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Leather or Textile?

8K views 24 replies 21 participants last post by  Saefinn 
#1 ·
It was my understanding that nowadays, the quality textile jackets with armour were just as good (in terms of protection) as leather.. am I wrong? I like all the options on the textile jackets, like vents, removable liners, zip off sleeves etc.. but, I have no experience riding, so I could be totally wrong.

I've bought myself a Joe Rocket textile jacket, but maybe I should be looking at leather?
 
#3 ·
Leather may be better, but I like the versatility of the textile. I only have to carry 1 jacket (with liners). Mine is warm, and warmer with the liner and it is waterproof. Don't have to carry a rain jacket on our trips. There just isn't any extra space on the bike when we get clothes for 2, chaps, jackets, medicine, toiletries and other necessities. Anything we can leave behind is a help.
 
#4 ·
I've seen a textile jacket that was "tested". They don't "wear" as well as leather, but with the armor and the double layers used now, they are up to the task on the street.

You would not want to slide 50 yards down the macadam at 100 mph like a road racer may when wearing textile, it will actually melt. That is why you only see leather on road racers.

The other plus to leather over textile is it has a random grain to it. When proper motorcycle thickness, it will not tear and is hard to abraid through it. Fabrics have a grain or pattern of weave and can tear. But again, we are now wearing motorcycle specific designed textiles. Back in the 80s and before, the textiles were common outer wear.

I only do textiles because of the washability of it and that it essentially needs no attention. Leather can and will dry out, requiring saddle soaping to clean and some kind of oil treatment to remain supple and wearable. Leather is also dried out by exposure to rain.
 
#6 ·
supposedly leather "skates" better across the asphalt and has more wear resistance. I usually prefer to wear leather. But I've got some good pants from ballistic nylon and they are really nice - I've got not doubt they would work pretty well.

So don't have too much heartburn about the choice - it's pretty good either way. Buy the best gear you can afford ... then get out there and ride!!!

cheers,
dT
 
#8 ·
Well having been one to experience sliding down the road...............Leather will offer more abrasion resistance. But on the other hand, a good textile jacket is way more comfortable in the heat of summer. While textile may not offer as much protection as leather..............Textile does offer more protection than just a t-shirt. Another advantage of the textile, since mine can double as a rain jacket I no longer pack a rain jacket.

Having said all that................I have both, leather and a textile and will wear one or the other.
 
#9 ·
Leather does offer the best defense against road rash, granted its the thicker kind, and not just dress leather. A good leather jacket made for motorcycle is heavy to pick up. Textile works too, its just not as resistant to road rash, it will protect up to a certain amount. But anything is better than nothing at all. I haven't been able to afford my draggin pants or kevlar jeans yet, so I do try to stick to my LL.Bean insulated thick denim jeans, rather than my regular jeans.

With no protection at all, if the road rash don't get you, the infection quite possibly will. I wish they had Kevlar jeans when I took a spill on my big wheel as a kid, wouldn't have had a rock stuck in my knee cap...
 
#11 ·
I actually have just a leather shirt I've started wearing instead of a long sleeve T-shirt. I hope I never have to report how poorly it worked but dead skin has to be better than live skin. No?
 
#13 ·
Been using textile for years and it's great. A 3 season jacket has great versatility and solid protection.

It's my understanding that textile works well for 1 crash, then will need to be replaced. Whereas leather will last longer.

Got a Tour Master Element Cooling jacket that has pads built in. It looks good and I feel safer in it. Especially with a Forcefield back pad.
 
#15 ·
I've owned both and each has it's plusses and minuses. Textile is lighter, more varied and most have good abrasion protection plus good armor. The textile Tourmaster I now own has served me well but it is fraying at the cuffs after five years. The zipper on the tour master had to be replaced because I got fat and broke it. The fix was affordable. I recently bought a leather jacket, my second, and we’ll see how it holds up. My previous leather jacket was fine but cheap so the zippers went out on me after two or three years. The cost of fixing the leather jacket was prohibitive so I scrapped it. Point; don’t go cheap, other than that it’s sort of a personal choice.
 
#19 ·
Leather will go soggy in the rain, real rain not pansy stuff. It will be okay for short rides. But you can always wear a rain coat over the leather.
Same goes for leather pants.
Some of the fabric jackets are more waterproof than leather. But you can always wear a rain coat over the jacket. Leather boots and gloves go soggy in the rain. But you can always wear covers over your boots and gloves. It depends if you are a serious rain rider, or not.
Oiled cotton like the old Barbour jackets do not leak. And you do not have to wear anything on top when it rains. Same goes for rubber boots.
I own everything mentioned above, and vary my attire as the mood, the ride and the weather dictate.
We have not heard from the OP for a while. She has an XS400 Yamaha, similar to mine.

Unkle Krusty
 
#20 ·
Overall, a top quality leather with sufficient thickness and double stitched seams provide the best protection for the body. That still stands today. Whether to choose for a leather or textile outfit is purely a personal preference. Leather will shape itself to the contours of ones body and can be more comfortable. Myself only wear leather boots and gloves, jacket and trousers are of high quality textile suited for all-season. I don't have to worry about the weather, rain or sunshine, I will be kept dry all the time.

Which material you choose, there is no bad choice. For any budget you can find a great outfit. Of course, a bigger budget provides usually for even better protection and comfort. Just visit some well-known stores and ask many questions to make the best choice for you.
 
#23 ·
Even going for motorcycle textiles, I would do research behind any of the textiles you choose to use. Although suitable for motorcyclists, some textiles aren't as durable as others and some not very good, some have torn at lower pressures than others.

I wear buffalo, but that's because my Honda dealership threw them in for free with my bike, but I am planning on replacing it with leather. My buffalo gear is waterproof and has removable thermal lining for the winter and has armour. But still, I am baking in the sun with this stuff on and it's only Spring...and in England. That said, I am a human radiator, so my tolerance for heat is probably different to a normal person's.
 
#24 ·
One of my biggest issues with leather is that its either super hot in the summer because of the color (black or brown), or if you go with something like white leather, it gets super dirty and grungy looking. Yea, white textile will as well, but its much easier to clean. ;)

I've got an old leather jacket that I'm looking forward to wearing again in the future (need to lose some weight), but I won't be wearing it in the summer!
 
#25 ·
Yeah, I love leather, maybe I'll wait until the winter, but I guess the advantage of living in the UK, we don't get as hot as some parts of the world, as we joke "summer is my favourite day of the year". But I might see if I can find a textile jacket I like as well, so I have good choices for both the summer and winter. My current gear does its job though, though I think even with the lining taken out, it's designed for winter. But what about kevlar? I've seen Kevlar jeans at least, but don't think I've seen any jackets.

(need to lose some weight),
He he, you and me both mate. I might get a little more speed out of the bike if I lay off the pies. ;)
 
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