Textile versus Leather.

dusty_nz · 15-09-2008, 12:39 PM

I just brought some new pants.
Teknic 2008 Catalog

My partner being a little nervous about my new big bike is worried that Textile pants don't provide enough protection in a crash.

Now I have assumed the following. For pure abrasion resistance I have the understanding that textile isn't quite as good as leather but are pretty good and won't shred and tear in a good slide?

Nylon pants tend to burn and tear almost instantaneously. True?
Denim tends to grip the road more than textile but will only survive briefly before wearing out?
Kevlar is better than leather in a material point of view? As in would provide the longest abrasion resistance but offers no padding.
Draggins are a good compromise however no impact protection and can tear the outer layer which may compromise the kevlar patches?

I went the textiles above as they have knee pads and seem to be of good material resistance.

semi · 15-09-2008, 12:41 PM

Nothing is nearly as good as leather. Anything else is a compromise really, but one that most people (me included) make

vbroom · 15-09-2008, 12:42 PM

nothing is as good as leather

everything else besides draggins/ kevlar jeans will most likely disintegrate in a second or two.

damn, too quick for me semi

dusty_nz · 15-09-2008, 12:46 PM

So vbroom, are you saying the textiles are no good? They even got kneepads so assumed they had been designed for off's? Cripes that sounds noobish

vbroom · 15-09-2008, 12:49 PM

the kneepads are more for the impact...you don't really slide on your knees if you come off.

you'll slide on your ass or your thighs...which is where the material is which is what will shred as you slide.

not saying its no good. textile bike pants are better than demin jeans for instance...but will only offer you a fraction of the protection as leather pants will.

skelly88 · 15-09-2008, 12:53 PM

Textiles tend to weigh less and be a lil bit more comfy. Not as good sliding on the road as semi said

Leroy · 15-09-2008, 03:29 PM

Go perforated leather pants

Drach · 15-09-2008, 09:49 PM

Please feel free to correct if i'm wrong, but i've heard somewhere (not sure where though) that for a crash at 60km/h, denim lasts about 2 seconds, textiles last about 5-6 seconds, and leather lasts for like 20 or 30 seconds.

Sounds about right to me as kevlar is resistant to abrasion....

thro · 15-09-2008, 11:37 PM

I've come off with a textile jacket and draggins.

Whilst i wouldn't really suggest using the jacket again, it held up fine on a 60-70km/h off and I didn't lose any skin with it. It was still mostly in tact, just had a few tears in the outer liner around my fore-arms.

The draggins, i'm still wearing. couple of small holes in the denim, but again, road didn't come in contact with my skin.

I got a minor graze on my left knee from the kevlar itself, but other than that, nothing. The kevlar was not breached in any way.

In contrast, i was wearing leather gloves - whilst the plastic knuckles on them were worn down, the leather was merely scuffed lightly. Very impressive.

All that said... i wouldn't bother with textile personally unless you were getting denim jeans like draggins that you can wear as casual clothing with other stuff, and *maybe* get away with at work (depending where you work).

If you're going to get dedicated bike pants, leather all the way.

At "higher than commuting speeds", i'd certainly feel way more comfortable in leather than textile.

2c.

SBK Toy Store · 15-09-2008, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drach

Please feel free to correct if i'm wrong, but i've heard somewhere (not sure where though) that for a crash at 60km/h, denim lasts about 2 seconds, textiles last about 5-6 seconds, and leather lasts for like 20 or 30 seconds.

Sounds about right to me as kevlar is resistant to abrasion....

I don't know about the exact numbers, but you certainly have the hierarchy down. Leather is the only thing that is going to keep the road rash off you. There is a trade-off for all three;

Denim is comfy, but comes off like a Bangkok prostitutes panties on a Friday night!

Textile is less comfortable and safer than denim, but more comfortable than leather and not as safe.

Leather will keep most of the pebble out of you, but can be hot and depending on the brand, can be very stiff.

Bottom line is that you need to figure out what you will "ACTUALLY" wear and go that route. If you buy a nice pair of Alpinestars leather track pants and don't ever wear them, it's a waste of time. I hope that was at least mildly helpful.

thro · 16-09-2008, 12:00 AM

^^ definitely whs about wearing it.

The best leather pants in the world are no good if you can't be arsed wearing them 90% of the time, and that's where i think draggins or similar kevlar lined denim are a BIG win.

The kelvar seems to hold up well enough for legal-ish speed commuting, and they're comfy enough to wear all day every day.

SBK Toy Store · 16-09-2008, 12:03 AM

Two thumbs up on that!

desmodude · 16-09-2008, 03:39 AM

yep leather is best for protection and kangaroo leather is the best leather light and strong , all forms of road racing favours leather but you need to be wearing them

Graelin · 16-09-2008, 04:06 AM

Very interested in this thread as when I used to ride textile was not an option, it wasnt available. I have not seen the results of textile in an off, any photos anyone?

I have gone textile but used to wear leather, and my experience with leather at 120kph off on race track was just a couple of leather burns and scuffing of the leather.

With out informed comment from those with experience all I have to go on is what some one with vested interest and maybe minimal experience in a shop tells me.

I find textile has given me comfort warmth and waterproof clothing.

Graelin

St Ives · 16-09-2008, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thro

I've come off with a textile jacket and draggins.

Whilst i wouldn't really suggest using the jacket again, it held up fine on a 60-70km/h off and I didn't lose any skin with it. It was still mostly in tact, just had a few tears in the outer liner around my fore-arms.

The draggins, i'm still wearing. couple of small holes in the denim, but again, road didn't come in contact with my skin.

I got a minor graze on my left knee from the kevlar itself, but other than that, nothing. The kevlar was not breached in any way.

In contrast, i was wearing leather gloves - whilst the plastic knuckles on them were worn down, the leather was merely scuffed lightly. Very impressive.

All that said... i wouldn't bother with textile personally unless you were getting denim jeans like draggins that you can wear as casual clothing with other stuff, and *maybe* get away with at work (depending where you work).

If you're going to get dedicated bike pants, leather all the way.

At "higher than commuting speeds", i'd certainly feel way more comfortable in leather than textile.

2c.

Just another one with actual experience here. A few years ago I cleaned up a roo at 120 km/h and skidded on my arse straight down the bitumen for 100 metres or so. I was wearing jeans with some wet weather over-pants from some motorcycle apparel company, don't remember which.

As I skidded I was thinking, "when I feel these pants wear through I'm gunna have to roll over", the sensation never arose though and when I checked out the condition of the textile pants they were fine, needed replacing though.

The Dri-Rider jacket I was wearing took an impact on the shoulder from the initial fall and was torn through so the padding was all fluffing out, it was one of their older style ones that doesn't have the inserts as they do now but it still did its job.

I didn't leave the bitumen so can't comment on how they go when you reach gravel.

dusty_nz · 16-09-2008, 09:12 AM

I think gravel is better as it acts like ball bearings. Or do you mean tar seal gravel held by tar?

Veefore · 16-09-2008, 10:04 AM

60-70km/h, that is was racing cyclists do and they only wear Lycra. Most average cyclists will hit 60km/h on nearly ever ride. People don't criticize them for not wearing leather. If you are only riding around about the speed limits then textiles will be fine 99% of the time. So will jeans probably. I had a mate come off at 80km/h wearing jeans and a tank top. Yes he lost skin on the shoulder where the tank top didn't cover him but that was all. He was even still able to wear the jeans afterwards.

If you are going to be pushing it well beyond open road speed limits then leather is the best choice. I have been down the road at 180km/h in a set of Dainese one piece leathers and after a few patches raced in them again. The gloves on the other hand were f##ked.

nath · 16-09-2008, 10:09 AM

This farking argument againIOo@8p29q3y5-9q34p89gtfhouaegrwohphijoiop'hfgV FFFFF!!!!!!!!!!!

Mish · 19-09-2008, 06:41 PM

To bring this F&%*ing post up again, I was thinking about this textile jacket for summer riding when going to work and stuff. For weekend scratches and trackdays my leather suit will be adorned, but is this good for textile? Anyone worn it?

Alpinestars Sniper Airflo Jacket - RidersDiscount.com

Cheers

P.S. Not asking which is better. I know when and where to wear which gear.

SBK Toy Store · 19-09-2008, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mish

To bring this F&%*ing post up again, I was thinking about this textile jacket for summer riding when going to work and stuff. For weekend scratches and trackdays my leather suit will be adorned, but is this good for textile? Anyone worn it?

Alpinestars Sniper Airflo Jacket - RidersDiscount.com

Cheers

P.S. Not asking which is better. I know when and where to wear which gear.

The Sniper is a very nice jacket. We see alot of textiles come through our store, and I think that is one of the best textiles out there (only second to A*'s T-RC-1). It breathes well, has good armor, and is mildly water resistant; what more could you ask for?