I purchased a new Klim Badlands jacket from BMW Motorcycles of Grand Rapids, MI in my ongoing search for a waterproof jacket that was also comfortable, had good storage and armor. Riding a R1150GS I don't have a lot of wind protection, and for whatever reason the rain seems to follow me ( or maybe everyone in Michigan feels this way).
After a few test rides and some good rain, I'm happy to report the jacket is living up to the high price tag. Note that I did get a great deal a the annual Thanksgiving sale, and BMW of GR was friendly and knowledgeable - and patient while I tried on every jacket in the place. I liked a number of things about the BMW Dry Jacket, but the Klim won based on just feeling super durable.
Some highlights:
Most zippers can be accessed on the bike - the upper arm vents are difficult to zip closed without using two hands - but opening them is easy.
The collar has a nice soft lining, but can get misaligned and irritate your neck - but after a couple of rides I figured it out and it's comfortable. Short collar and doesn't flap. It does fit well with my waterproof balaclava and should be very protective and keep water from dripping in off my helmet (schuberth c3 pro which I love).
Long tail - the back of the jacket hangs down several inches lower than the front - preventing bunched up fabric in the front, and providing a nice rain run off as well. it's a little thing but seems to make a difference.
Ventilation - lots of it, but I think this will be a hot jacket when the weather warms up anytime I'm not moving. Other than really hot days I think it would be fine, and certainly for the midwest.
Super fabric on shoulders and forearms - ceramic half beads fused onto the fabric which is supposed to provide less friction when you slide on pavement. On my gloves this has held up well and on the jacket it feels very strong - like it would hold up to more than a typical cordura. Hope I never have to really test it.
Sleeve pockets are convenient and easily accessed.
Cuffs tighten well, but the thick fabric will require either putting gloves inside, or having gloves with large guantlets. My Held Air N Dry gloves would fit over the top of the sleeves, but they needed to be tugged on.
Reflective striping - seems very good, and lights up when any light hits it - not sure this is any better than other jackets I've seen.
Armor - this jacket is a tank. It is heavy (comfortable but heavy), but the armor feels great. The large back protector comes down to my lower back, the elbo pads come well out onto the forearms, and the jacket includes chest armor. I've taken a couple of tumbles going slowly off road - once where the front wheel dropped into a rut and sent me hard into the handlebars, so I put chest protection on the list. The armor is soft until impact and as such is very comfortable.
Kidney belt - built into the jacket is a 6" wide elastic belt that provides nice lower back support and makes the jacket feel like it would stay in place better when needed.
Zippers - are awesome. Nice, easy, thick, waterproof zippers.
Storage - good, with a nice large pocket on the lower back of the jacket.
The Klim Badlands jacket is great. I never thought I'd spend this much on a jacket. After a trip last summer across Michigan's upper peninsula in a full day 45-50F pouring rain the value of keeping dry became very apparent. The opportunity to step up in terms of safety also came after I thought about how I'd feel if I crashed and didn't have the best gear I could afford. I can highly recommend this jacket.
After a few test rides and some good rain, I'm happy to report the jacket is living up to the high price tag. Note that I did get a great deal a the annual Thanksgiving sale, and BMW of GR was friendly and knowledgeable - and patient while I tried on every jacket in the place. I liked a number of things about the BMW Dry Jacket, but the Klim won based on just feeling super durable.
Some highlights:
Most zippers can be accessed on the bike - the upper arm vents are difficult to zip closed without using two hands - but opening them is easy.
The collar has a nice soft lining, but can get misaligned and irritate your neck - but after a couple of rides I figured it out and it's comfortable. Short collar and doesn't flap. It does fit well with my waterproof balaclava and should be very protective and keep water from dripping in off my helmet (schuberth c3 pro which I love).
Long tail - the back of the jacket hangs down several inches lower than the front - preventing bunched up fabric in the front, and providing a nice rain run off as well. it's a little thing but seems to make a difference.
Ventilation - lots of it, but I think this will be a hot jacket when the weather warms up anytime I'm not moving. Other than really hot days I think it would be fine, and certainly for the midwest.
Super fabric on shoulders and forearms - ceramic half beads fused onto the fabric which is supposed to provide less friction when you slide on pavement. On my gloves this has held up well and on the jacket it feels very strong - like it would hold up to more than a typical cordura. Hope I never have to really test it.
Sleeve pockets are convenient and easily accessed.
Cuffs tighten well, but the thick fabric will require either putting gloves inside, or having gloves with large guantlets. My Held Air N Dry gloves would fit over the top of the sleeves, but they needed to be tugged on.
Reflective striping - seems very good, and lights up when any light hits it - not sure this is any better than other jackets I've seen.
Armor - this jacket is a tank. It is heavy (comfortable but heavy), but the armor feels great. The large back protector comes down to my lower back, the elbo pads come well out onto the forearms, and the jacket includes chest armor. I've taken a couple of tumbles going slowly off road - once where the front wheel dropped into a rut and sent me hard into the handlebars, so I put chest protection on the list. The armor is soft until impact and as such is very comfortable.
Kidney belt - built into the jacket is a 6" wide elastic belt that provides nice lower back support and makes the jacket feel like it would stay in place better when needed.
Zippers - are awesome. Nice, easy, thick, waterproof zippers.
Storage - good, with a nice large pocket on the lower back of the jacket.
The Klim Badlands jacket is great. I never thought I'd spend this much on a jacket. After a trip last summer across Michigan's upper peninsula in a full day 45-50F pouring rain the value of keeping dry became very apparent. The opportunity to step up in terms of safety also came after I thought about how I'd feel if I crashed and didn't have the best gear I could afford. I can highly recommend this jacket.