Over the years I've owned many brands of m/c clothing, the most expensive and disappointing was a Rukka suit. For many years I’ve been wearing a BMW Enduroguard suit but it’s coming towards the end of its life, the only negatives have been it’s weight and the trouser closure, although that was repaired very cheaply by fitting two press studs, it’s given great service. Last year I bought a Klim Marrakesh jacket, which was excellent for summer riding, so I’m now considering a Latitude two piece suit. By coincidence the Klim website shows a rider on a Multistrada. So after all the preamble, has anyone got one of the current version and how do they rate it ?
In my 9th month of Klim latitude ownership - couldn’t afford the Rukka spec equivalent and wanted something I could use all year round and not die in summer. Venting and waterproofing is first class - get good base layers or leave room for heated gear if you ride year round. I have had several off-road tumbles in it and it has held up brilliantly. I can’t speak highly enough of it. Edit: if I could change the cuffs, I would, I am “gloves in” and there are no zips - not a major issue but it’s a consideration.
I’ve recently bought rukka kingsley jacket and trousers as my old alpine stars suit was 10 years old and about as dry as a sieve and as warm as a mankini! So far I’m pleased with the rukka kit although my benchmark wasn’t great. The only downside being the price - had to sell the wife’s kidney but on the plus side with the AnE waiting times these days it will be a while before she finds out
Stadler or Touratech by Stadler is way better than Rukka and Klim but not the Stadler stuff that Motolegends sells. Get it from Germany.
Had a Klim goretex jacket for years, it’s an overcoat these days. You can stand in a power shower and it won’t let water in. Lighter than rukka. Nicer looking. Larger than average sizing, eg I was xxxl in Frank Thomas and xl was fine in klim. The one I had was really designed for off-roading or with a liner under, which suited me. In summer it was lovely and light, in winter I’d just add mid layer, t short and thermal and good to go.
Seeing as no one is answering you question, I will stay with that as I haven't had the latitude, but have the Badlands and Carlsbad suits. Can't be arsed seeing the back logo on a Rukka fall to bits, so never bothered, as when spending fifteen hundred quid, I want it to last. They're a heavy suit, but something you get used to very quickly. Less so with the stiffness, but the rub to that is they are a gazillion percent waterproof. I get a large discount (ex-forces), but would pay full price. Had an issue with the a slight ingress of water on one set of trousers at 5 years old and sent to Gortex - replaced. I'd say they were less fitted than Rukka and sizing between models can be massively different, so do try on, or buy from somewhere with good returns. Oh and I bought a Lindstrands recently and love it, but it's not a Klim.
Seems peeps aren’t answering my post more than the op’s, at least you’re being helpful. I just hate when a thread starts to deviate…….
Rukka is superb, but like anything, there are several 'bests' and road riding certainly is Rukka. Klim always worked for me, as I liked to go off the beaten track in strange places. Could be 40 or 5 degrees, sun, snow or rain and one suit managed all exceptionally well for me. Superb after sales too. But, I always looked too 'tooled up', so bought the Halvarssons, which is more Rukka in appearance and that now suits my bimble days around Wales etc. The Klims now just come on Euro trips. Tough choice between the two if people take their favourite hat off.
I’m planning on taking a ride over to Rugged Roads at Lymington to try some options. It won’t be Rukka, it’s no longer the best, but it is still very expensive. The BMW suit was less than half the price and has probably done twice the work and is still usable.
Interesting thread, thank you, as I have (after about 12 months internet window shopping and much much deliberation) decided on the Klim Latitude as my next purchase. It doesn’t have the same adventure suit multi coloured panels multi bulging pockets as the Badlands and most jackets/trousers of this ilk. It also is cheaper by virtue of not having down liners which I have plenty of already. I really can’t find anything that’s AA certified in Goretex laminate, single colour way (black) that’s at the same price point. However, the cuff thing bugs me as sleeves must go over gloves to prevent water running off and into the glove. Yet to try one on as the only dealer here is an 8hr round trip plus time in the shop - just need to make the arrangements.
If you ride at faster than 30mph, you could reduce that to at least 7hours. You could take the Mrs shopping too at the same time double the fun quadruple the cost.
Just choose the right on one retailer that does free returns, buy online, ship back of doesn’t fit or don’t like.
Where’s the cheeky fecker emoji for the first part The second part is actually a good idea there’s a big Outlet Village near there and it will assuage my guilt if she also buys stuff for herself, thank you for the suggestion Good idea but when spending that much money Id rather see it and try it in the flesh first plus, I’ve discovered, the big EU (read German) based online retailers don’t carry the full range and don’t always have the latest iteration of the garment.
Back to the OP Q re Latitude are they any good? Its a Klim so its good by design, whether it fits your or your needs is a personal choice. Fit wise the (IME Badlands Pro) Klim adventure biased kit tends to be boxy in shape and generous in sizing . However if you look at their road biased kit (Kodiak) it gets a very tapered cut and any middle age spread may require an upsize (for the middle) but can result in baggy shoulders etc . Id try sizing fit/feel before u buy or get from a supplier with easy *wrong size returns process. I sold my old badlands and regret it but it was no longer a good fit as I shrunk a bit since purchase (eons ago) and currently have Kodiak jacket/pants (these size up as snug compared to others) and a Marrakesh for summer (that tends to size up baggy) . Klim tends to have far better ventilation options than Rukka but need additional layers for warmth as they come unlined so needs matching to expected usage imo.
