Posted by Tim Zimlich on Sep 27th 2016
For as long as motorcycles have been around, motorcycle gear has been a cornerstone of bike culture. When textile jackets started being sold, they couldn't really hold a candle to leather. The low-tech textile jackets seemed like a fad but over the years construction and quality have improved tremendously. Now the two styles are on a more even playing field. Personal preference, and money spent, will come in to play when deciding which material is going to do the trick.
The Bloodaxe Leather Jacket by Viking Cycle
Leather:
Cheap leather jackets can have a noticeable difference in grade on the pieces of fabric that are used. Avoid these like the plague. Those who make knock offs will find any piece of leather garment they can get and stitch it together to turn a profit. It's important to inspect the jacket to see that the color and texture are consistent through the whole jacket. A high quality jacket from a reputable brand will show in it's leather a uniform grade as they are made from material that came from the same source.
Once it is known for certain that a leather jacket is top notch, is it really more favorable than a textile jacket of a similar level of quality? One thing is for certain, a leather jacket with adequate armor is the best bet for protection in a crash. While a textile jacket doesn't leave you bare by any means, leather will outperform in a slide across the pavement 9 times out of 10. Depending on how minimal or severe the crash is, it might even hold up enough to still be worn, while a textile jacket is much more likely to tear. Find the jacket above here.
The Ironside Textile Jacket by Viking Cycle
Textile:
Next in this comparison is the more versatile option, the textile motorcycle jacket. While leather is a stronger material and jackets made from it are certainly synonymous with motorcycles, textile jackets have their own countering strengths. A key one being a much higher level of water resistance. Leather can be treated with oils and waxes but it still won't handle the rain better than a textile jacket. In the opposite weather, a sunny day for instance, mesh inlays provide ventilation to some textile jackets.
If you don't have an amount of high-visibility protection on your bike, many textile jackets have added hi-vis material. Leather may be better for you in a crash, but certain textile jackets may be better at preventing one. They can also pack a punch armor wise too. Read the specs and do your research. You just might find that a high quality textile jacket may be the right one for you, despite not having the rugged look of leather. Find the jacket above here.
Fashion vs Function:
For a long time leather jackets were all that was available to riders. As time went by, many new technologies have gone into the construction of motorcycle jackets and most textile jackets take full advantage of that. Whether you're looking for style, functionality or safety, you can't go wrong with either as they both have advantages and disadvantageous. The smart bet is to just go with whatever you think works best for you.
