Leather or Lace?

[Gizzit]

Ok .... maybe not lace !!
I'm interested in your view on what you wear, and why ?
Cordura gear .. or Leather ?
I guess ideally if leather gear was totally water proof, that may solve all problems in one hit!
Leather is generally a heavier gear to wear, and I know that reportedly good leather gear will take quite a few 'bins' before needing replacing / fixing.

How about Cordura ? Whats the guts on that ? One bin and it's history ?

My last bins were a very long time ago, and I was wearing denim jacket and jeans .... and work boots! Bloody sore for ages !! However ... I'm still looking to avoid them at my age. I don't bounce and role as easier as when i was in my late teens, early twenties !!

Do you get more protection from leather or cordura .... impact, sliding ... ?
Given that both have good armour .... whats the difference as far as really protecting you from the elements (tarmac, etc .. )

Just interested in peoples experiences. I have heard a lot more about people who maybe racing ... and bin using leathers, .. but how has it been for those wearing cordura gear that has good armour in it ?
Thanks in advance for any input.
Cheers,
Grant.

[birdhandler]

Look at rideforever.co.nz
They explain the various levels of protection you need so you can then decide what to buy
Obviously also depends on the riding you do as well
cheers

[R6_kid:Me]

After purchasing a 'decent' 2 piece leather suit with proper armour etc I'd have to say leather is my preferred choice.

Leather has far greater abraisive resisitance, and is thicker than cordura too.

I've had bins in both cordura and leather. The leather did a better job of protecting me - I still have a scar from where my cordura jacket wore through from a 30kmh lowside. I lowsided at 50-60kmh in leather and walked away without injury.

Cordura is nice in summer for around town/slow stuff as it is generally lighter, but you can also get perforated leather which will let the air through to keep you cool.

And nothing is 100% waterproof, and even if it's 'really good' when you buy it, it probably won't be in 6mths time without some sort of maintenance.

[James Deuce]

Cordura is good for commuting and touring.

Leather can do that too, and is crash repairable. In fact it may not even need anything more than a bit of a buff.

Buy something that fits properly and you just about don't know you're wearing it. Like my excellent Quasimoto Vengeance jacket.

[frogfeaturesFZR]

Cordura is more practical ,however leather gives better protection. Personally I wear leathers and wouldn't change, but thats a personal choice. After a while leathers become a second skin. I guess it also depends on the type of riding you do.

[Usarka]

And nothing is 100% waterproof, and even if it's 'really good' when you buy it, it probably won't be in 6mths time without some sort of maintenance.

My old spidi NT jacket would disagree. Numerous tours in torrential rain and has never leaked once. Didn't wash it for foookin ages.

Funnily enough my old spidi cordura pants have shedloads more hip protection than my a* leather trou and I'm not convinced i wouldn't rather those in an on-road incident.....

[Gubb]

I've got both. A cordura set of gear of my everyday commute, which is pretty good at keeping the water out, but not perfect, and a leather set for decent weekend rides, and other jaunts.

I definitely feel safer in the leathers, both times i've come off, i've walked away with no grazing of marks. I suspect that there was little that could be done for my only sustained injury, a broken hand due to crushing between a car and my clipon.

[vifferman]

Yes.

I wear both.
My old Teknic jacket is cordura with leather overlays on the sleeves'n'shoulders. Apart from the velcro on the fasteners (neck, front, sleeves) wearing out, it would be the ideal mix of both worlds: it's weatherproof, has leather where it needs it, and excellent armour.
My pants are Spidi Gran Turismo, with leather on the bum (so they don't slip, and for abrasion resistance?), and on the inside lower legs.
I was going to buy some Macna pants and jacket with leather on all the abrasion prone areas, and cordura elsewhere, but they don't seem to make them any more.
My new(ish) Macna jacket is leather, with a waterproof liner, and thermal liner. Yes, I *know* it's not supposed to be waterproof, but I've worn it in rain several times, including very heavy rain for ~20 minutes, and it hasn't leaked yet, courtesy of treating it with NikWax Leather Restorer every few months. Brilliant!
And despite being warm and cosy for swinter, it's a brilliant summer jacket (better in fact than my 8-vented Teknic), as it has vents in the sleeves, and the whole middel front up and round behind the neck zips off, leaving a kind of close-weave cordura mesh that lets LOTS of air through.
Brilliant!

[Gizzit]

Yes I currently have some Rev-it gear. The jacket is cordura with leather panels over shoulders, down arms, and just adds to the abrasion resistance factor. it's not that great in the cold, as it lets air through, even with the warmth liner and "waterproof" layer in. The trou are quite good to wear, and have some hip padding and reasonable armour in the knees. I wear both for commuting each day. If it's "persisting" down, I chuck on a real eye popping yellow fluro rain coat and black water proof trou. I don't get wet! I've used that combination when touring as well, and never got wet.

However, as I'm looking to get a Knox back protector from Quasi (as soon as they arrive), I will probably need a new jacket to fit the back protector underneath, as I'm pretty sure it won't fit under my Rev-it. It's a pretty good fit as it is. So yeah .... I'm just looking at my options for jackets (and trou if I go the leather way).

So far only one person has said that the cordura wasn't very effective in a low speed bin. Obviously that doesn't say much for cordura .... if traveling at anything like warp factor 9 !! (on a closed circuit obviously .. officer ! lol).
Maybe those using cordura gear are, or have to be more cautious in their riding style/speeds ?

[McJim]

I came off my 50cc Scooter in the wet last week when someone pulled out in front of me from their driveway. high quality Macna Cordura jacket worn right through where I slid along the deck. Leather is definately the ONLY option in my opinion.

[Gizzit]

I came off my 50cc Scooter in the wet last week when someone pulled out in front of me from their driveway. high quality Macna Cordura jacket worn right through where I slid along the deck. Leather is definately the ONLY option in my opinion.

Bugger !!!! That's unfortunate Jim! However, perhaps you can look at it as it's good to know what your gear is capable of (or not) at slow speed, rather than finding that out ... out on the open road when pushing it a bit ! It sounds like I will definitely have to go the leather way, at least for my weekend rides and touring.
I have two fairly solid foam back pads in my jacket now, and the elbow and shoulder armour is solid gear. Hopefully it would stop me being grazed up at town speeds .... but maybe not, based on your experience.....
Thanks for your input.
Cheers,
Grant.

[Gizzit]

Cordura is more practical ,however leather gives better protection. Personally I wear leathers and wouldn't change, but thats a personal choice. After a while leathers become a second skin. I guess it also depends on the type of riding you do.

I think you are right. Leather seems to be the way to go ... if you have an "off" and not wanting to test the resistance to abrasion of leather, I think I will feel more comfortable with the thought it will, if needed, protect my arse !!
Cheers.

[OutForADuck]

Leather.. absolutely leather!!!

[Owl]

I like both! Cordura for warmth, weather protection in winter and leather for protection and cooler properties in summer. I also have a Shift Airborne jacket for those stinking hot days.

[Usarka]

i was freezing my arse off riding home the other night dressed all in leather....but

I can do anything I want, because I look good in leather