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Thread: Leather jacket vs textile?

  1. #1
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    4th April 2011 - 18:44
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    Leather jacket vs textile?

    I am looking at buying this jacket:

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    http://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/3...jacket---byway

    Thoughts?

    I will be using it for daily commuting, which will be in rain, hail or sunshine. - Would this be suitable?

    I currently have this Rjays jacket and after 3 years of daily use it is starting to show a bit of wear and tear - Haven't fallen off with it though.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    I'd like to know the pros and cons of choosing a leather jacket over a textile one. My Rjays jacket has separate thermal and waterproof liners which can be added/removed when necessary, however I still sometimes get wet if it rains hard enough.

    I am aware that leather jackets do not hold up well in the wet, but I have a waterproof over-jacket which I could wear over the leather. Are leather jackets warm?

    Thanks

  2. #2
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    19th April 2009 - 18:52
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    Leather vs textile has been discussed ad nauseum on here. Definitely use the search function and be prepared to do at least a few hours of reading

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by The End View Post
    ....
    I am aware that leather jackets do not hold up well in the wet, but I have a waterproof over-jacket which I could wear over the leather. Are leather jackets warm?
    That question depends on how the jacket is lined. An unlined leather jacket is bloody cold in winter and very hot in summer. It's also hard to get on and off over your other clothing. However most jackets are lined and that helps alot.

    I have both leather and textile jackets. I use the textile one for summer time adventure riding as the leather jacket is too hot. For all other riding I use leather. Leather can be waterproof if treated with a beeswax coating. I only put on a waterproof over jacket if I expect very heavy rain for an extended period. For light rain, or short heavy showers then leather is fine. When my leathers were new I found that leather alone kept me dry for 3 hours in west coast rain. They are now 10 years old and have done well over 200,000 km. Its now down to around 30 minutes of west coast rain before moisture starts coming through.

    For warmth? read this thread
    http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...post1129787583
    Time to ride

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jantar View Post
    That question depends on how the jacket is lined. An unlined leather jacket is bloody cold in winter and very hot in summer. It's also hard to get on and off over your other clothing. However most jackets are lined and that helps alot.

    I have both leather and textile jackets. I use the textile one for summer time adventure riding as the leather jacket is too hot. For all other riding I use leather. Leather can be waterproof if treated with a beeswax coating. I only put on a waterproof over jacket if I expect very heavy rain for an extended period. For light rain, or short heavy showers then leather is fine. When my leathers were new I found that leather alone kept me dry for 3 hours in west coast rain. They are now 10 years old and have done well over 200,000 km. Its now down to around 30 minutes of west coast rain before moisture starts coming through.

    For warmth? read this thread
    http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...post1129787583
    It's lined in the sense that it has the fabric mesh stuff on the inside between skin and leather. I figured that this jacket would be a suitable replacement as I get bloody hot with my textile one on even with the liners removed and as the leather one has perforated areas it should help get a bit of wind flowing!

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by The End View Post
    It's lined in the sense that it has the fabric mesh stuff on the inside between skin and leather. ...
    That is effectively unlined. Cold in winter, hot in summer. But still better protection and loger lasting than textile.
    Time to ride

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by The End View Post
    I currently have this Rjays jacket.....
    This isn't a come on, but I honestly thought you would be prettier than that.


    I have got two textile jackets, Belstaff and Dainese, and one Alpinestars leather jacket. I can't remember the last time I wore the leather but it would be a good couple of years. Just for you I am going to wear it tomorrow, but in general I would say if you can get an all seasons jacket that is waterproof and has enough protection to make you happy why bother with leather?
    Last edited by Gremlin; 20th March 2013 at 00:42. Reason: Quoted Embedded Media Removed

  7. #7
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    I've got a textile dririder jacket and a leather rjays jacket the dririder gets used far more than the leather because it's lighter, warmer with the lining in and cooler with it out, it has good pockets for gloved hands and it's waterproof. The downside being it looks like crap and sticks out especially with reflective bits and the obvious lack of abrasion resistance (that said it took my slow spill with nothing more than a little roughing up on one shoulder)

    The leather looks good so I usually wear it when I ride somewhere with nowhere to stash my gear and if I know I'm going to be off the bike more than on it. Obviously it has far better abrasion resistance, so if I come off at speed I'd want to be wearing the leather but if I'm going for a ride for more than a few hours I'll usually wear the dririder jacket.

    I did go for a 7 hour ride today and wore the leather and lost $15 out of my pocket somewhere around huranui, sometimes I just grab whatever is closest

    Sent from my XT535 using Tapatalk 2

  8. #8
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    I will wear my leather if I know the ride will have some pace on. But for to and from work I wear textile as its easier to deal with.

    Sent from my kitchen table while eating breakfast.
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  9. #9
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    Commuting/general trips/touring = Textile. No question. I have a fantastic Rev-it jacket and pants with goretex liners. Heaps of vents so cool in summer. 100% waterproof (goretex guaranteed). Warm in winter.

    Being a squid = Leathers. Can be cold, can be hot, certainly not waterproof. Complete pain in the arse when using rain overjacket/pants. But you feel pretty safe in them.

  10. #10
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    only wear leathers.
    Quote Originally Posted by Billy Connolly
    "The question is not, How far do we have to go?..............The question is, Do you have the constitution to go as far as is needed?".

  11. #11
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    Thanks for the input everyone.

    I'm still on the fence about whether or not I should get it. There are going to be times where I won't be able to store my jacket somewhere, and as has been said above, the leather one looks better to wear around places. Not that this is a fashion contest or anything I also think getting leather would be a smart choice as it offers better abrasion resistance than textile. (cue arguments)

    Oddly enough, my textile jacket is very, very hot. I've found myself having to ride with the zips completely undone down the front the last month or so as it does not have any vents - Either that or I end up soaking in sweat. I guess if I got the leather jacket, I could use that for most days since it is perforated on the front and if it is overly wet, use the textile one that is more water'proof'.

  12. #12
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    I have everything and choose on the day what I want to wear..
    Right now, it's draggins and my rather expensive all weather summer only leather/textile jacket with all zips undone...b-e-a-utiful!

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Maha View Post
    ....my rather expensive all weather summer only leather/textile jacket with all zips undone...b-e-a-utiful!

    What brand/model is your jacket?

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by The End View Post
    What brand/model is your jacket?
    Trust me, you dont want one, its a Revit Ignition..nice jacket but way over priced for what it is...I am big fan of Revit gear, but this item is a fail.
    http://www.motomail.co.nz/estore/style/rejaign2m.aspx

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by nzspokes View Post
    I will wear my leather if I know the ride will have some pace on. But for to and from work I wear textile as its easier to deal with.
    Same .. leather for long distance and the 1250 - textile for daily commute adn 650 ...

    Being an old school rider too - leather is cooler - but only if it's black ... you'd never see the Fonz of Sonny Barger in that white and red-accented one ..
    "So if you meet me, have some sympathy, have some courtesy, have some taste ..."

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