Opinions on riding gear

[Mountain rider]

Leather has been the gold standard for riding gear for years. With all the advances in synthetics, do you still lean toward leather or do you find ballistic nylon and armor inserts are leathers equal? As for comfort, does the weight of leather or the breath-ability of synthetics win? I'm preparing to outfit the wife and myself in some up to date equipment and just wondered what the riding community thought. Thanks.

[cbx4evr]

I like the nylon stuff myself. On the Wing I used a mesh jacket and pants. Was able to keep a little cooler wearing that. My wife wore non-vented nylon gear.

[newday777]

My mesh ballistic gets worn in summer months. My leather the rest of the year.

[MiWinger51]

I wear a Firstgear Kilimanjaro jacket. It is a great jacket although it is a litlle heavy for real hot days. I like the breathability of nylon and my jacket is well vented. I'm thinking of getting a mesh jacket for the hot months.

[Dusty Boots]

Mesh riding gear with removable rain and thermal liners, along with a heated jacket liner is your most versatile option for riding gear to cover the whole riding season and all riding conditions.
Leather is fine, but it only has a somewhat narrow temperature range when it can be worn comfortably!!!
With my​ mesh riding gear and liner combinations, I have ridden in every weather conditions imaginable

[Viking]

Both may save your own skin in the event of a sliding accident, and the armor could actually prevent damage to the areas that it covers, however, leather has the best chance of being useable after said accident. Even the ballistic nylon/foam armor combinations have been shown to be gone after less than a full second of a slide on asphalt or concrete. As I do not ride in the hundred plus temperatures that some of you folks do, leather is still my choice. My leather has zippered vents that help somewhat, but I admit, leather can be hot to ride in. I still choose leather. I own a ballistic nylon joe rocket made for Goldwing jacket, and have tried using it, but the armor made it uncomfortable, and moved around. It is pretty, hanging in my closet, silver and black to match my Goldwing. It does not get used.

[WingAdmin]

Both may save your own skin in the event of a sliding accident, and the armor could actually prevent damage to the areas that it covers, however, leather has the best chance of being useable after said accident. Even the ballistic nylon/foam armor combinations have been shown to be gone after less than a full second of a slide on asphalt or concrete. As I do not ride in the hundred plus temperatures that some of you folks do, leather is still my choice. My leather has zippered vents that help somewhat, but I admit, leather can be hot to ride in. I still choose leather. I own a ballistic nylon joe rocket made for Goldwing jacket, and have tried using it, but the armor made it uncomfortable, and moved around. It is pretty, hanging in my closet, silver and black to match my Goldwing. It does not get used.

I'm not all that concerned about the condition of my gear after I go sliding down the road - as long as it gives up its life protecting mine. My insurance will cover the replacement of protective gear.

[smilam]

Does the material in ballistic motorcycle jackets break down with age and or sun exposure? My wife asked while we were on our last trip and I didn't have an answer. Do they need to be replaced every few years like our helmets?

[coolrogue1]

As I do not ride in the hundred plus temperatures that some of you folks do, leather is still my choice. My leather has zippered vents that help somewhat, but I admit, leather can be hot to ride in. I still choose leather. I own a ballistic nylon joe rocket made for Goldwing jacket, and have tried using it, but the armor made it uncomfortable, and moved around. It is pretty, hanging in my closet, silver and black to match my Goldwing. It does not get used.

Yeah, leather is out of the question here in the summer, I use mesh gear and still have to park the bike if it gets much over 100 degrees. It's ok as long as your moving but sitting at a traffic light or stuck in traffic and no matter how much ventilation you have if your not moving it's like being inside an oven... We're entering our monsoon season here, so that presents a whole new set of variables.

Sam

[Herplaw]

All of the above. Normal riding gear, esp for trips, is Aerostich Darien. It layers over fleece for added warmth and vents open when it gets hot. But the biggest benefit is that it is waterproof! No need to pack, much less stop and dig out rain gear if it starts to drip. Just zip it up a bit tighter and keep on trucking.... Leather for day rides in cooler weather if you know it is not going to rain. Mesh for very hot days, 90+. If you are only going to have one, Aerostich!

[harvey01]

All of the above. Normal riding gear, esp for trips, is Aerostich Darien. It layers over fleece for added warmth and vents open when it gets hot. But the biggest benefit is that it is waterproof! No need to pack, much less stop and dig out rain gear if it starts to drip. Just zip it up a bit tighter and keep on trucking.... Leather for day rides in cooler weather if you know it is not going to rain. Mesh for very hot days, 90+. If you are only going to have one, Aerostich!

Amen!!

[madmtnmotors]

Mesh riding gear with removable rain and thermal liners, along with a heated jacket liner is your most versatile option for riding gear to cover the whole riding season and all riding conditions.
Leather is fine, but it only has a somewhat narrow temperature range when it can be worn comfortably!!!
With my​ mesh riding gear and liner combinations, I have ridden in every weather conditions imaginable

+1

Leather is way too hot here in the humid Southeast.

[chrisfromtexas]

I have tried muti season nylon gear that worked fine within a range of temps , roughly 45 to 90. It was reasonably rain proof. If riding through some mild to hard rain for several miles up to maybe twenty you would stay dry aftet that water would start to seep in around areas that get uncomfortable after awhile. So I have a mesh jacket with rain proof and warm liner for summer use .65 is about its lower limit and leather jacket and chaps that are a little oversized for layering as needed that gets me down into the 30's for extended rides. I have a rain suit that dosent leak. Yes it's a pain to pull off and put on but it dosent leak!! Haven't seen mention of foot wear yet so I'll just throw in my two cents worth. I wear Bates tactical lace ups that are insulated and goretex lined. The zippered side really helps to slip on easily. It sounds wrong but the insulation keeps the tops of my feet from getting overly hot in direct sunlight for extended times. I wear these year round every ride. Oh and they don't leak either!! Hope you find what suits you.