Klim Gear

[Deleted account 211025001]

Mooching around the Dirt Bike Show yesterday in searh of some troosers for general off road tomfoolery I came across the FrontRowGB Dakar race team stand and some very natty looking strides I'd not seen before. The team had imported them to use in the Dakar and haveing had so many enquiries about them have decided to import and sell them.

They go by the name of Klim and are American. Klim originally started out making snowmobile gear and have recently branched out into bikes.

I thought the quality was outstanding, much better than my Twatsuit troosers. They are very heavy duty, with a generous 'over boot' fit and whilst heavy enough for winter use each leg has a large zipped vent for when the going gets hot.

The best bit though was the price. At £93 (inc p&P) I reckon they are a steal. Needless to say I've ordered a pair and I'll report back in a bit on how I get on with them.

Linky

Andres

PS I've nothing to do with the company just a, so far, impressed customer.

 

[Timpo]

Totally agree with you. And the enduro jacket looked good also. Shame I've just bought a 2008 Sinisalo suit or too would be making a purchase.


T.

 

[Deleted account W]

The picture you've posted are the Revolt pants at £59 on the website .

The £93 ones are called the Dakar and look a bit different.

Good prices though

 

[Bigtwin]

They are made of nylon = sweat buckets, like by Wolfsport ones that were very similar (wicking layer my arse) and the BMW Summer trousers. Cordura is about as breathable as a bin liner. I assume their claim relates to the venting, not the material.

Probably OK for tootling around in Summer with the zips open a bit - as long as you don't fall off.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

The picture you've posted are the Revolt pants at £59 on the website .

The £93 ones are called the Dakar and look a bit different.

Ooops, Cheers Kev

Andres

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

They are made of nylon = sweat buckets, like by Wolfsport ones that were very similar (wicking layer my arse) and the BMW Summer trousers. Cordura is about as breathable as a bin liner. I assume their claim relates to the venting, not the material.

Probably OK for tootling around in Summer with the zips open a bit - as long as you don't fall off.

Mmmmmmmm, you may be right, but they are of a heavier construction than my Twat suit troosers which stood up to a crash that fractured my pelvis - are you saying that you'd only consider wearing leather (off road) for protection. I'm not sure I understand the point you are making

Re breathability, well they are man made fibre so are never going to be fantastic, but they are a baggy fit and have (much) bigger venting zips than my twat suit troosers that are used all year round on road/off road and I've never found them to be overly sweaty - or are they made of a different material

I think you'd need to see them in the flesh as they really are very good quality, far better than anything that Wolfsport would put out

Andres

 

[Sergeant Pluck]

They are made of nylon = sweat buckets, like by Wolfsport ones that were very similar (wicking layer my arse) and the BMW Summer trousers. Cordura is about as breathable as a bin liner. I assume their claim relates to the venting, not the material.

Probably OK for tootling around in Summer with the zips open a bit - as long as you don't fall off.

Golly Bigtwin, thats really not like you to say that 'XXXXX' is sh*te, and dismiss it out of hand - you feeling OK?!

 

[Bigtwin]

an my Twat suit troosers which stood up to a crash that fractured my pelvis - are you saying that you'd only consider wearing leather (off road) for protection. I'm not sure I understand the point you are making

Andres

Zips/opening = bad news. Tend to get caught on stuff and rip garments right open leaving nice lot of flesh exposed!

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Zips/opening = bad news. Tend to get caught on stuff and rip garments right open leaving nice lot of flesh exposed!

Ahhhhhh........fair point. Still like 'em though

Andres

 

[Bigtwin]

Golly Bigtwin, thats really not like you to say that 'XXXXX' is sh*te, and dismiss it out of hand - you feeling OK?!

Been there, done that, that's all. Non-breathable trousers are, IMHO, fikken horrid to wear if you are going to get at all warm - Betty Swallocks and Rottie Crotch follows fast...

 

[wonky]

Been there, done that, that's all. Non-breathable trousers are, IMHO, fikken horrid to wear if you are going to get at all warm - Betty Swallocks and Rottie Crotch follows fast...

Hi everyone, especially andres.
its our company whos bringing this stuff in so i thought id reply to this thread.
Firstly, Andres, your order is on its way over and should be with you by mid next week.
The gear is very popular with big trailie and trail riders in the US who find it particularly comfortable and good in the heat.
The revolt pants were chosen for a Dirt Rider product of the year award last year by none other than Jimmy Lewis (3rd in Dakar on a BMW R900RR a few years back), who seems to practically live in them. The Stow-away jacket received the same award this year. The Dakar pants are really on another level and im sure you'll love them.
We're planning on getting to plenty of events this year so if you have anything coming up let us know and we'll try and get along. Look forward to meeting you all and those we met at the DBS again.

chris

PS. scrup this reply if its considered bad form to chip in as a 'vendor'
we're are riders first and brought this stuff over for ourselves first, as we wanted it. Dazzer and Basil know who we are....

 

[Padge]

Does this stuff offer protection if you skid down tarmac on yer ar$e?

Or is it like most offroad stuff where it'll probably melt due into your skin as you slide?

 

[Bigtwin]

Hi everyone, especially andres.
its our company whos bringing this stuff in so i thought id reply to this thread.
Firstly, Andres, your order is on its way over and should be with you by mid next week.
The gear is very popular with big trailie and trail riders in the US who find it particularly comfortable and good in the heat.
The revolt pants were chosen for a Dirt Rider product of the year award last year by none other than Jimmy Lewis (3rd in Dakar on a BMW R900RR a few years back), who seems to practically live in them. The Stow-away jacket received the same award this year. The Dakar pants are really on another level and im sure you'll love them.
We're planning on getting to plenty of events this year so if you have anything coming up let us know and we'll try and get along. Look forward to meeting you all and those we met at the DBS again.

chris

PS. scrup this reply if its considered bad form to chip in as a 'vendor'
we're are riders first and brought this stuff over for ourselves first, as we wanted it. Dazzer and Basil know who we are....

So is the material breathable or not?

 

[wonky]

Does this stuff offer protection if you skid down tarmac on yer ar$e?

Or is it like most offroad stuff where it'll probably melt due into your skin as you slide?

Hi Padge and Bigtwin,
To answer all the above questions im going to use facts, plus a few honest opinions.
The material the trousers are made of is ballistic Cordura of varying thicknesses, the arse is 1800 denier, the knees 1000 and the rest 420 ( for example a BMW rallye pro suit is made of Cordura 500 all over so slightly more resistant in places, but if skiddin down the road on your arse, the Klim wins). Most MX gear is made of nylon (i had a look at the Moose XCR pants as they are topend £140 jobs, which are nylon of an undisclosed weight), of a non abrasion resistant type. Theyve got Armourtex panels with Kevlar that stop ripping and heat damage on the inner leg.
I reckon you'd fair pretty well in these pants in a road skidding situation, no where near as much resistance as leathers, but better than 'normal' MX gear.
As far as breathability goes, no Cordura does not claim to be a fully breathable material. The pants feature exhaust vents on the back to let moisture out and have the huge zipped vents to let air in at the front(from the belt line to just above the knee).
Ive done a few Hare and Hounds races in these now and im a rubbish rider, i spend a lot of time dragging my bike out of bogs, picking it up and generally sweating like you'd expect from a short fat bloke. They've been good and a damn site better than anything ive used before(Sinisalo Enduro pants and Alpinestars MX pants for example). The boot closure is tight and doesnt interfere with pegs etc.
I have crashed into thorny bushes and other stuff id normally expect to rip me to shreds and havnt torn them yet, or the zips which are usually open.
If you want 'full ventilation', they do the Mojave and Moab pants which both have huge open mesh panels on the front to let a breeze straight through. We'll order you a set but wont be stocking them as i just dont think they're that practical for the UK. I wouldnt even take them to the Sahara as the mornings can be so bloody cold you'd freeze.
Im interested to find out what pants offer the breathability and ruggedness you want(Bigtwin)?
I think theyre good, but i would say that.

chris

 

[Ogmios]

not in the market for any of the Klim stuff... well, i might be if i had the money!

just wanted to say, it's nice to see a Vendor giving a plain, blunt, straightforward response to a topic about their products
Good on ya Chris

p.s;
anyone in Ireland selling this range?

 

[wonky]

Ireland

not in the market for any of the Klim stuff... well, i might be if i had the money!

just wanted to say, it's nice to see a Vendor giving a plain, blunt, straightforward response to a topic about their products
Good on ya Chris

p.s;
anyone in Ireland selling this range?

I am frequently described as plain, blunt and straightforward, but take it as a compliment!

No dealers in Ireland yet, although if you know anyone who might be interested point them our way.
chris

 

[Bigtwin]

Im interested to find out what pants offer the breathability and ruggedness you want(Bigtwin)?
I think theyre good, but i would say that.

chris

I'm not knocking their quality - it's just that personally I don't like a lot of zips and mesh for the reasons stated above - seem some nasty injuries when stuff has split, and if you have zips open, that's a risk you have to take. Less of a problem if the zips are around the back/away from the "bounce and slide" areas I guess, but still - if you have all that tough Cordura, but areas of thin mesh and seams inbetween...

I've got 2 pairs of Cordura trousers (one MX, one BMW summer trousers), but I find them uncomfortable for general riding compared to breathable textiles like the Rukka gear - but I do appreciate that there is a price differential. Personally, I'd like to see some breathable material in there around the sweaty areas - I think it would make a big difference to comfort and performance and really put your gear in the top division. Mebbe crotch panels rather like some leathers have stretch panels in those areas? I'd be prepared to pay a bit more for that.

Just a bit of feeback - the stuff does look nice and seems well put together.

 

[wonky]

Hi Bigtwin,
Yeah, the Rukka gear is the dogs nuts for sure. I think i better state though, just in case anybodys getting misled, that none of the Klim trousers are, or claim to be, waterproof. The jackets are all guaranteed-to-keep-you-dry Gore-Tex and we hope to have a gore-tex enduro pant for next season, but presently there are no waterproof membranes in the pants (although the DWR coating does keep out water during all but the heaviest showers).
The Rukka gear is nearly all Cordura 500 as well, with various waterproof liners, mainly gore-tex.
The Klim Dakar pants do have stretch panels across the thigh, the back, over and behind the knees and also in the crotch. Theyre really very stretchy and comfy!
Cheers for the feedback and interest. Im confident people will come to trust this stuff once a few people have actually used it for its intended purpose, but as its so new in the UK, its going to take a while.

chris

 

[Mav]

Question for Chris/wonky

Hi Chris

I took a look at your site - looks like you have some great products.

Can you share any experience regarding how the jackets stand up to abuse? I've always thought that the reason most bike jackets have gore-tex as the liner is that it's not really up to the abuse. And, if you do tear the outer, the liner will still keep you dry. To be honest, I have not managed to tear my jacket yet so maybe this isn't really a problem. However, what is a problem is how much water the outer soaks up (and therefore weighs a ton and keeps you cold through windchill) and how long the outer takes to dry (overnight is rarely enough).

Thanks for your help

 

[Summer]

Have just had a look at this stuff and like the look of it although not too sure on how much protection it will give in the event of a fall off.
Love the blue trousers just a shame cant seem to find the matching jacket but my kinda prices
Have just emailed them re ladies sizing and if they do them