Klim D3O LP Level 1 Armour - Hip

Klim’s armour pockets aren’t all created equal. Many brands use common pocket shapes so shoulder and hip protectors are interchangeable; and in some Klim garments that’s true. But others — think K Forty/K Fifty jeans, Betty jeans, and a few more — use hip pockets sized for a specific insert. That means when you want to upgrade or replace the hip pads, you can’t just drop in a different (or better) shoulder/hip protector.

Which brings us to Klim’s own L1 Hip Armour. If you own one of those garments, there’s effectively no alternative: you’re pushed towards this Klim-specific piece because nothing else fits the pocket. Protection is serviceable but on the low side by today’s standards. Klim does offer a Level 2 D3O hip option, but it’s notably large, bulky, and (in my experience) uncomfortable for all-day wear.

Bottom line: buy the Klim L1 Hip Armour only if you have to for pocket compatibility. If your garment doesn’t demand this exact shape, there are better choices — notably D3O’s latest Diablo Level 2 hip armour, which is slimmer, better ventilated, and offers higher protection (L2 vs L1) without the bulk.