Leather v Textiles advice?

[byron126]

As i'm now able to work full time im intent on investing in either a set of leathers (2pc) or a set of textiles, was just wondering if anyone with more experience of buying proper bike gear would be able to shed some light as to which is better, looking to spend around £400 on the set so after something reasonably good, the struggle however seems to be finding leathers that fit, as im not exactly a supermodel if you get my drift :L any help would very much appreciated Smile.

[DanSp]

Depends on what your going to be using the bike for! Do you want a set that will serve you in all winds and weathers or are you a fair weather rider?
I'm a bit OTT and have a 2pc set of leathers for summer, 2pc textiles for wet/winter, and a set of draggin jeans I use with a mesh bike jacket for really hot weather and pottering about town!


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[SvNewbie]

Textiles are usable over a wider range of temperatures and weather conditions (unless you spend huge amounts on waterproof leathers) and are generally more practical. However, they don't quite match the abrasion resistance of leather (though there are arguments that this is preferable on the road as you slow-down faster).

The main advantage of leathers to me is that you can use them on a track.

[byron126]

That's kinda the idea I had in my head, I ride all you're round (not through choice cars at 17 are just too Damn expensive) an I dint reckon il be taking to a track anytime soon, would end up totaling it on the first bend :L but I really do get you're point with the abrasion resistance compared to textiles but for 400 quid I'd hope to get a set of reasonable to ones, in terms of leathers could you recommend any brand of leathers that have reasonable sizing and are good quality?

[byron126]

Haha in reply to dansp that would be the perfect solution but unfortunately cash is short to hand so after something that is a bit more Al round, what would a good set of textiles be like if going about flogging the bike around the twists at the weekend, useless or capable?

[Fallout]

Whenever I've had this conversation with friends, we've always come to the conclusion abrasion resistance isn't so significant on the road. On the track you're looking at sliding a fair distance on your **** on tarmac. On the road if you crash on a corner, you're in a hedgerow 1 second later, and if you crash on a straight, it's probably because you got t-boned, and then most of your speed has been scrubbed off when your legs snapped against the car bonnet.

Basically, leathers are superior protection, but textiles with good armour are more versatile and practical and probably provide enough protection in the majority of road crash scenarios.

[a_monkey_hint]

That's kinda the idea I had in my head, I ride all you're round (not through choice cars at 17 are just too Damn expensive) an I dint reckon il be taking to a track anytime soon, would end up totaling it on the first bend :L but I really do get you're point with the abrasion resistance compared to textiles but for 400 quid I'd hope to get a set of reasonable to ones, in terms of leathers could you recommend any brand of leathers that have reasonable sizing and are good quality?

You could probably grab a set of textiles and leathers for £400!

I spent £100 on my first set of textiles (brand new), you could get a pretty decent set for £200. Then you could pick up a half decent set of 2nd hand leathers for £200.

Look around and there are some bargains on ebay.

[adam]

get either and chuck £50 on a bikesafe day out so you reduce the chances of having to replace em!

[Tomor]

I agree with most. Leather for track/ road riding, textiles for road riding. My textiles did their job in my accident, and I have another set. More versatile for me as all my riding is on the road, waterproof for the rain, and in weather like we have had recently, I just open all the vents.

[Fallout]

Then you could pick up a half decent set of 2nd hand leathers for £200.

This! Recently got myself a 1 piece for track days, pristine ... not sure if they have ever really been used, for £90 ... as viewable in Paul the 6th avatar for some strange reason.

[Bibio]

dont skimp on textiles as you might just end up with the versatility of leather e.g. leak like a sieve. google Halvarssons as by all accounts they are good for the money.

or good leathers with overproofs. not too good in the winter months though.

[Fallout]

dont skimp on textiles as you might just end up with the versatility of leather e.g. leak like a sieve. google Halvarssons as by all accounts they are good for the money.

or good leathers with overproofs. not too good in the winter months though.

I can confirm RST textiles are about as waterproof as a shotgunned pigeon. I also have an RST full body waterproof suit, which is about as waterproof as a swiss cheese with leprosy.

[Serdna]

I started in a similar position 2 years ago and I got a good set of leathers. I am still using them, I have used them almost every day for 2 years. When the weather was bad or forecast bad i always had to carry with me my rain suit. And in the winter to be warm i always wore my rain suit. Its an extra layer and its a pain in the a**. By the end of this last winter I was dreaming of some top end goretex textiles that i could just pull on and leave the house. rain or shine with warmth adjustment by adding removing layers and removable linings.

I have quite a few non biking mates taking up biking at the moment, and the advice I have been giving them is get fully waterproof textile suit/boots/gloves first as we live in the UK. Then buy all your summer gear later. Buy cheap buy twice, guaranteed.

[NTECUK]

On the road if you crash on a corner, you're in a hedgerow 1 second later, and if you crash on a straight, it's probably because you got t-boned, and then most of your speed has been scrubbed off when your legs snapped against the car bonnet.
.
That's pretty gouleish logic .But I do see your wisdom in it.
In this heat and then thunder showers Textiles are nicer .

[savage86]

Textiles for the road would in logic be better as leathers are for sliding and textiles will make you roll a bit but lose more of your momentum quicker ie not slide onto the other side of the road and get run over.

And their more practical check out hein greckies I know not everyone is a fan but I've never had a problem with mine never leaked once not even at this years northwest standing in a hedge in the ****ing rain for 5 hours.

[BoltonSte]

I have leathers (what I started with) and textiles, I find I use my textiles 99% of the time. I use Halvarsons, as some others have on here, and they are good. Now I've also gone down the cheap textile route as some are suggesting (RK sports in my case) DON'T...let me explain.

My first forray into riding year round, I didn't want to pay a great deal incase it wasn't my thing, they cost about £150 and lasted 18 months, after 13 months the zip broke, after 18 months I attended AR11 and I may as well have gone out in shorts and a T-shirt (some may remember this) they were that bad that when we got back, I took my boots off and poured water out.

Been using Halvarssons since and they are bang on.

If you do get textiles, then if you can afford it, go for ones that don't use quilting for thermal properties. Go for something with a removable high tech lining. The ones I have, I can go out in winter withoot feeling like the michelin man and have even turned up with minimal baselayers on when others have needed several (but that may be because I'm chuncky as well).

Above all go to a reputable shop who won't try and sell you what they want, but what best suits your needs and try on several in different price brackets, you'll be surprised.

Ste

Not affiliated with Halvarssons, just have experience of them...oh and a bit of a highside did little damage that was easily patched.

[Mauler]

I can confirm that Spada textile trews are waterproof and very warm. So much so that they keep the sweat in and rain out. I have an RST textile jacket to go with mainly because my RST leather jacket is vented and when it's damn cold not even putting a hoody over the top or underneath helps much.

I mostly wear my leathers though, the textiles are too damn warm but that might just be me.

[byron126]

Really appreciate the help guys, i've now been able to get a bit of a perspective as to what each is going to be for, and i've come to the conclusion of leathers, now just to find a set that fit :L

[Bibio]

if your riding all year then get textiles. leathers are no fun in the winter unless your prepared to put overproofs on and off. you will wear out a set of overproofs in 6-12 months doing commuting.

[jambo]

AT the moment my gear seems to run as follows:

Town in hot weather - Kevlar Jeans & Mesh jacket
Town normally - Leather trousers & Textile Jacket
Out & about - 2 piece leathers or leather trousers & textile jacket.

I've been riding a while so you accumulate enough gear to have some options. I'd say for year round riding a textile jacket makes sense.

Jambo

[Fallout]

haha. I love the way most of the advice is basically "textiles" but he comes to the conclusion of getting leathers. Made up ya mind before you even started the thread, perhaps? ;)

[SIII]

95 % of my riding is done with textile Jacket and leather bottoms.

Have to add my vote of confidence in Halvarssons for textile jacket, expensive but brilliant in all seasons, if you get a vented one. For £400 you can get a £300 Halvarssons Proximo and lots of trousers availible for £100. Just get the zips supplied stitched together to make a conversion piece so you can zip together. & a cheap set of waterproof trousers if it is really wet.

[Nutsinatin]

Whatever you go for, if you want waterproof go for Gore-Tex, if it says waterproof and it ain't Gore-Tex don't believe it! It costs a fair amount but it is 100% waterproof (think long distance rides in torrential rain) and as it's windproof I don't even wear my thermal lining in winter (it's pretty cozy!) for versatility see if you can find gear with a removable Gore-Tex lining and big vents for the summer!

[Dicky Ticker]

Irrelevant of what the OP buys on a fixed budget I consider textiles a better buy because they are more waterproof, normally have removable liners for summer/winter and they are vented.
£400 is hardly going to buy good leathers where as it will buy reasonable textile kit.

[SvNewbie]

Yeah, another reason to not go leathers £400 will only get you budget leathers (unless you get lucky second-hand). It will get you mid-range textiles though.

[orose]

Whatever you go for, if you want waterproof go for Gore-Tex, if it says waterproof and it ain't Gore-Tex don't believe it! It costs a fair amount but it is 100% waterproof (think long distance rides in torrential rain) and as it's windproof I don't even wear my thermal lining in winter (it's pretty cozy!) for versatility see if you can find gear with a removable Gore-Tex lining and big vents for the summer!

As you would expect, there are different classes of gore-tex. I doubt you'd get pro-shell at this price point (as tested at AR11 also, except I was dry), but you might get the regular breathable version. I liked my Weise combination, which was very good at keeping water out and would fit into the range we're looking at.

[Bibio]

you can get a very good set of 2 piece leathers for £400 they are Scott Leathers 'Dominator' speak to them nicely and they will alter them for the bigger/smaller person for not much more.

ok so mine were a bit of a disaster but i cant fault the quality one bit.

their textiles look like 80's throw backs but i do believe that mr 'crashy' preston has tested them and rates them.

[SIII]

Good article on motorcycle clothing and waterproof' ness!

http://www.motolegends.com/Info/the-meaning-of-waterproof.html

[Tomor]

Another vote for halvarssons(I would say that, I sell it :) ) Have the optimal jacket and prince trousers and can vouch for them being waterproof as tested when I went to Scotland and it pizzed it down all day. Stayed dry all day and kit dried overnight.

[Bibio]

Another vote for halvarssons(I would say that, I sell it :) )

can you shed some light on the availability of them altering stuff at the factory?

[Dicky Ticker]

By factory,do you mean Mothercare;)

[Nutsinatin]

As you would expect, there are different classes of gore-tex. I doubt you'd get pro-shell at this price point (as tested at AR11 also, except I was dry), but you might get the regular breathable version. I liked my Weise combination, which was very good at keeping water out and would fit into the range we're looking at.

Never considered the pro-shell as I can't fault the cheaper breathable stuff, can't see rideable conditions where I would need anything better (except maybe gloves).

[Bibio]

Never considered the pro-shell as I can't fault the cheaper breathable stuff, can't see rideable conditions where I would need anything better (except maybe gloves).

well i have come to the decision that my next set of biking gear will be rukka pro shell as the gloves have been fantastic. expensive kit yes but should see a good few years out of it. i don't like the idea that normal gear lets the outer garment get soaked wile letting the water run down inside only blocked by the drop liner.

[Tomor]

can you shed some light on the availability of them altering stuff at the factory?

Not great. What you after?

[Bibio]

well being 5' feck all i need it altered.

[Tomor]

I'll ask the rep and let you know.

[Bibio]

cheers Tomor

[byron126]

really appreciate all the help with the posts guys as i haven't bough "expensive" bike gear before, must say i've found this forum to be very welcoming and helpful. cheers guys :)

[chris c]

I have 2 piece leathers and 2 piece textiles, quite often i mix my textile jacket with the leather trousers