Ladies, if you want to fall in love and be loved back, head to Klim for Artemis gear and wrap yourselves in luxury and safety as you ride.
I was already impressed upon unpacking the jacket and pant set in peyote/potter’s clay, the beautiful desert colors of where I live. The look at feel of the materials is undoubtedly constructed with quality in mind. But the real test was the months I spent hammering paved and dirt roads on my BMW F 750 GS wrapped in Artemis, a riding suit that enveloped me with a sense of softness and comfort. It is without a doubt the most luxurious motorcycle gear I have ever put on my body. Sliding into it feels rather like sliding into a set of silken pajamas.
The Fit
The interior of Artemis is enhanced with a soft mesh lining along the torso, arms, and legs, providing easy movement and air flow on warmer days. Straps along the bicep and forearm areas allow for quick adjustments when piling on extra layers underneath. The moisture-wicking Polygiene and details like an adjustable padded cinch collar and cord lock add extra protection and adjustability, especially with longer locks like mine. Added zippers at the hips allow for expansion.
I am built with a curvy figure, which is difficult to fit. When I read that Artemis was designed by women for women, a new ray of hope appeared, and Artemis did not disappoint. I normally wear a size 10-12 in shirts and pants, and I am ample up top and at the hips. The size L jacket I first ordered had to be exchanged for a size X Large as it fit perfectly everywhere except along the bust line. The size 12 pant hugs the waist and hips nicely.
Exterior Details
The wind and waterproof shell is created from Gore-Tex so you can forget bringing an extra liner for rain. Superfabric on the shoulders, elbows, and knees feels like soft leather and is durable given the number of times I dropped to my knees for bike repairs or to set up camp. The YKK zippers are heartily made. If you happen to have a vintage Louis Vuitton bag, chances are, you have a YKK zipper on it.
The armor in the Artemis set is D30 CE Level 1 (and can be upgraded to Level 2). It is lightweight, soft, and flexible, and since Klim put softer fabrics on the inside, you never really feel the bulk you usually feel while riding or moving about with stiffer armor.
Storage and Venting
Klim made good on its promise to deliver better easy-access storage. First, two large hand cargo pockets on the sides mean no more fumbling to get a gloved hand into a small pocket. Inside the right-hand pocket, two smaller organizer compartments are perfect for bills or chapstick. At the back, a large gusseted back pocket is perfect for additional maps, and on the left sleeve is a pocket specifically designed to carry emergency medical information. Inside, the jacket offers a concealed document pocket behind the back pad, two zippered stash pockets, and a vertical zippered chest pocket. Finally, an external MOLLE-compatible chest panel connects anything else. Two generous pant pockets fall on the thigh rather than on the hip.
The vents are as numerous as the pockets with two across the chest, biceps, and back. Two back exhaust vents and a tab that holds the collar open also add breathability. Zippers along the cuffs open to allow airflow into the arm area. In the pant, two vents that run the length of the thigh allow for ample airflow when moving.
Performance
I wore this suit through roughly 5,500 miles of multiple states, temperatures, elevations, and climates, and simple adjustments were all I needed to remain comfortable. In windswept Arizona, the gear acted as a barrier. In Colorado, my Klim gear kept me dry through 20 hours of downpours on two separate days of riding. When temps dipped at higher altitudes in New Mexico, I simply stopped and added an under layer then zipped closed my vents. In Arkansas, Missouri, and Louisiana, when the weather became unbearably hot and humid, the vents were opened to a good breeze. And in Mississippi, when rain met the heat and humidity of the day, I rode with the vents opened and stayed remarkably dry nonetheless. The ventilation in this set is enormous when you need it.
I was also impressed with Artemis’ ability to move freely while riding or moving about. Since Klim removed bulk under armor areas, the set moves easily with your own motions. Knee or arm bends aren’t pinching or pressured, and the set is created with enough gussets, snaps, and zippers to create a custom fit with or without underlayers.
Cleaning
I had picked up my bike in the dirt, wrenched on it in the dirt, and set up camp after camp in this gear, sometimes in rain and mud. My jacket had been tossed over my bike, shoved in a pannier, and crumpled in a tent. The softer armor slides easily out and is ambidextrous, so no more remembering which armor fits in which pocket. Klim recommends washing your garments when beading on the outer surface is no longer effective or as soon as your gear looks or smells dirty. I tossed my set into the washer and then into the dryer as per instructions. In fact, Klim recommends drying for an additional 20 minutes to reactivate the Durable Water Repellant on the fabric’s surface. Without it, you stand a chance that your gear will absorb water and suffer heat loss. In the end, my gear was removed from the dryer fabulously clean and without wrinkles.
Summation
Klim exceeded the test of its claim as the “Most complete women’s adventure riding gear available.” Durable construction and protection against the elements are met with soft fabrics and comfort. Klim’s reputation as a leading creator of women’s clothing is for good reason. Made by women for women. No wonder wearing a set feels like a long embrace.
Klim.com | $570-$750
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