New Jacket advice
the only thing that will truly keep you warm is something totally windproof. I like my leather with the liner when it gets cold but if it is truly cold, put on your rain gear.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,998
Likes: 870
From: Iowa
Adding to what DillBilly said, most leather jackets also have venting that can be opened and closed, depending on the temp. It doesn't help much in the heat if you aren't moving, but for highway riding it makes it so that you can't really tell you have leathers on unless it's muggy.
I have always liked my leather. I used to wear it all the time. Now it seems I wear it only when riding. I had to really suck it in a couple weeks ago just to get it zipped. It felt like I was wearing a girdle or something. Looking back though. It always fit me better walking around than it did riding. I think it may have always been a bit too long because it would push up on me.
I am torn between a new leather or textile. I really gotta get rid of this beer gut before I choose anything though.
I am torn between a new leather or textile. I really gotta get rid of this beer gut before I choose anything though.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,509
Likes: 437
From: South Florida
Miwaukee Leather on leatherup has a jacket that gets pretty good reviews. But for me, the jacket, and jackets in general, are simply too heavy. I use a mesh jacket for most of my riding, and it has elbow and shoulder armor. The HD ones are pretty inexpensive, and you can get different armor for it on leatherup if you choose to.
I wear the mesh all the time. Throw on a vest over it. And when it gets too cold, I put my old FXRG jacket over the mesh instead of using a liner. Lots of armor since the fxrg has double sewn fabric at the elbows and shoulders.
The new waterproof denim one looks pretty good as well, but a little pricier. I like zippers better than snaps.
I wear the mesh all the time. Throw on a vest over it. And when it gets too cold, I put my old FXRG jacket over the mesh instead of using a liner. Lots of armor since the fxrg has double sewn fabric at the elbows and shoulders.
The new waterproof denim one looks pretty good as well, but a little pricier. I like zippers better than snaps.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,899
Likes: 3,412
From: OH
Textile is lighter and more versatile. Typically they have good liners and are waterproof. Leather lays on the body and moves with you better. Typically leather is more expensive allnother things being as equal as they can be.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 26
Likes: 1
From: Québec
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,133
Likes: 504
From: Lake County, IL
I have always liked my leather. I used to wear it all the time. Now it seems I wear it only when riding. I had to really suck it in a couple weeks ago just to get it zipped. It felt like I was wearing a girdle or something. Looking back though. It always fit me better walking around than it did riding. I think it may have always been a bit too long because it would push up on me.
I am torn between a new leather or textile. I really gotta get rid of this beer gut before I choose anything though.
I am torn between a new leather or textile. I really gotta get rid of this beer gut before I choose anything though.