KLIM Badlands Pro

[bmac]

Originally Posted by steelerider

Gents,
About to pull the trigger on this mothership of a suit. Quick question for you owners, I see that there is a ton of venting options on the suit, I especially like the collar arrangement. How does the jacket handle the humid weather?
I live in PA, it gets really humid here in the height if the summer. I realize that it will not be the same as a mesh jacket, but is it bearbale on a 95 deg, 80 % humidity day? I ride an RT btw.
Any input is helpful.

Thanks.

You will get hot, but you will get hot in any jacket. Average skin temperature is typically around 93 degrees. If the actually air temp is higher than that you will see an increase in body temperature as you increase air flow over your skin.

If I am touring this is the jacket that is going with me. If I am playing around town I choose a full mesh jacket when it gets above 80. Overall, the Badlands does a very good job of venting. The arm vents in combination with the pit vents and exhaust vent in back do flow quite a bit of air.

[steelerider]

Originally Posted by bmac

You will get hot, but you will get hot in any jacket. Average skin temperature is typically around 93 degrees. If the actually air temp is higher than that you will see an increase in body temperature as you increase air flow over your skin.

If I am touring this is the jacket that is going with me. If I am playing around town I choose a full mesh jacket when it gets above 80. Overall, the Badlands does a very good job of venting. The arm vents in combination with the pit vents and exhaust vent in back do flow quite a bit of air.

Great! Thanks for the feedback. So you are OK using this jacket for touring? I take long trips on my RT (a couple days at a time) looking for one suit to do it all, instead of a mesh jacket with 3 different liners.

[Foot dragger]

Originally Posted by Multiplicity

Did you open the pit, front and rear vents ??????? I find this jacket to be the best all round 4 season garment available. My AreoStich was a sweatbox in hot weather. It was like wearing a plastic bag

I did open all the vents,they're not very big especially the forearm vents,it routinely gets over 100 degrees here in nor cal in summer,spring/fall can get pretty hot even. Armpit vents dont seem to work for me when riding a dirt bike.

Any kind of active sweat inducing off road riding would be beyond hot and sweaty real quick.
Ive used an Olympia GT-AIR jacket quite a bit,not stylish or hip but I have good armor in it and it flows lots of air that can be closed off and sealed up easily.

[CharlieFox]

I ordered the Badlands Pro (jacket and pants), but returned them because of the fit of the the jacket.

I ordered a Large jacket, which fit through the chest, with enough room to add layers. However the sleeves, particularly the forearm area, were quite tight without layering; and uncomfortable with it, and I don't have huge forearms. I tried an xl and the sleeves were good, but the torso was too billowy and long for my frame.

I think the Badlands hits the sweet spot in terms of materials, construction quality, venting, and price. Unfortunately the fit did not work for me.

[cug]

Originally Posted by CharlieFox

I think the Badlands hits the sweet spot in terms of materials, construction quality, venting, and price. Unfortunately the fit did not work for me.

Can't really say any jacket with a price point of $900 and being made in China hits a price sweet spot. Though I was willing to spend the money, but the fit didn't work at all for me, too. Either way too roomy in the waist area with a Large, or too tight in the shoulders with a Medium.

You really have to try the fit before buying. Especially if you have broad shoulders and long arms plus very narrow waist / hips.

[Mr_Gone]

Originally Posted by cug

Can't really say any jacket with a price point of $900 and being made in China hits a price sweet spot. Though I was willing to spend the money, but the fit didn't work at all for me, too. Either way too roomy in the waist area with a Large, or too tight in the shoulders with a Medium.

You really have to try the fit before buying. Especially if you have broad shoulders and long arms plus very narrow waist / hips.

+1. You really should try on the jacket.

I have broad shoulders, long arms, and a narrow waist (6'3", 210 pounds, 44" chest, 36" waist) and the Badlands fits me very well.

Everyone is different, even when they are the same.

[Foot dragger]

Yeah at 900.00 trying it on seems like a good idea,I have almost all KLIM gear for dirt/dual purpose riding and the size large Badlands was a little snug with a single fleece layer under it,Made it a little constricting.
I bought a size large Valdez jacket off an inmate and it fits perfect with some room.
KLIM is the best stuff on the market,its just a matter of getting what suits your use.

[bmac]

Originally Posted by steelerider

Great! Thanks for the feedback. So you are OK using this jacket for touring? I take long trips on my RT (a couple days at a time) looking for one suit to do it all, instead of a mesh jacket with 3 different liners.

Absolutely. This jacket has a very wide temperature range and is waterproof on the outer shell (a must for me). For those folks with different priorities a mesh jacket with different liners can work I just don't like the idea of the jacket getting soaked.

I have done a lot of touring in the Rockies with morning temperatures in the 30's and daytime temperature as high as 90 and I think this jacket would be very well suited for those conditions. I have not really found anything to dislike about this jacket other than the high price.

[vintagebob]

Originally Posted by steelerider

Great! Thanks for the feedback. So you are OK using this jacket for touring? I take long trips on my RT (a couple days at a time) looking for one suit to do it all, instead of a mesh jacket with 3 different liners.

I have a R1200RT and I tour with the Klim Latitude suit (Sequoia & Oregon last year, Glacier/Yellowstone this year in Sep.). The Latitude is a good bit lighter in weight but does not have as many vents as the Badlands. I tried both on before deciding. I thought the extra weight would be fatiguing on a long trip and I also didn't think that I needed the chest protector and kidney belt that come on the Badlands.

I wear an LDComfort shirt under my Latitude jacket and wet the shirt down when it gets hot. The air flowing through the vents evaporates the water in the shirt and keeps you cool (at least out here in the west). I imagine this trick is less useful in 95% humidity.

I really like the two piece setup for touring (I use a one piece Roadcrafter for commuting) . My only complaint with the Latitude jacket is that it is difficult to get gaunlet style gloves under the sleeves. The big pockets are going to let me ditch the tankbag this year I think.

[steelerider]

Originally Posted by vintagebob

I have a R1200RT and I tour with the Klim Latitude suit (Sequoia & Oregon last year, Glacier/Yellowstone this year in Sep.). The Latitude is a good bit lighter in weight but does not have as many vents as the Badlands. I tried both on before deciding. I thought the extra weight would be fatiguing on a long trip and I also didn't think that I needed the chest protector and kidney belt that come on the Badlands.

I wear an LDComfort shirt under my Latitude jacket and wet the shirt down when it gets hot. The air flowing through the vents evaporates the water in the shirt and keeps you cool (at least out here in the west). I imagine this trick is less useful in 95% humidity.

I really like the two piece setup for touring (I use a one piece Roadcrafter for commuting) . My only complaint with the Latitude jacket is that it is difficult to get gaunlet style gloves under the sleeves. The big pockets are going to let me ditch the tankbag this year I think.

Bob,
Thanks for the feedback. I was looking at the Latitude as well - it seems that it might suit me better. Do you have the black or the grey version? I'm thinking that the black would pull in more heat. Is there any issue with the collar flapping around if you open the jacket zipper up a little?

Thanks

[BigDogAdventures.com]

Originally Posted by steelerider

Gents,
About to pull the trigger on this mothership of a suit. Quick question for you owners, I see that there is a ton of venting options on the suit, I especially like the collar arrangement. How does the jacket handle the humid weather?
I live in PA, it gets really humid here in the height if the summer. I realize that it will not be the same as a mesh jacket, but is it bearbale on a 95 deg, 80 % humidity day? I ride an RT btw.
Any input is helpful.

Thanks.

I"ve worn the Badlands quite a bit----but would wear something else I have in hot humid weather.
Not as bad as a stich tho.

If you were just breezing down the highway at speed without much of a windshield---you might live with it. I never do that.

You can see my vents in this picture are wide open --------the temps were about 80 that day with no humidity and I was OK----but the riding was easy.
If I had been struggling in rough terrain on that same day----not going very fast------crashing-----picking up me and the bike--pushing it------I would have melted.

In those conditions I prefer to wear a pressure suit---and if the weather gets cold or wet----I put a gortex shell over it.
I just got home from Baja and that was my setup.

BigDog

My warm to cold setup with the badlands




My cool to hot setup in Baja----note the blue gortex shell is strap to the back of my bike.

[vintagebob]

Originally Posted by steelerider

Bob,
Thanks for the feedback. I was looking at the Latitude as well - it seems that it might suit me better. Do you have the black or the grey version? I'm thinking that the black would pull in more heat. Is there any issue with the collar flapping around if you open the jacket zipper up a little?

Thanks

I got the light colored Misano version for the reason you mentioned. I thought the black would be too hot.

I have not had issues with the collar. There is no place on the stock Latitude jacket to fasten a loose collar though (or on the Badlands?). I know that some people have added a bit of velcro for this purpose. I would try it out behind the RT screen before I would modify the jacket. I tend to keep the collar closed most of the time anyway to discourage bees from entering the jacket. ; )

You should read through the Latitude thread for other opinions.

http://advrider.com/forums/showthrea...=klim+latitude

[Hikertrash]

Originally Posted by steelerider

Bob,
Thanks for the feedback. I was looking at the Latitude as well - it seems that it might suit me better. Do you have the black or the grey version? I'm thinking that the black would pull in more heat. Is there any issue with the collar flapping around if you open the jacket zipper up a little?

Thanks

I'm not Bob, but I did own both the Latitude original and the Misano version. The collar didn't really flap around when riding, but its got no snaps on it so if it did, I didn't feel or hear it. I didn't like the fact that the collar when left open didn't have a place to secure it. The goretex is also a different version than the Badlands and I don't know if it was the lack of decent vents or the type of goretex, but I would sweat in my Latitude if the temps got above 70 degrees. I had the grey Latitude and it got dirty real quick. The light grey was practically white. I went with a black badlands this time to hide the dirt better.

[vintagebob]

Originally Posted by steelerider

Bob,
Thanks for the feedback. I was looking at the Latitude as well - it seems that it might suit me better. Do you have the black or the grey version? I'm thinking that the black would pull in more heat. Is there any issue with the collar flapping around if you open the jacket zipper up a little?

Thanks

I see my original response to these questions didn't post...

I bought the light colored version because I thought it would be cooler than the black.

Hikertrash covered the collar. I had no issues with it but it does not have a way to be secured open. I don't think it will be a problem behind the RT screen but I normally ride with it closed so I may not be the best judge.

Hikertrash is also correct about the light color showing the dirt more. It hasn't been an issue for me in a road touring environment and I don't mind washing it once in awhile with Nikwax.

If you are considering the Latitude, make sure that you check out the thread that covers it.

[mrpete64]

The new 2013 Badland jacket will be available with high viz yellow panels. If you look at the current Badland's jacket in grey...the grey panels will be yellow. New cut to jacket and new updated armour.
Can't wait to buy one.