
Gore-Tex not keeping out water? There's a different procedure to getting it sorted, and here's an explainer...
This is my second set of Klim Badlands Gore-Tex Long Gloves - I already own a pair and bought another for my wife because mine impressed me so much. I’m still happy with them, and if anything I rate them more now I’ve had a chance to use them in a wider range of conditions.
For context, I’ve been riding regularly in temperatures between 6–10°C. Paired with heated grips, these gloves are excellent. The good part is the insulation layout - the palm isn’t insulated, so you keep decent feel on the bars and can still operate the controls with accuracy. The back of the hand, which takes the brunt of the airflow, is insulated, so you stay warm where it matters.
They’re not a summer glove though. In fact, I’d say they’re too hot once temperatures start climbing into late spring or early autumn. For that, look at something like the Klim Marrakesh glove. These are very much a cool-to-cold weather option, best suited for autumn through early spring, and they shine when conditions are mixed or on the damp side. Waterproofing has been spot on so far, with Gore-Tex doing exactly what you’d expect.
Fit and comfort are good once broken in. They’re a substantial glove, but not clumsy, and they’ve softened up nicely with use. My wife, who can be picky with gloves, is also impressed with hers - the fit works for her smaller hands, and she still has the dexterity to manage bike switches and helmet straps without faff.
In short, the Badlands Longs are a serious touring glove built for colder weather. They’re warm, waterproof and protective, but still allow proper bar feel. Not an all-year glove, and definitely not one for summer, but for the colder months they’re excellent - good enough that I’ve ended up with two pairs in the house.
I’ve been riding with the Klim Badlands Gore-Tex Long Gloves (in Monument Grey / Petrol) for a while now, and both my wife and I ended up with a pair because they just tick so many boxes. Straight away, the fit feels more substantial than most mid-to-long cuff gloves - not bulky, but definitely protective. They slide on easily, cinch down firmly at the wrist, and once they’re on, you get the sense these are built for serious miles.
The Grey with Petrol accents also looks fantastic in the flesh; muted enough to work with most kit, but still a bit different from the sea of black gloves out there.
On the bike, the Gore-Tex performance is exactly what you’d expect: totally waterproof and windproof without feeling clammy. I’ve worn them through proper downpours and never once had a leak. They breathe well too, so you don’t end up with that swampy feeling after a long day. Protection is reassuring, with knuckle armour and impact panels that don’t get in the way of movement. The goatskin palm feels supple and offers great bar feel - not as thin as a summer glove of course, but more feedback than I thought I’d get from a glove with this much weather protection.
Temperature-wise, they hit a sweet spot for UK riding. They’re not fully insulated winter gloves, so if you’re out in near-freezing conditions you’ll want heated grips or maybe an inner liner. But for typical winter/early spring or late autumn riding, especially in unpredictable weather, they’re absolutely spot on. My wife has smaller hands and often struggles with bulky armour in gloves, but she’s been impressed with the way these still allow dexterity - operating switches, helmet clasps, or even her phone at a pinch isn’t a wrestling match.
Overall, the Badlands are exactly what we wanted: a tough, waterproof touring glove that doesn’t compromise comfort or control. They feel like a proper investment piece - premium price, yes, but you can tell they’ll last. If you’re already wearing Klim kit, the styling ties in perfectly, but even if you’re not, these stand on their own as one of the best all-round waterproof adventure/touring gloves out there.
Good fit, true to size. Like the fleece lining on just the back of the glove making them less bulky grip side. Liking them so far, not tried them in the rain yet but no doubt they will keep me dry. Minor negatives - tad expensive and the touch screen finger is a bit awkward.
Extremely well made, and highly weatherproof. Takes a little breaking in as one would expect, but that just takes wearing it around the house a few times. Knuckles and thumb felt tight at first, but breaking helps that entirely.
These gloves are superb. The cuff is particularly impressive, with a tightening system I've not seen before, that makes cinching the gloves around the wrist very easy, even with a glove on - and when fastened passes inside a jacket easily.
The lining is warm, and feels good against the skin, keeping my hands warm in fairly low conditions.
It's a supple glove, meaning there was no initial stiffness which I have found on occasion with other gloves.
I had to return a medium size for a small, the first pair of gloves in 30 years of riding that I've had to get a small in, so I think they may size differently at Klim.
Great fitting glove with good adjustment.
Although expensive, the gloves fit is fantastic and they keep my hands warm and dry.
If you didn't know who Klim are you'd think these are budget gloves by appearance. But hopefully the water resistance will prove the price worthwhile. Being American these were the only gloves I could get onto my shovel hands , the main reason for buying these!
Well made, good quality gloves - as you would expect for the premium price. Had to return first pair as the fit was not good - apart from being too small, the stitching/construction of the thumb part of the right hand glove was very uncomfortable. If the overall fit had been better I would maybe have persevered and perhaps the issue would have cleared after the gloves were broken-in. As it was, the size was not good in general - and the fantastic service from SBS had the replacements with me within a day. Only just got the gloves - so have not had a chance to properly test in wet conditions - they are however warm and very well made.
Great pair of gloves, only worn a couple of times so far but feel the difference already compared to original pair. Keep hands really warm and fit perfect. Usual great service from SBS wouldn't go anywhere else!
Can't fault them......dry as a bone in biblical wet weather and cool in warm sunshine, very flexible and whilst very expensive for a glove, you'll like features like easy to slip on with the strap to pop your gloved finger into and pull back, and also nice strap and velcro in two places. Best glove Ive bought and came recommended by a friend too!
Tried many so called top of the range gloves on but they haven't impressed me in: Fit, quality, etc.
These Klim Badlands Pro gloves are different, the fit is perfect, with pre bent fingers, extreme build quality, feel lovely & warm in the cold weather & cool in the hotter weather & so far are totally waterproof. The cuffs are nice & long with no fuss to wear under your jacket too. not many other gloves achieve all this. They are a four season glove but not bulky or restrictive & allow a great feel of the grips & switches which is a real plus for me. Ok, they are expensive, very expensive at around £300 but if you are serious about getting the ultimate gloves, these have to be on your list of contenders.
Firstly I use a lot of Klim products because they work and keep working.
The only real problem with these gloves is the price, very expensive but so was my Badlands Pro suit and my Krios helmet. After a lot of thought I decided to buy a pair of GTX winter gloves. I've only worn them once but it was a 350 mile trip in horrendous weather and only 12 degrees . The gloves were warm and kept my hands bone dry. I find the biggest problem with winter gloves is usually it's like trying to ride a bike in oven gloves. Not the case with the Klim GTX. They are designed with minimal insulation on the underside of the gloves which gives you good feel for controls and you get a better benefit from heated grips if you have them " I had to turn mine down to minimum " the cuffs since down nice to enable you to tuck them under your jacket sleeves. The cut of the glove is the usual Klim quality as is the construction . The price will put a lot of people off, unless like me you are a Klim fan and want your gear to match.. I do think Klim should have priced them a bit lower apart from that. Happy so far.
Gloves, always a difficult choice for motorcyclists. The last two summers we have used Klim Vanguard gloves, waterproof , comfortable, will go under Klims stupid zipless jacket sleeves but very cold below 12 degrees, having used various so called winter gloves for many years new colder weather gloves were called for, having looked at all the options Badlands were chosen, and have been used for some 800 miles to date. They are comfortable straight away with good feel and grip on the controls, much more leather than I expected for a textile waterproof glove so I hope they dry ok. Not as warm as I hoped, ok to 10 degrees with hand guards but chilly at 8. They have an inner gaiter which is supposed to stop water running into your hand if you are forced to use them over your sleeves, I can eventually get them under my Badlands jacket sleeves but it is a time consuming process, if only they had a zip and with Sues Artemis jacket all but impossible even with both of us trying, not the gloves fault just poor jacket design. They are well built like all Klim equipment and I expect them to last a long time, I think warmth will be an issue, the outer finger padding is very light even though they are claimed to be a winter product so time will tell.
Just fantastic. I purchased these to replace my much worn old ones and although expensive very much worth it.
Very high quality. The fit is amazing these gloves are by far the best I have ever owned. No more wondering if I should laugh or cry with frozen hands.
Engineered to dominate all four seasons with an ADV-specific blend of robust materials and features. High impact protection and abrasion resistance along with a superior fit and comfort make this all-weather glove the tool of choice for Mother Nature's worst. Paired with the Badlands Aero Pro Glove for the hottest days, your world-traveling ADV kit is complete.
Gloves measured by palm width (excluding thumb)
XS | S | M | L | XL | 2XL | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PALM | 6 - 6.5cm | 7-7.5cm | 8-8.5cm | 9-9.5cm | 10-10.5cm | 11-11.5 |