Open to any opinions here: Pros or cons of leather vs. textile and vise versa? I am a new rider and I am getting redy to buy a jacket....what should I be looking for? Thanks for the help!

 

Ive got a textile jacket i usually use while on my cruiser..and just bought a full leather race suit for my ninja...just cuz if i get hit....im going over the bars.

 

Textile; lighter and more airflow on hot days. Quicker heat transfer. Not going to hold up when you need it most.

Leather; better protection. Better protection. Less airflow for hot days, better for rain protection. Slower heat transfer less chance of being burned or getting rashes.

I have tested my leather a few times and will never ride with out leather protection.

Get leather bro a 50mph crash and textile will not hold up nearly as well.

 

Definatley leather. I had a jacket of "other" material when I first started riding on the street back in the early 90's. the worst happened. I biffed it doing about 40 and hit the pavement hard. The asphalt tore straight through to my back. And quick too. It makes for a nice cheese grater feel. Ya, go with leather. I know if I had leathers on, it would not have been near as bad. We all learn the hard way. Leather.....

 

I prefer leathers. Leathers will also allow you to slide more instead of skid/stop when your skin grabs.

 

Road riding ... leathers.
Trail riding .... Textile.

 

Ouch!

 

Unfortunately he is right.

 

i would have to say leather also.... but ICON makes great textile..... i rode with the timax jacket for a year and gone down on it twice..... the jacket held up like a champ.... but to be fair textile in the 90's can't compared to the textile of today.... but to be on the safe side get leather......

 

Leather is always better... most riding jackets will have vents and zip-out liners. I've ridden 2 summers in a leather jacket with 2 front vents and one back vent and they really do make a difference. Most guys I rode with at the time thought I was nuts in 90+ degree heat putting on my leather jacket and gloves, but the only time I really got hot, I was stuck in a huge jam behind an accident on an interstate highway. Both the bike and I were overheating that day.