Leather vs Cordura/Textile - Beginner Gear

**Scorp** · 30th March 2010, 10:08

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.

**steve_t** · 30th March 2010, 10:14

Check out www.qmoto.co.nz
Quasi is a KB'er and has great spec gear for very reasonable prices. I think he is having a special on jackets at the moment. I have one of his jackets (and some SPS gloves) and it's great. The removable liner is handy re summer vs winter. Send him a PM for more info

**CookMySock** · 30th March 2010, 10:17

Modern Cordura is fine from safety perspective for touring. Tight-fitting leather is better for much higher speeds (140k+) where cordura will flap about violently and can be really dangerous.

Any of the textiles are much warmer than leather. If you want to ride more than an hour at a time, or you want to ride all winter, or you want to tour in the rain, then you need Cordura.

Steve

**kiwifruit** · 30th March 2010, 10:18

Quality leathers is what i recommend. You can add layers if its cold or wet.

**Stirts** · 30th March 2010, 10:43

+1 on what Mr KF said!!

And certainly if you are doing a mixture of commuting and weekend open road rides!!! Leather is sexier anyway!

**pritch** · 30th March 2010, 12:16

Should you be insufficiently confused by the previous answers...

Buy Cordura first, then later when the bikes get bigger get leather. Neither does everything, but the textile will probably be more appropriate more of the time.

There is the option of getting leather and a one piece nylon over suit, which would take care of some rain if not cold.

Rain gear sold by the Warehouse or for farmers or construction workers' flaps around too much, but some sanguine souls seem to be able to stand all the embuggerance.

**R-Soul** · 30th March 2010, 16:16

Ok I have tried both.

Rain/wind/cold protection wise:

Cordura is more waterproof, and a good jacket can be pretty much completely waterproof.
Cordura jackets can have unzippable inner liners which is great for summer and winter temp difference.
Ditto Cordura pants.
Having said that, the jackets got pretty hot in summer anyway. I suppose cause they are so windproof.

Leather is not waterproof, but can be made more waterproof by dubbin or other such means. Most leathers are quite heavy, but I found them not as hot as textile jackets as they are normally not completely windproof. Most leathers have (non windproof/rainproof) textile ineserts for temperature control. You can get lightweight water proof tops/leggings that you can put under your seat/backpack in case of rain. And you can wear a fleece or somesuch underneath for cold. At speed, neither is too hot in summer.

Abrasion resistance:
Clear winner here is leathers. Especially well made ones with double layers in high risk areas. And especially one pice ones or two piece ones that zip together. Ones that dont zip can ride up leaving an exposed back/abdomen. Dont do it. Diitto textiles - zip them up.

Textiles work alright at low commuting speeds, and leathers still work at higher speeds. Lets face it, no Moto GP riders wear textile for good reason.

If you are only planning on going out on pretty good days during summer, go leathers, and do it properly. If you are doing a lot of commuting in all weather summer an winter, textiles are good and convenient to dress etc. Not so much at higher speed.

If you plan on going for track days or advanced riding courses with AMCC, you need decent zip together leathers. Their rules.

NOTE: neither provides impact resitance- the hard armour does that. And if you hit anything solid hard enough, it wont do much for you anyway.

**Scorp** · 30th March 2010, 17:07

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.

**p.dath** · 30th March 2010, 18:00

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.

**sleemanj** · 30th March 2010, 18:05

Personally, I'd go textile, it gives you more flexibility. The riding it sounds like you intend is fine with textiles.

Leather is superior abrasion resistant, there is NO question of that, but, really, that's the sum total of its "edge" on cordura, and cordura will more than likely stand up to any abrasion you will give it, given your anticipated riding.

But, end of the day, try some on, see which you like best!

**firefighter** · 30th March 2010, 18:17

Originally Posted by Scorp

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

I think Quasi has some leather jackets on sale for $250 (RAPID JACKETS), I have one, and it's fucken mint mate. Do'nt fark around get in while he still has some. He uses his gear on the track and sponsors a rider or two, if it's good enough for them it's more than good enough for you. It's leather, and suits your only riding in summer/when sunny outlook.

Stop looking and do it!

Oh yeah, BTW, my mate has a 1tonne jacket, it's not quite as good as my quasi one IMO. (1tonne is all good by the way just plugging Quasi's gear as he has a crazy cheap deal on/that's if there is any left) The armour does'nt quite feel as good on the 1tonne, and I dunno if it's triple sticthed......

Qmoto.co.nz

Ps. I can pretty much guarantee your anticipated riding is a shit load less than it will probably turn into, and you will be glad you brought leather over cordura. I fucked around for ages before getting my leather jacket, I wish i'd got one from the start really. I commute through all weather, I only have a bike, so i'm in it no-matter what, and i'm in my leathers. Something to think about....

**blackdog** · 30th March 2010, 18:20

chicks dig leather better.....or is that i dig chicks in leather......

**Quasievil** · 30th March 2010, 18:36

Cheers for the positive comments above.

The guys have answered the questions on leather vs Cordura well, so no point me going on about it, however in a quick answer, Leather is safer, count how many racers wear textiles.

Just as a advert check out the Qstreet black rock Jackets and pants, you can get both items for $670
There is NO B.S with the spec, price, its the best in the New Zealand market for this price range, its even triple stitched (our minimum) I designed it (no B.S international top suit designer rubbish) and I design it to crash not to a price point.

pm me if youre interested

cheers

**davebullet** · 30th March 2010, 18:42

Plus - leathers help pull the "ladies" (edit - damn TBS beat me too it).

Seriously. Both DB and Kiwifruit have good advice. I started out with a cheap cordura jacket. Cheap is as cheap does. I only recently bought a leather jacket (one of Quasi's Vengence jackets). Well worth the money. Fits very well, no flapping at speed (100 kph officer - honest) and a feeling of security / protection that cordura cannot provide. Check out Quasi's gear. My gloves and jacket from him have both been excellent. Qmoto leather pants are next.