| With the summer coming up, leather versus textile is | | | | depending on the jacket, but if we're looking at a top |
| on a lot of motorcyclists minds. It might be a hard | | | | of the line perforated leather jacket and a top of the |
| decision so I've put together a list of a few things | | | | line waterproof textile jacket, the leather would win. |
| you need to consider before buying yours. I'm leaving | | | | 3. Overall comfort. While the leather jackets have |
| the looks out of this review since that's a personal | | | | improved a lot recently, they're still a bit stiff to |
| decision. | | | | wear. Once they break in they will be much more |
| So let's dig in it! | | | | comfortable, so if you're at a motorcycle store trying |
| | | | one on and it feels stiff, you'll have to consider the |
| 1. Protection. Leather is a lot better when it comes to | | | | break in factor too. This is a double-edged sword |
| protection. First of all, when in contact with the | | | | though, because leather jackets being stiff, they |
| asphalt, leather will slide smoothly, or as smoothly as | | | | won't flap around like some textile ones do, especially |
| possible, across the surface. This is a good thing, | | | | some loose models. This is why a snug fit is |
| because when you're sliding at 50 mph after a spill, | | | | important. Textile jackets are still quite a bit more |
| you want to slide instead of bumping. Secondly, the | | | | comfortable because they're not as restrictive as the |
| tear resistance of leather is way better than textiles. | | | | leather ones and are usually much lighter than the |
| This has been tested in hundreds of tests and while | | | | leather ones. You'd be surprised at how much some |
| textile has been catching up with leather with | | | | of the thick leather jackets weigh with all the |
| advanced materials, it's still not quite the same. Finally, | | | | protection! Overall, I find textile jackets more |
| leather jackets usually come with a lot more | | | | comfortable. |
| protection than textile ones but you should check the | | | | 4. Consider different riding environments! The |
| jackets you're interested in and compare. Overall, | | | | important thing before buying is to consider your |
| leather definitely wins here. | | | | own riding environment. If you have to ride when it's |
| 2. Ventilation. This is very dependant on the actual | | | | cold outside, say around 50 F, you probably want a |
| jacket and it varies a lot. Leather is a very thick | | | | textile jacket. Riding in a warmer state, you're |
| material and doesn't really breath all too much as is, | | | | probably better off with a well ventilated leather |
| but most of the leather jackets out there are well | | | | jacket. Does it rain a lot? Waterproof textile. Also, |
| ventilated via perforated leather panels and | | | | one thing you need to think about is if you're planning |
| oftentimes with the big backhump. Breathability of | | | | to go to the local racetrack for a ride, some of them |
| textile jackets depends on whether it has a | | | | won't take in people wearing textiles for safety |
| Gore-Tex or similar waterproof membrane in it. | | | | reasons. To sum it up, there's quite a bit of stuff to |
| Jackets with the membrane are much thicker and | | | | consider before making your decision but hopefully |
| won't breath as much. So, as I said, this varies a lot | | | | this guide shed some light into it! |