KLIM Altitude Suit 2nd Impressions/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.

First UP the JACKET detailed Review!

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.

“A true woman’s fully functional feature rich jacket tailored to fit the female form promises to break new ground in women’s motorcycle apparel. From concept to completion, this garment was specifically designed to fit”

 

Jacket Specs:

EXTERIOR FEATURES

• • BASED ON THE COMMENTS OF HUNDREDS OF WOMEN RIDERS
  • GORE-TEX® MISANO PERFORMANCE FABRIC
  • 840D HIGH TENACITY NYLON ABRASION ZONES AT ELBOW SHOULDER AND LOWER REAR HEM
  • TWO BICEP VENTS
  • PIT ZIPS VENTS
  • 2 VERTICAL BACK VENTS
  • ADJUSTABLE SIDE GUSSETS AT WAIST EXPANDS HIP CIRCUMFERENCE 6″
  • COLLAR TO SHOULDER FASTENERS FOR WHEN AN OPEN COLLAR IS NEEDED
  • SINGLE ADJUSTER ON FOREARMS
  • EXTERNAL WAIST BELT
  • 3M™ SCOTCHLIGHT™ REFLECTIVE FOR INCREASED VISIBILITY IN DARK CONDITIONS
  • EXTERNAL POCKETS – TWO LOWER HAND POCKETS, TWO LARGE HORIZONTAL CHEST POCKETS
  • VELCRO® WRIST TAB CLOSURES
  • JACKET TO PANT ZIPPER PANEL
  • FUNCTIONAL AND FASHIONABLE INTEGRATED ARMOR SYSTEMS
  • D3O® EVO ELBOW ARMOR
  • D3O® EVO SHOULDER ARMOR
  • D3O® FLO 1 BACK PROTECTOR (LEVEL 1) CARGO, COMFORT AND INTERNALS
  • SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR WOMEN RIDERS
  • SPECIAL SIZING SPECIFICALLY FOR WOMEN
  • INTERNAL POCKETS – TWO UPPER ZIPPERED MESH POCKETS, TWO LOWER VELCRO CLOSURE MESH POCKETS, AND ONE HIDDEN PASSPORT / MONEY POCKET
  • MICRO FLEECE LINED COLLAR

Pant Specs:

“The all-new Altitude Pant proudly showcases the fit designed specifically for a women with the proper armor technology for a perfect match. Featuring the latest D3O® EVO technology, forward-thinking armor (also designed specifically for the aggressive female rider), GORE-TEX® GUARANTEED TO KEEP YOU DRY® fabrics, intelligent stretch panel engineering and increased use of 3M™ Scotchlite™ reflective.”

EXTERIOR FEATURES

• 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

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.

The Jacket according to me:

Collar: Nice fleece lining but too tight on me when snapped closed. I have a large, with just a base layer I can snap it closed but not that comfy, with my Gerbing liner no way. I would love to see KLIM add 2 cm to the diameter, a two snap closure versus one. The height of the collar is great. No interference with the helmet or should checks.

Materials: The colour looks great on a hanger. Get out in the elements and it shows wear, dirt, bug guts, almost everything as soon as you ride. My jacket has been washed twice and I still can see dirt embedded into the front zipper flap from rubbing against my tank bag.

Okay, I am picky but the point is this Misano material is HARD to get clean. KLIM has recommended I soak the suit in Oxy Clean to help. I have not done that but will try when I get a chance.

I do not for the record expect a ADV suit to clean to perfection. I own the Traverse and after years of wearing I still have never seen grime or dirt embedded like this after a wash. I believe it’s the material being used.

Cuffs: In Vancouver we get a lot of rain. I like to wear my gloves at times under my sleeve/cuffs to avoid water from running down the sleeve into my glove. The cuffs on this jacket are narrow making it hard to get a glove with a wider gussets under the sleeve. Would be cool to see KLIM add a zippered closure with the Velcro so the cuff can be widened for the glove insert and that closed as tight as the rider wants.

Pockets: Really like them all, especially the side hand pockets. No issues there.

Waist adjustment: Simple Velcro waist adjusters, again no issues good to bring the jacket closer to the body and/or add “shape” – arm adjusters same as the waist, simple Velcro and nice to have.

Hip gussets: Awesome! Really helps with comfort when riding. Can neaten up the jacket by closing them when off the bike. Nice touch!

3M Hi-Viz: Great placement of the hi-viz tape, LOVE that the KLIM name is hi-viz too. Tasteful in my opinion. Orange highlights/tabs also great choice of colour.

Zipper to pant option: Nice to have this I don’t use it.

Armor: D3O Evo comes with the jacket. NICE! No foam back spine insert, real armor again nice to have a complete jacket that you do not have to think about upgrading armor. Thanks KLIM. This stuff is very pliable, warms up to your body, not bulky at all and really comfortable.

Venting: I think really great. I can feel lots of flow at highway speeds with vents open. As with any jacket when stopped in HEAT you get warm but they do what they are meant to do and I would not change anything. Like the venting a lot.

Jacket cut: I feel the arm pits and across the chest has been cut a bit too narrow. I am not that broad but can feel a tightness across my chest when my arms are not extended in the riding position. I think by making the cut a bit “wider” the rider can easily adjust the waist and arms etc to make it more fitted. Also, by making the cut a bit broader would allow most average sized grrls to wear a size they should be wearing versus having to size up. I have a large, fits well but even still the arm pits and chest have that tightish feeling. Again picky? Perhaps.

Gore Tex: The master of waterproofing. I love the shell concept and I am confident when wearing this jacket I will stay protected and dry. Worth a million bucks to me when riding long or short distance with weather changing predictably or unpredictable.

Overall impression: Love the jacket in concept all together. Just would like to see different colour options to hide the dirt and grime better and have KLIM R&D tweak a few of my pet peeves. I know some would say Leslie get a custom suit. I believe KLIM always strives to make improvement from their first generation released suit. I have seen this with almost all their suits. They listen to their customers and make changes based on real life use. So, I shall see if my wishes come true and if changes are to be made then another version of this suit I will buy.

Pant review coming up soon!