I've been actively looking for new waterproof riding gear that will cover a range of seasons, conditions, and riding styles. I'm looking for something totally versatile for on/off-road, layering underneath, or venting in the hot, but still staying dry through it all. So far, my top options have been the Klim Traverse jacket & pant, or the Icon Patrol combo. I like the Icon for the bib/suspenders and features of the jacket, but the Traverse is cheaper (although I would plan to buy the D3O armor and be able to remove it when wearing a pressure suit), and has the gore-tex guarantee. I trust Klim's build quality a bit more than Icon, given what I've heard about longevity of both products. Some googling has revealed this, though: http://www.atomic-moto.com/Klim-Overland-Jacket_p_834.html No info about it on Klim's site (or anywhere else, apparently), but it's priced between the Traverse and the Latitude; so will it be oriented more towards split pavement and dirt riding, or just an up-featured dirt version of the Traverse? Why so much more expensive? I've heard it may come with armor, but there's no mention of that on the site. It looks like it has a higher collar to keep more weather out of the helmet. How about touring in the Traverse? I've heard the cut is baggy and will blow me around at highway speeds and not keep the armor in place; but I've also read that some people do it comfortably. The Overland looks like it might vent better with the dual extractor zips on the back vs. the single horizontal on the Traverse. So, should I wait until this officially releases and consider it as an alternative to the Traverse or the Patrol?
. Why don't you call Atomic Moto and ask them to provide answers to your questions about the Overland vs. the Traverse. They are usually pretty good about helping with such things. I own a Traverse of the latest generation and I think it's a great jacket. It has most of the features which are needed and not a bunch of excess stuff which adds weight and complexity. The one fault in the jacket is that the collar is not tall enough for riding in colder weather. If the Overland corrects for that short collar it could be a great jacket. I've ridden at speeds in excess of 100mph while wearing a Traverse, which fits me very loosely because I deliberately bought it larger so I could use layers under it without it fitting too tightly. The breeze wasn't a problem and the jacket did not blow around nor were there any stability problems. This was on a light dual sport bike so it's not like I was on a Harley dresser or a BMW 1600 or something which is so heavy it's stable by virtue of its weight. The Overland is not expensive in the world of quality jackets, and many jackets cost a lot more. If you cannot afford to buy a decent new jacket a good used one can give you a lot more quality than some inexpensive new jackets. An Aerostich Darien or Darien Light would be a very good choice in a used jacket. .
Thanks for your input! I'm definitely still considering the Traverse as an option based on what you've said. I realize neither of them are expensive in the world of motorcycle gear, but I think they seem like great bang-for-the-buck options. I don't need to spend more on a jacket and pants combo than I did on my bike, when I'll be perfectly warm, dry, and happy in something less expensive. Definitely keeping an eye out in the flea market for decent used options as well. I did sent Atomic-moto an email regarding the Overland. I find it interesting that they are the only retailer with information that isn't even on the Klim site yet; I wonder what the 'official' word is?
Brian from Atomic is a member on here (I want to say his SN is BRPT), he's a great guy that's always happy to answer your questions and give you an honest opinion. I've bought a number of things from him over the years, I'm quite happy to give him my business. Regarding the apparel, I've got the Traverse pants and love them, but I can't bring myself to love the Traverse or Latitude jackets. The Badlands is a heavy jacket, but it feels a lot better IMO. If I ever save up the money I'll be buying that one. Interested to see the new line though.
I just got a call back from Brian earlier tonight! He gave me lots of great information about the Overland in general and specifically how it stacks up against something like the Traverse and Latitude. Supposedly the Overland was going to be a full replacement model for the Traverse, but Klim decided to differentiate them a bit and run both lines. The Overland is going to be a heavier-duty jacket, D3O armor included, a little bit snugger cut with an adjustable hem, higher collar. Klim is targeting it as a budget alternative adventure-style suit, although Brian said he would consider it more as a dual-sport or primarily dirt-oriented suit. Definitely sounds like it's going to be a nice product! I'm definitely looking forward to reading a bit more about it and seeing how it stacks up. The 2013 Latitude sounds like a quality set up as well, but it is quite a bit more money; I really don't need much more than a basic riding suit as long as it is waterproof and fits well.
Availability will probably be April, but that may be a conservative estimate. I'll have to find a dealer nearby to try some on as well!
I've been looking for a jacket to get into with armor and a decent four season build and was considering the traverse as well with the armor upgrade. The Overland however looks like it'll be the perfect fit for me, a decent price range and what looks like a great shell. <iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7UrJqAg1JYQ" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe> I stumbled upon a full review on Revzilla and it looks grand, some nice armor in there too with the D3o T5 EVO Pro XT. The best part is it looks like it'll come out cheaper than getting a traverse and shelling out to put the thinner armor in it.
Awesome, I'd been waiting for them to do a video. Seems like a great product; I wonder when they're actually going to have stock?
I wonder if a pressure suit will fit under the Overlander. I like the quality D30 armor stock, but swapping that out for a pressure suit on the more technical ride days would be nice.
I guarantee a pressure suit will fit under the Overland unless you are already a snug 3XXL. I have full intentions of purchasing this set of gear as soon as it becomes available in Canada; use case is for both off-road and adventure riding depending on the temperatures and expected precipitation.
3XXL ain't me. 6' and 155 lbs cyclist physique: more like a Medium with the chest of a Small. I will probably be pulling the trigger on the jacket as soon as it's available and pairing it with KLIM offroad pants.
I would actually be a bit more interested in this if it didnt have the armor in it, like the traverse, as I would probably take it out anyway. maybe at that point though I oughta forgo both and just grab a powerxross pullover from klim.
i dropped into the Klim world headquarters today on a roadtrip down to moab from jackson hole. Klim is in Rigby if you don't already know. super rural farm town. totally obscure. my mission was to check out some stuff i had ordered that was waiting for me in moab. i also really wanted to compare the overland to the traverse. i did, but didn't spend enough time at it. i kinda was nervous and didn't want to waste their time when i could go to a retailer and do whatever i want. their showroom is a meeting room which had a meeting in progress with the snowmachine lines on the other side of the room. pretty trick custom trucks. must be the bigwig's rides! i feel like a tourist in the empire state building. the lovely Camille was my host and product question manager. she had all the answers. there's your overland 3rd from the left. she described it as a beefier traverse. available april 1st. i really liked it. looked and felt good. just right, between the latitude and traverse. although the traverse was quite appealing too. a simpler design as you traverse owners know. i'm getting an overland suit. maybe a traverse jacket too some time. i poked around and zipped and unzipped but since it was all new to me i haven't soaked in all of the details yet. all i can say is the overland felt just right for my purpose, pounding pavement on my commuter bike. i also wanted to check on gloves and see the new dakar and mohave dirtbike pants. you can see them there in orange and red next to Camille. i own the old dakar pants. the new dakars are great. more flexibility, ventilation and comfort. but i wonder about vulnerability and destruction because of the increased use of less heavy materials in specific places. the mohave was even more ventilated than before. the same is to be said of the mohave pro glove. super ventilated with good padding where it's needed. beefy yet meshy. the pants seemed really cool and comfy, with an over the boot design now. the design looked perfect for hot weather dirtbiking, beefy yet meshy. i'm getting the new mohave pant for my desert riding. both pants featured redesigned thigh pockets that are more square and deeper than the original rectangular pockets, a nice change but i like the old style too. both pants had non-sealable vents on the back of the thighs, zippered vents on the front. the lineup in that photo goes, badlands-latitude-overland-traverse-powercross pullover(?)-then some jerseys. interesting statement from Camille: the adventure rally suit for 2013 has been canned. she said the design didn't hold up to klim standards. they're focusing on 2014 for that one now. can't wait to fuss with the gear some more! Kirk Out
Thanks for the report! Sounds pretty cool there at Klim HQ! Nice trucks, too. Top one's a Raptor, bottom is?
This overland has peaked my interest as well. I just got my first bike in 15 years. I'm wanting a shell with pads that I can commute with year round. I'm just wondering how effective the venting on the overland is. I may get this and maybe a mesh jacket later on in the summer time.
Congrats on the new bike! The year-round, waterproof, armored shell is exactly what I've been searching for as well; like you, I'm curious about the venting. Everything I've read puts it above the Traverse in airflow thanks to the dual back vents, but not as good as say, the Badlands. Having pit zips would be nice though.
Thanks. My local shop is going to receive a shipment in the next week or two. I will go check it out when they get it and let you know.
Talked to the folks at Revzilla about the Overland pants http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/klim-overland-pants and was told they are more of a 'jeans' type fit, which I am looking for. I have the Traverse jacket but sold the pant as they were too baggy and a 'dirt bike' fit. I do 70-30 on/off road and the off road parts are purely gravel roads on the GS so I wanted a more touring friendly pant and the Overland looks like it fits the bill. However I was told the Overland won't be out until mid May, which I hope happens sooner............ The Traverse jacket is great and with the Overland pant I feel I'll have an all season, all weather riding outfit for both the GS and the DRZ.