Jean Turner | July 27, 2021
Constructed of a four-way stretch woven nylon, the Klim Women’s Marrakesh might not even look (or feel) like a motorcycle jacket. Its casual look and stretchy comfort make it seem like something you’d wear around town, but thanks to the Karbonite Micromesh 1000D Cordura chassis, and D3O protective inserts, it’s got all the protection necessary for heading out on two wheels, with AA rating for abrasion and CE Level 1 padding.
The Klim Marrakesh Women’s Jacket might not look like motorcycle gear, and that’s kind of the point.
The stretch-woven nylon isn’t exactly a mesh fabric, but it offers uniform breathability—as the folks at Klim say, it “seeps air” instead of flowing air like vented gear, making it ideal for a broad range of temperatures. It is available in three different colors: black, burnt olive (pictured) and cool gray in women’s sizes XS to 2X.
Klim Women’s Marrakesh Jacket Lowdown
Standout Feature: Full riding protection in slim-cut, casual style with comfortable four-way stretch fit.
List Price: $369.99
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Outstanding comfort and versatility |
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Stylish on and off the bike |
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Designed by women, for women |
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Spendy |
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Narrower cuffs, please |
The unique breathable four-way stretch fabric allows the Marrakesh jacket to “seep air” for good overall comfort.
Klim Women’s Marrakesh Jacket Rider Analysis
The Klim Marrakesh Women’s Jacket looks like everyday activewear; only a few reflective bits give it away as a motorcycle jacket. And that’s exactly the idea. It’s a casual jacket with a slim cut and comfortable stretchy fit that also offers enough protection for the ride. For a world of women who wear yoga gear 60 percent of the time (or is that just me?) Klim hit this one on the head.
They also seem to know how much we spend at Lululemon, because this jacket is priced in that realm, at $369.99.
That price tag comes with premium-level materials, including Karbonite Micromesh, a moisture-wicking liner, and D3O’s latest, IP Ghost protective inserts. These flexible, ultra-thin pads offer a barely-there feel, keeping with the comfortable fit of the jacket—I had to feel around at first to make sure they were in there. Unlike other jackets that maintain their form after you remove your arm from the sleeve, these floppy-waffle pads flex and move nearly as much as the fabric itself. It’s nice to have the protection and not feel like a hockey player when I’m on the bike.
The IP Ghost inserts from D3O are the company’s latest in slim-fitting protection. They flex almost as much as the fabric.
Klim calls the Marrakesh jacket “highly breathable,” which it is, for the most part. Imagine a heavy sweatshirt and how much air moves through it. It’s a little like that. The air keeps moving when you’re riding, but that changes when you slow down or stop at a light. Moving temperatures are okay up to about 90 degrees or so, but as soon as you come to a stop, the heat switches on full blast. I’d say the comfortable upper limit is probably around mid-80s.
I also found the lower limit back in March on a Utah trip, and I’d estimate that to be around 45 degrees, with the help of a thermal layer. Below that, things got pretty unfavorable pretty quick. Part of the challenge in colder temps was the wide cuffs. Without any ability to taper the wrists closed, I couldn’t keep the air from wooshing up my sleeves. So yeah, imagine that in 30-degree temps. I resorted to putting hair ties on my wrists to hold the cuffs closed, which helped a lot. Still, though, when temps are approaching freezing, it’s time for a heavier jacket.
The Marrakesh runs a little big, so the medium I ordered was a touch on the roomy side and a little long in the torso (I’m 5’8”). This left ample room for a base layer or two, which was handy in the winter. But if you’re between sizes, you might want to go down a size. Keep in mind, also, the stretchy material is pretty forgiving, and a snug fit would also allow you to run a layer over it, rather than under it.
The Klim Marrakesh Women’s Jacket is a premium riding garment (as all Klim’s offerings are), with excellent protection, the look of casual clothing and the fit of athletic wear. Yes, it’s a bit spendy, but the price is reflected in the quality and the versatility of the jacket. CN
VIDEO | Klim Women’s Marrakesh Jacket Review
