A couple of months ago we sent our jackets back to KLIM USA to have the collars shortened on our Latitude jackets.  This is a mod that anyone can get presently as there have been quite a few complaints about the stiffness and height.  After this trip Cheryl has decided to return to her Traverse suit and has asked me to put her suit up for sale.  I am still up in the air about it. 

We have worn this suit for over 6500 KM now.

• Nov 2012 UPDATE:  We both SOLD our Latitudes.  In the end, nice looking suit but the stiffness of the Cordura was over kill for us.  We are both back to wearing our Traverse and I have to admit the fit of the Traverse pants especially WINS!

While we both feel much better protected in this suit compared to the Traverse, the use of the 840 Cordura all over the Latitude might be a little too much.  The suit has broken is after riding in the heat on this last trip in July.  Yet, still not as comfortable as we both would like.  KLIM might be releasing the 2nd generation to this jacket soon and perhaps other gear as well in the near future.  No promises but this is one company we know for sure listens to its customers.

Up next are a few more pics of the BEFORE collar mod and then I will show you the after shots.

Here are a few self taken pics of the new improved collar.  By lowering it the collar no longer hits the back of our helmets.  This is good for shoulder checks.  By lowering the front it no longer jabs into our necks.  One thing Cheryl noticed though while riding up the Oregon coast with her Gerbings liner in, was that water would sneak in the back even with the tie pulled.  There is felt used at the rim of the collar and we both find this actually collects water in the pouring rain, gets wet and makes you feel wet around the neck and upper body.

You can see compared to the first picture that the collar no longer hits my chin.  Nice height now.

In this pic you can see the felt they use at the top.  This is the part we find that gets wet.  The height has been shortened all around as well and they have added more Velcro for the flap to stay open.  Not a huge fan of Velcro being used at the collar. 

When we had out Rev It Cayenne jackets they had an adjustable hook for the collar.  That was a decent set up.  You could adjust the width and secure it based on what you were wearing underneath and if you want to it open there was a little clip as well to fold the collar back on the Rev It.

The biggest improvement is the back.  The first version of the collar was way too high and would  interfere with shoulder checks by hitting our helmets.  The back really makes a difference to us as far as safety.

So, our overall second impression?  We wore this suit in temperatures ranging from low 50’s F to 107 F on this  past trip.  July 9th – July 20th 2012 to KLIM.  We managed to stay ATGATT throughout the heat by soaking our base layers and keeping only the arm vents open a bit.  I was amazed with this thick material and being Gore Tex that we could actually ride in such high heat.  So, for that I am impressed.

We stayed dry in a good old west coast pouring rain on our last day riding home.  The suit does loosen up as you ride in it.  The material breaks in but still is rather stiff.  The pants fit too snug in our hip area but once up feel pretty good.  We still like the way the Traverse pants fit better.  Way more comfortable in the waist and hips.

At the KLIM rally most of the guys who wore this suit said they were content with it.  I got the feeling though they also wished for lighter material to be used in the low abrasion zones.  So, Cheryl wants out of this suit and I am on the fence. 

Any questions or comments feel free to ask or post.