Leather vs Textile jackets
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 239
Likes: 3
From: Castle Rock, CO
While I love my leathers, I have a full textile suit from Olympia that is warmer for winter riding than any leather that I've ever had. I used it frequently when I rode back and forth to the office, 120mi roundtrip, now I work from home so enjoy my leathers more...nuthin like a good piece of critter hide for comfort!
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 328
Likes: 4
From: Arizona
I expect more than warmth and wind protection from a motorcycle jacket. The abrasion properties of textile, does not compare to leather.
I'll admit to not using textile for more than 10 years, so maybe new stuff is different.
I'll admit to not using textile for more than 10 years, so maybe new stuff is different.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 698
Likes: 13
Have worn nothing but leather jackets for years.........However, I just bought a textile jacket and have been very impressed with it thus far. Just rode back from Gettysburg, Pa in slight rain a good portion of the way and I was warm and dry.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
Kinda a fashion thing? I have a old Scout leather jacket I love and wear on the harley. I wear textile on my other bikes. Both work well but when it gets hot the textile mesh goes on no mater the bike.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 168
From: Potsdam, NY
Do the textile/cordura jackets block the wind as good as leather? Are they as warm and has anyone tried or have both? I am wanting a jacket that is warm and will keep the wind out. I just recently bought two leather jackets with removable Thinsulate liners for me and her. They are kind of heavy and very bulky to pack. I don't mind the weight at all while I am wearing it but biggest issue is just the bulk of them. Just wanting something that is warm and easier to pack and was looking at the textile jackets but I don't want to give up much warmth. In the spring and fall, we will ride in temps down into the 30's and have rode in the 20's. Thanks.
Something like this should be good down to ~40F (an hour to two at continuous highway speeds) with liner installed but cool up to ~85F-90F with liner removed and vents opened. I use mine below freezing but much below 40F I like to use my heated liner under it. That's with no windshield. With a windshield or on shorter city rides, you might find you can get by without the heated liner in freezing temps.
As a general rule textile jackets are more practical and comfortable and have a wider temp range. Just avoid the cheap polyester jackets as they have minimal abrasion protection. Cordura is 5-10 x more abrasion resistant for the same denier (fabric weight) but you pay more for it. Rev'It, Danese, Klim and Olympia all make high quality jackets.
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/o...FUMLMgod_C8AiQ
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/revit-sand-2-jacket
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/k...-misano-jacket
Last edited by fat_tony; Jul 23, 2014 at 10:34 PM.
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 992
Likes: 2
From: TN
Do the textile/cordura jackets block the wind as good as leather? Are they as warm and has anyone tried or have both? I am wanting a jacket that is warm and will keep the wind out. I just recently bought two leather jackets with removable Thinsulate liners for me and her. They are kind of heavy and very bulky to pack. I don't mind the weight at all while I am wearing it but biggest issue is just the bulk of them. Just wanting something that is warm and easier to pack and was looking at the textile jackets but I don't want to give up much warmth. In the spring and fall, we will ride in temps down into the 30's and have rode in the 20's. Thanks.