Review: Klim Marrakesh—Klim’s Most Comfortable Riding Gear
When Klim introduced the Marrakesh jacket and gloves. I was sold the first time I tried them on.
Generally, I don’t have much of a problem finding riding jackets or gloves that fit well. Pants, on the other hand, are a completely different story, so when Klim announced the Marrakesh pants in 2020, I got excited.
Considering how much I enjoyed riding in the jacket and gloves, I expected the pants would be amazing and immediately ordered a pair. I haven’t been disappointed.
The Marrakesh getup—now in its second generation—is marketed as “Klim’s most comfortable riding gear”. I would even say that the Marrakesh is the most comfortable riding gear on the market today.
Protection
Klim uses its proprietary Karbonite Micromesh four-way stretching nylon fabric in the Marrakesh pieces. This material is 1000D Cordura and woven for maximum flexibility and airflow.
CE Level 1 D3O armor is included in the back, elbows, shoulders, knees and hips, and can be adjusted using a Velcro tab. In the pants, there are burn-resistant Kevlar panels on the insides of the knees to offer heat protection.
For a suit this lightweight, I certainly feel confident in the level of protection it provides. Klim isn’t trading protection for comfort in the Marrakesh, and I appreciate that.
Mobility
I’m picky about my dexterity while riding motorcycles. To me, the ability to move around on the bike without restriction is a critical safety factor, no matter where or how you are riding.
I need the ability to easily swing my leg over bikes with a 34-inch-plus seat height and, at the same time, fold up on something smaller without feeling restricted in the knees, hips, crotch, and shoulders.
The four-way stretch of the Marrakesh suit’s materials provides enough flexibility for riding in any position on any type of motorcycle, from fully-faired sport bikes to laid-back cruisers. This suit is versatile in function and style.
Comfort
Marrakesh might be the most flexible riding suit on the market today, but comfort is about more than how the garment fits. The ability to help regulate my body temperature is a major feature I look for in motorcycle gear.
Klim’s Karbonite Micromesh is porous and allows controlled airflow throughout the majority of the suit. It allows slightly less airflow than a full-mesh option, making it a great three-season suit.
That said, this suit could easily extend through four seasons when combined with a rain oversuit, like the Klim Forecast, and a warm mid-layer, like the Klim Inferno. I have ridden in this gear without any under-layers in temperatures ranging from 55 to 100 degrees and was comfortable the entire time.
Once the temperature dips below 55, I start to add those extra layers. In the summer, the Marrakesh allows total ventilation, but unlike full-mesh gear, you don’t dry out too quickly.
The suit retains moisture on your body for a longer period of time, which means you stay cooler for longer. The versatility of this gear means I can ride farther and harder, without sacrifice.
Other Features
The Marrakesh has several other features that make it a great option when looking for new gear. The newest version of the jacket has five pockets, as do the pants, giving you plenty of room to keep your small items.
The first generation, however, had more storage space in the jacket with nine pockets. Klim should return to that for the next version.
There are various retro-reflective strips that provide visibility at night, a must-have on any riding suit. Last but not least, a soft micro-mesh is also used in the collar for added comfort.
In the first generation of this suit, I would have liked to see the additional emergency card pocket on the left arm, which is a feature Klim has on many other models but was left off of the Marrakesh. Luckily, the second generation of this suit includes said pocket.
It’d be nice to have a belt loop strap in the bottom hem of the jacket. My fingers are crossed that this feature will be added to future versions of the suit.
The Fit
When comparing the fit from the first to second generation, it seems Klim has lengthened everything. I much prefer the previous model as far as fit is concerned.
The torso and arms are longer, and while I’m a tall 5-foot-10-inches and men’s medium riding jackets usually fit me perfectly, the latest version of the Marrakesh is too long to be comfortable.
When it comes to the women's version of this jacket, it does fit very well with a tapered hip flare. However, the shoulder pads don't sit on the shoulder but the side of the arm. I'm not sure what this protects, and I believe it was a defect in the manufacturing process. I hope this is something that can be corrected in the future. For now, I'll stick with the men's version that offers better protection of the shoulders.
Riding Gear Win
There’s no such thing as one perfect riding suit, but the Marrakesh comes dang close. Gear manufacturers tend to give us options that look great but don't protect us very well, or offer all the protection yet look and feel bulky. Then we have weatherproof gear that is stiflingly hot in the summers and mesh gear that gets cold quick if the weather turns bad.
The Marrakesh sits happily in the middle with plenty of airflow when it’s warm, the ability to layer when it gets cold, protection to keep you safe, and a nice style to boot. The Klim Marrakesh is a riding gear win in my book!
Marrakesh Jacket
$419.99
Marrakesh Pant
$379.99
Marrakesh Glove
$89.99