Looking for some opinions folks, I have always wore textiles but find myself fancying a set of leathers, 2 piece don't like the idea of 1 piece fannying about, what's the consensus on leathers over textiles other than the level of safety leather gives when sliding down the road? Cheers Daz
I have both, and I'd say that if you are a commuter then stick with Textiles. Far more comfortable. I use TT's for the commute to work and I use my 2 piece Leathers for a decent summers ride out for the day, or the bike holiday. Or mix n match. Leather jeans with a textile jacket. Leather jeans allow more grip on the tank and the textile jacket is loads more practical. I don't envisage going down the road, so that isn't a consideration when choosing my kit.
After wearing a one piece leather for a few years, I've just bought a textile jacket and pants.............. Just too hot for a one piece leather at the moment. Not that I'm complaining, this weather is great.
I am thinking 2 piece, are leathers warmer or cooler than textiles, I find textiles very warm, not a bad thing when it's cooler but when hot I was hoping leather 2 piece might be a better option?
I find textile's a little cooler and certainly more comfortable. I have my RST one piece leather, which I feel more confident when I'm wearing it. But for comfort, I bought Alpinestars Jacket and Pants. Worst thing with the leather one piece is once you stop (In this hot weather), It quickly becomes sweaty and is a challenge to take it off......... LOL. A video of me trying to get out of my once piece after a hot sweaty day would have everyone laughing I'm sure.
Base layer! You won't get as sweaty then and the leathers won't stick to you. I use under armour heat gear.
I wear textiles to commute, I have a winter set and a summer set, the summer ones are the tea bag style and feel like im riding in shorts and t-shirt. But for when I go out playing I wear 1 piece leathers without exception. As already mentioned, I feel more confident on the bike and enjoy the ride much more in full leathers, I also think im a better rider for some strange reason when I have full leathers on.
I don't feel right when wearing textiles so I only tend to use them if commuting or if I have to ride in grotty weather.
I only wear my textiles when it's raining, rest of the time it's leathers all the way. You can always get a waterproof over suit. ...you'll probably looked like a mini stuffed condom... but hey... you'll be dry
I am in the 50/50 brigade in this weather, leather trousers and textile jacket that's as perforated as fook, so much more comfortable, commuting or fun riding.
Can't beat a bit of leather....seriously though a 1 piece in my opion is no hassle to wear, looks smart and if worn with a base layer T, you should have problems removing the suit when the weather is warm.
In winter it's textiles until it works a little. Then textile jacket and leather trousers. Until around April when it's two piece leather weather for my commute. I only really wear one piece for days out. Can't beat leather gear in my book. Ohh errr.
Daz you may be missing an important bit of the equation here....are you single? if so, are you looking for lurrrve? If that's a yes, then its a big no no to the textiles! One piece all the way, make sure it fits well & learn to stride like John Wayne in it....undo the zip to reveal a smidgeen of chest hair....if you've too much, shave....if you've none then shave the cat & stick a bit on and you will be lonely no more!
I recently had a low speed off across the bonnet of a car and came to rest approx 10 metres after impact, RST Tracktec evo leathers destroyed but thank fook I was wearing them. I will never wear anything other than leather now.
However... They make some of us look like satanic Tellytubbies, so... as a fanny magnet there are caveats.
2 piece leathers all the time. One jacket is perforated and I've never felt too hot. I do have a set of textiles but never gone back to them once I got used to my leathers.