Aerostitch or Klim?

[revnort]

I am going to drop some money on gear very soon.

This is sort of a tongue in cheek post, but I open it up to your opinion. I commute daily / year round. I also like to do long trips and I am torn between the convenience of a one piece and the versatility of the two piece.

What say you barf?

Here are my abbreviated thoughts on the issue.

Aerostitch Pros:
-Easy on/off for my daily commute
-Tried and true design(?)
-Easy on/off for my daily commute
-Easy on/off for my daily commute

Aerostitch Cons:
-Not (always) extremely waterproof
-Hot for year round riding
-Hasn't been improved in 20 years (tried and true design?)
-Old man!

Klim Gear Pros:
Holy shit have you seen it, I want it, I can't go into a store and not drool over it.
Versatile for year round riding
Seriously, it looks awesome. I get jealous when I see other people with it.

Klim Gear cons:
Holy shit have you seen the price!
Not much different than my current two piece setup.

 

[ilikefood]

Klim gear looks way overcomplicated to me. Too many layers, zippers, pockets, zip-out membranes, etc. Aerostich is much simpler and streamlined. It takes just a few seconds to get into an Aerostich suit (faster if it's a one-piece). A Klim suit looks like you'd need someone's help to put it on.

 

[squid vicious]

I can't help, I'm in the same boat. I have 'stich now and tried on the Klim at IMS because damn it looks good and feels good.

Dat $$ tho

 

[bpw]

Buy a used stitch for commuting and then see if you want the Klim for touring and days when it is pouring rain. If I were buying a new stich I would look hard at some of the new lighter weight versions. You can also upgrade an old suit to the new non-leaky zippers.

A one piece stitch is pretty unbeatable for riding to the office, but I like two piece gear for touring.

Also check out BMW for two piece stuff, high quality and can often be found used in good shape.

 

[oobus]

Find some used Klim. I got a top of the line Adventure jacket that was never used and was missing the armor for $600, new it was a $1,200 jacket - I would never ever pay that much. I think replacing all the armor was about $80.

I buy a bunch of stuff off of Adventure Rider Forum.

 

[RightCoastBias]

I wish I'd gotten a 1 piece stich and they actually just revamped their Roadcrafter.

The 2 piece has it's benefits, but now that I have a few jackets, I wish I'd gone 1 piece.

I've also never gotten wet at all in my Aerostich. Not sure why people have seem to have problems. Regardless, I believe the new Roadcrafter addresses some of this an has fully taped seams.

Kilm gear seems very nice, but I don't ride a KTM. Since you ride a BMW, I think the answer is obvious.

 

[bpw]

I've also never gotten wet at all in my Aerostich. Not sure why people have seem to have problems. Regardless, I believe the new Roadcrafter addresses some of this an has fully taped seams.
.

The old ones would leak through the crotch zipper, some bikes have enough protection to prevent this from happening, but both my 2-piece and one piece would make it look like I peed myself after 40 minutes in the rain. The new zippers are supposed to be water proof.

 

[RightCoastBias]

The old ones would leak through the crotch zipper, some bikes have enough protection to prevent this from happening, but both my 2-piece and one piece would make it look like I peed myself after 40 minutes in the rain. The new zippers are supposed to be water proof.

How new? My stich is a few years old and I've never had a drip in my lap. But I've heard of the problem from a few folks.

 

[BMW]

I have both. The klim gear is so vastly superior I would strongly recommend against the Aerostich. You get what you pay for even though it's not a huge difference once you're done paying for all the modifications to make the Aerostich fit properly. The klim gear is more comfortable, more functional, and easier to live with. Also the stich takes several months to be delivered which is very annoying.

 

[Charles R]

Buy used. Buy both.

I scored (separate purchases) a 'stich and a helimot two piece for less than a grand. Both in near perfect shape.

But I agree, what the 'stich does better than anything, is being a simple but sturdy oversuit that's fantastic for commuting. In heavy rain, I just wear a (brightlycolored) windbreaker over the top of the 'stich.

 

[NoobCorpse]

I love my Klim gear (badlands pro 2 jacket / pants) for all kinds of riding. It's the best-fitting and highest-quality gear I've owned.. After years of Firstgear and Cortech and Tourmaster jackets, this stuff fits the best and is most comfortable, and is most adaptable for cold/warm weather. It zips up and protects well for low temps and rain, and opens up and breathes great for warm days. On very hot days (90s-100s) it will probably be stifling, but almost anything will be.
The badlands pants are kinda overpriced (to me) for what you get, but they fit perfectly (my off the rack pants waist and inseam size fits perfectly) and do well in cold and warm weather, and have decent armor in them. As someone who isn't an off-the-rack fitting size usually, I love how the Klim fits. Zippers work very well also, and has pockets in all the right places.


That said, I'd also like an aerostich for a commuter suit - sometimes it's nice to have a comfortable and well-tailored piece of gear you can just step out of and be dressed normally (no overpants removal, etc).

 

[bpw]

How new? My stich is a few years old and I've never had a drip in my lap. But I've heard of the problem from a few folks.

Not sure exactly, its been a few years at least since they switched to better zippers.

 

[revnort]

I can't help, I'm in the same boat. I have 'stich now and tried on the Klim at IMS because damn it looks good and feels good.

Dat $$ tho

Right? Shit I want it.

Buy a used stitch for commuting and then see if you want the Klim for touring and days when it is pouring rain. If I were buying a new stich I would look hard at some of the new lighter weight versions. You can also upgrade an old suit to the new non-leaky zippers.

A one piece stitch is pretty unbeatable for riding to the office, but I like two piece gear for touring.

Also check out BMW for two piece stuff, high quality and can often be found used in good shape.

This may be a good option. Although if I buy used I would want it to be new with the new zippers. There is no point in saving a buck if it doesn't work.

Find some used Klim. I got a top of the line Adventure jacket that was never used and was missing the armor for $600, new it was a $1,200 jacket - I would never ever pay that much. I think replacing all the armor was about $80.

I buy a bunch of stuff off of Adventure Rider Forum.

I guess I could start looking for used Klim stuff. You're not the first person to suggest it.

I have both. The klim gear is so vastly superior I would strongly recommend against the Aerostich. You get what you pay for even though it's not a huge difference once you're done paying for all the modifications to make the Aerostich fit properly. The klim gear is more comfortable, more functional, and easier to live with. Also the stich takes several months to be delivered which is very annoying.

Interesting. Thank you for your take, especially as you own both.

Buy used. Buy both.

I scored (separate purchases) a 'stich and a helimot two piece for less than a grand. Both in near perfect shape.

But I agree, what the 'stich does better than anything, is being a simple but sturdy oversuit that's fantastic for commuting. In heavy rain, I just wear a (brightlycolored) windbreaker over the top of the 'stich.

Yep, the simplicity is definitely a draw. Especially since in the rain I have to put on my two piece suit then throw a rain suit over it.

I love my Klim gear (badlands pro 2 jacket / pants) for all kinds of riding. It's the best-fitting and highest-quality gear I've owned.. After years of Firstgear and Cortech and Tourmaster jackets, this stuff fits the best and is most comfortable, and is most adaptable for cold/warm weather. It zips up and protects well for low temps and rain, and opens up and breathes great for warm days. On very hot days (90s-100s) it will probably be stifling, but almost anything will be.
The badlands pants are kinda overpriced (to me) for what you get, but they fit perfectly (my off the rack pants waist and inseam size fits perfectly) and do well in cold and warm weather, and have decent armor in them. As someone who isn't an off-the-rack fitting size usually, I love how the Klim fits. Zippers work very well also, and has pockets in all the right places.


That said, I'd also like an aerostich for a commuter suit - sometimes it's nice to have a comfortable and well-tailored piece of gear you can just step out of and be dressed normally (no overpants removal, etc).

Gah, I want both and can't afford it.

 

[ngng]

I am going to drop some money on gear very soon.

This is sort of a tongue in cheek post, but I open it up to your opinion. I commute daily / year round. I also like to do long trips and I am torn between the convenience of a one piece and the versatility of the two piece.

What say you barf?

Here are my abbreviated thoughts on the issue.

Aerostitch Pros:
-Easy on/off for my daily commute
-Tried and true design(?)
-Easy on/off for my daily commute
-Easy on/off for my daily commute

Aerostitch Cons:
-Not (always) extremely waterproof
-Hot for year round riding
-Hasn't been improved in 20 years (tried and true design?)
-Old man!

Klim Gear Pros:
Holy shit have you seen it, I want it, I can't go into a store and not drool over it.
Versatile for year round riding
Seriously, it looks awesome. I get jealous when I see other people with it.

Klim Gear cons:
Holy shit have you seen the price!
Not much different than my current two piece setup.

i've tried the klim gear and didn't like it because of the excess complexity. i prefer something that works well, vs looks cool. ended up with two aerostiches. i've tried riding with everything from no gear, race leathers, two pc zip ups, textile, leather, etc. ultimately what I realized was for a commute, if the gear wasn't easy to put on/take off, i wouldn't use it.

i've ridden with the stich for thousands of miles, taken it on long trips, in the cold and in the hot. never had any issues. rode down to socal during summer with my stitch, and while it was hot, I could vent it and it wasn't too bad. when it's hot out too I'll wear shorts and a t-shirt under the suit.

haven't had any issues with water, but one thing I have noticed is that it isn't windproof so I end up wearing a jacket under it. not really a big deal.

 

[Hoho]

I can't help, I'm in the same boat. I have 'stich now and tried on the Klim at IMS because damn it looks good and feels good.

Dat $$ tho

I'm the opposite right now, I have Klim Lattitude set (jacket/pants) and thinking of getting a 'stitch. Mostly for the easy on/off.

 

[catch2otwo]

for daily commuting I would go stitch. Ive had a once piece for years and finally sold it. It was a beat up 1 piece road crafter. If it rained i just threw some cheap bilt rain gear on top. The efficiency of getting in and out of it with all my work clothes on under neath is worth the price of admission for me.

I tried on some Klim gear at scuderia over the weekend, but for the price i just cant see it being better.

Currently Im using an olympia jacket and stitch darien pants. Everytime i spend more than 2 seconds putting that combo on, i wish i had my one piece back. Its hard to use anything else once you get used to getting into and out of a 1 piece road crafter.

 

[bpw]

This may be a good option. Although if I buy used I would want it to be new with the new zippers. There is no point in saving a buck if it doesn't work.

Aerostich will upgrade the old suits for $100, worth considering if you get a good deal on an older one.

I sold my one piece since I don't commute to a fixed location and the suit would not fit in my side cases. My new two piece set-up works well but I miss having the 'stich around. It may not be the most advanced or perfect piece of gear, but I seemed to grab it off the shelf more often than any of my other stuff. Pretty sure I will be buying another one soon, possibly the lightweight model so it will fit in my luggage.

 

[revnort]

i've tried the klim gear and didn't like it because of the excess complexity. i prefer something that works well, vs looks cool. ended up with two aerostiches. i've tried riding with everything from no gear, race leathers, two pc zip ups, textile, leather, etc. ultimately what I realized was for a commute, if the gear wasn't easy to put on/take off, i wouldn't use it.

i've ridden with the stich for thousands of miles, taken it on long trips, in the cold and in the hot. never had any issues. rode down to socal during summer with my stitch, and while it was hot, I could vent it and it wasn't too bad. when it's hot out too I'll wear shorts and a t-shirt under the suit.

haven't had any issues with water, but one thing I have noticed is that it isn't windproof so I end up wearing a jacket under it. not really a big deal.

Currently I have been using my Dainese d-Dry jacket (I would buy again if they still made it), and Revit sand pants for commuting. It has never stopped me from wearing it.

 

[Archimedes]

Klim gear is pricey because it's simply the best. It fits great, the features are great, the materials are top quality, the design is great, and it performs great. I have the Latitude pants and the Badlands jacket. They're great in everything from very cold to very hot, wet or dry. Mine are two years old now and they look brand new. My prior jackets would have already showed a lot of wear.

 

[Rob]

I bought the badlands pro combo because I was tired of buying a new suit every 2 years.

It leaked.

I returned it and got the 2 piece stich to compliment my roadcrafter for wet weather riding.

I probably got a KLIM friday batch but my 2 piece stich hasn't leaked yet... though it hasn't rained in years.