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Thread: Leather or Cordura?

  1. #1
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    25th June 2012 - 17:16
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    Leather or Cordura?

    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.

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by windsu View Post
    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.

  3. #3
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    10th August 2008 - 18:24
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    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.

  4. #4
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    10th May 2006 - 10:37
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    Protection ? Leather
    Convenience ? Cordura
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  5. #5
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    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).
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  6. #6
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    23rd August 2008 - 14:37
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    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
    Quote Originally Posted by FlangMaster
    I had a strange dream myself. You know that game some folk play on the streets where they toss coins at the wall and what not? In my dream they were tossing my semi hardened stool at the wall. I shit you not.

  7. #7
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    4th November 2007 - 21:36
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    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.
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  8. #8
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    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

  9. #9
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    Do the Motogp guys or the WSBK guys ride in Leather or Cordura?

    There is your answer if you are talking protection.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by darkwolf View Post
    They say cordura is rated to 140-180KPH depending on who you speak to.
    who told you that?Sounds like bull shit to me...
    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.

  11. #11
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    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.

  12. #12
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    Avoid hard armour unless you really enjoy being stabbed with broken shards of plastic. Compression foam is more than adequate for the road.
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  13. #13
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    19th April 2009 - 18:52
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    Also note that the majority or textiles aren't actually Cordura as made by DuPont.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by James Deuce View Post
    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.

  15. #15
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    7th February 2010 - 19:27
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    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.

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