What makes leather better than textile in jackets?

**nzspokes** · 24th July 2011, 22:21

I know leather is supposed to be the best but wonder why? Im going to be on the lookout for a new jacket soon but want to make the right choice. I saw some Dianese ones at Motomail.

But cant justify the cost.

Are they just better in a crash? Ive got a hand me down textile on from a mate that is a bit hot. Even with the liner out. Do leather ones breath better?

**James Deuce** · 24th July 2011, 22:31

Yes, leather is better in a crash. No, leather doesn't breathe better.

You can get vented textile and leather for a cooling draught if required.

Leather can sometimes be repaired after an accident (Not if I'm wearing it. If I have an accident everything is fucked - me, the bike, my gear) textile gear tends to melt and develop holes when subjected to the friction of a human body pressing it into tarmac at 100 km/hr. Leather abrades, acting as a series of ablative layers. So long as it's stitched together well.

Be prepared for some sanctimonious twat to pop into your thread and spout pages of crap around "you get what you pay for". Ignore it. It's just a rant to justify their own ego-driven, mega-expensive purchases.

http://www.trainwreckstudios.net/abrasion/road.html

So many other factors come into injuries generated by crashing a bike that it's pointless to over think your gear. If you get trapped under a bike the extra mass helps to wear through leather rapidly and textile even quicker. Have a look at Aaron Slight's hands sometime. He had his hand trapped under a bar after crashing on the track and it was stuck under there a fair distance. Muntered it is. My wife broke her ankle at 30 km/hr after the bike we were on fell over. Those bikes are horribly unstable. I've broken ribs, neck, back, head, fingers, toes, ankle, wrist, ear drum, and teeth in bike accidents. All those injuries were generated under 75 km/hr. The only thing I haven't had to suffer is a wire brush in a huge graze to get the gravel out prior to skin grafts because I've always worn head to toe gear with some protective properties.

**Milts** · 24th July 2011, 22:35

Leather keeps you warm, and cool.

Textile doesn't know how.

EDIT:

Originally Posted by James Deuce

Be prepared for some sanctimonious twat to pop into your thread and spout pages of crap around "you get what you pay for". Ignore it. It's just a rant to justify their own ego-driven, mega-expensive purchases.

Is very true but some cheap trademe stuff is rubbish (personal experience). I've also heard arguments saying things like leather gear is tighter and so holds the armour in place better, absorbs impact itself better (I think it tends to be thicker?) and as mentioned, has superiour abrasion performance. I won't believe textile is superior until I see world superbike/moto GP riders wearing textile race gear.

**nzspokes** · 24th July 2011, 22:37

Originally Posted by James Deuce

Be prepared for some sanctimonious twat to pop into your thread and spout pages of crap around "you get what you pay for". Ignore it. It's just a rant to justify their own ego-driven, mega-expensive purchases.

Fair enough. I dont mind the one I have apart from being to hot. I may see If I can get vents added to it.

**Quasievil** · 24th July 2011, 22:42

This subject has been done many times here.

Textiles generally dont breath better actually, the reason for this is most textiles themselves are not waterproof, it is the Ressia or Hipora lining on the inside that makes them waterproof, this is like a plastic layer, how can wearing a "plastic bag" breath better ? it cant, you can get vents etc to enable better ventilation however, but remember where air goes water goes and unless its got waterproof zips then you lost the advantage of waterproof gear.
Leather is better in a crash, it slides, textile generally makes you roll, you roll you get more banged up, thats why racers wear leather not textiles.
In my opinion the best combo to wear for safety is good quality leather, and a one piece over suit.
For commuting every day and a no hassle get up and go a textile is the better and easier option.
(define for yourself as to what is good quality) there is some good stuff out there and some crap, the marker against this is generally price however there are some bargins around for sure.

Generally your gear chioce will accomodate some comprimises, no one can afford a seperate bit of kit for every condition eventuality so get the best you can afford.

**James Deuce** · 24th July 2011, 22:43

Originally Posted by nzspokes

I may see If I can get vents added to it.

Not. Is it waterproof? If it is, it won't be after you add the vents. The waterproof liner is internal and integral. Vented waterproof jackets are designed around the venting systems, not the other way around.

**Quasievil** · 24th July 2011, 22:45

Originally Posted by James Deuce

Be prepared for some sanctimonious twat to pop into your thread and spout pages of crap around "you get what you pay for". Ignore it.

If I offered you a brand new chinese car for $5995 would you buy it then ?

Bro, its basic economic a rule in life no matter what you are buying unless its a second hand deal

**James Deuce** · 24th July 2011, 22:45

Originally Posted by Milts

Leather keeps you warm, and cool.

Textile doesn't know how.

EDIT:

Is very true but some cheap trademe stuff is rubbish (personal experience). I've also heard arguments saying things like leather gear is tighter and so holds the armour in place better, absorbs impact itself better (I think it tends to be thicker?) and as mentioned, has superiour abrasion performance. I won't believe textile is superior until I see world superbike/moto GP riders wearing textile race gear.

Blah, blah, blah. Let him find out for himself. Like the rest of us did. The only educational experience motorcyclists understand is experience.

**James Deuce** · 24th July 2011, 22:48

Originally Posted by Quasievil

If I offered you a brand new chinese car for $5995 would you buy it then ?

Bro, its basic economic a rule in life no matter what you are buying unless its a second hand deal

Well, duh. Still doesn't change the "fact" that that Chinese piece of crap that won't earn a single NCAP star may be the ONLY economic option available to some people.

A lot of people on this site say "Get the best you can afford", and then proceed to rip the victim a new one when they do just that. Hypocrites.

**FJRider** · 24th July 2011, 22:48

Originally Posted by Milts

Leather keeps you warm, and cool.

Textile doesn't know how.

EDIT:

Is very true but some cheap trademe stuff is rubbish (personal experience). I've also heard arguments saying things like leather gear is tighter and so holds the armour in place better, absorbs impact itself better (I think it tends to be thicker?) and as mentioned, has superiour abrasion performance. I won't believe textile is superior until I see world superbike/moto GP riders wearing textile race gear.

Show me the Leather outfit that requires NO ADDITIONAL wet weather protective clothing to keep you dry in wet weather ...

You will find that GP riders gear is replaced after an off ... Not all road riders can afford that ...

**James Deuce** · 24th July 2011, 22:49

Originally Posted by FJRider

Show me the Leather outfit that requires NO ADDITIONAL wet weather protective clothing to keep you dry in wet weather ...

You will find that GP riders gear is replaced after an off ... Not all road riders can afford that ...

http://www.ultimatemotorcycling.com/...r-pants-jacket

But the ensemble costs about 1 million dollars.

**Milts** · 24th July 2011, 22:52

Originally Posted by FJRider

Show me the Leather outfit that requires NO ADDITIONAL wet weather protective clothing to keep you dry in wet weather ...

You will find that GP riders gear is replaced after an off ... Not all road riders can afford that ...

Agreed. But if protection were to be your only criteria....