have specific questions/concerns, ask away!  

Awesome response! I like the pros and cons. It really does help me make my decision.

I am still considering the Klim Latitude, especially since it's $340 less than the Badlands. But I love the styling of the Badlands, plus I think the armor is a little better, and the Badlands has the Goretex Pro shell while the Latitude has the Goretex Performance shell. I guess the difference in shells is the number of layers (or so I've read), with the Pro shell has a little better durability regarding interior wear.

While I realize that buying a $900 jacket might seem like overkill, I do plan to keep it for years and year... so the amortized cost isn't much per year.

I guess what I'm looking for is a do-it-all 4-season jacket, and the Klim jackets seem to come closest to that (unattainable) ideal.

[Mr_Gone]

I've never heard of that brand before. What makes them worth that much money?

Kneescrubber, I'm not sure anything makes any jacket worth that sort of money. That's my big dilemma. For a 4-season jacket with excellent waterproofing and excellent armor, I think I can justify spending the $ since I plan to keep it for years and years. Heck, if I keep it for 10 years, that's only $90/year and that doesn't seem so bad.

I don't mind making a mistake. I object to making a foolish mistake. So I've been doing a ridiculous amount of research. A ridiculous amount. A stupid amount of research, really.

From what I understand, Klim originally started with snowmobiling gear, then moved into motocycling gear. So I hope they know what they're doing when it comes to outer shells and waterproofing. Worth the money? I don't know. I'm trying to figure that out.

[the drummer]

Nice to know that someone else also,spends a bunch of time doing research!! I too waste (according to my wife!) countless hours reading/searching riding gear.
  It's a big investment based on versatility,durability,protection,and comfort!! I personally have nothing against comfort!! With that all said, I have been looking at Rev'it or
Klim. Also check out Macna riding gear from Twisted Throttle.com. Good luck in your search and let us know what cha' find!! Speed Safe...

[Mr_Gone]

Nice to know that someone else also,spends a bunch of time doing research!!

I probably waste a stupid amount of time researching my motorcycles, and my gear. I have probably watched the Revzilla videos for about 25 different jackets, and watched each video three or four times. I actually enjoy the research.

I'm 99% sure I'm going with the Badlands, so long as it doesn't weigh 25 pounds. I'll definitely provide a write-up after my purchase.

[R Doug]

It looks like we're all alike here in terms of time spent doing research.  I'm sure you know this, but Webbikeworld is an excellent resource.  


Klim Badlands.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r4/klim-clothing/

RevIt Defender.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/rev-it/defender-gtx-jacket-review/

[Papa Lazarou]

If money is no object, nothing can beat the Rukka Armacor. I mean that-nothing. Rukka stuff is incredibly tough and comfy too. Best in the world.

[Mr_Gone]

It looks like we're all alike here in terms of time spent doing research.  I'm sure you know this, but Webbikeworld is an excellent resource.  

Klim Badlands.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r4/klim-clothing/

RevIt Defender.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/rev-it/defender-gtx-jacket-review/

I did look at webbikeworld and watched their videos several times. I decided on the Badlands over the Rev'It Defender because the Gore-Tex waterproofing is built into the outer shell of the Badlands, where the Defender has a liner.

My quest has been to simplify my riding gear... that is, I can take off on a trip and carry a minimum amount of do-it-all apparel, which will carry me through temps ranging from the teens to the 100s, rain or shine. Plus I dislike stopping and having to zip in a liner when it starts to rain. I wanted to be able to just keep riding and not worry about either zipping in a liner, or donning my rainsuit.

Truthfully, I'm still considering the Klim Latitude, also, because I think it's a great jacket that will do 99% of what I want it to do. I think the Badlands has better summer venting, though, and that was another deciding factor.

[Mr_Gone]

If money is no object, nothing can beat the Rukka Armacor. I mean that-nothing. Rukka stuff is incredibly tough and comfy too. Best in the world.

I looked at the Rukka Armas and also the Kalifornia. Since I was looking for a 3/4 length jacket, that ruled out the Armas (although I believe it is a fantastic jacket). And I believe the Kalifornia has a Gore-Tex waterproof liner, and in my quest for simplicity I didn't want a liner system. I wanted one jacket to do it all, as simply as possible, for all seasons, in all temperature ranges, in all sorts of weather.

I mean, is that too much to ask?

[Kneescrubber]

..I wanted one jacket to do it all, as simply as possible, for all seasons, in all temperature ranges, in all sorts of weather.

I mean, is that too much to ask?

 


Come ride the Texas Panhandle and West Texas with me next July and/or August. You'll be shucking that Gore-Tex shell in a New York minute.

[black hills]

 


Come ride the Texas Panhandle and West Texas with me next July and/or August. You'll be shucking that Gore-Tex shell in a New York minute.

   while I would love the nice jacket, my Kilimanjaro combined with a Castle mesh jacket covers everything from 30-110  

[Mr_Gone]

 

Come ride the Texas Panhandle and West Texas with me next July and/or August. You'll be shucking that Gore-Tex shell in a New York minute.

I have no doubt you are correct. I don't get the severe high temps you experience in Texas, but I do get 100-degree-plus temps plus 90% humidity in Arkansas... for which I'll probably switch to my mesh jacket.

I have been informed by several Badlands jacket owners that the jacket is hot in hot weather (what jacket isn't) but that it's endurable so long as your moving. So the venting is pretty good. Not as good as a mesh jacket, I'm sure, but for the sake of reducing my gear I think the Badlands will at least allow me to eliminate my rain gear while allowing me to wear it 10-11 months out of the year... switching to mesh when the temps skyrocket over 100.

I realize that no one single jacket is perfect for every day of the year... but a guy can dream, can't he?

[Kneescrubber]

I have no doubt you are correct. I don't get the severe high temps you experience in Texas, but I do get 100-degree-plus temps plus 90% humidity in Arkansas... for which I'll probably switch to my mesh jacket.

I have been informed by several Badlands jacket owners that the jacket is hot in hot weather (what jacket isn't) but that it's endurable so long as your moving. So the venting is pretty good. Not as good as a mesh jacket, I'm sure, but for the sake of reducing my gear I think the Badlands will at least allow me to eliminate my rain gear while allowing me to wear it 10-11 months out of the year... switching to mesh when the temps skyrocket over 100.

I realize that no one single jacket is perfect for every day of the year... but a guy can dream, can't he?

I'm from the Texas Gulf Coast. Specifically Beaumont. There's a reason I don't live there anymore.

   while I would love the nice jacket, my Kilimanjaro combined with a Castle mesh jacket covers everything from 30-110  

^ My Kilimanjaro and Aerostitch Darien overpants do everything I need them to. And have for the last 10 years. At a fraction of the price.

[Mr_Gone]

I'm from the Texas Gulf Coast. Specifically Beaumont. There's a reason I don't live there anymore.




^ My Kilimanjaro and Aerostitch Darien overpants do everything I need them to. And have for the last 10 years. At a fraction of the price.

When all the $ is spent, I won't be spending full price on the Badlands, and when I add the Traverse pants (also at a discount), I still won't be paying much more than the price of a new Kilmanjaro and a pair of Darien pants. The total price will be surprisingly close, actually.

I realize that I'm paying a premium for Gore-Tex and even for the Klim branding, but the lifetime warranty is an important selling point for me.

[Kneescrubber]

When all the $ is spent, I won't be spending full price on the Badlands, and when I add the Traverse pants (also at a discount), I still won't be paying much more than the price of a new Kilmanjaro and a pair of Darien pants. The total price will be surprisingly close, actually.

I realize that I'm paying a premium for Gore-Tex and even for the Klim branding, but the lifetime warranty is an important selling point for me.