KLIM Latitude has been my go to three season jacket for the past three seasons. I bought it on the BMW MOA site from someone upgrading. It was like new-not sure it was every outside! It has great vents, padding, and the large fits me ok. I'm 5'10" and average build at 175. I can add a thin base layer, my heated vest and another shirt and still fit. Medium would be too snug for any layers. My only complaint is the fading in the hi-vis material. My wife's Tourmaster is the same vintage, and yet her jacket is still bright and almost new looking. I'm not sure I won't look there (and lots cheaper) for when this jacket needs replacing. I've got almost 120K on it, so it doesn't owe me much.
It’s humorous reading different folks sizing experiences. I wonder if the “cut” is different on the latest Latitude? I’m 5’9” / 178 / 40.5” chest / athletic build and with the standard D30 armor, the Medium is just a tad loose when wearing a cotton t-shirt ( not sloppy loose, but comfy). Still have room for a Warm&Safe heated liner, no need for any more layers. I upgraded all the armor to the Level 2 D30 and it did take up any remaining looseness, with t-shirt and liner it’s snug, but not uncomfortable. And heated gear works best when snug anyway, so not an issue unless I start gaining weight, lol. I’m used to wearing tighter-fitting AlpineStars sport-cut jackets, so the Klims cut is pretty “roomy” to me.
I'm relatively fit. Could stand to lose 10lbs. I'm 5'10, 195lbs....44" chest. I could not comfortably close the large. Which according to the online klim sizing tool I should be. The xl was a little loose, but I liked it.....room to layer. The current latitude felt better than every jacket I've had a chance to try on. I'm broad chested and shouldered, small dad gut. (I'm kind of square shaped)
To give you an idea. I'm 6' and 188#'s. Yeah, the XL Latitude is a little loose on me but it's supposed to be that way for layering. It has to be the finest motorcycle jacket I've ever owned. Odd thing is, I have a KLIM Induction for summer riding and the Large fits me perfect, probably due to the fact that it doesn't require layering. And I haven't fit into an L jacket in 30 years. By the way, the Induction is the 2nd finest jacket I've ever owned
I relaly like the look of the new red accent Latitude, and based on the fit pattern change feedback I've seen here and elsewhere I’m considering it for my 3 season cooler weather riding. My previous experience with Klim Latitude & Badlands jackets was that they were like a tent on me - since the shoulders and upper back on the medium were too constricting, and the large was massive down low. The Kodiak fits me great, but I don’t need that much jacket.
I got the red version and it’s sharp! The red is really bright, almost hi-vis in itself. I’ve been wearing it in mid-90’s and high humidity for over a week now, for me, it’ll definitely be a 4-season, all-weather jacket. Have not been able to ride in the rain yet, ironically, looking forward to that moment, lol. I will forewarn anyone looking to buy this jacket, be prepared to have to get different gloves. My Held EVO Thrux gauntlets wont work with the Latitude, so I searched the globe and found a set of Held Spot shorties. Found them at FC Moto in Germany, still waiting for their arrival. In the mean time, I dug out my old Cortech Accelerator shorties. With the sleeve length, I’m not concerned about needing gauntlets.
Huh, are the cuff openings super small like the ones on the Kodiak? I couldn’t get my winter gloves under the cuff of those, which is a primary reason I sold that jacket.
Did you have the original Traverse or later model? The original has full length pit zips and vents well. I use it with a pressure suit. The MM jacket is on my radar but that’s a lot of $ for a shell. It would have to be much better than the Traverse for me to switch.
I've never seen the Kodiak, sorry no help there. To me, the cuff openings are huge (remember, I'm used to tight-fitting sport-cut jackets). The Latitude has velcro, so you can cinch them down pretty tight, but depending on what the gauntlet design is, there may be too much excess cuff material that could get in the way. Sleeves are fairly long compared to a leather race-type jacket, where a gauntlet is much preferred. I can get my Warm&Safe Sport heated gloves over the sleeves, the gauntlets are pretty loose/flexible material. No way I can get my Held EVO Thrux over the sleeves, and be comfortable. Can very easily get short cuff gloves on, and never have exposed skin.
Oh so the opposite of the Kodiak, a smaller opening gauntlet glove may not expand enough to get over top. Honestly for touring gloves that's the preferred way, so you can tuck them underneath to prevent water from running up.
Thankful you guys brought up gloves. I'll be ordering a pair as well and did not consider how the cuff and glove would interface. My crappy icon patrols I'm not sure would fit over or under.
Short cuff gloves will help with air flow up the sleeve as well. I rode about 450 miles today in 85-94 degree temps, super-slabbing my way over to the Smokies. I actually got to the point where I decided I needed to open the collar for some more air, lol. Those little "hook" things on the Latitude's shoulders work great! I still sweat just a little, but very satisfied with the jacket so far.
Awesome. I'm about to order.....trying to decide on color. :/ Wife says black, buddies say red, I prefer black, but was leaning gray for sunny reasons. Wife says the gray looks feminine.....anybody got a 3 sided coin? Ill investigate some short cuff gloves.
Purchased a new Klim Badlands pro Jacket 2 months ago. I am 6' and 265, bigger across the back than the gut and the 3XL fits perfect, with no problems in arm length either standing or in the riding position. In my opinion anything over 85 degrees is too hot for this jacket, even with the numerous vents open. Just returned from a trip though Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Washington and Oregon with some rain and cold weather and could not be happier. The heavy material blocks a lot of wind from entering and the Gore-Tex worked perfect. For the summer months I'll keep my mesh Olympia Jacket with a Frogg Togg for rain, and the other 9 months I'll will use the Badlands. Sure its a pricey coat, but those I came across that were wearing them were happy with it. For me, its just a long term investment I hope to keep at least 10 years.
I’ve been using a pair of Klim Induction short gloves (under the cuff) or Klim Adventure Long gloves (over the cuff) with my Carlsbad jacket. Both work great.
2013 traverse. Does have the long pit zips. Maybe saying “doesn’t breath nearly as well” was a bit of a overstatement. The basilisk vents a bit better would be a more accurate way to describe it. Not being black probably helps as well. To answer direct, I don’t think your missing out. However if I didn’t have either, I would give the nod to the mm.
