kangaroo vs cowhide leather?

[kiggles]

which is better?

specifically i have two sets of leathers for myself and considering getting ust a jacket. My 2 piece is cowhide leather and since having two spills in them i quite like how protective it is, and how it offers more padding around the waist and rib area's.

but theres all this new stuff arleness does which is kangaroo leather which is what my 1 piece is made off. But i am not sure which would offer better protection?

i understand both slide down the road fine but interms of impact resistance for example a glancing blow on a small rock at 30mph to area's with out armor (eg not shoulder, knees, elbows) which would you rather be wearing?

at the moment hein gerik have a nice jacket i can zip to my two piece suit trousers and as its slightly lighter doesnt feel as protective?

so which you prefer to wear assuming both comfortable?

PS. ignore bad spelling

[DJ123]

IIRC Racing riders use kangaroo skin as it offers a better protection when sliding.

[SUPERSTARDJ01]

I voted kangaroo simply because you need less of it to protect and it's softer but I have heard reports of people with kanga gloves saying after it's rained the stitching comes apart, you'll probably find the kanga suits aren't actually 100% kanga more like 30% kanga and the rest cow and stretchy stuff.

[NTECUK]

How could you !!!
http://www.kathyskidstuff.com/images/pooh7kangaroohop.gif

[AkiraSV]

I've got a set of Scott kangaroo gloves and boy are they light! Never had a problem with stitching after it's rained either (re: superstardj01). So far no experience with kangaroo suits though, they seem quite a bit more expensive than cow hide?

[DJ123]

I've got a set of Scott kangaroo gloves and boy are they light! Never had a problem with stitching after it's rained either (re: superstardj01). So far no experience with kangaroo suits though, they seem quite a bit more expensive than cow hide?
Kangaroo's are harder to catch, hence why they are more expensive :lol:

[aaron020873]

no experience of cow hide leathers but my berik kangaroo 1 piece protected me fine when i took a tumble in summer.

[AkiraSV]

Kangaroo's are harder to catch, hence why they are more expensive :lol:

This makes sense!

Also, it would make sense that the reason most racers use kangaroo leathers are because kangaroos are faster than cows, so it makes the riders ride faster! :D

[Ruffy]

i understand both slide down the road fine but interms of impact resistance for example a glancing blow on a small rock at 30mph to area's with out armor (eg not shoulder, knees, elbows) which would you rather be wearing?


My understanding is also that roo has superlative abrasion resistance for it's weight compared with cow, but I am still mindful of something I was told a few years back in the past (by a main dealer contact who had just dealt with a post accident "negotiation" with Arlen Ness): I was told that the recommendation from the manufacturer was that kangaroo suits need to fit really well to be most effective. Apparently it is more susceptible to tearing than cow if it's "loose".

Therefore, IMHO, for tight race leathers, i.e. worn like a second skin, I reckon the extra lightness and flexibility might be worth the extra cost, but not for typical road riding, where good old cow hide is possibly more durable across a wider range of situations.

Of course, it could just have been early days in understanding the stuff (it was a few years back) etc. Just something to factor in to your research/decision making.

And like always, any protective gear is better than none!

[aaron020873]

My understanding is also that roo has superlative abrasion resistance for it's weight compared with cow, but I am still mindful of something I was told a few years back in the past (by a main dealer contact who had just dealt with a post accident "negotiation" with Arlen Ness): I was told that the recommendation from the manufacturer was that kangaroo suits need to fit really well to be most effective. Apparently it is more susceptible to tearing than cow if it's "loose".

Therefore, IMHO, for tight race leathers, i.e. worn like a second skin, I reckon the extra lightness and flexibility might be worth the extra cost, but not for typical road riding, where good old cow hide is possibly more durable across a wider range of situations.

Of course, it could just have been early days in understanding the stuff (it was a few years back) etc. Just something to factor in to your research/decision making.

And like always, any protective gear is better than none!


shouldn't all leathers be quite well fitting i.e not loose, in order for the protection to be in the right place to protect you in the event of an accident?

[yorkie_chris]

shouldn't all leathers be quite well fitting i.e not loose, in order for the protection to be in the right place to protect you in the event of an accident?

Yes, but what he's saying is it is more critical with kangaroo.

To my eye, kangaroo is softer, not sure whether that means lower tensile strength, but the argument about fit would suggest that an ill fitting suit would be more likely to pull the stitches through the material.


I would not buy a suit because it was kangaroo, I would buy one that fits. Decent leather is about the best abrasion resistance out there and adds an element of impact protection too.

Suits don't fail on panels, the seams burst. Better to have the cheap cow leather with good stitching than the finest kangaroo leather from like frank thomas or dainese that falls in bits!

[Mrs DJ Fridge]

This makes sense!

Also, it would make sense that the reason most racers use kangaroo leathers are because kangaroos are faster than cows, so it makes the riders ride faster! :D

My Dad used to say I drove like a kangaroo was under the bonnet when I started driving! Now days he is more polite.

[Fallout]

I voted cow. There is leather armour in Skyrim on the PS3, but no kangaroo armour, so kangaroo armour must suck.

Hope that helps.

[AkiraSV]

I voted cow. There is leather armour in Skyrim on the PS3, but no kangaroo armour, so kangaroo armour must suck.

Hope that helps.

Rofl! :smt044

[BBadger]

i have a berik 2 peice roo leathers.
and i must say they are lovely, but as said earlier there is alot of stretch and breathable fire in them under the arms and between the legs but still love them.
hold up pretty good in the rain aswell.

[Reeder]

I voted cow. There is leather armour in Skyrim on the PS3, but no kangaroo armour, so kangaroo armour must suck.

Hope that helps.

Lol! I don't think kangaroos exist in skyrim.

[Fallout]

Maybe, or perhaps you haven't ventured deep enough into the bowels of the realm? End of game boss maybe?! :D

[Steve_God]

No idea about suits, but I've personally always gone for gloves with Kangaroo leather as they don't feel as bulky, and that's a plus for me as I personally get a better feel on the throttle with gloves that aren't as bulky.

[speedplay]

Both of my leathers are roo hide.
Have tested one set in the past and I know they saved my life.
I've not had any problems with the stitching going after being used in the wet but the stomp grips on my tank seem to be slowly eating the top of the leather inside my knees.
I think the issue would still be there with cow leather too though.
If you like roo hide, can afford it and more importantly, it fits as it should then you won't be dissapointed.
Its all a personal preference in the long run.

[Luckypants]

Well I buy for fit, but IMO cow hide is thicker so offers more impact protection, especially pointy stones or the like (which racers don't encounter on track).

Must get some new leathers....

[MattCollins]

Roo leather for abrasion resistance... armour is for impact protection.

For my money I prefer Kevlar.