[Review] The Dakar by Klim – Women’s Perspective

I’ve always been a little bummed that off-road motorcycle gear for women is quite limited. Recently I’ve been wearing Klim’s Women’s XC Lite set which I love and couldn’t live without. For the cooler weather, though, I was ready to upgrade my kit. I decided to try Klim’s Men’s Dakar set. This is a set that is not offered in a women’s specific line. When I first threw on the Dakar set I knew I didn’t need to be bummed anymore as the fit was surprisingly good and of course, the quality in line with any other Klim gear I’ve ever worn. While there are spots that noticeably don’t fit me perfectly, overall I’m pretty darn impressed.

Since fit is such a big talking point of a woman wearing men’s gear, we’ll start with that. I’m 5’10 and 155 pounds and I usually wear a size 8 in pants and a medium top. In the women’s XC Lite gear, I’m wearing a size 10 pant (it was recommended to size up and I’m glad I did as the fit is perfect) and a size large jersey. For the Dakar set, I have the in the boot pants in a size 32 and the jersey in a size small. I find that in the waist, the pants are a perfect fit. There is a little bit of loose material throughout the legs but not anything to complain about. I would say I also have a medium-large butt and these fit fine in the back. The jersey easily fits over my protective gear and the sleeve length is ideal. I feel like the Jersey length is pretty long, which is to be expected, however it doesn’t bother me.

The Dakar pants are the perfect combination of durable and tough Cordura fabric and breathable stretch panels. Durability where you need it most, breathability where it counts. Not only do these performance fabrics keep you comfortable and protected all day, they also don’t restrict your movement at all. The knees and butt are built with an even more durable 840D Cordura. I’m pretty sure these pants are going to last for many, many years.

The Dakar Pants are also lined with a moisture-wicking liner to help keep you cool when you start to overheat. These definitely run warmer than my XC Lite Gear but are perfect for the appropriate weather. I would say that 55ºF-70ºF and below I’m wearing my Dakar set and 70ºF and up I’m wearing my XC Lite. There can obviously be a lot of factors that go into that but for a general idea, that’s what I’d say. These are also coated with a DWR treatment so if you find yourself in a slightly wet situation, you’ll be protected. In a downpour, you’ll still get wet but the DWR definitely helps take the edge off in minor situations.

A couple of highlights of the Dakar pants are the two huge zippered vents on each thigh as well as two generously sized pockets, on each side. The vents are amazing, especially when it’s chillier out but you get to that technical spot and start to sweat. You can immediately get some airflow. Maybe the most amazing thing about buying men’s riding pants as a woman is the fact that the two pockets are actually usable pockets. Not sure whoever thought it was a good idea to make women’s pockets completely and utterly useless but it’s about time it changed. You don’t have to wait for that to change if you buy the Dakar Set.

The Dakar Jersey is the perfect match for the Dakar Pants, plus you can buy a matching set. Similar to the pants, the Dakar Jersey is a combination of different materials to give you what you need, where you need it. For most of the jersey, it’s built with a heavy-duty and durable mesh. I’m honestly surprised by how well my jersey was still looking as I’m pretty tough on moto gear or, I should say, the ground is.

Mesh paneling that is what I could consider a very breathable mesh is strategically placed on the underarms and throughout the torso. This allows for the right amount of airflow where you need it most. In addition to the ultimate combination of materials, the Dakar Jersey is also a raglan design so it stays in place and comfortable throughout the day. The raglan design also helps to eliminate seams in places that would be common for chaffing. I’ve worn jerseys that, when placed over gear, get a little tight and awkward around the neck and eventually start a choking feeling. I’ve never gotten that feeling with this jersey or any other Klim jersey I’ve tried.

Lastly, the Dakar Jersey has a sweet pocket on the sleeve which is perfect for earplugs, an idea, some cash, or even a small snack (if you can fit all of your snacks in this pocket you probably honestly need to work on your snack game).

If you’re a lady looking to get high quality, durable gear with venting where you need it most, check out the Dakar Set by Klim. The fit is surprisingly good, there are plenty of colorway options, and you can rest assured that your gear is going to last for many seasons to come. Don’t forget to check out more reviews of Klim gear by clicking here. If you’re interested in purchasing the Dakar set, doing so using our provided links supports us as we get a small kickback from your purchase. We appreciate the support!

*We received the Dakar Set for free in exchange for a review, however, it’s important to know that all thoughts are our own.