Leather or Cordura?

[windsu]

This has no doubt been covered before, but which is better between leather or cordura for protection and warmth?? From what i've seen, leather doesnt have the hard body armour in it.

[Number One]

This has no doubt been covered before, but which is better between leather or cordura for protection and warmth?? From what i've seen, leather doesnt have the hard body armour in it.

armoured leather all the way! Yes you can get armoured leather - it just costs.

But then good cordura gear will COST too.

Can't beat leather.

[Jerry74]

Leather is the best, come off your bike wearing cordura and see what happens.... it melts.

But Cordura is easy to dry, comfy and warm.

Personal choice really both have their merits and downfalls.

[frogfeaturesFZR]

Protection ? Leather
Convenience ? Cordura

[Lelitu]

Leather has the best abrasion resistance
but it's not so good for weatherproofing

Cordura is easier to weatherproof

both work just fine on the road, and good leather will have hard armour inserts (and a pricetag to match).

[davebullet]

Separate layers are best.

All cordura eventually will leak through. Leather takes about 5 minutes.

Get a decent armoured leather jacket, then a purpose made motorcycle overjacket for dryness and believe it or not warmth

[darkwolf]

I just had to make the same decision buying my second lot of gear.

I was set on getting leather but the practicality was a factor for me. I ride everyday, so the gear needs to protect me from the wind and rain as much as the road. Leather would do that but only for a short time, once it gets wet you freeze.

They say cordura is rated to 140-180KPH depending on who you speak to. Which is technically much faster than you can legally go on the road.

I intend to do track days and racing in the future, and I knew cordura wouldn't be allowed on Have A Go Days etc. But then I heard that they are preventing racing in 2 piece leathers, so I'm going to need a space suit (sorry 1 piece) in the near future anyway.

I ended up going for Cordura based on practicality and cost. The leather I will buy as a one piece for use at the track.

Basically it came down to:
Fair Weather Rider -> Leather
Everyday Rider -> Cordura or Leather but wear a condom if it rains.

[Number One]

Anyone ever heard of rainsuits???

I would so rather have my leathers and bung a waterproof layer on over the top as required than put on wet cordura day in day out...oh and hot days...cordura can = PONGY!

Leather for the win!

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm leeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaatherrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrrrrrrrrr grrrrrrr

[wysper]

Do the Motogp guys or the WSBK guys ride in Leather or Cordura?

There is your answer if you are talking protection.

[skippa1]

They say cordura is rated to 140-180KPH depending on who you speak to.

who told you that?Sounds like bull shit to me...:rolleyes:
Hot mix? Chip seal?Wet?Dry?

Armoured leather is the best protection, oversuit for the wet weather. Cordura can be waterproof but can also get VERY hot in the summer.

[Jerry74]

Shop around too my Alpinestars leather jacket only cost $600 normally $900 +

Have had cordura in the past but leather is the only way I would go now.

[James Deuce]

Avoid hard armour unless you really enjoy being stabbed with broken shards of plastic. Compression foam is more than adequate for the road.

[steve_t]

Also note that the majority or textiles aren't actually Cordura as made by DuPont.

[Maha]

Avoid hard armour unless you really enjoy being stabbed with broken shards of plastic. Compression foam is more than adequate for the road.

I would normally take it out (in the past) ...bloody uncomfortable on the elbows and shoulders.
Im in textile gear now...preference is a wonderful thing.

[hellokitty]

get good leather gear, and then put cheap waterproof stuff on top - I have $20 waterproof overpants from the warehouse that work well. Keeps the rain and the wind out - doesn't look sexy, but if it is only for commuting, it doesn't matter.

[FJRider]

It can depend on the task at hand, If it's a commute to/from work ... a one piece rain suit can do the job. Easy (and quick) to get on/off at either end of the commute. And keeps all the road shit off your work clothes as well.

Textile stuff if looked after ... is fine in most weather. (for a while)

Leather will soak up the water in longer showers ... even with some water-proofing done. (But usually handles very short term wetness)

Both Leather, and Textile ... will smell if it's not looked after.

Nothing man-made lasts forever ... and it usually just remains a personal preference of the rider ... what suits (excuse the pun) THEM ...

Whatever gear you get ... insure it. (Under ... house contents insurance ... usually) If you have an off ... there is a strong likelyhood, the Ambo's will cut it off you. Some take more care doing this than others ... depending on their opinion, of the degree of urgency.

[Quasievil]

Get what ever suits your riding style condition, number one rule, buy cheap get cheap, send some decent money on some decent kit.

[BurningPlastic]

I generally prefer leather, but I'm considering picking up a textile jacket for travelling purely for the weight difference. My leather jacket has pockets for some armour, but since they don't hold it in place as well as I'd like, I normally don't have it in as it's not too comfortable and I've heard too many stories of loose armour causing more problems than it solves. (It does have sewn in foam impact pads on the back, shoulders and elbows so taking out the additional armour doesn't mean it has no impact protection)

[Usarka]

Nothing man-made lasts forever ...


My old Spidi NT jacket is trying it's hardest.