Trying to stay cool , protected , warm and covered . Vividly recalling the feeling of icy cold water running down my legs , standing to change position on the bike . It was like someone had put a garden hose down my pants and turned it on while it was connected to ice-cold water ! If I wasn ’ t fully alert beforehand , I certainly was now .
Enter a Klim Carlsbad suit in Sage Hi Vis . Researching the Carlsbad , I was comfortable with the protection offered , the storage pockets , the included CE approved D30 armour and the quality of construction . The Carlsbad sits in the middle of the Klim range , offering Cordura fabric , laminated Gore-Tex , and leather construction .
The Klim Carlsbad has performed well with a mix of rain , hail , polar blasts , and daytime temperatures in the mid-twenty degrees Celsius range .
Sizing is generous , with a recommendation of dropping a size from your usual and still allows room for base and mid layers . Adjustment webbing allows the various pieces of armour to be cinched down against the wearers legs and elbows , with the ability to zip the jacket to the pants . Braces attached to the pants eliminate any chance of tradesman crack .
Operation of the zippers while on the bike is straight forward , however , stopping and getting off the bike is still the most efficient way to ensure they are quickly closed . The zipper pulls have large , glove friendly grab points . With lengthy double opening zippers on the forearm of the jacket , right down to the wrist , the ability to direct and regulate cooling air up the sleeves and out the rear exhaust vents ensure a pleasant evaporative cooling effect when moving along at a reasonable pace . The forearm vents combine well with the chest vents , particularly when standing up , unshielded from the front screen . Ventilation zips on the pants , located on the upper thighs , with exhaust ports , provide some cooling effect down below .
Adventure riding places many demands on a jacket and pants . In slower , more technical riding , without the flow of air through the various openings in the jacket , internal temperatures quickly climb . Finding a solution involves a compromise , seeking protection , coverage , abrasion resistance , armour , and ventilation for highway miles , while looking for lightweight construction ,
TRAVERSE 184