This motorcycle jacket and pants appear to have been custom-made by some Savile Row tailor (not that we would know). Every panel is perfect, each stitch is impeccable and every seam connecting pieces of the Gore-Tex three-layer shell is sealed—hence, the Keep You Dry guarantee. Nine sizes from XS to 5XL mean you can come very close to a bespoke fit. For most of us, a $900 jacket is overkill, but for some hardcore riders, it will be worth it. You know who you are.
This is meant to be serious competition enduro gear, and it is, with excellent-yet-lightweight, CE-rated, ventilated D30 padding in all the right places, including the chest, and a built-in kidney belt. But it’s also great for sport-touring and sporty street riding, thanks to abrasion-resistant Armacor panels and the fact that it’s not cut all billowy like your dad’s old gear. Vents closed and comfortable collar sealed, this jacket feels practically as windproof and sleek as a top-quality leather one.
Enduro guys need lots of storage, and this gear does not disappoint. In addition to the jacket’s seven external and four internal pockets, there’s even a secret sleeve pocket we haven’t yet found. A Klim rep had to show us where the hydration bladder goes (which makes it kind of a pain in the butt to fill). The pants offer plenty of storage and ventilation, too.
This is literally heavy-duty gear; the jacket is so packed with armor, Gore-Tex and whatever that it weighs about 6.5 pounds. But careful ventilation layout and that breathable fabric mean it still flows/exhales a lot of air and sweat to keep you cool. On your body, the jacket never feels heavy, restrictive or bulky.
The pants (15 waist sizes, 28 to 42 tall) are more of the same expensive attention to detail, complete with Italian leather inner knees and a zipper to attach to the jacket. But while you can wear the jacket over normal clothing, these aren’t overpants; there’s only room inside for a snug base layer when it’s cold. There’s more D30 armor at the hips and knees, but the knees are cut loosely to allow knee braces. Without braces, it’s slightly questionable whether the armor will be there for your delicate patellas when the time comes to genuflect to the great cactus god.
Two kinds of riders can justify paying $1500 for this gear: 1) the serious off-road pro whose life might actually depend on staying dry; and 2) the not-so-serious bucks-up rider who understands that to look good is to feel good—spatter on some mud, park your GS outside Starbucks and activate your pheromone beacon. This is some serious sartorial splendor and feels like the last enduro clothing you’ll ever need to buy.
DETAILS
Klim USA
3753 E. County Line Rd.
Rigby, ID 83442
208/552-7433
Price...$899.99 jacket; $649.99 pants
Senior Editor Blake Conner in-action