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I haven't had a lot of chances to ride in cold weather yet, so some of you who are seasoned in that - could you answer this question for me?

If everything is the same with a jacket, except one is leather and the other is textile - which would keep me warmer: the leather or the textile?


TIA

Kristi--

I have a decent quality leather jacket that is lightly lined. I can wear that with long underwear and several layers and get cold.

I also have a Joe Rocket Ballistic jacket that is lined and is much, much warmer than my leather jacket. I wear fewer layers and stay warmer in the Rocket.

Until I broke my leg two weeks ago I was riding no matter the temperature. If you really want to stay warm get a heated jacket liner--not just a vest but a liner with sleeves. Best investment I ever made.

wayne

I can't comment on the leather. I bought a Tourmaster Jett jacket last year with a nice liner in it. I have taken some hour long rides at 32F with that and sweatshirt and long sleeve t-shirt and was comfortable.
Cool, but comfortable.

Gypsy,
I would lean toward waterproof textile stuff. Nothing worse than cold and wet. I also agree with Wayne about the heated gear, but I only have a vest.

Gypsy,
I purchased the Olympia motosports Phantom one piece and I have been so far impressed. It is able to handle a wide range of temps (liner & venting), it is waterproof and has good CE approved armor in all the necessary places. The design is attractive and it seems to be a good alternative to the Aerostich at about 1/2 the cost. It isn't an Aerostich, but probably the next best thing and certainly worth the money. The leather gear that I have owned has been less waterproof, heavier, cooler in the winter and usually too hot in 90+ degree weather. It is hard to generalize with the large variety of both kinds of of garments, but my money seems to keep going to the textile stuff.

+1 on towerworker's comment on the electric liner.

-Bruno

I have both and IMO defiantly textile is warmer.

DJ

Since Vickie and I got the Tourmaster & Cortech Textile gear, the leathers have been on a shelf in the closet!

After being soaked, they are dry enough to wear again in 3-4 hrs of hang dry, and will be completely dry overnight.

I would say the leather is hotter in the summer and colder in the winter. And, I think it's because the hot and cold transfers through to the wearer more. Also the rain liners in the textile gear is a better wind block than leather.

Leather is cooler.

Aaaaaaaaaayyyy!

DJ Downunder wrote:I have both and IMO defiantly textile is warmer.

DJ

DITTO, Although i do think it would depend on the product line, my textile is an Aerostich (Roadcrafter 2 pc) which I am very happy with, and would highly recommend. The leathers I have are not of the highest quality and maybe that would make a difference, Den

Seems unanimous. Thanks.

Buy a Gerbing jacket liner...you'll never regret it. Besides, it's cheaper than most jackets..

My leather jacket is definitely cooler but then, it is fully perforated!

While leather (non-perforated) is a good wind block, most aren't made to layer anything warm under. A good textile jacket with a zip-out liner will be warmer and then can be cooler when needed by removing the liner!

Textile is more versatile but I do love riding with the perfed leather gear for the summer day rides!

I would think the decider would be the type and amount of insulation. I'll bet similarly insulated leather would be the same as textile, but then you bring in the wet and I think textile may win. I don't think leather would adapt to adding/removing insulation without drastically changing the feel/look.

I concur. My textile jackets are warmer than my leather jacket, and are waterproof to boot. BUT, while the armor in the textile jacket is encouraging (some say falsely), nothing beats leather for abrasion resistance on pavement. And, yeah, as Boxer said, it is cooler!

I wear long-sleeve themal under long-sleeve flannel shirt under heated vest under a textile jacket to keep warm here down to 35 deg, and I'm hot-blooded (ie. don't like cold). Love that heated vest, but (fortunately) don't get to wear it often.

Fine, I'll be the Dirty Old Man of the group...
"I Am!"

[D-O-M mode off]

Ok, For ridin' here in NoDak, it's Textile (Joe Rocket Ballistic) with liner and some form of Patagonia base layer and maybe a couple layers of random stuff on top of that. For the Paws, not much to do but let the temp warm-up above 35 with heat, but short trips are ok around that and below.

Hope I didn't offend (too much).
8-)

Take care
JC

+1 Patagonia!!!

I wear "textiles" under my leather coat in winter (and avoid the rain).

As a dedicated duck hunter, I can vouch for the high tech stuff, especially when things get wet. The only thing close to synthetics for warm while wet is wool.

Still saving up for my electrics!