When planning a 1440-mile trip up to and around Scotland in May, I was looking for a pair of good quality, reliable waterproof trousers to keep me warm and dry. These Klim Ladies Altitude Gore-Tex trousers looked game for the job, so I gave them a try along with the matching Klim Altitude Gore-Tex jacket. I wanted something I could trust to keep rain out, but that also offered the option to allow air in on warmer days — something the laminated Gore-Tex membrane promised to deliver.
Fit & comfort
The instant I tried these trousers on, I knew they fitted me perfectly. I’m consistently a size 12, 5ft 8in tall with a 30in inside leg, and I’ve never tried any other motorcycle trousers that fit me as well as these do. I wore my normal size 12, in a regular leg, and they were spot-on in length and offered good adjustment at the waist.
The breathable mesh liner kept me cool and comfortable on warmer days, which was handy as there’s nothing worse than sticking to the inside of waterproof clothing.
At the waistband, a soft leather trim adds a welcome touch of comfort — much nicer than the rough, sharp nylon edges you sometimes find in trousers.
Weather protection
The Klim Altitude trousers use a breathable Gore-Tex laminated membrane, which gave me real confidence in their waterproofing. I’ve used Gore-Tex in other outdoor gear, and these trousers were just as reliable.
They never missed a beat. Not a drop of water came through the material or the water-sealed zippers, which tuck neatly into their housings. Even after very heavy downpours, including a hailstorm, they held firm.
The long connection zip also helped — keeping the trousers securely fastened to the matching jacket so there was no risk of gapping or water ingress around the waist. I don’t like a draughty midriff, and this kept me both dry and warm.
Breathability & ventilation
Ventilation is another strong point. The direct-to-body vents feature just the mesh lining as a backing, making them particularly effective
There’s a zip on both the front and back of each thigh — intake at the front, exhaust at the back. I found the location of these worked brilliantly. When sitting on the bike, the bend in my leg naturally opened up the front vent, scooping air around my upper leg — an area that easily overheats for me.
The zips also have large, glove-friendly tabs that make them easy to operate, even when wearing thick gloves.
Protection
These trousers are A-rated in CE and come with D3O Level 1 armour at the knees and hips. The hip armour sits comfortably, and the knee armour can be adjusted to four heights. I use the calf straps to fine-tune the position of the knee armour. This is a detail I appreciate, as ill-placed armour is one of my pet peeves.
Reinforcement comes in the form of durable 600-denier Cordura overlays in high-wear areas: the bum, inside of the calf, and over the knees. Goat leather patches at the inside knee offer extra abrasion resistance and also help me grip the bike better.
Visibility is handled by reflective Scotchlite patches at the rear of the lower leg and outer knee — well positioned to reflect headlights when riding in the dark or turning out of junctions. The overall colourscheme is ‘Stealth Black’, which looks smart, but made me appreciate those visibility touches even more.
Pockets
There’s one large pocket on the front of the left thigh, which I used to stash my phone after hopping off the bike and sorting luggage. I’d personally prefer it on the right, as I’m right-handed and found the position a bit awkward at first — but that’s a minor gripe.
Because the vent and pocket are located close together, I did once accidentally slide my phone into the vent instead. But that was a one-off mistake while getting used to the layout.
There’s also a small 9cm square pocket just inside the waistband on the right-hand side of the fly. I didn’t find a use for it, but it might suit loose change or something similarly small.
Final thoughts
I’m very impressed with the fit, comfort, and quality of these Klim trousers. I suspect I’ll struggle to find another pair that fit me as well as these do.
They performed exactly as I hoped — keeping me dry, ventilated, and protected across a challenging 1440-mile trip. And most importantly, they allowed me to focus on enjoying the ride rather than worrying about the weather.
