Here’s my Klim Snowmobile Riding Gear Product Review…
Believe it or not, there was a time when nothing much was made specifically for mountain snowmobiling. Mountain riders either had to make do with general-purpose stock sleds or experiment with their own modifications. What’s more, they either had to wear the same off the rack snowmobile suits as the rest of us or adapt apparel from other winter sports.
Then the snowmobile industry saw the light and the rest is history.
Today, the mountain segment is the fastest growing in the business as mountain riders benefit from purpose built sleds and snowmobile gear specially designed for their kind of riding. On the gear side, no brand is more respected and revered than Klim. That’s because since its inception, the U.S.-based Klim (appropriately pronounced “climb”) led the mountain riding apparel revolution.
Klim Snowmobile Riding Gear Product Review – Early Days
As Snow Goer Canada National Tour Editor, I first heard rumours about new riding gear that was all the rage in British Columbia on my first mountain riding expedition in 1995. As you can see from the accompanying photo, by 2004 I was wearing a Klim suit for my first visit to Golden, BC, (and have continued to do so for every mountain ride since).
By then, almost every mountain rider I met was either already wearing Klim or wanted to be.
Although Klim Snowmobile Riding Gear was premium-priced, one of their snowmobile suits was worth every dollar because it delivered absolutely superior comfort thanks to its unmatched waterproofness, breathability, and lightweight durability. It got to the point where I actually looked forward to going back to the mountains so I could wear my Klim suit again.
Back home, I didn’t wear my Klim because it wasn’t well enough insulated to keep me warm while sitting in the saddle for too many sub-zero hours of trail riding (Although I did sneak in a few spring trail rides in my Klim mountain gear, on warmer days that would have had me sweltering in my regular sledding garb.)
Klim Snowmobile Riding Gear Product Review Here and Now
Fast forward to 2014. I’d been aware for several years that Klim was moving to bring its benefits and advantages to flatlanders by expanding its line with new offerings purpose built for trail riding, such as its Vector, Kinetic or Klimate combos.
The trick had been to create gear insulated to withstand freezing temperatures and serious speed wind chills, without sacrificing any of the attributes that have made Klim so popular in high country applications. Although their early offerings were way too black with not enough colour choices for my taste, I knew the magicians at Klim were succeeding when I began to see a growing number of trail riders wearing their new gear.
Then more recently, their snowmobile jackets suddenly exploded in colours, so I tried out their ultra cold weather Keweenaw Parka and bib last winter. I can now attest first hand that Klim snowmobile riding gear has delivered for trail riders too.
One of Klim’s primary claims to fame is the remarkable waterproofing provided by Gore-Tex®. I don’t pretend to understand the scientific principles behind what Gore-Tex does or how it works.
Suffice it to say that I experienced its effectiveness for myself on a riding day in Cape Breton when it poured rain all day. We were stone cold crazy for even riding, but at least those of us wearing Klim snowmobile riding gear were only miserable and dry, not more miserable and soaked to the skin like our companions.
Klim Snowmobile Riding Gear Product Review – Keweenaw Parka & Bib
In my testing last winter, their top of the line Keweenaw Parka & Bib also delivered on Klim’s other technology keystones. The Keweenaw was very lightweight, but plenty warm enough – even when the temperature dipped below -30˚C as it did many days last winter. Very windproof too, and at the same time, it was so breathable that excess moisture quickly dissipated to the exterior, even with an overactive body furnace like mine. And this high quality jacket and bib were certainly comfortable to wear and move around in, with no catching, chaffing or tightness anywhere while riding.
Downsides? For me, not as much pocket space as I like. I also found the high collar sometimes caught on my helmet when I turned my head. Nor would it adjust as snuggly as I like, and that was a little drafty when I didn’t wear a neck warmer or balaclava. But those are personal preferences that may not be considerations for you.
Certainly, if your primary goal is ultimate protection from the most extreme cold weather conditions and elements, then you should check out Klim’s top of the line offerings. By the same token, if you’re a hard-core, heavy-duty rider who racks up lots of miles and/or your flatland riding passion is off trail boondocking and powder playing, then making the Klim investment may be a good option.
Sledding in the mountains, on trail or in off trail powder, this next generation of Klim Snowmobile Riding Gear has something for everyone, so check it out!
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The tips and advice in this blog are the opinions of the author, may not work in every situation and are intended only for the convenience and interest of the reader, who has the personal responsibility to confirm the validity, accuracy and relevancy of this information prior to putting it to their own use.