Leather vs Cordura/Textile - Beginner Gear

[Ender EnZed]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Lots of info, but still not too sure which way to go.

I anticipate being a very fair-weather rider. The only necessity for me to ride will be the odd local trip within 10 minutes of home. Other than that it's purely for enjoyment. So I'll only really be going out when it's dry and warmish. The only way you'll catch me in rain is if I have to get to my kid's school while my wife is out in the car, or if I get caught in it. So I've decided to leave waterproofing for the future.

There's no way I'll be going 140k, not now on a learners, and not ever I reckon. So that's not really a consideration just now.

I had my eye on the Teknic Chicane jacket, either the leather or the textile one, because both seem to have good armour and other features, plus colour options for higher visibility. The zip out liner on the textile one looks like it will be more flexible for temperature, covering both cooler and warmer days, but having no experience I'm a bit in the dark on that.

I also really like the sound of the 1Tonne Black Hawk too, though it's not exactly high in visibility (a big deal for the missus, who would prefer me in dayglo yellow if poss).

Anyway. That's still pretty much where I am at the moment. Thanks again for the feedback. KB is great for stuff like this. Much appreciated.

Realistically, the only compelling reason to go leather is that you'll look more awesome. It's a good reason but will depend on your budget as to whether it's good enough. MotoGP guys might not wear textiles but I've never heard of anyone losing skin to the road wearing them either.

FWIW I went for some good RJays Cordura gear when I started a few years ago and it still looks fine. It held up for a 110km/h crash and only needed one small patch. It's not that waterproof but by the sounds of it it's better than leather. Temperature is never an issue while moving at any time of year if you've made the right decision on what to wear under it. And it doesn't flap at any speed, or I haven't noticed it anyway.

If cost were no object I'd still buy leather to wear almost all of the time but I don't think I've missed out on anything by being in Cordura.

[steve_t]

Realistically, the only compelling reason to go leather is that you'll look more awesome. It's a good reason but will depend on your budget as to whether it's good enough. MotoGP guys might not wear textiles but I've never heard of anyone losing skin to the road wearing them either.

Give me a few minutes. I'll see if I can remember where I saw people with road rash having worn right through their cordura gear... of course there's cordura and then there's cordura (ie different grades of cordura)

[Ender EnZed]

Give me a few minutes. I'll see if I can remember where I saw people with road rash having worn right through their cordura gear... of course there's cordura and then there's cordura (ie different grades of cordura)

I'm sure it can happen but leather wears through eventually as well. I have no reason to think that there is a meaningful safety difference.

[Quasievil]

Give me a few minutes. I'll see if I can remember where I saw people with road rash having worn right through their cordura gear... of course there's cordura and then there's cordura (ie different grades of cordura)

Asian Fake Nylon Textile, polyester Textile etc are represented well in the low cost budget Trademe arena usually advertised as Cordura but it aint, then there is the real Dupont Cordura used by reputable brands.

[p.dath]

Give me a few minutes. I'll see if I can remember where I saw people with road rash having worn right through their cordura gear... of course there's cordura and then there's cordura (ie different grades of cordura)

Fizbin in the NASS thread had his Cordura jacket were completely through on an off, and then he started loosing flesh off his arse. He was wearing a back protector - luckily for him, as it worse through there as well.

[Scorp]

Asian Fake Nylon Textile, polyester Textile etc are represented well in the low cost budget Trademe arena usually advertised as Cordura but it aint, then there is the real Dupont Cordura used by reputable brands.

Even the good stuff seems not quite good enough according to this: http://www.gbfr.org/saveyourhide.pdf Most top brand cordura jackets seem to be made of 600 denier cordura, just short of the recommended strength in the above report.

[R-Soul]

Some things to consider; Cordura can be worn over your clothes. Leathers generally not. So if you plan on going to work, you'll want Cordura. If your going for weekend rides, go for leather.

I have both. I used my Cordura when I need to wear "clothes" at my destination, otherwise I only wear my leathers. I'm quite a fan of 1Tonne.
http://www.1tonne.co.nz/

Some pros for leather:

• Repairable. Cordura is usually only good for one slide and then it is a throw away.
• Leather fits much tighter. If you get badly mangled in an accident the leathers can actually help keep you together until you receive medical attention. Cordura is loose fitting by comparison.

Cons:

• Without treatment leathers are often only waterproof for 30 mins or so (maybe 60 mins, but the point being you will get wet in a long rainy trip without extra gear).
• Can't wear any normal clothes underneath for going out once you arrive at your destination.

ps. Don't forget gloves and boots. They are just as important.

I wear my two piece leathers over my formal work pants and collar shirt every morning- no problem. Of course I leave my work shoes in my office...

[p.dath]

I wear my two piece leathers over my formal work pants and collar shirt every morning- no problem. Of course I leave my work shoes in my office...

I've thought about it. I could wear a work shirt under my jacket, but I don't think it would be very comfy wearing work pants underneath. I guess I would have to give it a try.

[Winston001]

You'll find other threads on your question so I suggest browsing and searching this topic. There is a lot to read and it takes time but having done it myself, its worth while. After some time you start to get an idea of quality, suppliers, and what would suit you. For example, Quasi and 1Tonne both enjoy good reputations here. I've dealt with both of them and been very happy.

Personally I prefer leather. My 15yr jacket has never become sopping wet possibly because I snow-seal it every year, so being wet has never been a problem. In fairness damp leather is heavy and hard to dry. Cordura will dry out while you walk around.

Cordura is easier to wear and less stiff than leather. I have cordura gear and no complaints but if its a nice day, I put on the leather.

If I was starting again I'd buy leather. But additionally I'd look at armour either in the leather or as separate pieces. Having come off fairly seriously (don't think I'll be biking again) armour seems pretty important. Incidentally my leathers were hardly scratched in a bin which saw me helicoptered to hospital. Shame about the helmet......

[Urano]

as i've said in other places, leather or cordura are just opinions.
the only things above opinions are the standard approval.
take a google to: cambridge standard hi performance, en13595, en13594.
a non approved leather suit is very likely to be less protective than an approved cordura gear, because maybe it has a fantastic leather piece but a microscopic sewing.
if you have two non-approved gear, cordura or leather, only stars know which the best is...

in any case avoid polyester gear: it will burn in a third of second on the tarmac.
a lot of unapproved gear last no more than half a second or maybe one. jeans denim is half a second average.
approved gear have to go from a MINIMUM of one second to 4-7 for the hi risk areas. level 3 of cambridge standards require at least 12 seconds.

those are the things that keep the armour (and your skin) away from destruction, and permit it to save you. so below an approved gear ALWAYS wear a SEPARATED back protector level 2 (now there are even better, like the sub4 by forcefield), a chest protector is a "better to have", knee shoulder and elbows protection can be integrated, but always a level 2.
buy a good quality pair of boots, and approved leather (only leather) gloves. GLOVES ARE MANDATORY: hands are always the first thing you put on the ground in front of you...
obviously a full face helmet, not less than 4 star sharp rated.

at the end of all those things, if you don't do track, i prefer cordura.
look here:http://www.jofama.se/motorcycle_wear/index.php?lang=2
http://www.bksleather.co.uk/ce.htm
http://www.pva-ppe.org.uk/standards.htm

why english bike police wear only halvarssons?

[Biggles08]

Apologies to the experienced riders out there, but I'm yet another noob looking for advice on what gear to buy first time out. I'm not going to be doing any daily commuting, just local round town run outs once or twice a week, with the odd weekend country ride. And I wondered what everyone's advice was on the leather vs cordura options.

The bike shop guys I've spoken to went straight to talking about cordura. But most riders seem to say leather is better from a safety and durability perspective.

I guess I’ll want to keep cool during warm summer weather when I’ll be out most often, relatively warm during the winter (though I’ll only be out if I have to be and only for around 10 mins locally), and safe all the time.

While I’m not going to fork over a fortune, I’m not going to scrimp either. Quite happy paying extra for safety and quality. So, any recommendations on which direction to go: leather, cordura, textile or some kind of combo?

Thanks in advance for any help KBers can offer.

Hi Scorp,

Lots of good information here mate and I'm sure you will come to your own decision about what is right for you....but since you asked all of us what we think I'll let ya know.

I'm one of the racers Quasi sponsors and he has made a custom 1-piece suit for me to crash in....I say that jokingly but one thing my dad told me when I first started riding was "Son, its not if you crash, its when you crash so be best protected as you possibly can be!" This was before I was racing.

You will come off your bike eventually...whether going to the shop for milk, or screaming around the coro loop at illegal speeds....eventually gravity will take over and you will find yourself rolling, skidding, sliding down the road possibly towards something solid. When your in this situation you do not want to be thinking "I wish I had spent more on my protective gear!"

I approached Qmoto for sponsorship because I knew what great gear it was...this is the only reason! I have had 3 crashes in my Qmoto suit, one of them a high-side (over the top of the bars) landing squarely on my left shoulder from height (see here) and I'm thankful for wearing my Qmoto suit with the Knox armor cause I know broken collar bones are a normal result of such a crash! As for me, I had no injury's to speak of (bruising and a sore finger) and patched up my bike and was out in the next race.

If I was riding on the road again it would be a no brainier....for me it would be leather from Qmoto as I KNOW how good it is! Don't risk unknown brands with unknown safety...Qmoto gear is by far the BEST VALUE for protecting yourself WHEN you come off.

I know you probably think I have to say this because I'm sponsored by Qmoto...while this assumption is a fair one, remember, I chose Qmoto...not the other way around...I did have a choice at the time.

[p.dath]

This ACC web site on gear selection is quite good as well.
http://www.rideforever.co.nz/gear_up/choose.html

[Urano]

Don't risk unknown brands with unknown safety.

I don't know QMoto products, so my consideration is absolutely unrelated to your report of this brand, but only with the words above, taken from the context:

Guys, the brand alone means nothing.
Dainese, to talk about one of the biggest in the world, has NO suit certified as CE. it now has a single "laguna seca" model wich has been approved "by mistake". and i'm not jokin: the certifying society declared to "have forgotten" to consider that laguna seca suit has no ece compliant side protector, which are mandatory to obtain the approval, so the certificate released was an "error".
As well, dainese had the wave back protector that despite being approved, had so badly performed in a "rider" test some years ago that they were puzzling on how it was possible for them to certified it.
take information, around, think on it, ask many, don't stay at marketing gurus....

[R-Soul]

You'll find other threads on your question so I suggest browsing and searching this topic. There is a lot to read and it takes time but having done it myself, its worth while. After some time you start to get an idea of quality, suppliers, and what would suit you. For example, Quasi and 1Tonne both enjoy good reputations here. I've dealt with both of them and been very happy.

Personally I prefer leather. My 15yr jacket has never become sopping wet possibly because I snow-seal it every year, so being wet has never been a problem. In fairness damp leather is heavy and hard to dry. Cordura will dry out while you walk around.

Cordura is easier to wear and less stiff than leather. I have cordura gear and no complaints but if its a nice day, I put on the leather.

If I was starting again I'd buy leather. But additionally I'd look at armour either in the leather or as separate pieces. Having come off fairly seriously (don't think I'll be biking again) armour seems pretty important. Incidentally my leathers were hardly scratched in a bin which saw me helicoptered to hospital. Shame about the helmet......

when did you come off Winston?

[Winston001]

when did you come off Winston?

September last year coming home from the Pissed Penguin Rally. I'm still not back at work because of concussion. I have no memory of the accident but the good news is I saved my gear by landing on my head. The leathers were almost untouched.

Sadly - and I mean deeply sadly, my gorgeous Ducati ST4 was written off by the insurance co. It was still rideable because one of the rescue team rode it up the road to clear the site. Damn I loved that bike.

I also broke my neck and am very fortunate to be walking around. Because of that I'd seriously suggest riders look at some form of neck support but I don't know how practical that is. Track riders seem to avoid spinal injuries so they must wear something protective.