“While this was the perfect jacket to ride through the heat of Central Asia, I’d equally love wearing this back in the UK as my everyday riding jacket. I feel so comfortable in it, it’s cool, light, doesn’t scream “I’m a motorcycle jacket”, looks stylish and fits like a dream.”
Klim Marrakesh Review
Snapshot
- Price: £359.99
- Mileage tested: 4000
- Testing conditions: From Azerbaijan to Afghanistan
- Durability: 5⁄5
- Fit and comfort: 5⁄5
- Protection: 5⁄5
- Value for money: 3⁄5
- Colours: Grey or Black
- Where to buy UK: sportsbikeshop.co.uk
- Where to buy US: revzilla.com
Features
The Klim Marrakesh jacket is the most comfortable, well-fitted and lightweight jacket I’ve ever tested! It quickly turned into my all-time favourite kit somewhere on the road to Azerbaijan; the weather changed from snow in the cold Georgian mountains to Azeri heat and the jacket stayed comfy and cool proving how adaptable it is.
Klim made this jacket out of super stretchy ‘1000D Cordura Stretch’ fabric. No idea what that material is, but it’s incredibly stretchy and makes for a perfect fit. It is a unisex jacket, but works brilliantly for women, especially around the bust and waist, which is a pain to find fitted jackets for. Aside from the stretchiness, it’s packed with other features like adjustable straps on the arms, a wide zip opening cuff (which makes it easy to slip on bigger gloves), two large side pockets, two chest pockets and a handy zipped inside one. The jacket also comes with elbow and shoulder protection and a hefty CE level 1 back protector.
What’s good?
Another thing I love about this jacket is its breathability. The Marrakesh’s material is porous and lets air flood through, which is interesting because, according to Klim, it also has a ‘hydrophobic coating’ which, they say repels water and helps it to dry fast. It’s not waterproof, but will protect from the odd shower, so if you’re riding on rainy days you’ll need a lightweight waterproof throw-over. And if that’s the case you won’t sweat up either as the moisture wicking mesh liner keeps you cool.
The stretchy material, sublime fit, features and breathability made this the perfect jacket to cross Central Asia in. Over 4000 miles through Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan and the Klim hasn’t got a single rip or tear, I didn’t melt inside it and I was all-day comfy with long hours in the saddle.
The abundance of pockets made it easy carrying passports and important paperwork, especially when crossing borders. The light weight and breathability made it bearable in Uzbekistan’s baking deserts and the fit and style were perfect for riding around cosmopolitan downtown Almaty.
What’s not?
But nothing is without fault, and if I had to be really picky – I’d ask Klim to stick a couple of vents on the jacket for even more air flow. Although that only really cropped up as the temperatures soared.
Round up
While this was the perfect jacket to ride through the heat of Central Asia, I’d equally love wearing this back in the UK as my everyday riding jacket. I feel so comfortable in it, it’s cool, light, doesn’t scream “I’m a motorcycle jacket”, looks stylish and fits like a dream.
Klim Marrakesh Jacket Review: Total score: 18⁄20
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Great review. I’m really considering getting one. Although the temperatures where I am get to about 105-110. Do you think the jacket’s breathability will be enough for that? I’ve worn a perforated leather jacket previously and it worked well, although I was still sweaty.
Hi Geoff! Thanks for your comment. Wow, 105-110F, so that’s around 40-43C, which is crazy hot! The Klim Marrakesh will be at its limit on keeping you cool in that extreme temperature – as I suspect most motorcycle jackets will be.
We were riding in around 100F (38C) with the Klim and while it was hot, it was breathable enough to get us through and stay comfortable.
At the moment we’re riding in temperatures like yours in Southeast Asia and are using full mesh jackets, which let a lot more air in. But these can’t be worn if the temperature drops at all and they’re not that much cooler than the Klim.
I would say that if you were using a perforated leather jacket before and that worked well, then the Klim would be a huge improvement on airflow and comfort over that. One of its main benefits is that it’s super comfortable, stretchy and lightweight and that makes it easier to ride in through hot weather.
Hope this helps, please feel free to shoot any more questions our way!
Thanks for the review. I was wondering if this jacket was robust enough for adventure touring but, by the places you mention, it sounds like it is. I’m deciding between the Marrakesh or the Induction, and while the Induction seems to flow more air, I’m leaning toward the comfort and versatility of the Marrakesh. One thing I’ve heard that’s missing is a zipper to attach to my Carlsbad pants so it doesn’t ride up in an off, particularly since it’s not tight-fitting at the bottom. However, I guess I could have that added by a tailor. Safe travels.
Hi Kevin, thanks for your comment. Yeah, we’d definitely say the Marrakesh is tough enough for adventure travel. Interesting point about the zipper, but yeah, if you get it added by a tailor then that’s that sorted. Does the Induction come with a zip? Let us know how you get on with it, all the best and safe travels too.
I just pulled the trigger on the Marrakech jacket and pants. Ive previously used a thick polyester jacket and pants with waterproof and heat liners inside. Works okay, but its very heavy, no stretch, and when it rains, the polyester part gets soaked and extremely heavy + takes a while to dry. I think running the Marrakech with raingear to pull over is a better strategy. Thanks for the review!
Hi Johannes, yeah, thick polyester sounds like a pain! I think you’ll be happy with the Marrakech, we found it to be light, stretchy and exceptionally well-made. And with a waterproof throwover it’ll be a great set-up! Hope you like it, and thanks very much! 🙂
Surely with so much ventilation the Marrakesh jacket wouldn’t be warm enough to use in the UK on all but the warm days?
I’ve had it for a season in Norway. I’ve used it at 0 degrees. If you layer up underneath its just as warm as any jacket, but has the ability to be cool in the summer. I couldn’t be happier with the jacket and pant. Stretchy, very well made, high abrasion resistance and modular.
Johannes.
Well said Johannes! Glad you like the jacket too 😀
Hi Pete, yes it’s really well ventilated (but without any vent openings), but as Johannes said, with quality layering it can be worn on colder days. Of course, when it’s absolutely freezing out you may struggle, but a waterproof windbreaker and a heated jacket underneath is good enough for me. It’s all about compromise really. If you’re after very cold weather gear then waterproof pro-laminate Gore-Tex is the way to go.
Thanks! 🙂