does gortex loosen up?

[s.ga.rider]

Just got my new klim blade jacket in and its a little snug. No room for layers underneath and the shoulders/back are tight when I raise my arms. Its a large and I wear large in everything. The sleeves are a tad long so I know if i exchange it for the xl it will be too long. so does the gortex loosen up or am I just between sizes in klim?

My options are to keep it and hope it stretches a bit, exchange it for an xl and hope the sleeves arent too long or go with a different brand.

 

[Tiger_993]

I've got the Klim Latitude - the latest Latitude iteration - so while it's not the Blade, it's still Gore-Tex and Cordura. The shell fabric itself breaks in a bit and becomes slightly less stiff. But you won't get any additional "room" after it breaks in. It sounds like the jacket just doesn't fit and if you can't get any layers on underneath it now, you still won't be able to layer up after it breaks in.

It's such nice gear - I love my Klim stuff - that it's almost worth trying the larger size to find the property fit, but if you're buying online, then paying the return shipping costs gets old quickly. I bought a Rev'it jacket online once and it fit rather snugly, just like you're describing. I loved it though, and decided to keep it thinking it would work. Big mistake. After about the 3rd time wearing it on the bike and feeling constricted, I hated that jacket.

 

[SLK50]

I doubt the jacket will "loosen up".

I'd exchange for a larger size while you can.

Klim are known to be snug. Seems they're

designed for slim builds.

 

[El Toro Joe]

exchange it for an xl

 

[rbentnail]

No, goretex does not loosen up.

 

[Bill Lumberg]

Goretex doesn't loosen up. I have to order every textile jacket one size larger if I want to wear the liner in them. This makes them a little too large when wearing just the jacket alone. From fieldsheer to icon to 5.11 to sedici, everything is sized up except my Taylor Leather jacket.

 

[s.ga.rider]

The sleeves say 31-32" on the large and the length is ok. Could be a tad shorter but the xl says 33-34" on sleeve length and I'm worried it will hang way past my wrist.

 

[Bill Lumberg]

Does the blade not have cuff adjustments? A jacket that's the proper length for riding position is going to have sleeves that are a little long with your hands at your sides. Normal. Good luck and let us know how you work it out.

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

I doubt the jacket will "loosen up".I'd exchange for a larger size while you can.

Klim are known to be snug. Seems they're

designed for slim builds.

I wish they were built for a slim or more athletic build. I have to wear an XL to get around my FAT chest and shoulders on my Latitude and Apex jackets and find that the belly or body of the jacket is always too big. I am also right in-between a large and XL in nearly everything I wear. Large is too tight in my FAT chest and back and XL is too loose in the body.

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

Does the blade not have cuff adjustments? A jacket that's the proper length for riding position is going to have sleeves that are a little long with your hands at your sides. Normal. Good luck and let us know how you work it out.

Very true. The sleeves are not going to be suit coat length and are built for comfort in a riding position.

 

[s.ga.rider]

That's true. It does have velcro and a snap at the sleeve

 

[SacramentoMike]

Try hanging from a branch or chin-up bar for a while every day. Maybe your arms will stretch.

If not, I'd try the xl.

 

[bigjohnsd]

I doubt the jacket will "loosen up".I'd exchange for a larger size while you can.

Klim are known to be snug. Seems they're

designed for slim builds.

I wish they were built for a slim or more athletic build. I have to wear an XL to get around my chest and shoulders on my Latitude and Apex jackets and find that the belly or body of the jacket is always too big. I am also right in-between a large and XL in nearly everything I wear. Large is too tight in the chest and back and XL is too loose in the body.

Once you retire from the Fire Department you'll need an XL around the waist.

 

[El Toro Joe]

Yeah Kevin...just drink more beer, as stop exercising. Then yer jacket should fit just fine. Buy any new boots lately?

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

Yeah Kevin...just drink more beer, as stop exercising. Then yer jacket should fit just fine. Buy any new boots lately?

I have already stopped exercising and drink plenty of beer. That's why my chest and back is so fat.

I have a pair of Sidi Adventure Gore-Tex on the way from Germany, but I haven't bought any more this week.

I think I am good for awhile.

 

[Uncle Hud]

Hey, s.ga.rider, Gore-Tex gets a little more flexible after a few dozen wearings -- not much, but a little -- but it will never loosen or stretch. Get the XL.

Worry about the sleeve length after you test it while sitting on the bike with gloves and etc. The sleeves SHOULD be longer than a regular jacket because riding keeps your arms stretched out in front of you, not hanging at your side.

 

[s.ga.rider]

Thanks for all the input. I called revzilla and they said klim makes small increments in there sizing so an xl wouldnt be much bigger and the sleeves are about 1/2" longer. I sent it back today for an xl.

I have to give a thumbs up to revzilla for there great customer service. They payed for return shipping and all.

 

[user 6393]

You better hope it doesn't, as that would kill it's water resistant properties