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I've done a ton of research into high end stuff like perforated leather, Aerostich, Cycleport (was called Motoport), Rukka, etc. Leather, even the perforated kind, I've heard is pretty hot in stop-and-go traffic. Also too heavy for my taste. Rukka has Aramid jackets/pants, but each piece is about $1500. My two friends with Aerostich suits say they get really hot over 75F. Cycleport is about the same cost as 'stich, maybe a bit more. Their stretch kevlar fabric is highly water resistant (stays dry for 20 min. in moderate rain), but to make it waterproof you need the optional liners, total cost is $560 jkt, $400 pants. I plan to buy Cycleport air mesh jacket with liner, and stretch kevlar pants without the liners ($300) since it doesn't rain much here. Add $30 for cheap rain pants to put over it.

I've heard that textile jackets slide better than leather. Supposedly you tend to tumble more in leather, which causes broken bones. I doubt this has been proved with an independent study, so take it for what its worth.

All the top quality gear is expensive. But my medical plan only pays 80% of hospital costs and the deductible is $1K, so I could save myself a lot of money in just one crash (explain this to your wife/husband if they complain about the cost). Not to mention pain and suffering and time off the bike.

I've crashed at 45mph in a textile jacket, 30 in a leather and could not find any differences in the protection provided. In fact both held up pretty well with no holes in both jackets (along with my mesh Joe Rocket in similar occurrence) and the scrapes are hard to notice since they're black.

I slid on the ground in the leather jacket as well as the Teknic textile. Tumbling depends on how you hit the ground after an accident.

Aramid fibers don't get too hot and there are some clothing that wicks away the heat that also contains aramid fibers and it's a given that black will absorb more heat than anything.

CO_Tim wrote:I've heard that textile jackets slide better than leather. Supposedly you tend to tumble more in leather, which causes broken bones. I doubt this has been proved with an independent study, so take it for what its worth.

I've not heard anything about leather making you tumble. Except of course for suede which will spin you like top. In fact leather will slow you down faster then textile will without spinning you. That's why the racers are still using leather suits. And most tracks require leathers.