Klim Badlands Pro Summer Use? Kodiak?

[BrokenPaw]

Hi,
I did a search on this, but most of the hits were quite dated, so I'm starting a new thread.
I'm a laminate fan (not full layering), so looking for a suit to do all the seasons (impossible?).
Also, I am only touring on tarmac - no serious off road stuff.
I tend to avoid the holiday period of July/August in Europe, but it can still be hot.

Anyone have experience of the Badlands Pro/Kodiak for this type of riding?

Thanks

 

[DJ123]

If you are wanting something for all season, i'd be steering towards a 2 layer suit.

My side question would be, is how much of your riding is done in cold & wet conditions to mandate having a laminated all year round?

 

[steve hughes]

I have used a Badlands pro in the summer, with the vents open its as cool as any jkt. The vertical vents on the rear are probably 8-10 inches. The arm vents have small straps on to hold them open as does the neck cuff, so mucho drafto.

What doesn’t change though is the weight ! Its a heavy old jkt. So in the winter when you are layering up the weight is less noticeable. When using it on a sunny day with just a T underneath the armacor and cordura armour make it feel bulky and weighty. It has been compared to a suit of armour

For this reason I have summer jackets which are much better suited to 18 deg C plus days.

 

[GSian]

I use Badlands Pro, in winter or cold I just put a down jacket under it. In summer it's good whilst moving on the bike, it's the best vented jacket I've owned, and I've owned a few. Drawback is; it's hot when not moving, such as in traffic etc. It's for this reason I use an Adventure Spec Linesman when I know it's not going to rain. The other drawback (if you can call it that) is it has too many pockets, I forget where I put things. With all the vents closed It's 100% waterproof, even in torrential rain. The weight is a thing but it comes with an attached kidney belt that takes a lot of the strain. Can't comment on the Kodiak.

 

[rossman999]

I have used my badland for probably the last 10 years in all weathers from unexpected snow to +35C on several occasions, and yes it does work as long as your moving but when you stop or in slow moving traffic not surprising its horrendous. Having said that’s it’s my go to jacket for touring.

As Steve says above one of the biggest disadvantages is the weight it is a blooming heavy jacket.

 

[gspod]

It really depends on how you are with hot and cold temperatures, everyone is different and only you know how you cope.

I’m pretty good with hot. This morning I left the mountains at 25 degrees and when I reached the city at around 3pm it was 34 degrees. I’m wearing Badlands pro trousers and a latitude jacket and I was a bit sweaty but it was fine.
It also depends how you travel, I’m camping and put my bike gear on at the very last moment - in a hotel it’s different.

Europe is getting hotter - on a trip, where it’s going to get hot, I take a mesh suit as well but use the same armour for both suits so they fold up small.
Hope this helps
Cheers

 

[John Armstrong]

The Carlsbad works for me, not as heavy as the Badlands but enough venting for me.

Unsurprisingly the chap in the cap likes it. If you go second hand, make sure it has the wrist area zips that have two pulls so you can open the vent and have it tight on the wrist. Latest do, slightly older ones don't. https://www.motolegends.com/klim-carlsbad-jacket-in-stealth-black

 

[Anthony Byrne]

I went with Carlsbad after having the kodiaq. Gives the same weather protection but is lighter

 

[BrokenPaw]

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for all the replies.
I ride all year, apart from Dec and Jan, and live in the Northern latitudes of the UK.
My hols are 3-4 week in warmer weather.
So, I would guess 80% of my riding involves rain in varying degrees; hence laminate.
I am OK with getting a bit too hot, but don't like getting soaked and putting on wetted out gear; if I get hot and sticky, 10 minutes in the shower, sorts things out.
The main problem I have with my Rukka Kingsley is that it has a built in Outlast lining. Although this sounds good, it means the direct to body vents don't go direct to body - the incoming air hits the outlast lining!
Also, not enough pockets.
I reckon the Badlands "shell" would work in solving the pockets and direct venting issues.

Last questions:-
How does the loose fit of the Badlands cope with spirited riding - as in flapping about?
Size. It looks an American cut. I have to do mail order; so do I go down a size, or just go on my measurements and the size chart.
Braces. These are not in stock anywhere in the UK. What do you use on your trousers?

Thanks re the Carlsbad; I'll look at that.

 

[richardbd]

I rode from London to Beijing in a Badlands. In the cold and wet bits it was superb. In the hot and humid bits it was a total liability. It also had the additional problem that it got really smelly.

I have done two subsequent long-haul, long-durations trips. I didn’t use the Badlands for either of them and I would never choose it again for a a multi-climate trip.

Yes, your can open all the vents and it’s less bad than it would be without them. BUT laminate is a really poor choice when you know the weather is likely to be hot at some point and for more than an hour or two. For those trips, breathable/vented kit and layers is the way to go.

That said, I still wear laminated kit in the UK winter and would do the same in northern latitudes if I expected to get wet and/or cold on a regular basis.

All comes down to horses for courses…

 

[Sneldog]

Carlsbad is best in my view. The other jackets are so heavy. I love mine and after 7 years, it’s still going strong.

And am not a Rukka fan. I’ve had a jacket and two pairs of gloves and they all let water in where Klim does not. The gloves were supposed to be completely waterproof and were expensive but they let water in very quickly.

That said, I’m yet to find gloves that really stay dry in torrential rain.

 

[John Armstrong]

Re Klim sizes, I reckon I'm usually an XL, but the Carlsbad etc large fit nicely. For Klim trousers I usually go down to the next size so as a 38" the 36" fir well.

 

[richardbd]

Re Klim sizes, I reckon I'm usually an XL, but the Carlsbad etc large fit nicely. For Klim trousers I usually go down to the next size so as a 38" the 36" fir well.

Klim pants sizes seem to vary hugely. In the past, I would have agreed, go down one size but my new Baja S4 I had to go 36” (which is my “true” size) rather than my usual 34”. For the avoidance of doubt, my Badlands are 34” and still fit fine

 

[Anthony Byrne]

size down for the Carlsbad jackets as they are generous

 

[IainMac]

New Badlands aren’t as baggy/boxy as the old models , Klim seems to have slimmed them down a bit. I had an old one about 10years back & have a 2024 model currently. I also have a mk1 Kodiak. That is a fairly stiff jacket & a very tailored fit. If you are in any way chubby around the midriff I suspect a Kodiak (mk1) maybe too tailored for comfort, the Mk2(current) version may have a more forgiving cut ? It’s supposedly less stiff to wear than the early version. Of those jackets a wear my Badlands if it’s likely to rain but my default choice is a Marrakesh (if rain isn’t likely)