Days with temperatures between 90 and 100 F always seem to come on my summer riding days. I couldn’t wait for my Klim Induction jacket, pants and gloves to show up. Klim Induction riding gear is designed for summer, but features layers so you can enjoy clothing for three season riding. Having had my fair share of starts, I know from personal experience which parts of my body hit the ground first and second. I want and need protection with the right amount of airflow to keep me as comfortable as possible in the heat of the day.
The Induction Jacket (MSRP $380) features Klim’s new high-strength, air-flowing Karbonite mesh just about everywhere there isn’t the more protective 500-denier Cordura. Klim the designers have clearly thought about the placement of high wear areas in addition to identifying obvious areas of protection. The outside of the scoop neck and shoulders are made of Cordura as backpack and helmet straps can rub against it. The bottom hem, cuffs and zipper areas are also high wear areas that have 500D Cordura. Side panels, forearms, biceps and shoulders have breathable stretch material for mobility. For added safety, three 3M Scotchlite reflective strips are found on each shoulder. The induction jacket comes standard with D3O CE level 1 removable ventilated elbow and shoulder pads and a D3O Viper CE level 1 back protector. I always wear a Klim Ai-1 airbag, which has a back protector, so I have released the Induction D3O protection.
Klim also created a Cordura fabric loop at the bottom of the Induction Jacket’s front zipper to protect your tank’s paintwork. It has two exterior zippered ventilated pockets and an interior zippered left chest pocket. The chest pocket is formed from the same breathable, moisture-wicking mesh that lines the entire interior. A nice feature of the interior chest pocket is that it is about nine inches deep and the side zipper is about six inches long; if you forget to close it, chances are the contents will stay in the last three inches and won’t slip out. having to put down my crutch, take off my glove and stand up to reach into my trouser or jacket pocket to pull out my wallet. I first discovered the “Stat card” pocket on the Klim Hardanger one-piece suit, and now I’m spoiled.
Easy-to-reach belt adjusters are a handy feature. Just that little bit of tightness to keep cool morning or evening air from directly rising makes a difference, even in a hot weather jacket. The Klim Induction Pants (MSRP $380) are also fully lined with moisture-wicking mesh. Klim provides as much Karbonite mesh as possible without sacrificing slip protection. There is Cordura in the knees, seat, inner boot panel and bottom hem. Where I grip the tank top with my knees are large panels of soft, perforated goatskin for grip and protection. There are two oblique angled ventilated zip pockets on the front of the Klim Induction Pants. They both fill outward, so you don’t have forward-facing squirrel cheeks. Klim chose a single button closure above the six-inch zipper fly. Any waist tightening is by your own belt which passes through the two inch belt loops.
When you put your boots on, the nine-inch zipper closes the back of the pant leg with three snap positions to customize the cuff tension around your ankle. The Induction pants fit nicely around my Klim Adventure GTX boots, but the pant leg, at the calf, is super tight around my Alpinestars Tech 8 motocross boots. If you plan on wearing motocross boots under your pants Induction and you have a big calf, check if the Induction pants will fit. There is no flex at the waist. I wear a size 34×30 in jeans, and the regular 34 is a perfect fit, as they fit exactly in size. If you are between two sizes, order above. Sizes are limited to 30-40 in regular length and 32-38 in short and long lengths. Check the size chart for the length of each waist size. However, I ordered the Induction gloves in XL, even though my hand measurements say Large, because the Klim XL gloves still fit me properly.
There’s a lot going on with these $140 MSRP warm-weather ventilated gloves. The Klim Induction gloves have a premium goat leather exterior with carbon fiber knuckles. The back of the hand is a mesh panel with a side zipper for easy entry if you wish to leave the Velcro wrist closure secure. There’s XRD foam on the fingers and thumb, with an XRD foam palm covered in Kevlar-reinforced Schoeller fabric. Besides being a safety feature on the first one handed slide, the palm padding takes all the pressure load off my carpal tunnel surgery location when using the Crampbuster CB1 on long stretches of highway. Although almost the entire Klim Induction glove is perforated, the actual airflow comes from fine mesh between the fingers at the forks (finger web). Thumbs and index fingers have touchscreen functionality. I found the touchpad to be fine for scrolling on my iPhone and GPS, but the thumb tips were fine in entering my passcode and selecting individual icons.
The palm of the Klim Induction glove has an additional leather reinforcement overlay, as well as an entry assist pull loop. The loop allows you to put the glove on when you have already put on a glove. The entire top of the hand is lined with sweat-wicking material that provides an evaporative cooling sensation. If you fall in the rain, there is a wiper on the left index finger. Finally, Klim has included a sturdy plastic clip to keep your induction gloves together when not in use. Ultimate Motorcycling Yamaha Ténéré 700 Project Bike, Klim Induction pants do not bind. They slide as needed when moving into a seated position. There is no crotch sag as the Induction Pant has a stretch gusset.
The stretchy and breathable material of the Klim Induction Jacket makes it possible to reach the bars in one comfortable motion. Non-stretch jackets sometimes require a bit of shoulder movement to move all of the jacket material into non-binding places; this is not the case with the Induction jacket. Even with so much airflow, the jacket provides complete sun blockage. I rode in temperatures from 52 to 98 F. It’s not scientific, but I felt like the Karbonite mesh atomized the hot air and made it drop several degrees before it hit my skin. I was wearing an open face modular helmet and the difference in how the 98 degree air felt on my face compared to under the Induction jacket and pants was remarkable.
The mesh reminds me of a patio water misting system. On my hottest ride, I poured half a liter of water down my arms in hopes of getting evaporative cooling. The moisture-wicking mesh lining soaked it all up. I enjoyed a very comfortable 30 minutes of my 45 minute drive home with the thermometer registering 98 degrees. I had heat exhaustion, so I am vigilant to protect myself from high temperatures. The Klim Induction jacket, pants and gloves add flexibility on the warm side, just as heated gear adds on the cool side. The Klim Induction gear design makes a significant difference for me in the summer. Not everyone can afford a riding outfit for every season. However, if I was starting from scratch today, I would buy the Klim Induction outfit and cover it with quality rain gear for early spring and late fall. I would beef it up in the winter with heated gear, turning this versatile gear into an all-season collection.Highlights on the Klim Induction Jacket
- Sizes: XS – 4X
- Shoulder and Elbow Armor: D3O CE Level 1 Vented
- Back protector: D3O Viper CE Level 1
- CE classification of the jacket: AA
- Colours: cool grey; Navy blue; stealth black; Hi-Vis/Monument Gray
Klim Induction Jacket Price: $380 MSRP
Highlights on the Klim Induction Pants
- Sizes (all pairs)
Reg: 30 – 40
Short: 32 – 38
Large: 32 – 38 - Knee and hip armor: D3O CE level 1 ventilated (level 2 optional)
- Colours: cool grey; Stealth Black
Klim Induction Pants Price: $380 MSRP
Klim Induction Gloves Highlights
- Sizes: XS – 3X
- Knuckle Armor: Carbon Fiber
- Palm and knuckle protection foam: 5 mm XRD
- CE classification of gloves: Level 1
- Colours: Monument Grey; stealth black; Cool Grey/Electric Blue Lemonade; Cool Grey/Strike Orange;
Klim Induction Gloves Price: $140/pair MSRP
Klim Induction Riding Gear Review Photo Gallery
