KLIM Men's Dakar Dual-Sport/Off-Road Motorcycle Jacket

I started off-road "adventure" riding a few years ago, and was wearing a thick heavy armored Kevlar jacket I had previously used for street riding. While excellent protection, it was thick and heavy - meaning super hot. I switched over to an armored shirt with a jersey over the top, which is great on the trails, but didn't feel quite enough for the roads / streets in between the trails (or when it was colder). The unarmored Dakar gives me that outer shell that's perfect for putting on over my armored shirt and jersey, adding an extra layer of protection (and warmth if I leave the vents closed), without a lot of bulk. When I don't need it, it packs nice and tight on my rear rack. It was exactly what I was looking for. I'm about 5'10", 190lbs, 42" chest, 35" waist, somewhat athletic, and the large fits perfect over the armored shirt, and is just slightly loose without the armored shirt.

I absolutely loved the jacket: great materials, great details, great design, D3O CE-level 2 armor fits fine (shoulder pockets are quite snug). However, the biggest issue I've had, which I don't see any review talking about, is that the bottom of the jacket is too narrow given how long the jacket is. While the jacket fits great everywhere, it rides up on me and makes a ledge right under my chest. This is especially pronounced when sitting on the bike. If there were zippers on the sides of the jackets allowing the bottom to be opened up, it would have been the perfect jacket. Sadly, this one has to go back.

At 6’ and change, and 215lbs, I take an XL just like in the rest of Klim’s jackets (I’m a bit of a Klim whore, I admit). The Dakar has a very slightly closer fit, which I’m actually happy about (the XL Marrakesh is just the tiniest bit big on me).So far I’ve used the Dakar sans armor (it doesn’t come with armor) over a Klim Tactical Shirt, both with and without a perforated jersey in-between. In warm to hot humid weather (mid-high 80s), with the jersey, it just doesn’t flow enough air even at highway speeds with all zippers open and a small windscreen on the GSA. So I learned that lesson — I pack the jersey, and ride to the off-pavement stuff with just the Tactical Shirt and the jacket on. Honestly, even that combo does not flow tons of air, but it’s much better. Maybe the Tactical Shirt is to blame, and not the jacket. I’ve yet to try this system with my Alpinestars Bionic armored shirt, so maybe that will flow better.Once I get to my spot I roll up the jacket and pack it into a tail bag, and put on the jersey. Reverse to ride home. All that said, I see this trio working even better in cooler weather, like 70s and below, eventually with the addition of a thicker jersey, as needed. That’s when the zip-off sleeves might work, with the jersey layered, when off-pavement in the in-between temps.What I’ve left out is comfort. Aside from being a bit warm, this combo is super-comfortable. Feels very light and non-restrictive. I might be a convert to armor-on-the-body and unarmored jacket (or jersey off-pavement). Also, the Dakar jacket is the nicest-looking in Klim’s lineup, IMO, if you can live with being a Klim billboard 😬.

Great build quality and fits great. I usually wear XXL but got an XL!

very light jacket, was expecting more cordura material.

Unlike most klim jackets, this fits more snug but has a lot of stretch. It’s extremely light and comfy. I wear it over my Alpinestars A10. I’m a large in most things and a large in this fits great.

Like the coat.. TWO SIZES TOO BIG THOUGH

It’s all about details. Klim is the best