Textiles vs. Leathers
- Thread starter Eman
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radvas
Well-known member
my understanding (which is totally based on heearsay and anecdotes) is that a key benefit to textiles is that they are better when you need water resistance, as in foul weather riding, etc.
Leather is best for how it handles road abrasion (from a crash). Leather sluffs off, much like your skin would when it is abraded. The (real? supposed?) advantage to this is that as it sluffs off, it doesn't generate as much friction heat as textiles do. I think the frictioin heat might be more of an issue for the high-speed get-offs that racers sometimes do, and less of an issue on the street, which is why you see a mix of leather & textile on the street, but pretty much exclusively leather on the track.
Like I say, it may be total BS, but it is what I've heard in the past.
And of course, I think textile is cheaper on average.
Leather is best for how it handles road abrasion (from a crash). Leather sluffs off, much like your skin would when it is abraded. The (real? supposed?) advantage to this is that as it sluffs off, it doesn't generate as much friction heat as textiles do. I think the frictioin heat might be more of an issue for the high-speed get-offs that racers sometimes do, and less of an issue on the street, which is why you see a mix of leather & textile on the street, but pretty much exclusively leather on the track.
Like I say, it may be total BS, but it is what I've heard in the past.
And of course, I think textile is cheaper on average.
calamari_750
OG Lurker
Textile is more versatile for a variety of weather conditions (better ventilation, water resistance, etc) but usually doesn't hold up too well in a crash. Tends to melt thru and leave your skin sliding down the road.
Leather slides better and is less likely to wear thru, but is more expensive.
The choice really depends on your budget and the type of riding you intend on doing. I've got both, and my textile jacket is used for commuting while the leather comes out for any trips to the twisties.
Leather slides better and is less likely to wear thru, but is more expensive.
The choice really depends on your budget and the type of riding you intend on doing. I've got both, and my textile jacket is used for commuting while the leather comes out for any trips to the twisties.
rick
Well-known member
I use textile on the street and leather on the track. I like the textile stuff because it's more comfortable, has lots of pockets, it's easier to take off and on, I can wear my street clothes under it, it's better in yucky weather, it's cheaper, it crashes well and, finally, it doesn't look as dorky in the grocery store or where ever.
Leather is undoubtably better when you're sliding across the pavement but, I like the textile stuff better in almost every other way. Besides, I've crashed at high speeds in the textile stuff and wasn't hurt at all.
...but, as in all things, it depends on your needs.
Leather is undoubtably better when you're sliding across the pavement but, I like the textile stuff better in almost every other way. Besides, I've crashed at high speeds in the textile stuff and wasn't hurt at all.
...but, as in all things, it depends on your needs.
I have both leathers (Helimot custom suit) and textile (Motoport Ultra II Cordura) gear. Here're some Pros and Cons of each:
Leathers are hot in the summer and cold in the winter. The right textile suit can be cool in the summer and warm in the winter. My Motoport gear isn't Gore-Tex lined, which means it is very cool in the summer, but not rainproof/warm in the winter.
Both types of materials will protect you in a crash, assuming your gear is reasonably well-made. The main difference seems to be the amount of damage the suit will take. With leathers, the suit will likely sustain minimal damage and be ready to go as soon as you are. Textiles, on the other hand, tend to sacrifice themselves in the process of protecting you. That isn't to say your textile suit will be destroyed, just that it will probably need repairs after a crash.
The material your suit is designed with primarily protects you from slides. For impact protection, you need body armor. Obviously, you can get armor of varying qualities in both leather and textile garments. FWIW, I'm completely sold (in an ass-meets-concrete-at-70mph sort of way) on the soft armor in my Helimot suit.
One negative I've heard about textiles is that many of them are made with Nylon or polyurethane coatings, which can melt to your skin during a long, high-speed slide. I, personally, have seen several people crash while wearing textile gear and this didn't happen to them. I also haven't heard anyone say "Yeah, that happened to me!", so I have no idea how likely this is.
I find that it's easier to grip the tank on my bike when wearing leathers. My textile pants feel slippery against the tank, which saps my confidence during hard braking or hanging off. Having some sort of tank bra (I always use Second Look) helps with this.
Textile gear is more likely to fit over your street clothes than leathers. This makes textile gear great for commuting. You can find leathers designed to fit over clothes, but most of the leather gear isn't.
Textile gear tends to have better rain protection than leathers. This isn't to say you'll get sopping wet if you ride in the rain in leathers, but in most cases the zippers on leather garments aren't protected and will leak. It's also not to say that textile gear offers perfect protection from the elements! You may need to seal the seams, zippers, etc. if you don't want them to leak through on a long ride. If you buy leathers and plan to ride in the rain, you can always get some lightweight rain gear to wear over the leathers.
Price, as far as I can tell, is similar between the two materials. You can certainly find some cheap-ass textile gear, but for the good stuff (e.g. Aerostich) you have to spend a decent amount of money. You can buy-off-the-rack leather suits for about the same price as an Aerostich. Of course, if you want a Dainese suit or a custom leather suit, you're going to spend a lot more money.
Leathers are hot in the summer and cold in the winter. The right textile suit can be cool in the summer and warm in the winter. My Motoport gear isn't Gore-Tex lined, which means it is very cool in the summer, but not rainproof/warm in the winter.
Both types of materials will protect you in a crash, assuming your gear is reasonably well-made. The main difference seems to be the amount of damage the suit will take. With leathers, the suit will likely sustain minimal damage and be ready to go as soon as you are. Textiles, on the other hand, tend to sacrifice themselves in the process of protecting you. That isn't to say your textile suit will be destroyed, just that it will probably need repairs after a crash.
The material your suit is designed with primarily protects you from slides. For impact protection, you need body armor. Obviously, you can get armor of varying qualities in both leather and textile garments. FWIW, I'm completely sold (in an ass-meets-concrete-at-70mph sort of way) on the soft armor in my Helimot suit.
One negative I've heard about textiles is that many of them are made with Nylon or polyurethane coatings, which can melt to your skin during a long, high-speed slide. I, personally, have seen several people crash while wearing textile gear and this didn't happen to them. I also haven't heard anyone say "Yeah, that happened to me!", so I have no idea how likely this is.
I find that it's easier to grip the tank on my bike when wearing leathers. My textile pants feel slippery against the tank, which saps my confidence during hard braking or hanging off. Having some sort of tank bra (I always use Second Look) helps with this.
Textile gear is more likely to fit over your street clothes than leathers. This makes textile gear great for commuting. You can find leathers designed to fit over clothes, but most of the leather gear isn't.
Textile gear tends to have better rain protection than leathers. This isn't to say you'll get sopping wet if you ride in the rain in leathers, but in most cases the zippers on leather garments aren't protected and will leak. It's also not to say that textile gear offers perfect protection from the elements! You may need to seal the seams, zippers, etc. if you don't want them to leak through on a long ride. If you buy leathers and plan to ride in the rain, you can always get some lightweight rain gear to wear over the leathers.
Price, as far as I can tell, is similar between the two materials. You can certainly find some cheap-ass textile gear, but for the good stuff (e.g. Aerostich) you have to spend a decent amount of money. You can buy-off-the-rack leather suits for about the same price as an Aerostich. Of course, if you want a Dainese suit or a custom leather suit, you're going to spend a lot more money.
RickyHayden
Well-known member
They orginally used leathers because they fit so tight it kept your bones from popping out of your skin after you crashed.......textile wont do that the are not strong enough!
Mastercave
Member
in my opinion, id never ride without my leather jacket. textiles are good under wet weather, but wont offer you the protection close to what leathers can provide. and due to the bagginess of textiles, the armor usually shifts. and because its baggy, it will give you burns. good luck with your decision..
DaSpeCiALiSt
Well-known member
The lastest RiDE magazine (a nice ol' British mag) has an article specifically duking this topic out. They even tested various jackets for abrasion resistance and such with armour, etc. etc.
mrtnz
mär-'tE-(")nez
Great write up fubar929!
Personally, I prefer textiles because it is more versatile. You can wear it on the track, ride with it in the rain, wear your work clothes underneath, etc... However, since I am a small person. NOTHING FIT ME! So, I had to go with custom leathers from Zooni. It was expensive, but it is was worth. I rather save my skin than save my money.
Good luck and happy shopping!
I agree. Eventually, you will be needing both. Buy your first riding gear depending on what kind of riding you'll be doing most NOW - commuting, twistie riding, track, etc... Then as you get most serious or experienced with your riding, you can think about investing in the other.V4 said:
Personally, I prefer textiles because it is more versatile. You can wear it on the track, ride with it in the rain, wear your work clothes underneath, etc... However, since I am a small person. NOTHING FIT ME! So, I had to go with custom leathers from Zooni. It was expensive, but it is was worth. I rather save my skin than save my money.
Good luck and happy shopping!
notsofast
Well-known member
I think that is good advice...
I currently use leather, and I don't think I ever want to go out with my motorcycle on the twisties with anything less. Now that I'm seriously considering commuting to the city for my job next month I'm starting to wonder how my work clothes will fit underneath my alpinestar leather pants... the visualization is probably not even as uncomfortable as the reality.
Rob's assessment -- textile for commuting, leather for work sounds like a good idea.
I have to say though, when I went down on my bike I was super super super happy to be wearing my leathers, hot or not. If you're going to be going around corners at any speed greater than 35 mph in the twisties, I would say...leather all the way.
Take care and good luck! don't forget that Road Rider is having their parking lot sale on September, if you can wait that long.
Take care,
Catherine
I currently use leather, and I don't think I ever want to go out with my motorcycle on the twisties with anything less. Now that I'm seriously considering commuting to the city for my job next month I'm starting to wonder how my work clothes will fit underneath my alpinestar leather pants... the visualization is probably not even as uncomfortable as the reality.
Rob's assessment -- textile for commuting, leather for work sounds like a good idea.
I have to say though, when I went down on my bike I was super super super happy to be wearing my leathers, hot or not. If you're going to be going around corners at any speed greater than 35 mph in the twisties, I would say...leather all the way.
Take care and good luck! don't forget that Road Rider is having their parking lot sale on September, if you can wait that long.
Take care,
Catherine
Tripp
Well-known member
My local veteran shop guy (Gary at i-Bike in Redwood City) says that top race leathers are probably tanned and treated to be a little better than top textiles.
But he said that most decent textiles, with comparable armor/padding, are pretty much as protective as average leathers.
Someone mentioned that tight-fitting stuff keeps the armor where you want it. I just bought a leather jacket with good padding/armor, and I chose it over others because the pads fit me personally well on the contact points (others had the shoulder armor on my deltoid...hmm...).
But I have a mesh textile jacket (that protected me well in a 25 mph drop) too.
I'd like to see that Rider mag article...
But he said that most decent textiles, with comparable armor/padding, are pretty much as protective as average leathers.
Someone mentioned that tight-fitting stuff keeps the armor where you want it. I just bought a leather jacket with good padding/armor, and I chose it over others because the pads fit me personally well on the contact points (others had the shoulder armor on my deltoid...hmm...).
But I have a mesh textile jacket (that protected me well in a 25 mph drop) too.
I'd like to see that Rider mag article...
