Ski Doo or Klim Gear

[Bergy]

I have been looking at the Ski Doo X Team Jacket and Bibs/Pants vs. The Klim Kewanee or Klimate Jacket and bibs. Anyone tell me their pros and cons?

I know price is about 1/2 if I get non current Ski Doo gear.

 

[sledheadbrp]

I've owned 3 different Ski Doo jackets, all bought non-current at a great discount, and have been very happy with them. Quality and warmth are excellent. I'd love to get Klim, but the price difference, and the fact that after 4 or 5 years I'm ready for a new look, I'll keep buying them.

 

[frosty]

All I can say is that you get what you pay for. There is a reason for the cost difference, like not having a wet butt or back or feeling the cold.

I was a die hard Arctic Cat gear guy until I tried Klim and now trying Motorfist. They are both well worth the extra cost.

 

[renegade]

I am also a discount shopper, buy new jackets and bibs at half off or don't buy. Currently have a ski-doo jacket and choko bibs. As long as you have on the proper base layers, you can avoid the wet and cold also. Wear fleece, micro fleece, and polyester blends when it comes to the base layers and you can avoid the wet and cold. I will say that I have not rode in powder all day with this set up, but I have for few miles here and there throughout the day, and have not gotten wet. So there are ways to stay dry and warm without spending 800 bucks on jackets and bibs. I will eventuallly try Klim one day, but it won't be full price, thats just how I roll, I guess.

 

[440_chazz]

I am also a discount shopper. So when I heard my local dealer was having a sale on Klim apparel at 20% off I went and checked them out. Klim apparel rarely goes on sale. Bought a pair of Arctic GTX boots for $175 that normally sell for $230. These babies are warm and lightweight. Warmest boot I have ever worn. Best of both worlds. The lacing is a bit much but the fit is awesome. Before I always wore Sorel boots because I knew they would keep me warm based on their reputation but they were so bulky and heavy. Very happy with the product from Klim. Like frosty said, you get what you pay for.

 

[doospunk]

It all comes down to personal preference. I had doo gear for many seasons. THe last X jacket I bought back in 2006ish was my last straw with them. Zippers failed......., the jacket crunched like hard plastic when it got cold out, and the fact that they had reduced the collar height on the neck, left me more exposed than desired. Went to FXR after that. It was a big improvement, but the FXR gear held to much moisture, and became very heavy. Snow and ice would build up on my pants from the knee down, which made it difficult to use the pant zippers. The jacket zipper began to fail after 2 seasons, and became very cumbersome to use. I've been in the same set of KLIM gear going on 4 years now, with not a single issue. I stay dry......, it breaks the wind, does not hold nearly the amount of moisture that FXR did, and all the zippers / flaps on the gear function the same way as the day I bought them.

Speaking from my own experience.........., you "do" get what you pay for, and KLIM has been worth the investment.

 

[polarisrider1]

I love my Klim gear, amazing how fast I forgot what I paid when I realized it keeps me warm not wet. You do get what you pay for in this business.

 

[harvest1121]

I also bought cheap bibs but found the Klim/Yamaha pair for $200 the best money I spent with the Klim boots very happy. Was prepared to pay $220 for the boots but found the Yamaha Klim for $120. Just search around and you will find a deal

 

[gogebictodd]

I have a Klimate jacket/for last 2 seasons, like the light weight, fit and gortex water proof material. However, is VERY THIN requiring a couple of layers underneath. Great wind proof! Overall nice jacket!

 

[polarisrider1]

I also bought cheap bibs but found the Klim/Yamaha pair for $200 the best money I spent with the Klim boots very happy. Was prepared to pay $220 for the boots but found the Yamaha Klim for $120. Just search around and you will find a deal

sweet! Shopping around is the way to go!

 

[gogebic_sledder]

I have a Klimate jacket/for last 2 seasons, like the light weight, fit and gortex water proof material. However, is VERY THIN requiring a couple of layers underneath. Great wind proof! Overall nice jacket!

Are you sure you have the Klimate jacket? I do and mine is insulated, actually alittle bulky definetly not a shell. I dont wear much under it unless its sub-zero. My jacket is a few seasons old, maybe they changed it. Great jacket money well spent.

 

[pez]

I bought a Arctic Cat sled, then HAD to get the Arctic Cat jacket/bibs...Then I started thinking, what if I want to buy a Polaris? I would need to buy all Polaris....so I went and bought KLIM instead. Was out west two weeks ago and loved the KLIM. I just wish I bought a different brand back pack so I don't look like a KLIM commercial walking around. But they do make great stuff. And they stick behind their product.

 

[buddah2]

As somebody mentioned earlier, you get what you pay for......Klim is about the most expensive stuff on the market but it also the best that I've ever found....the question you have to ask yourself is: if I but stuff now for $$ and then have to replace it in 2 or 3 seasons versus buy stuff now for $$$$ and never have to buy again until I'm dead tired of looking at it, which way did I really spend more?

 

[willey]

You can find deals on Klim if your savy. I lucked out this year and won a 50% off coupon to directly order from Klim. Put in a order for $3500 worth of gear for a few people and total out of pocket was just under $1600. Got new boots, bibs, jacket, underwear! Sold my 3 yr old klim extreme bibs for $150. Stuff holds its value and is desirable. Got my wife an Klim Allure jacket at tousley preseason for $75. Normally $289.00. Hunt down bargains or just get lucky. Good gear is worth it either way.

 

[ezra]

if some day klim makes jacket that will not get grease stains on the sleeve of face then I will think about it.
I dont think I have owned a jacket more than a week with out getting some kind of oil on it.
I tried hard last yr. I took my jacket off in the woods when I had to work on a dragon took it off again same dragon went a week.then spindle grease on the arm reaching over to crank down to a trailer

 

[srt20]

if some day klim makes jacket that will not get grease stains on the sleeve of face then I will think about it.
I dont think I have owned a jacket more than a week with out getting some kind of oil on it.
I tried hard last yr. I took my jacket off in the woods when I had to work on a dragon took it off again same dragon went a week.then spindle grease on the arm reaching over to crank down to a trailer

or get a better mechanic???

 

[gogebictodd]

@gogebic Sledder. Yes it is a Klimate, it is insulated, however it is very thin as winter jackets go. It was $220.

 

[legend02]

I have the Kewaunee jaclet and I've never had to wear so many layers than any other coat I've own, My old 50 Non-current ocat I used 8 years till the velcro on the neck wore out. Used to wear a long sleeve and a short sleeve with it, ywo long sleeves it was under 15 out. With my Klim I wore # long sleeve shorts and a Heavy Sweatshirt in the 0 degree weather last weekend up north.

 

[polarisrider1]

I have the Kewaunee jaclet and I've never had to wear so many layers than any other coat I've own, My old 50 Non-current ocat I used 8 years till the velcro on the neck wore out. Used to wear a long sleeve and a short sleeve with it, ywo long sleeves it was under 15 out. With my Klim I wore # long sleeve shorts and a Heavy Sweatshirt in the 0 degree weather last weekend up north.

Not sure what #long sleeve shorts are. And cotton kills. Klim is a 3 layer system.

 

[legend02]

3 long sleeve shirts, I know it's a 3 layer system, butI have a huge neck and if I wear a fleece I can't zipper up the collar. Next year the Klim Coat will be for sale and I will buy a Skidoo or another Brand coat.