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** in my experience here are a few thoughts)
arjayes said:
Awesome endorsement, tabasco. sail2xxs says the same. Some negatives I've read about this jacket:
1. Short body cut. I like a tail to cover my ass, although I think the short cut looks better off the bike.
2. Not very good venting, so not comfortable in hot weather. This is where the Badlands Pro stands out (in theory, anyway - I haven't worn mine in hot weather yet).
3. Armor needs to be upgraded, which is ridiculous at this price point.
4. Forgot to add that the collar on the Armas looks like a neck brace and I've read several complaints about it being uncomfortable (but it does keep the water out).
Any of these been a factor for you? Did you look at the Badlands Pro? If so, what did you see as the cons of the Badlands that made you choose the Armas?
1. Short body cut. I like a tail to cover my ass, although I think the short cut looks better off the bike.
-(they make 'long' in each size... this gear is meant to be a custom tailored suit. proper sizing is key and WORTH the extra work, It is kind of a pain but its important to fallow there suggestions and have it be worn as a comfortable / wearable, "super skin"... that's what it is.. For me its not something that's loose and flops in the wind, its a very comfortable / wearable body armor that's apart of me, not 'on me'....)
2. Not very good venting, so not comfortable in hot weather. This is where the Badlands Pro stands out (in theory, anyway - I haven't worn mine in hot weather yet).
- (In Texas its hot no matter what you freaking wear, Rukka, Klim, or a T-shirt... The facts are this, the Klim have more zippers and more openings... Here in Texas, if that means blasting 105* air into the zipper makes you cooler than there you go, your cooler... Its still hot..... Most all my friends have Klim and we have had this conversation many times.. With the outlast vest and pant lining, I find myself leaving the liner in 90% of the time, all but the most hot 105*+ days... It keeps me cooler than removing it... As CRAZY as that sounds.. And in the winter just leave it in.. This is also nutty, in the winter (20-30*F) I might have a pair of long johns on and the Rukka... And on the top, maybe a t-shirt, long john top and the Rukka jacket.... I'm worm.... In the summer, just bicycle pants and a vented t shirt & the gear, that's it... The Rukka jacket only has two zipper vents on each shoulder. When these are open in the summer it catches air and creates air pressure that you can feel on your chest and your back. Its as if your jacket is floating around you. If you have your paints zipped to the jacket you can feel the air pressure down the pants... IMOP Klim is very good gear, Ive heard from friends that some of there 'vents' have leaked water.. So I would just think the more zipper openings the Klim has the more chance of water entering. But on the other hand if someone wanted 4-5-6-7- vents this would be the way to go.....)
3. Armor needs to be upgraded, which is ridiculous at this price point.
- (not true IMOP.. Last time I checked they changed over to the orange armor that the high end Klim comes with.. I don't have the orange armor, and have the original 'lesser' black mesh armor and its more pliable in cold and has served me very well for the crashed I've had)
4. Forgot to add that the collar on the Armas looks like a neck brace and I've read several complaints about it being uncomfortable (but it does keep the water out).
- (most of there adds have the gor-tex gator zipped in that is way over kill unless your riding to the North Poll in December,,, LOL But, even with the gor-tex gator removed it does have a neoprene collar that keeps water out, Etc... I don't find it to be personally bother some and its never let a drop of rain go down my neck... I will say that there have been times that I had to undo the collar when its 105*+ F outside, I wanted some type of air around my neck and it wasn't raining.. After I loosen it, its fine for me.... We have a saying here in Texas, ALL GEAR IN THE SUMMER IS HOT !)
Any of these been a factor for you? Did you look at the Badlands Pro? If so, what did you see as the cons of the Badlands that made you choose the Armas?
- (At the time two years ago I was looking to be a Klim dealer. Klim came to the office and we looked at the gear for about 8-9 hours. I looked at every stitch of all the gear. At the time there were things I didn't personally like about certain aspects of the gear. Totally personal for what I wanted and expected for that type of money. From that point in time most of my friends ride Klim and like it. I've tried it, talk to friends about it, and its kick ass gear, NO DOUBT! When it boiled down to fit, "robustness", warranty, (and materials used at the time) I chose the Rukka.... I've been EXTREAMLY happy with it and beaten on it all the time. I don't pussy foot around with it, I use it like its meant to be used and LOVE IT with absolutely no issues.. )
I think Chris has about 125K+ miles on his Rukka..... still kicking strong... I will buy from this brand again next time, no question...
Anyone considering this type of gear, this is a great price from the Ol' Rev-Wal-Mart.......