New helmet John?

[gator800r]

Hi John first off I want to thank you for this great web site. It is by far the best site on the web. I have been addicted to it for about 4 years now.

I was reading your latest journal and noticed you had one of the new Klim helmets. You,Skylar and many others convinced me to buy all new Klim gear I bought everything but the helmet,reason being I wasnt sure if I would like the motocross style helmet. I was just wondering what your first impressions on the helmet are? Im still thinking about getting one. Thanks again for this site and keep up the great work.

Thanks,

Joe

 

[john]

Joe-

Very observant! It is the new helmet from Klim. When we boondock my head can get soaking wet under the helmet, so I was very interested in their new breathable helmet.

I can report that they are VERY breathable! In fact on Saturday's ride I started out with the breathable liner in it. The temp was around 20 degrees and we only trail rode. Well, after a few miles of riding on the trail my head was froze! So we stopped and I took the breathable liner out and put in the windstopper liner (takes about 60 seconds). That setup was like riding with a regular helmet and I was perfectly comfortable.

However, I was very happy to see how much the helmet did breathe with the breathable liner in. I am excited to see how much more comfortable it is in the type of riding I do most. I think it will make a huge difference when boondocking which is done at a slower speed and a lot more exertion.

I have been riding with the motocross style helmet for years now. It is unbeatable in it's anti-fogging qualities. If you strickly trail ride then a full face is probably better as the open face motocross can get a bit chilly when it is really cold out and you are riding down the trail at a faster pace.

However, if you ride a lot of off trail at the slower pace and have problems with fogging, then the motocross is the way to go and the Klim helmet was really nice. As with all their stuff, you cannot go wrong.

-John

 

[gator800r]

Thanks John sounds like it is going to work really well for you. It may be worth it for me to get one and have two helmets one for trail riding and one for boondocking.

Thanks for the feedback. Enjoy all the white gold I plan on coming up on the 13th for my first ride of the year. Let it snow!!

Joe

 

[torch]

John, Do you still like the Klim f4 helmet after you have been serveral times? Can you keep the gorestopper in for all rides? Is it warm enough for a 200 mile day? Was the sizing like other helmets or did it run small? Looking forward to your opinion. Great web site. Thanks.

 

[admin]

torch-

Love the helmet even more than when I first got it. The reason is I have become use to the proper setups for varying weather/riding conditions. Unlike a typical helmet, as you probably know, this helmet has different liners and some other features like a ton of venting that make it unique in the helmet industry.

When I first got it, I would sawp out the liners based on the type of weather/riding conditions, but since have learned to just the Klim Balaclava instead. So I mainly ride with the breathable liner in the helmet and if I need the extra protection from the cold and mostly wind from the vents, then I put on my balaclava and that blocks out the wind. I need to add that you would have to use either the balaclava from Klim or another that uses the Gore Wind Stopper material, as a regular balaclava is not going to provide the protection from the wind that comes through the venting on the helmet.

When I start to get warm, I just take the balaclava off and cool right off. Really nice!

I do carry the windstopper liner with me on the sled, just in case I need it, but have not used it in a long time and suppose I only would when it is very cold (15 degrees F or colder) and I am doing a lot of trail riding.

I did find that the helmet may have fit a tad bit on the small side, but not by much and it has "broken in" a bit and fits a bit looser. So if you are in between sizes, then I would go with the next larger size. However, if you find that a large or XL fit you well in other helmet sizes, then go with that size. It may be a bit snug at first, but will fit much better with use.

Bottom line is, great helmet for the aggressive backcountry rider. No more sweaty head!

-John