Anyone with a Klim Badlands?

[Hotbrakes]

That's the jacket I have and I am solving both of these problems right now: my jacket and pants are in Seattle being altered by a talented seamstress.

She is adding a length of velcro to the neck flap, thereby allowing me to secure it while still being able to breath. She is also replacing the "buried" zipper with a 3/4 zipper that will wrap most of the way around the jacket/pants. I prefer this connection for multiple reasons: 1) it is easy to get to  2) it is more comfortable in keeping cold weather from blowing up the backside of the jacket and 3) it'll keep the jacket/pants together better in the event of an unexpected dismount  

I don't have the bill yet, but if you're interested in doing the same, let me know and I'll get you her contact information. She's good  

That would be great!  I still haven't had a chance to get some good seat time with the jacket, but if these issues turn out to be near deal breakers I may contact Klim to see if they can help out.  Did you try that route first Mrs.D?

[Mrs. DantesDame]

That would be great!  I still haven't had a chance to get some good seat time with the jacket, but if these issues turn out to be near deal breakers I may contact Klim to see if they can help out.  Did you try that route first Mrs.D?

No, I didn't bother to contact Klim.  I have never have found a jacket/pant set that addressed these problems and just assumed that I'd have to take care of them on my own. However, I suppose that I should let Klim know that they *are* issues for me and possibly others and maybe they should research some changes for future designs.

[McRider]

$900 and it's made in China?!  If I had the money, which I don't, I would buy a made in USA Aerostitch Darian for about half as much.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

$900 and it's made in China?!  If I had the money, which I don't, I would buy a made in USA Aerostitch Darian for about half as much.

Go ahead - no one's stopping you  

[bomber]

$900 and it's made in China?!  If I had the money, which I don't, I would buy a made in USA Aerostitch Darian for about half as much.

And get a jacket with a completely different set of features . . . . not bad ones, differrent . . . .


When my much loved Stich goes to it's great reward, Badlands is basically the entire short list for it's replacement.

[Mr_Gone]

$900 and it's made in China?!  If I had the money, which I don't, I would buy a made in USA Aerostitch Darian for about half as much.

McRider, I didn't pay anywhere near $900 for my Badlands. In fact, I found a new one for near the price of a Darien. Plus the Badlands has a d3O back protector, and if I remember correctly (and I could be absolutely wrong here) I don't think the Darien has back armor. So if you add the cost of back protection to the Darien, it's pretty close to what I paid for my Badlands in the final accounting.

The Badlands also has a lifetime "Guaranteed To Keep You Dry" Warranty. To me, that warranty is worth some $$$.

I'm not saying the Badlands is a better jacket, or even that it's worth the money (without a doubt, it's expensive), but the Badlands ticked all the boxes on my wish list for a jacket.

[Max Wedge]

I wish they did a hi-vis version. I mentioned it to them when they were on a podcast a while ago, but nothing yet....

[GRN]

I'm not saying the Badlands is a better jacket, or even that it's worth the money (without a doubt, it's expensive), but the Badlands ticked all the boxes on my wish list for a jacket.

Whole bunch less fugly, too. Stitch doesn't do much to support other industry professionals either, which is unfortunate.

[dietDrThunder]

$900 and it's made in China?!  If I had the money, which I don't, I would buy a made in USA Aerostitch Darian for about half as much.

An Aerostich Darien is a burlap bag compared to the jacket being discussed in this thread...just fyi.

[Mr_Gone]

I've had my Badlands jacket for about a week now. On and off the bike, people will notice you.

I went shopping this morning before work and while I was waiting in line to check out, the young girl in front of me commented on the jacket, said it looked bad-ass. Now y'all know the real reason I bought it!!!

[Hotbrakes]

I've gotten a few more rides in and today noticed it's starting to break in and become much more comfortable.  The collar hasn't bothered me anymore either, I've kept it closed and haven't really needed a neck warmer and there hasn't been any helmet interference.  So far I'm very happy.  Next test will be rain which should be no problem and then a 90 degree test.  The jacket has plenty of vents and should do well but the pants may not vent so well.  It'll be a few months before that can be determined though.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

 

Thanks for the update. My gear just got stuffed into a box, not to be seen for the next 3 months.

I wonder if it'll break in on its own?  

[Mr_Gone]

 

Thanks for the update. My gear just got stuffed into a box, not to be seen for the next 3 months.

I wonder if it'll break in on its own?  

Absolutely it will break in on its own. This is a secret, though. Don't tell anyone.

I have noticed that, with my Badlands, one of two things is happening. One, the jacket is breaking in after a month of riding in it nearly every day. Or, two, I'm just not noticing how stiff the jacket is.

A quick note on sizing (again). I'm 6'3" and 210 lbs and I went with an XL, since I was between the Large and XL on the Klim sizing chart. I am really glad I went with the XL, and could almost have gone with an XXL when I have my heated liner in because it feels constrictive. Not that this is necessarily bad when I'm trying to conduct heat to my body, but my movements feels somewhat restricted. I do believe that if I had to have more than a couple layers on — say, a heavy base layer and a fleece — then the jacket would just be too tight altogether. That's just me, though. You might like the "wrapped" feeling.

[Mr_Gone]

New high-viz Badlands.

I don't see it on the Klim website yet, but one of the inmates over at advrider says he's ridden over to the Klim facility in Idaho and he's seen it in person, and he says it looks better in person than in the photo above. I believe he also mentioned that it would be available in a "couple" weeks.

[Max Wedge]

Yay hi-vis! Looked at the sizing chart, does anyone think it is a little off? If your chest is 45, you better be 6' 5" like on the Revzilla video.  

[Mr_Gone]

Yay hi-vis! Looked at the sizing chart, does anyone think it is a little off? If your chest is 45, you better be 6' 5" like on the Revzilla video.  

Sizing with the Badlands is, frankly, a little weird. But that's the tradeoff for having a mass-manufactured product versus custom tailoring.

If you're looking at buying a Badlands, here's my advice, for what it's worth: If you do not plan to layer during the colder months, choose a size based on your chest size. If you do plan to layer up during winter, go with your weight to make a size determination. I wouldn't worry about height too much unless you're 380 pounds and 4'2".

For example, I'm 6'3", 210 lbs, 44" chest. According to the size chart, I'm right between a Large and XL if I use my weight, but definitely a Large by chest size. But since I ride all winter, and need the extra room for layering and/or a heated liner, I went with the XL and I'm very glad I did. I would definitely need the extra room. A Large would have been too small and restrictive, like a straight jacket. (Don't ask me how I know what a straight jacket feels like.   )

When in doubt, call Klim or call Revzilla. Both places have top-notch customer service to help you find the right size. Both places will also accept returns if you do buy the wrong size, so long as you don't remove the tags from the jacket.

[Max Wedge]

Well I am a 45" chest but closer to 5'7" than 6'5". Having a 34 waist doesn't help either. If it fits in the chest, it hangs like a dress and the sleeves would make me look like I was 7 years old wearing my dad's jacket. Oh why can't I be an off the rack fit?
Maybe the 'stitch is the answer.

[Mr_Gone]

Well I am a 45" chest but closer to 5'7" than 6'5". Having a 34 waist doesn't help either. If it fits in the chest, it hangs like a dress and the sleeves would make me look like I was 7 years old wearing my dad's jacket. Oh why can't I be an off the rack fit?
Maybe the 'stitch is the answer.

Aerostich makes a great jacket. Thousands of riders can't be wrong. And they will customize to fit. The wait is several weeks, from what I understand, but I know several guys who luuuuuuv their Aerostich jackets.

[Mr_Gone]

Revzilla has the new Badlands Pro Hi-Viz jacket on their website. It's not in stock yet. Says "Expected to ship this Summer."

[Hotbrakes]

Perhaps they do trade-ins?

If only it came in orange hi-viz...