Leather v Textiles advice?

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

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]

Originally Posted by Fallout

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 .

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.

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