If you look at a new D30 back armor you'll see most of the vent holes are blocked by a very thin skin.
The ribs of the back pad should give you some air flow but I like to open the holes using a small solder iron.
   

Before
   


After
   

   

There's a little discount on the 2018 Klim Induction Jackets now and I bought one from Motorcycle Gear $279.
https://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/ja..._2018.html

We have bought a lot of non current gear from this vendor.
Right now the jacket is only 20% off. By spring it will probably be down to 40 to 50% off.
I wanted the blue trim and decided to buy now while I had a choice on color.
I also like the look of the 2018 jacket better than the 2021 jackets that will be available soon.
   

I'll probably just use this jacket for day rides.

The jacket has the newer style vented shoulder and elbow armor.

D30 LP Elbow and Shoulder armor.

   

I won't try the jacket for awhile.
   

(02-08-2021, 08:56 AM)Lee Wrote: If you look at a new D30 back armor you'll see most of the vent holes are blocked by a very thin skin.
The ribs of the back pad should give you some air flow but I like to open the holes using a small solder iron.
....

There's a little discount on the 2018 Klim Induction Jackets now and I bought one from Motorcycle Gear
https://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/ja..._2018.html

That looks like a big improvement on the airflow. I have no idea why they would not open up the holes like you did. It is not as if doing so will reduce the impact resistance.

I do like the price and the design is OK (although I prefer the new design). The issue I have is the fact that it does not even come with a rain layer. I guess I have been spoiled by my Olympia jacket which is a proper 3 season jacket including over/under rain liner. Other than that I love my [waterproof] Klim gear.

Nice Job Lee....looks it just came out of the factory!

I have Forcefield Armour in my BMW Airflow Suit and the extra ventilation (standard) and pliability of the armor over the stock BMW armor is noticeable.

(02-08-2021, 10:42 AM)Grumpy Goat Wrote: I do like the price and the design is OK (although I prefer the new design).

Do you like the 2021 Induction Pro?
https://www.klim.com/Induction-Pro-Jacket-5056-000

Or the standard 2021 Induction?
https://www.klim.com/Induction-Jacket-5060-003

(02-08-2021, 10:42 AM)Grumpy Goat Wrote: The issue I have is the fact that it does not even come with a rain layer.

I have two waterproof breathable liners plus my heated liner is waterproof breathable. Any of those can be worn under the jacket, but I do agree they should have continued to include a rain liner like they used to. I think the jackets sold for $400 back then.
If I had a choice I would ask for a rain over-jacket. I'm not a fan of rain liners.

When I bought my Latitude jacket I tried to cut the thin skin out with a Xacto knife.
Took about 10 seconds to figure out that would not work.
I gave up, then I saw a post about the solder iron trick.

(02-08-2021, 12:35 PM)Lee Wrote:

(02-08-2021, 10:42 AM)Grumpy Goat Wrote: I do like the price and the design is OK (although I prefer the new design).

Do you like the 2021 Induction Pro?
https://www.klim.com/Induction-Pro-Jacket-5056-000

Or the standard 2021 Induction?
https://www.klim.com/Induction-Jacket-5060-003

They both look nice to me, but I am very much function over form. Right now I like an everyday jacket and my Klim Latitude for touring. The Olympia I have is getting a little old looking, but still works well. Styling is not as good as the Klim Inductions (all models) but it is more convenient and cheaper.


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(02-08-2021, 01:10 PM)Grumpy Goat Wrote: my Klim Latitude for touring.

I also like vented jackets like the Latitude for trips. I have three jackets I use for trips and all have vents I can open and close as temps change during the day.

(02-08-2021, 12:22 PM)Olgry1 Wrote: I have Forcefield Armour in my BMW Airflow Suit and the extra ventilation (standard) and pliability of the armor over the stock BMW armor is noticeable.

I really like D30 for shoulder, elbow, knee and hips but I like the stiffer back armor in my BMW Streetguard 4 and GS Dry jackets.
It's all in my head but I feel safer with the stiffer BMW type of back armor.
I realize D30 will stiffen on impact but it's hard for my mind to believe it

Went through the same conflict with the little voice in my head when we switched from leather to textile.

That little voice is important to listen too especially when you are talking about safety.

A couple of years ago I upgrade the back pad in my Aerostitch to their larger and safer back pad. A chest protector from Forcefield showed up a short time later.

A little voice told me to do it

(02-08-2021, 03:12 PM)Olgry1 Wrote: That little voice is important to listen too especially when you are talking about safety.

A couple of years ago I upgrade the back pad in my Aerostitch to their larger and safer back pad. A chest protector from Forcefield showed up a short time later.

A little voice told me to do it

I looked up Forcefield and it looks like good stuff that will vent well.
You have to be careful with the little voice, sometimes it wants you to do stupid shit

I looked up Forcefield and it looks like good stuff that will vent well.
You have to be careful with the little voice, sometimes it wants you to do stupid shit
[/quote]

That explains a lot!

The first thing on my safety list is "be comfortable". I will take comfort into account when considering any protective clothing, and give it high priority. Any discomfort becomes a distraction. Yeah! Punch holes in that back pad! At 71 years of age, heat affects me and tires me out in ways I didn't feel 5 years ago. Sometimes in the heat of the summer, I take out the back pad out of a jacket to improve my heat comfort.

(02-09-2021, 02:20 PM)runnerhiker Wrote: Sometimes in the heat of the summer, I take out the back pad out of a jacket to improve my heat comfort.

Ron - you live in a low humidity area so something like a HyperKewl Sport Cooling Vest might be effective. Ever use one?

(02-09-2021, 02:51 PM)Grumpy Goat Wrote:

(02-09-2021, 02:20 PM)runnerhiker Wrote: Sometimes in the heat of the summer, I take out the back pad out of a jacket to improve my heat comfort.

Ron - you live in a low humidity area so something like a HyperKewl Sport Cooling Vest might be effective. Ever use one?

No, I have not tried one of those. When I remove the back pad is to get more air swirling inside my jacket, and let the low humidity do it's thing.

(02-11-2021, 12:49 PM)runnerhiker Wrote: No, I have not tried one of those. When I remove the back pad is to get more air swirling inside my jacket, and let the low humidity do it's thing.

These cooling vests do work quite well especially if the atmosphere is not humid, in which their efficacy proportionally falls off.

I suspect that re-wetting the cooling vests would be done about every 2 hours which, during a long travel day, would be the appropriate time (for good / safe journey management) for a brief rest / pee / splash of gas. And you wouldn't have to remove the back protection.

I wonder when the D30 LP option will be available for back armor?

Edit: Found this BP4 L2 D30 https://www.d3o.com/partner-support/prod...protector/

A little different shape than the Klim back pad but it might fit.