Klim Carlsbad Jacket

The chest sizes listed in the chart below are from Klim’s chart and I’ve double checked the actual jackets against the chart and it is accurate. But be careful… while the size Large is exactly what you’d expect with a 44” max chest, the smaller sizes are a bit smaller than normal and the bigger sizes are bigger than normal. For example, a men’s size Medium usually is styled with a 42” max chest and Klim’s medium is a 40” max chest. Same goes for larger sizes… an XXL is typically a 48” max chest, but Klim’s is a 52” max chest.

Given the variation from “normal” for smaller and larger sizes, I’d highly recommend you measure yourself and/or measure a jacket that fits you well (take the link below on how to do that). Then choose a jacket that is big enough for your chest.

This jacket is geared toward more off road use than on road, so the cut is just slightly different. I find the body to be just a bit more roomy than their other jacket styles. I found the belly area in the jackets to be the same max dimension as the chest.

Overall sleeve and torso lengths are generous and will work for most average height or taller riders. Those of shorter stature may find the sleeve and torso lengths to be longer than ideal.

Need help measuring? Get it here.

For 2020, the newly designed Carlsbad gets a lot of improvements over the previous version. This is a hardcore adventure style with a LOT of climate control features and very robust protection.

To help me get a sense of the changes in this new 2020 Carlsbad as compared to the previous version, I compared both side-by-side. This new version, aside from a number of feature changes is generally much more robust in materials. the overlays on the shoulders and elbows, pockets and the trim around the inside waist is very tough feeling. The pricing on this new model is about 10% more than the last version, but it feels like much more.

The armor in this jacket is all CE level 2 D3O armor (the last version was CE 1). The level 2 armor provides greater impact protection and is approx 50% thicker than the level 1. This CE level 2 armor upgrade this year is the same package as in the Badlands jacket, which is Klim’s best.

The shell of this jacket is a bonded GoreTex construction meaning the waterproofing is bonded to the backside of the shell, and so there is no “separate” layer in-between the shell and inner liner. Bonded construction like this is considered a premium product for a number of reasons, For example, with the waterproofing bonded to the shell, the shell itself becomes waterproof. With non-bonded waterproofing, water soaks through the outer shell and is stopped by the inside liner. Not having a waterlogged outer shell is a big advantage in comfort. Having a waterproof shell means the openings in the jacket such as pockets and vents have to made waterproof with special zippers and stitching, which isn’t easy… another reason why the premium cost.

Venting on a bonded shell jacket like this is much more effective too. This jacket has several zippers to allow airflow… two at the ends of each sleeve, two on the upper chest and two in back. The two zippered pockets on the front chest can also function as vents since the pocket liners are made of mesh material. Zippered venting on the jacket with the bonded waterproofing means that when the zippers are open, air blows directly through the jacket to your body… there is no separate waterproof liner to block the flow.

Pockets, pockets, pockets! Take a look at the list of pockets in Klim’s spec sheet. There are the “expected” ones, but also some special ones… for example, the pocket on the front left chest is made for your satellite mapping communicator. That’s pretty hard-core, am I right? And on the left sleeve end, is a small pocket for your medical ID, or a favorite credit card. And inside, behind the back protector, is your “hidden” pocket for whatever you can’t lose to the bandits.

A couple of other new features I see that are nice: the collar can be held back away from your neck in warmer weather by two loops, which essentially creates another vent and keeps the collar off your neck in hot weather. The inside liner is set up to accept a kidney belt so you can leave the belt in place when you take the jacket off. It’s basically a pass through in the inside liner to hold a Klim kidney belt (or any brand for that matter). I really could go on and on about little things like this, but why don’t you buy one and discover all these little things yourself! :: Paul, 03-03-20

Klim says: The Carlsbad Jacket has been redesigned, built to an even higher standard from the chassis of the proven, highly mobile predecessor. Engineered for excellent mobility and comfort when riding, the Carlsbad features dramatically improved core and arm ventilation, greater abrasion resistance, more refined storage options, and improved impact protection. This is the light and fast, waterproof solution for hard-charging adventure riders.