I'm looking at putting an order in on a JR Ballistic 6.0 Textile jacket for $169. The help I need is this: Is textile as comfortable as leather? As durable? Also, does anyone have a jacket like the JR Ballistic which I've read is a 3 season jacket, and wear it in the summer heat? Or is a summer mesh riding jacket the way to go? Lots of questions I know and I'm sorry but last time I owned a bike the textiles didn't exist. Cheers
The thing is, it all depends. Leather can be very comfortable if it is a very high quality and fits you properly. My Kushitani leather racing gloves are so supple and soft and feel so good your girlfriend would like you to rub her all over wearing them. In my experience, leather generally is more supple than textile. Regarding comfort, the fit is really important for comfort. My full-on race Dainese T-age leathers (see photo at left) are very comfortable to wear while rippin' around the track on a track day, or in the canyons on a warm summer day, but I wouldn't want to wear them around the house or out to dinner as a fashion garment. With respect to durable, again it depends on what you mean. If you mean is it more abrasion resistant in a crash...no, leather is still superior to any other material. Other than that, textile is very durable and can last a long time if cared for properly. Leather can too, but it requires more care, you need to apply lotions to the oils in leather to keep it supple and strong. If it gets wet and the oils are washed out, leather will degrade and lose strength in it's abrasion resistance. Overall, I prefer leather to textile, but I also just bought an Aerostich suit recently, and all I can say is it's awesome. Deserving of it's excellent reputation.
I have a JR Sonic 5.0 w/ leather front & rear 3/4 of the sleeves in leather w/ zip out textile panels on the sides & down the inside of the sleeves w/ mesh underneath. Along w/ the liner it is a a true 3-4 season jacket. I would not hesitate to wear snowmobiling, i haven't but I'm sure it would be plenty warm. I have been very satisfied w/ it thus far. Just remember w/ JR stuff you'll generally want to go a size larger if broad thru the shoulders maybe two sizes larger.
Have both for different uses and both are good, use an excellent quality Tigerangel Cordura Gortex Element for hot days, work commute and touring as being Gortex is 100% water proof and breaths well, it is durable but had to replace my original in '04 due to a 45 mph slide while it protected well with its built in Armour was a throw away whereas the slightly scuffed TA Leather pants are still in good use. For fun day rides in normal / good weather wear a Leather Jacket as it feels nicer and grabs the air less at speed. :biggrin:
