Klim is offering two versions of a new K Forty jean for 2021. The K Forty 2 Straight is the straight leg version and the K Forty 3 Tapered has a more tapered leg. The feature list of both jeans is identical aside from the difference in the let cut. Both come with D3O armor in the knees and hips so there is nothing else to buy. Take the link below to view the other leg style.
Klim’s previous offering of K Fifty 1 and K Fifty 2 are very similar in design, although this new version has some minor tweaks to make them more “street use friendly”. Firstly, the armor used in the knees of these two Forty versions is a flat-type D3O rather than the molded “cupped” type. Both styles are rated CE 1, but the flat type feels and looks less detectable when you are wearing the jeans off the bike. Granted, the flat type armor strikes me as offering less impact protection than the cup shaped type (although both have the same CE rating). The second difference is that the Forty version does not have an extra layer of Kevlar fabric built in as an extra liner in the seat and knees. As a consequence, this jean is lighter and more breathable (but obviously without that extra layer of abrasion protection). So in summary… about the same product, but a bit less thickness of armor and one less layer of Kevlar fabric, all to make them more comfortable and wearable off the bike.
The denim material used is thick but soft and is more than plain cotton… it’s a blend of cotton and nylon. The nylon improves the jean’s wear resistance if you fall. The fabric is slightly stretchy so these jeans should be comfortable for many hours in the saddle. As mentioned, the jeans come with D3O armor inserts for both the knees and hips. the knee armor pockets inside the pant have Velcro strips which can be used to best position the armor over your knee. It’s sort of a “high/med/low” adjustability setup. Another new thing in this K Forty style is a small strip of reflective material sewn under the pant leg end. You can roll up the jean at night for a bit of reflection to show (this follows suit behind REVIT and Dainese which have included this feature for some years now). :: Paul, 02-04-21
Klim says: Blending road-ready protection and off-bike casual comfort, the K Forty 2 Straight Stretch Denim is a balanced riding jean for your motorcycle lifestyle. Bridging the gap between lightweight comfort-focused jeans and Kevlar protection-focused jeans, the K Forty 2 is built to complement your lifestyle with ease. Between your commute, the office, the garage, a weekend ride and a night downtown, the K Forty 2 has all your bases covered. These jeans have been certified for motorcycle protection according to CE AA rating EN 17092-3.