New Klim Technical Apparel for 2018

Ryan Adams
by Ryan Adams

The Badlands model gets more badass, plus new female suit and upgraded armor

Klim has long been known in the adventure and snow segments as premium technical riding gear, and it has been the choice of moto-adventurers the world over. For 2018 it’s great to see Klim continuing to advance the functionality and technicality of its garments. Klim’s flagship model, the Badlands jacket and pant, has now been revised and revamped with even more real-world usability, upgraded armor developed with D3O, and higher-strength materials. Also, new going into 2018 is the women’s Artemis jacket which has been purpose-built with women in mind.

Motorcycle.com had the chance to attend Klim’s media presentation of the new garments during the Long Beach International Motorcycle Show to get a first look at the tech woven into these new models.

Badlands Pro

The Badlands Pro for 2018 builds on Klim’s flagship model to include more abrasion-resistant materials including Superfabric panels in key impact areas such as the shoulders, elbows, and forearms, as well as Klim’s exclusive Karbonite Ripstop material behind the Superfabric panels and in high wear areas.

Klim has also worked to improve rider usability in terms of ergonomic fit while riding and accessibility to zippers and pockets. To help improve comfort in warmer conditions, the Badlands Pro jacket has 16 zippered ventilation channels throughout the jacket.

Klim continues to work with Gore-Tex and its 3-layer Pro Shell technology, which is mated to the outer shell to provide Klim’s Guaranteed To Keep You Dry promise. Pretty simple, if you get wet due the jacket failing, send it back to Klim and they will repair or replace it if they find the garment has malfunctioned.

Select garments, including the Badlands Pro, also includes a five-year warranty from manufacturer defect. As an additional peace of mind, Klim offers its street protection plan in which riders who have an accident and obtain a police report can send in their crashed garment and Klim will replace it for free.

The Badlands Pro is designed to give the user ultimate functionality in all conditions, and Klim knows its customers put that to the test on a regular basis while traveling the world. The new jacket and pant was reworked to provide those who live in their garment day in and day out with even more functionality from its ventilation ports and Klimatek cooling material to the adjustability offered to get the perfect fit. The jacket also features three secret pockets to store travel documents and valuables, while anti-odor properties keep it smelling fresh months after your world travel begins.

Klim D3O Aero Pro

When creating the new Badlands Pro, Klim went back to the drawing board to ask if D3O was still providing the best protection and comfort available for its customers.

The answer? Yes, but there were still areas that could be improved to offer maximum comfort to the end user. That is where Klim’s D3O Aero Pro comes in. Klim says the new Aero Pro armor offers as much as 5x more ventilation with 44% percent more coverage. While we haven’t yet sampled the new D3O on the road, the fit and ventilation seems like it will definitely be an upgrade over previous D3O protectors.

The new Klim D3O Aero Pro is found in the shoulders, elbows, hips, coccyx, and knees of the Badlands Pro jacket and pant. The upgraded protectors are also said to exceed CE Level 2 certifications, something Klim kept in mind as motorcycle gear regulations change in Europe.

Oddly enough, we didn’t see a Klim D3O Aero Pro back protector. It seems the Badlands Pro jacket will use the same D3O Viper Pro back piece it has used previously. With companies such as Dainese producing similar honeycomb-shaped protectors, one would think a back protector in the same vein as the Aero Pro would be a logical inclusion.

Lady’s Artemis

The Artemis adventure gear from Klim is a new jacket and pant purpose-built for female riders. The jacket features some but not all of the fabrics used on the Badlands Pro, which isn’t available in female sizing. Klim’s Karbonite ripstop is used over the shoulders and elbows to provide abrasion resistance, while Gore-Tex Performance Shell is used to keep the elements out. Klimatek is also used in the mesh armor pockets to keep riders cool in potential hot spots.

Klim paid attention when developing the Artemis’ ventilation system to work with the female form. In fewer words, underboob ventilation. While these vents account for only two of a total of 10 ventilation options, Klim says this was a welcome incorporation to the venting scheme after consulting its female adventure-riding testers.

D3O is again the armor of choice, however, the Artemis sticks to CE Level 1 protectors rather than the new Aero Pro CE Level 2 protectors found in the Badlands. The Artemis is also devoid of the Superfabric panels used on the men’s Badlands set up.

The new women’s model also includes an anti-odor coating and 10 different storage pockets to help give riders as much use as possible from a jacket they may very well be spending the trip of a lifetime in.

Pricing and Availability: Jacket – $699.99 | Pants $549.99 | February 2018

Klim has put substantial effort into keeping itself at the forefront of hardcore ADV gear. From the new tech in the Badlands Pro to the female-specific Artemis, we wish Klim success once they hit retail shelves in February 2018. We will try to get our hands on the Badland Pro to see how it stacks up in the real world.

Here’s an obscenely long list from Klim of the features found on the new models:

Badlands Pro Jacket – $999.99

Exterior Features

  • Gore-tex 3-layer Pro Laminate Technology
  • Gore-tex Pro Laminates – The most breathable, most durable motorsports shell construction available
  • Guaranteed to Keep You Dry
  • Spl 200 3 Layer Pro Gore-tex On Main Body
  • Fpl 400 3 Layer Pro Gore-tex
  • Custom-engineered variable-density Superfabric on shoulders, Elbows and Forearm
  • Highly Abrasion Resistant 500d Karbonite Ripstop panels in key Impact and wear areas
  • High-mobility active fit patterning for unmatched comfort
  • Pre-curved arm and rider positioning construction
  • Action Back on shoulders
  • 3m Scotchlite Reflective Material on panels and trim for increased low-light visibility
  • Velcro fasteners adjustable wrist closures
  • Forearm sleeve adjustment straps
  • Ykk Vislon water resistant zippers

Hi-vis Yellow Colorway Option

  • Polyester dying has improved fading resistance
  • Provides better visibility in low-light situations
  • Colorfast polyester material is durable and improved resistance to UV fading
  • Hi-viz Colorway integrates maximum reflective and strategic placement of Hi-Vis color panels

Integrated Armor System

  • New Custom D3O/Klim Armor System – Aero Pro
  • Increased Coverage
  • Increased Ventilation
  • Increased Breathability
  • Better Ergonomics
  • Limb-specific Pads
  • Klim Aero Pro D3O shoulders and elbows
  • D3O Viper Pro Back Piece
  • D3O Exceeds Level 2 Ce Certification For En1621-1:2011 Testing)
  • Siliconized Spacer Mesh Front Chest Forward Impact Protection Vented
  • Adjustable Armor Pockets for Refined Armor Placement
  • 2 Sleeve Adjustment Straps Stabilizes Armor
  • Improved Ventilation through the Back Pad
  • Improved Fit Of The Limb Protection to stay in place in the event of a crash
  • Klimatek Cooling stretch mesh in elbow and shoulder pad pockets

Cargo, Hydration, Comfort And Support Systems

  • Improved Comfort and Fit
  • Improved Internal Moisture-wicking Mesh Polygiene Odor Fighting for long trips
  • Improved Kidney Belt (Added access ports in liner to easily adjustand stow away the belt)
  • 9 External Pockets* [2 Chest, 2 Core, 2 Hand, 1 Spot Pocket, Id/License Pocket On Left Forearm (With Hidden Stash Pocket) One large dual access storage pocket on exterior back]
  • Four Internal Chest Pockets + One Hidden Pocket Behind Backpad (Hidden Document), 1 Hidden Stash Pocket, Zippered Mesh Chest Pockets
  • Easy access Hydration Bladder Compartment and Internal Hose Route Dual Routing options (Two sizes of compatible bladders not included)
  • Integrated Jacket-stabilizing, removable and adjustable Kidney Belt Support System (upgraded Kidney Belt)
  • Improved Collar Fit Completely Redesigned Collar Reduced Bulk
  • Collar Cinch
  • Bottom Hem Adjustment
  • Standardized Jacket-to-pant Zipper Integration System
  • Lined Comfort Collar
  • Water Resistant Pocket
  • New Custom TPU Zipper Pullers
  • New Zipper end sealing system

Max Flow Ventilation: 12 Ports

  • Improved venting via, easier to access while riding, side chest vents and lower body vents
  • Collar can hook back to allow for more ventilation improved usability of entire collar tab back feature
  • Works in concert with Aero Pro Pads and Klimatek™ Cooling Fabrics
  • Intake – 4 Front Core, 2 Forearm, 2 Bicep
  • Exhaust – 2 Back, 2 Tricep

Badlands Pro Pants – $699.99

Exterior Features

  • Gore-tex 3-layer Pro laminate technology
  • Gore-tex Pro Laminates—the most breathable, most durable motorsports shell construction available
  • Guaranteed To Keep You Dry
  • Spl 200 3 Layer Pro Gore-tex on main body
  • Fpl 400 3 Layer Pro Gore-tex
  • Custom-engineered variable-density Superfabric on knees
  • Highly Abrasion Resistant 500d Karbonite Ripstop panels in key impact and wear areas
  • High-mobility active fit patterning for unmatched comfort
  • Pre-curved knee positioning construction
  • 3m Scotchlite reflective material on panels and trim for increased low-light visibility
  • Velcro Fasteners
  • YKK Vislon water resistant zippers

Integrated Armor System

  • New Custom D3O/Klim Armor System – Aero Pro
  • Increased Coverage
  • Increased Ventilation
  • Increased Breathability
  • Better Ergonomics
  • Limb-specific Pads
  • Klim Aero Pro D3O Hips, Knees And Tailbone
  • D3O Exceeds Level 2 CE Certification For Pren1621-1:2011 Testing)
  • Adjustable armor pockets for refined armor placement
  • Upper shin quick adjust keeps armor in place
  • Improved fit keeps armor in place
  • Increased heat resistant leather coverage to grip and protect

Cargo, Comfort and Support Systems

  • Klimatek cooling stretch mesh in hip and knee pad pockets
  • Improved internal moisture-wicking mesh Polygiene odor fighting for long trips
  • Improved back waistband construction
  • 2 Zippered cargo pockets improved usability
  • Pant works intuitively with rider’s natural movement and motions
  • Standardized jacket-to-pant zipper integration system
  • Custom TPU zipper pullers
  • Adjustable hem

Max Flow Ventilation: 4 Ports

  • Vastly improved airflow and venting
  • Intake – 2 Front Thigh
  • Exhaust – 2 Back Thigh

Artemis Jacket – $699.99

Exterior Features

  • Gore-tex Performance Shell
  • Guaranteed To Keep You Dry
  • Karbonite Ripstop Overlays in the elbows and shoulders
  • Adjustable Velcro cuff closures

Ventilation

  • Comfort mapped ventilation for women
  • Klimatek Cooling Mesh in the pad pockets
  • 2 Chest Vent Pockets
  • 2 Cross-core Vents
  • 2 Articulated Forearm Vents
  • 2 Bicep Vents
  • 2 Vertical Back Exhaust Vents
  • 1 Stat Card / Hidden Stash Pocket
  • Collar Tab Back for improved ventilation

Integrated Armor System

  • Integrated D3O Level 1 Shoulder and Elbow / Viper 1 Backpad
  • Improved Ventilation through the back pad

Cargo

  • 2 Chest Vent Pockets
  • 2 Zippered Hand Pockets
  • 1 Rear Large Pocket
  • 1 Upper Arm Stash Pocket
  • 2 Lower Internal Zippered Stash Pockets
  • 1 Vertical Inside Stash Pocket
  • 1 Concealed Document Pocket Behind Back Pad

Fit/Comfort/Adjustment

  • Action Back for comfort and mobility
  • Upgraded Polygiene Anti-odor Liner
  • Soft Collar Liner
  • 2 Quick Adjust Bicep Straps
  • 2 Quick Adjust Forearm Straps
  • 2 Quick Adjust Waist Adjusters
  • 2 Zippered Hip Gussets

Artemis Pants– $549.99

Exterior Features

  • Gore-tex
  • Guaranteed To Keep You Dry
  • Karbonite Ripstop overlays in the knees
  • Goat Leather on inside of knees
  • Adjustable Snap Hem Closures
  • Adjustable Waist Cinch

Ventilation

  • 2 Thigh Intake Vent
  • 2 Back Thigh Exhaust Vent
  • Klimatek Cooling Mesh in the pad pockets

Integrated Armor System

  • D3O Level 1 Hip and Knee

Cargo

  • 2 Zippered cargo pockets

Fit/Comfort/Adjustment

  • Quick adjust straps on upper calf keep armor in place
  • Upgraded Polygiene anti-odor liner
Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams

Ryan’s time in the motorcycle industry has revolved around sales and marketing prior to landing a gig at Motorcycle.com. An avid motorcyclist, interested in all shapes, sizes, and colors of motorized two-wheeled vehicles, Ryan brings a young, passionate enthusiasm to the digital pages of MO.

More by Ryan Adams

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2 of 6 comments
  • Mugwump Mugwump on Dec 26, 2017

    I don't have to deal with justifying whether or not to purchase Klim gear, I'm short and round.

  • Siima MotoWear Siima MotoWear on Dec 27, 2017

    Here is where the Siima Sibirsky Super Adventure has an advantage. In hot weather no single layer jacket will keep you cool. This one will however. In temperatures more than 40 celsius.

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