Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > Leathers V textile.. long Distance

[madmav]

Just thought I would get some feedback.. I went into my Local retailer today, looking for some new leathers!

I was supprised when he pointed me to the Textile end of the counter..

He recons Long distance work you won't beat textiles.

I must say the thought had never crossed my mind before today!

You always seem to feel more protected in leathers

anyone fancy puting their spin on it?

What do you ride in?

mav

[Ray]

Been thinking about some textile stuff with armour if a long trip in hot weather is on the cards.
Was well envious of me mate in his Hein Gericke stuff in the south of France this summer while I fried in me leathers.

Ray.

[Jools]

Distance doesn't come into it for me it's the weather that dictates leather or textile.

Basically:

Weather dry (or only a shower or two) and warmer than around 10 degrees = Leather

Weather wet and/or colder than 10 degrees = Nice warm, dry Belstaff Goretex

My thinking is that you're pretty well protected by the armour in textile stuff and you'll probably be going steadier when it's cold or wet. Up the pace a bit on a dry road and leather is what I'd want - vented stuff if it's really hot

[JPM]

Originally Posted by Jools

Distance doesn't come into it for me it's the weather that dictates leather or textile.

Basically:

Weather dry (or only a shower or two) and warmer than around 10 degrees = Leather

Weather wet and/or colder than 10 degrees = Nice warm, dry Belstaff goretex

I'm with Jools on this, don't think you can beat leathers for protection but for rain etc go with textiles, I've just spent a small fortune on Dainese Gortex gear for winter all fully armoured also

[ariel]

Originally Posted by JPM

I'm with Jools on this, don't think you can beat leathers for protection but for rain etc go with textiles, I've just spent a small fortune on Dainese Gortex gear for winter all fully armoured also

Yes really good quality leathers are probably the ultimate in protection terms, however a good textile well armoured jacket is what I normally wear for the road along with leather jeans( I have a phobia about knee damage!)
I wear a leather jacket very rarely now and am trying to get away from the power ranger image. I have Hein Gericke and a beautiful Gore Tex IXS number, not a cheapo but a real Quality one. IXS is a Swiss company I believe and I've been really surprised by the quality og this jacket.

[madmav]

just food for thought !
I was looking at the abrasion test on both textile and leather !

Up shot is (on the road)

You will probably have Hit something harder than you and died before the Textile/leather wears through!!!!!!
LOL


mav

[Gizmo]

one of the downsides of textile is that its very easy for the arms or legs to twist if you do crash as most have linings you can leave in or take out, the textile tends to be less snug fitting and the armour moves, I've got a nice scar from a hole in my elbow, the textile jacket was holed on the lower forearm, the jacket and armour had moved because there was no way I could tighten them up

Most armour is soft and isn't shaped so doesn't fit "around" knees and elbows, I've now added hard armour to my textile trousers to keep it around the knee, I went to look at a pair of Rukka's 2 weeks ago and when i said I wasn't happy with the armour fit the sales person said sit in an on bike position so the armour flexes to the shape, fine if you happen to fall off and can crouch but I'd rather make sure the armour doesn't move no matter where my leg is.

I always feel safer in good leathers but ride in textile goretex most of the winter, summer I'll wear leathers and take a pair of over trousers or a 1 pce race suit and those new A stars windproof jackets if its just cold not too damp.

[ariel]

Food for thought Gizmo.

[madmav]

Originally Posted by Gizmo

one of the downsides of textile is that its very easy for the arms or legs to twist if you do crash as most have linings you can leave in or take out, the textile tends to be less snug fitting and the armour moves, I've got a nice scar from a hole in my elbow, the textile jacket was holed on the lower forearm, the jacket and armour had moved because there was no way I could tighten them up

Most armour is soft and isn't shaped so doesn't fit "around" knees and elbows, I've now added hard armour to my textile trousers to keep it around the knee, I went to look at a pair of Rukka's 2 weeks ago and when i said I wasn't happy with the armour fit the sales person said sit in an on bike position so the armour flexes to the shape, fine if you happen to fall off and can crouch but I'd rather make sure the armour doesn't move no matter where my leg is.

I always feel safer in good leathers but ride in textile goretex most of the winter, summer I'll wear leathers and take a pair of over trousers or a 1 pce race suit and those new A stars windproof jackets if its just cold not too damp.

worth considering !

mav

[Paul James]

Originally Posted by JPM

I'm with Jools on this, don't think you can beat leathers for protection but for rain etc go with textiles, I've just spent a small fortune on Dainese Gortex gear for winter all fully armoured also

Been using the Dainese Goretex gear for a while now and it's been fine. One thing that is diffuicult to decide is what choice for a long trip when you might experience weather changes. I prefer to wear leathers and carry an oversuit if touring in the summer but maybe this time of year, in this country, you are unlikely to get overheated in textile gear.

Like most things its best to have all the options really, overall you'd have to say that textile gives the best protection against bad weather. If that is your main priority.

Not trying to hijack your thread Mav or to put myself forward as any touring "guru" just a few observations.