Why textile?

[1.21GW]

I'm wondering what the role of textile is in everyone's wardrobe of moto gear.  I've seen some good deals on last year's textile jackets and considered buying one but wasn't sure how it would fit in my current gear set up.  I normally ride with a leather jacket and kevlar jeans.

For those that have both textile and leather gear, when do you use one over the other?  How do they complement each other, or are they just two alternatives that are a point for individual preference?

[Triple J]

I always wear textile overpants. Aerostitch Darien. They're convenient so I'll always wear them, and waterproof. Leather pants are a pain in the ass, and you're stuck wearing them wherever you go.

I wear my textile jacket (again, A'stitch Darien) when it might rain (waterproof), is cold (heated jackets fits underneath), or on long trips (never know what weather will do).

Leather jacket only gets worn on local rides, when the weather is nice and warm...not often in Seattle sadly.

In general I prefer my A'stitch stuff because it offers very good protection, and is very versatile. I truly think it's the best riding gear available. Pricey, but it lasts forever.

[thought]

Textile is great for when it's hotter... I have the Rev'it Air and it's my go to jacket for anything over 85 degrees out.  And also, like previously mentioned, you can ride through rain and not worry about it too much... along with the fact that most of the cooler weather gear tends to be textile.

Overall, if you can afford it, getting a solid mesh jacket for the summer is a great idea along with a warmer jacket for the winters.  Textile pants are also a solid investment, way more protective than kevlar jeans and way more usable than leather pants.

I think you're based in NYC 1.21 and you should really look into hitting up the Rev'it sample sale when they come around.  You can pick up a very solid set for a steal there.

[1.21GW]

I actually have a mesh one (Ducati Flow jacket) but I found myself not wearing it much.  I just felt like my leather (RS Ronin) had more protection.  Frankly, above 85F it seems that I'm going to be hot no matter what.

From what I'm hearing, the difference between textile/leather is:

- textile is better for rain
- textile is lighter in weight/feel
- leather is better protection (??) (though it seems textile is still provides adequate protection)
- textile is better for cold weather (or maybe just more common)
- textile pants can be worn over other pants
- textile pants don't make you look like an 80s hair band guitarist when you're off the bike
- textile actually is cheaper than leather (TripleJ's Darien is $450 on the co. website, $100+ less than most leather jackets)

I think you're based in NYC 1.21 and you should really look into hitting up the Rev'it sample sale when they come around.  You can pick up a very solid set for a steal there.

Yeah, it was last month and I missed it.  I was in SF on black friday and saw some stuff ~50% off at the Dainese store, which was the impetus for this thread.

[JoeP]

- textile pants don't make you look like an 80s hair band guitarist when you're off the bike

and THIS is exactly why I don't wear textile pants. \m/

[Slide Panda]

And sometimes it's the application too.

They do not make leather ADV jackets. Some have leather sections, but really they are all textile. So for my (lame) ADV riding I trot out textile there - a Rev'it jacket and Klim over boot dirtbike pants supplemented whit armor shorts and forcefield "zeus' knees

For street, textile usually falls into mellow rides and erranding. The weight, lack of really, less odd looks and better low speed ventilation make it more practical around town. But if I'm going to be hooning a bit the leathers come out.

[Slide Panda]

- textile actually is cheaper than leather (TripleJ's Darien is $450 on the co. website, $100+ less than most leather jackets)

Textile is GENERALLY cheaper than leather. There are outliers in every segment. With some work you can find nice leathers for low cost. Example I just bought a brand new w/ tags Rev'It 1pc for just over $500. It was their top model, but has been replaced by a new model and vendors area clearing out 'old' stock. Took at while of watching eBay, but I got a suit that had an original MSRP of about $1300 for a song.

On the other end, the top jackets from Rukka or Klim - which are textile ARE $1300... ow

[Triple J]

- textile is better for rain [if it's built for it. Goretex is the only way to go]
- textile is lighter in weight/feel
- leather is better protection (??) [IMO a quality textile offers equal protection for the street; however, it's more of a one-use application, whereas leather may survive several spills]
- textile is better for cold weather [Just because it's usually looser fitting, so allows layers/heated gear more comfortably]
- textile pants can be worn over other pants [Leather overpants are available...they're heavy]
- textile pants don't make you look like an 80s hair band guitarist when you're off the bike 
- textile actually is cheaper than leather (TripleJ's Darien is $450 on the co. website, $100+ less than most leather jackets) [like Panda said...maybe]

[seevtsaab]

I may go back to textile someday but leather works for me now, with venting of course. Spring-summer-fall, rain or shine.
My frog-toggs cover me for below 40F or longer rides below 50F - they get ALOT of use as cold weather cover.
I survived OK in the heat with the vents on my Vanson MK2 plus the mesh on my Rev-It Gear leather / mesh pants.
I'm able to change out of the pants at work, slight sacrifice to convenience there. I feel more secure in the fitted leather.

I think the attraction of textile is there are so many options at a low price point. The high end stuff offers lots of function and versatility. I get more joy from leather.

[1.21GW]

All great input.  Conclusion is that I'm fine with what I have but will keep an casual eye out for super deals on textile to maybe add a rain-friendly jacket to the collection.



Mini-threadjack to give a  to seevtsaab for showing the saab love.  Just gave away my 2002 9-3.  Her name was Bridget and she was the best car I ever owned. [sigh]

[thought]

Oh, and in terms of leather vs textile abrasion resistance, leather abrades better and can generally be used again after a off.  Textile will protect you, but it's more likely to not be able to reused.

[scduc]

Oh, and in terms of leather vs textile abrasion resistance, leather abrades better and can generally be used again after a off.  Textile will protect you, but it's more likely to not be able to reused.

I beg to differ, my textile jacket didn't hold up for shit in my crash and I've got huge scars and loss of feeling in my underarm. I believe that my windscreen broke and cut through my DP textile jacket like a hot knife in butter. The Dr. said my armpit looked like hamburger. Needless to say NO textile for me. I wear my leather everywhere, even in 100+ temps. Maybe I just had bad luck, but the new leathers vent quite well.

[Triple J]

I beg to differ, my textile jacket didn't hold up for shit in my crash and I've got huge scars and loss of feeling in my underarm. I believe that my windscreen broke and cut through my DP textile jacket like a hot knife in butter. The Dr. said my armpit looked like hamburger. Needless to say NO textile for me. I wear my leather everywhere, even in 100+ temps. Maybe I just had bad luck, but the new leathers vent quite well.

Sounds like bad luck, or poor quality textile. I know a few people that have gone down in Aerostitch gear and done very well. Accidents are all different, so hard to say though.

[ducpainter]

The biggest consideration with any gear is fit...be it jacket, pants, helmet, or gloves.

Some textile/mesh gear is so loose that it can ride up in a crash, and any padding gets displaced and becomes useless. Also some inexpensive mesh gear will actually melt and stick to your skin compounding any injury. I've seen that happen. I've personally left a set of gloves on the grips going over the top in a crash.

So my advice regardless of what you wear is a snug enough fit to prevent the garment from moving in a crash.

[Privateer]

my opinion is textile is more versatile through a wider range of temperature conditions.  A tex jacket with a 1 or 2 different liners and copious venting can serve from pretty cold ("pretty cold" for me is ~40) to up into the 90's.  Most good tex will repel surprise rain showers in case you get caught without dedicated rain gear.  Not saying leather won't do these things, mind you.

My leather jacket doesn't see as much use because I don't think it's as comfortable and more limited on temperature control.