Klim Carlsbad recommended?

[Deleted account 251212001]

any Klim Carlsbad owners? Ive got a trip to Northern Italy coming up in a few weeks so contemplating a purchase, they sound like a good jacket esp for warmer climates.

Heard they come up big on sizing?
Is the kidney belt worth buying I think it is only in two sizes

Any thoughts appreciated thanks.

 

[DJ123]

i have the Carlsbad suit, and it definitely sizes up big as its a loose fitting boxy style suit. So go a size down for a better fit. I’ll likely be buying a smaller size jacket at some point
It has lots of vents and passes a breeze through really well when riding. Plus, being a looser fit it does a good job of preventing sweating and reducing hot spots.
It’s also really light weight for a suit of this type, and can pack up small. Which is a bonus when storing it in the luggage.

I bought the kidney belt, but don’t really use it. Happy to sell it on if you want to try it.

 

[John Armstrong]

I have the suit, the jacket I had didn't have the two way zips on the wrists, it now does. Vents seem to work well but I find that as it's unlined that below 20 deg C I need to wear a fleece under the jacket. Plenty of pockets and I use the ghost armour which helps the weight and comfort. Been dry all the time with it. If the suit got damaged, I'd buy another one.

 

[richardbd]

I know there are conflicting views but having used laminated kit in warm climates, I wouldn’t do it again.

I rode to Beijing in a Badlands. It was great across Tibet in the snow and sleet. It was a total liability across the deserts of the ‘Stans and western China - and I suspect the Badlands is about as well vented as anything you can get.

Not only do you get hot and bothered in a laminated suit, it’s amazing how quickly a laminated suit gets very, very smelly.

Other than cold, wet climates, now I’m with the chap in the cap. Layers built around a vented/breathable outfit and a rain suit when necessary…

 

[DJ123]

I know there are conflicting views but having used laminated kit in warm climates, I wouldn’t do it again.

I rode to Beijing in a Badlands. It was great across Tibet in the snow and sleet. It was a total liability across the deserts of the ‘Stans and western China - and I suspect the Badlands is about as well vented as anything you can get.

Not only do you get hot and bothered in a laminated suit, it’s amazing how quickly a laminated suit gets very, very smelly.

Other than cold, wet climates, now I’m with the chap in the cap. Layers built around a vented/breathable outfit and a rain suit when necessary…

Badlands is a 3 layer, compared to the Carlsbad 2 layer.

 

[richardbd]

Forgot to say, based on my Badlands experience, if you do go ahead with the Klim kit, the kidney belt is a good addition. The Badlands is a heavy piece of kit and the belt takes a lot of the weight off your shoulders.

Carlsbad not so heavy of course…

 

[richardbd]

Badlands is a 3 layer, compared to the Carlsbad 2 layer.

That’s true. However, whilst that makes it lighter and less stiff/rigid, it also makes zero difference to its ability to flow air.

The vents go all the way through the jacket, no matter how many layers the laminate…

 

[DJ123]

That’s true. However, whilst that makes it lighter and less stiff/rigid, it also makes zero difference to its ability to flow air.

The vents go all the way through the jacket, no matter how many layers the laminate…

Less layers overall reduce the amount of heat it will hold. Thats the big difference - you have a 3rd layer holding in heat over the whole suit.

 

[Anthony Byrne]

Went with the Carlsbad due to being a two layer, feels bombproof and will last many years. Did my trip to Norway and it was 100% the whole time.

They are generous in sizing, im normally an XL and the Large leaves enough room for tshirt and keis heated jacket.

 

[richardbd]

Less layers overall reduce the amount of heat it will hold. Thats the big difference - you have a 3rd layer holding in heat over the whole suit.

I’m sorry but that’s essentially nonsense. Would you be any hotter wearing three bin bags than you would be wearing one?

The reality is that any suit with a membrane (laminated or otherwise) is basically just a big polythene bag with the odd pin hole in it. For hot weather they are simply fundamentally unsuitable.

Don’t get me wrong, I still wear laminated gear in the UK - not in the summer though.

For touring, the key question is whether you’re doing a hot weather tour with the odd cold and wet spell or a cold weather tour with the odd hot and dry spell. Chose your kit accordingly.

For touring, my experience leads me to conclude that the downsides of laminated kit far outweigh the upsides.

Of course, others will disagree - that’s what bikermates do…

 

[richardbd]

Went with the Carlsbad due to being a two layer, feels bombproof and will last many years. Did my trip to Norway and it was 100% the whole time.

They are generous in sizing, im normally an XL and the Large leaves enough room for tshirt and keis heated jacket.

Norway is a good example of where I’d probably go for laminate too. Same with Iceland. Italian Alps less so…

 

[John Armstrong]

Norway is a good example of where I’d probably go for laminate too. Same with Iceland. Italian Alps less so…

Went to Aosta this year, it coped with +2 deg C at the top of the Col de la Bonnette (the Cime was still not open due to the snow) and the heat in the Aosta valley and through France heading home. Granted when it's over 30+ deg C then the vents won't flow as much air as a mesh suit, but the airflow will still be bloomin hot, and if you're in a traffic jam then you're going to be hot in any clothing that is road rash protective.

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

Thank you gents great feedback, I hadn't thought about breathability just the venting/layers, I don't think the budget will stretch to badlands but I guess as long as the boss is none the wiser . I was chatting to a guy in sportsbikeshop last week (with a GS like a xmas tree outside) and he seemed to rate the Carlsbad stuff and using in warmer climates

 

[richardbd]

Thank you gents great feedback, I hadn't thought about breathability just the venting/layers, I don't think the budget will stretch to badlands but I guess as long as the boss is none the wiser . I was chatting to a guy in sportsbikeshop last week (with a GS like a xmas tree outside) and he seemed to rate the Carlsbad stuff and using in warmer climates

But why go for any laminated suit at all?

If you fancy Klim, the Marrakesh or Baja S4 are WAY more suited for touring in southern Europe than the laminated stuff.

 

[richardbd]

Went to Aosta this year, it coped with +2 deg C at the top of the Col de la Bonnette (the Cime was still not open due to the snow) and the heat in the Aosta valley and through France heading home. Granted when it's over 30+ deg C then the vents won't flow as much air as a mesh suit, but the airflow will still be bloomin hot, and if you're in a traffic jam then you're going to be hot in any clothing that is road rash protective.

Surely the point is less whether a suit will “cope” and more what would be the ideal suit for a given itinerary.

If a Carlsbad was the only suit I owned and I was asked would a bod survive touring the Italian Alps in it, then of course they would.

If I was contemplating buying a new suit to tour the Italian Alps in, would I choose a Carlsbad, no I wouldn’t. There are so many better (and cheaper) options…

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

But why go for any laminated suit at all?

If you fancy Klim, the Marrakesh or Baja S4 are WAY more suited for touring in southern Europe than the laminated stuff.

cos I live in Yorkshire! It rains constantly. I have an RST Adventure X Jacket that does the job in winter, but I do want something more suited to France/Italy that can get use back in blightly too.

Its a good shout though Richard, I have no real preference for Klim, Rukka etc

 

[richardbd]

cos I live in Yorkshire! It rains constantly. I have an RST Adventure X Jacket that does the job in winter, but I do want something more suited to France/Italy that can get use back in blightly too.

Its a good shout though Richard, I have no real preference for Klim, Rukka etc

If you just want to buy a new suit for UK riding and happen to be thinking about wearing it for a couple of weeks in Italy, you could do a lot worse than Carlsbad.

If it’s 35 degrees in Italy it won’t seem like a great choice. When you’re riding through the Dales in November and it’s pissing with rain it will!

 

[John Armstrong]

But why go for any laminated suit at all?

If you fancy Klim, the Marrakesh or Baja S4 are WAY more suited for touring in southern Europe than the laminated stuff.

The problem is that most of us have at least a couple of days of Northern Europe to get to the southern bit. If you don't mind the possible faff of using over trousers / jacket then the Marrakesh is a great option. Motolegends certainly thinks so

I went away from over trousers etc as (a) I lived in Northern England / Scotland for the last 25 years and (b) Going up the Col de la Bonnette it was 35 deg C in the valley and cold rain near the top. In both cases I hate faffing about trying to put on the over suits then taking them off only for the need to put them back on, and I always seem to be out of sync with the weather. Zipped vents, for me, are the preferred option. And that may not suit (pun intended) everyone.

 

[Buttertub]

I've got the carlsbad and think its a good quality suit for the money. The venting is excellent compared to other suits i've had and that's what attracted me to it. Even the neck opening pins back on those hot days.
It works on cold days with layers and right up to hot days in the UK except when its getting up towards 30 ish when, for me anyways, it does start to struggle by the nature of what it is. It will work at higher temps when your moving but will struggle when your stationary.
I've also got the kidney belt but dont really bother with it as i went for a size that wasn't quite as boxy i.e. big enough to get layers on underneath and be comfortable without being too baggy, so its not a problem for me anyways.
its a good buy and if you do go down that route i'd recommend trying on as they come up big, preferably where you can see how it fits with the biggest layer your likely to use, e.g a down jacket.

if its going to hot on your trip two things might help you.

1) I've just bought the zero fit cold skin base layer, its the best summer base layer I've ever tried, helps a lot on super warm days. Not cheap but they do what it says on the tin.
2) Not sure what bike you ride but if its a gsa then a smaller screen will make a big difference on hot days if your not riding behind a barn door. I've got the Machineart slipscreen and it makes a big difference on hot days whether its the carlsbad or even a mesh suit.

Anyways, enjoy your trip.

 

[Barnoe]

very interesting that everyone's saying the venting is good.

I own the carlsbad jacket and pants and would say the one thing i hate about the kit, is that there is zero airflow through the vents.
Only wore a t-shirt under the jacket and i was boiling... no air coming through even at 50+ mph speeds.

That being said, i didn't buy the jacket for that as its only sunny 3 days a year lol
for wet weather its absolutely amazing.
Colder weather i wear a base layer and down jacket under it its comfy and windproof even at high speed.

i'm using between a 2XL and 3XL with jackets that i want to wear stuff under.
The Klim 3XL was massive, the 2XL is just right for the job.

Another thing i would add, when you try it on wear your most used gloves.
I found my gauntlets don't fit over or under, so i was stuck with short summer gloves.
my Keis heated gloves do zip neatly inside the jacket tight enough to stop water ingress or cold air.
just a consideration

but the jacket is amazing, combined with the pants you are confident in any weather.