KLIM Altitude Pants Review

I initially reviewed this new KLIM suit when I first got it back in April. Now that I have well over 8000 KM’s in it or 5000 miles I have some more impressions. I will try to stick with the facts of my experience with this suit and cut to the chase. These impressions I will send to KLIM. I have all ready been in touch with them regarding the staining issue.

Second up the PANTS detailed Review!

Jacket review click here

Temperature range I have ridden in has been below freezing and as high as 35 C or 95 F. Been in piss pouring rain for hours, hail, high winds and HOT weather/cold weather patterns. Longest day riding in the suit 12 hours.

Please remember this is my subjective review and experience. Not everyone will agree with me nor will you have the same riding circumstances. We all have different shapes and sizes.

 My measurements: neck-14.5 inches. Across the bust line-41 inches. Shoulders-18 inches. I have a 30.5 inch in seam. I wear a 12 in pants and between a medium/large jacket in general. I weigh 162 pounds….and loosing I have an athletic build.

It needs to be pointed out that KLIM has done a great job acknowledging that women need to have top quality gear with the same protection as the guys. This is a top of the line jacket and pants using Gore Tex, Cordura, Misano and Gore Tex stretch panel fabrics. It is meant to be a shell so that the rider can choose their own layers. 100% waterproof, the riders need to in sure when riding through in-climate weather to make sure all your zippers are closed to keep you dry.

I would like to personally thank KLIM for making this suit available for the females who take riding seriously and look for the best.

 

• BASED ON THE COMMENTS OF HUNDREDS OF WOMEN RIDERS
• GORE-TEX® MISANO PERFORMANCE FABRIC
• GORE-TEX® STRETCH PANEL IN GROIN FOR INCREASED RANGE OF MOTION AND COMFORT
• 840D HIGH TENACITY NYLON ABRASION ZONES AT KNEES, INSIDE LOWER LEG AND SEAT HEM
• 3M™ SCOTCHLIGHT™ REFLECTIVE FOR INCREASED NIGHTTIME VISIBILITY
• TWO SIDE FRONT VENTS
• TWO REAR VENTS
• TWO HIP POCKETS
• LEATHER INSIDE KNEE PANELS FOR GRIP AND PROTECTION
• FUNCTIONAL AND FASHIONABLE  INTEGRATED ARMOR SYSTEMS
• D3O® EVO KNEE ARMOR
• D3O® EVO HIP ARMOR  CARGO, COMFORT AND INTERNALS
• INSEAM WITH EXPANSION GUSSET TO MAKE THE PANTS 4″ LONGER
• SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR WOMEN RIDERS
• 11 SIZES SPECIFICALLY FOR WOMEN
• JACKET TO PANT ZIPPER PANEL

The Altitude Pants – Comfortable enough to go out to dinner, a pant you do not feel like you want to tear them off after riding for 12 hours, a pant that has great venting, the ability to extend the inseam by unzipping the legs and extending them instantly for taller riders.  Very neat addition to the pant which helps solve the need for taller riders to buy Tall sizing.  All in one is what I refer to this ability to expand the leg length 4 inches.

 

The cut is below your belly button which I am used to wearing the Traverse for years.  Back is cut a bit higher for protection.  Butt will be bagging when off the bike.  It makes sense to help when sitting, the legs don’t creep up on your boots, but some women might find the baggy butt an issue.  No biggie for me.

 

Sizing:  You might have to size down in these pants.  Try on before you buy if you can.  I feel they run a little larger than the actual size you might think you wear. Try the pants on if you can before buying!

 

Pockets:  Well, I would not really call the pockets on the pants pockets.  They are very shallow small horizontal pockets that you can fit some cash in, a lighter and very small objects at most.  Would be nice to see real side hand pockets and even a cargo pocket somewhere on the pants.  I miss my cargo pocket I had on the Traverse pants.

 

3M hi-viz:  Like the jacket Klim has done a nice job placing this highly reflective tape with the KLIM name also reflective.  Nicely done and I really like the vertical 3M tape on the bottom of the back side of the pant legs by your boots.  Can be seen by cars no problem.

 

Venting:  Pretty decent you will feel air flow at speeds standing and/or sitting.  Easy to actually open the vents even when riding.  Not recommended but I have done this many times.  A little harder to close though while riding.

 

I need to talk about this GORE-TEX® STRETCH PANEL IN GROIN FOR INCREASED RANGE OF MOTION AND COMFORT.  Nice idea in concept but in the next few pictures you will see what staining can do to this material.  Again KLIM has recommended that I soak the pants and suit in Oxy Clean but have not been able to do this.

I wear wicking base underwear. No cotton and barely sweat.  If you wear cotton under wear or find yourself sweating in the groin area your pants could show some staining.

I have been riding with a sheep skin pad on my bike which I now believe the leather on the back side of the pad may, and I say may have stained my pants.  My sheep skin pad I have had since 2010 and use on almost every long ride rain or shine.  I have never noticed staining when using this pad before on any of my gear.  I am not sure what has created this issue for me exactly but take a look at the following pictures.  Mind you my pants have been washed now twice to try and get this stain out.

 

As well as the back of the pants, the Cordura panel also has been stained.  Got a little lighter after 2 washing but still is way darker than the opposite side and you can see the ring.

I can assure you this is not sweat or anything that I can figure out for sure.  The point being it won’t come out.  I will try the Oxy clean and will eventually post if this works.  Again, my Traverse pants have been on this same sheep skin for thousand of miles/KM’s and I have never seen this happen. I do believe the material Klim has choosen for this area of the pants might absorb too much of “whatever” and makes it really difficult to wash out.

I have sent these pics to Klim.

Leather Panels:  When you get your pants off the hanger you will see a nice touch of leather by the knees.  Having said that after riding for hours, after hugging your bike with your legs whether you are standing off road on on, or just sitting the leather dye to make it grey will start to wear off.  Mine is wearing down to the natural colour black.

So, not a BIG deal but the easiest solution to this premature wear and tear issue would be to use black panels.  I know gear can’t stay looking new but gear at this price point should not look used and abused after 5000 miles.  Again, very simple solution use black leather and this will never be seen.  I think it makes my pants look pretty awful but again maybe I am too picky.

Klim states these leather panels were put there for better gripping.  Hence the friction you will have with your bike….which leads to the above picture with the grey dye.

The colour, same for the jacket is really too light for people who “really” ride.  Shows everything.  Using a colour scheme like the Overland suit would be better and of course offer black.  This light material for me is not working only because I feel for the $$$ I would expect my suit to not hold on to stains and stay looking newer longer.

Overall Impression of the pants:  Love the Gore Tex, they are indeed water proof I have tested them in many hours of pouring rain and hail.  Comfort level for me is just awesome.  I don’t even feel like I am wearing hi tech gear.  D3O armor great addition and glad this armor comes all ready with the pants.  No need to upgrade. Venting good, knee armor placement good, the ability to extend the in seam a huge plus for taller riders.

Pants come in numerous sizing options was wise since women come in all shapes and sizes.

Orange highlights again like the jacket I really like.  Makes the pants esthetically appealing.  Some might say who cares about how the gear looks it’s all about function and protection.  I want both.

As for the colour and the stains? I will post if Klim’s recommendation to try Oxy Clean works…if it doesn’t than I am not satisfied how much the pants in the groin area as well as the rear seem to retain stains.