Mark
Disappointed with Kjus ski clothing quality and durability
I purchased Kjus's top-of-the-line ski jackets and pants 7 years ago for me and my teenage son. Since I ski for over 40 years and skiing is my go to sport, I did not mind the super high prices since I expected that price would reflect the durability and quality. Frankly, I liked the Kjus stuff, since it looked functional, having many pockets, adjustments etc. It also looked stylish but simple enough not to be outdated in couple of years. We used Kjus ski jackets and pants only for resort skiing vacations (1 - 2 weeks per year). Btw, 4 years ago I also bought three men's Kjus midlayers half-zip. I take proper care of my ski clothing and rather wash it less than more and also properly store it. Despite proper care and not heavy usage, three years ago, on my top-tier Kjus jacket, the decorative seams on the jacket's fabric (kind of flexible plastic strips) became brittle and started to separate from the fabric. Then I noticed the same on the son's jacket! In the following years all Kjus "K" logos and letterings separated from the fabric on both jackets and three midlayers half-zip leaving the marks on the fabric. And this year, on our ski vacation, 3 zippers out of four (2 ventilation zippers and one pocket zipper) on my pants, separated from the fabric - they are not sewn but glued/welded to the fabric. Then I checked my sons pants and find out that also his zippers are in process of separation from the fabric. After a few years all our super expensive stuff looks like like being in a battle or being some "cheap-shit" apparel. So, after a claim, I was dismissed as "this is normal wear and tear and not properly taking care". I was expecting this kind of a feed-back. Unfortunately, the issue is in the Kjus brand and its philosophy. They have stylish super expensive items marketed as top-notch, which in reality it is not. They are stylish, but NOT durable, with average manufacture quality - the price does not reflect the durability and quality. Over the years I owned many brands, parallel to Kjus I still use other well respected brand, and none of these brands I used, did not disintegrate/deteriorate like Kjus. Though I like Kjus for the style and the way it looks with many useful details, I will buy now ski clothing from another brand. I am disappointed by Kjus. It is not what I expected and what the brand claims about itself. If you are in the process of choosing a high-end skiing apparel brand and you prefer quality and durability over the flashy image, I strongly recommend to avoid Kjus. Do not be misled by marketing and looks.