Leather verses synthetic materials.

[anytwowilldo]

I have a question for your folks that have experience with getting off in both leather leathers and suits made of synthetic materials. What is the difference in the coefficient of friction and what do you think is best? Does the synthetic material cause you to slide much further?

 

[DIY]

According to the Aerostitch catalog synthetics will slide longer than cowhide. I don't worry about "better" though. The difference between sliding down the road between the two can't be more than 5-10 feet farther. I prefer synthetics for day to day use, they wear cooler, and are usually more water repellent. Leathers are stronger than synthetics. In summer I wear a light Aerostitch, in winter I wear a regular Aerostitch, and leathers for the twisties and going fast. If I had to pick I would go synthetics first since they are more practical and applicable to a wider range of conditions than leathers.

 

[kuksul08]

Agree 100% with what DIY said.

 

[Hyperborea]

In summer I wear a light Aerostitch, in winter I wear a regular Aerostitch

Is this the one piece previous generation Roadcrafter (i.e. not R3)? Could you compare the light versus the regular? Thanks.

 

[crick]

Is this the one piece previous generation Roadcrafter (i.e. not R3)? Could you compare the light versus the regular? Thanks.

i'm assuming hte light is the one without the inner liner, so it its less insulated.

i wore my stitch in 90 degree weather and that sucked. i cant imagine what it be like in 110 degree weather.

 

[cwanger2000]

I've been down in both leathers and textile at high speeds, the leathers are still wearable and the textile is done. Even though the textile isnt wearable after, it did its job and I received no road rash and that was at about 60 mph.Not sure if I slid any further than I would have with leathers at the same speed though

 

[Hyperborea]

i'm assuming hte light is the one without the inner liner, so it its less insulated.

i wore my stitch in 90 degree weather and that sucked. i cant imagine what it be like in 110 degree weather.

No, I don't think so. The new R3 and R3 light are both unlined but the light is made with lighter weight material. I think the previous generation Aerostich Roadcrafter one piece suits had the same difference in shell material but I think both were lined.

 

[DIY]

Is this the one piece previous generation Roadcrafter (i.e. not R3)? Could you compare the light versus the regular? Thanks.

Sure. I usually wear a standard Roadcrafter, not the new version. I just bought an Ultralight Roadcrafter from a BARFer for summer which has most, if not all, of the new features of the R3. The UL is not lined and the Cordura is also much lighter than the standard suit. It is MUCH cooler and it feels like I am not even wearing a suit. If you've had an Aerostitch they are a bit heavy. The UL feels light and airy. I commute all year round in Sacramento and the heat can be brutal. I LOVE the new design and how much cooler the suit feels. The magnetic collar and snaps work great and the adjustable armor is a huge step up in customizing the fit. I am on my fourth Stitch' and I have never been able to get a perfect fit. With the adjustable armor the sizing doesn't have to be perfect for correct pad fitment. Close enough is good enough and then micro fit the armor and you're good to go. I thought having the armor pads exposed make putting the suit on more difficult but I couldn't have been more wrong. The suit goes on and off without a fuss. Now the standard suit will be in the closet until fall/winter and the UL or a new R3 will take over all the other time. In short: The standard RC is fantastic, there are none better. The new design, in my opinion, is much better.

 

[Honey Badger]

Having worn and sold gear for some time now, the biggest difference is exactly what cwanger experienced - both will do their jobs, but textiles are likely to only do it once. Occasionally if it's slow enough with minimal slide it might last through it, but more often than not, one and it's done. There are other difference, but I don't have the stats here in front of me to spout them off, and personal preference outweighs other factors IMO.

That being said, hopefully you won't have to test that theory.

 

[Roadstergal]

both will do their jobs, but textiles are likely to only do it once

Depending on the quality of each, of course. Shitty textile and mesh won't do it at all, and fashion leather isn't much good.

The pro guys don't wear textile for a reason. Proper leather is the best if your primary concern is rash protection. Textile can be a fair tradeoff for convenience/comfort/etc.

 

[fast4d]

textiles will need repair

leather might get scuffed.

I've only been down at 50mph....

 

[ST Guy]

Pretty much what DIY said.

A quality synthetic provides excellent abrasion resistance, though technically still not as good as quality leather. That's why leather is the only thing allowed in most racing. And that's fine (or not if it's hot) for short races and trackdays and the like. But for day to day riding where practicality and comfort are bigger factors, nothing beats a good synthetic.

I use an Aerostich Darien. In the summer just a T shirt and Levis underneath with the vents open. If it's really hot I add one of those evaporative cooling vests and in extreme cases, soak my helmet liner with water as well as my T shirt and I've even been known to pack the pockets of my 'Stich with ice. And in the winter it's easy enough to layer up and even use a heated jacket liner.

Aerostich rocks!

 

[louemc]

Pretty much what DIY said.

A quality synthetic provides excellent abrasion resistance, though technically still not as good as quality leather. That's why leather is the only thing allowed in most racing. And that's fine (or not if it's hot) for short races and trackdays and the like. But for day to day riding where practicality and comfort are bigger factors, nothing beats a good synthetic.

I use an Aerostich Darien. In the summer just a T shirt and Levis underneath with the vents open. If it's really hot I add one of those evaporative cooling vests and in extreme cases, soak my helmet liner with water as well as my T shirt and I've even been known to pack the pockets of my 'Stich with ice. And in the winter it's easy enough to layer up and even use a heated jacket liner.

Aerostich rocks!

:thumbup Now that is the voice of experience. :thumbup

I go leather though .... In my use.

There is no right answer for every individual, in every place and time.

A big closet might be the answer... With a choice of gear waiting to serve. :thumbup

 

[bergmen]

I can throw any of my textile gear in the washing machine to clean off the bugs and sweat. Comes out looking like new. Can't do that with slide hide (although if I could afford it, I would get a full leather suit for winter riding).

Dan

 

[PunkRockMonkey]

I've been down in both leathers and textile at high speeds, the leathers are still wearable and the textile is done. Even though the textile isnt wearable after, it did its job and I received no road rash and that was at about 60 mph.Not sure if I slid any further than I would have with leathers at the same speed though

Same experience here.
Absolutely agree 100%
:thumbup

The pro guys don't wear textile for a reason. Proper leather is the best if your primary concern is rash protection. Textile can be a fair tradeoff for convenience/comfort/etc.

I'd also guess that you're at an aerodynamic disadvantage in textiles, even if only to a small extent.

Knowing how a few hundredths of a second could mean the difference between winning or losing a race, it's safe to say that until textiles can match the aerodynamics and durability of leather, you won't see them on the track.

The first gear I bought was leather; the second textile.
I figured if I crashed in the leathers there was going to be a greater chance of me being able to re-use 'em and get back on the bike sooner. At the time, I couldn't afford to take a minor spill on my bike, have to replace parts AND gear.

 

[ZCrow]

One thing that bothers me about textiles that no one seems to call out when these discussions come up, is they general either fit loose or are designed as over-clothes, as a result the armor doesn't fit as a snug. Personally, I like my gear tight and leather.

 

[berth]

That's true for the 3/4 Adv. style jackets, but I've been in some textile "sport" jackets that fit just fine.

 

[afm199]

First, let's differentiate between cheap and quality leathers and textile. A cheap leather suit will blow up in one crash, a cheap Textile jacket will as well. ( Joe Rocket etc.)

Aerostich Roadcrafter is the only textile that I endorse. It holds up, it protects, and it's super adaptable, with vents, zip ins, pockets, more pockets, and ease of cleaning.

Any good leather suit will provide you a bit more protection than Roadcrafter.

I wear Roadcrafter on the street 90% of the time and leather on the track 98% of the time.

 

[packnrat]

lucky me never had a slide.
but for me leather for safety on a fun ride.
textiles for a city ride in very hot temps, can soak textiles with water for the cooling.

 

[fast4d]

I can throw any of my textile gear in the washing machine to clean off the bugs and sweat. Comes out looking like new. Can't do that with slide hide (although if I could afford it, I would get a full leather suit for winter riding).

Dan

I find leather much easier to clean. damp cloth with lexol then coat with protectant.

with textile you have to remove padding, wash then air dry and readjust elbow/knee armor.

as for body funk I find they don't absorb it but then I live/ride mostly in lower humidity areas.